<p>bought a sandwich once and threw it immediately into the trash when I realized the maker had long fake nails and no gloves. I know I could have protested but this was about 15 plus years ago and a new thing in my world. NO way was I eating it though. Still would not.</p>
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Let’s see, I never said my reaction to gauges was anyone’s problem, never claimed anyone didn’t have the right to mutilate their bodies as they see fit, and didn’t suggest such mutilations correlate with violence, drugs or mental problems. I just find it repulsive to see huge holes in earlobes and objects stuck through facial areas. So I avoid looking at them, and wouldn’t hire anyone with them, because then I’d have to look at them all the time, as would my customers, who may feel the same. So, no problem for me. I don’t need to toughen up at all because I can simply avoid seeing this stuff most of the time.</p>
<p>I’m wondering how those advocating for this kind of thing feel about the binding of feet that was de rigeur for upscale Chinese women. It, too, was a mutilation of the body to create a desired appearance. I’m nauseated by photos of bound feet. Do I have to toughen up about that, too?</p>
<p>I’m wondering how those advocating for this kind of thing feel about the binding of feet that was de rigeur for upscale Chinese women. It, too, was a mutilation of the body to create a desired appearance. I’m nauseated by photos of bound feet. Do I have to toughen up about that, too?</p>
<p>Good point!</p>
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<p>I, too, immediately thought of high heels as I read through this thread. They’re a far greater health risk than piercings and gauges. They put your body in an unnatural position and put far too much pressure on the balls of the feet. And if you’re in an emergency situation, good luck running in them. (Remember that nightclub fire? One girl in high heels tripped, fell, and was basically crushed to death by the rest of the crowd.)</p>
<p>I don’t care how toughened up or not anyone is, but I don’t care for the comparison of footbinding, which was clearly coercive, debilitating and abusive, to decorative body choices which are freely chosen.</p>
<p>“But if we refused to do anything that we might regret someday down the line for one reason or another, we wouldn’t do much of anything, would we?” - So very true. </p>
<p>To me it just makes sense to avoid the permanent damage that might not age well. I am not a big fan of hair coloring etc… but that’s an individual choice. And it is not forever.</p>
<p>" They’re a far greater health risk than piercings and gauges"</p>
<p>High heels do not need to be worn 24/7 and can be taken off whenever the wearer wants. One can own a closet full of Jimmy Choos and still have healthy feet. High heels to not lead to transmission of blood-borne infections and tooth damage. Google “MRSA and piercings” - there is some scary stuff out there.</p>
<p>Crizello, is your son employed? In what field–would this be a “career” job?</p>
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So superficial appearance is a valid hiring issue to you, and you think that this is a perfectly acceptable thing. Good to know.</p>
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First, foot-binding was a far greater level of mutilation. Second, it was a practice forced upon children by their elders and society, not the selection of consenting and aware adults. It is child abuse, so no, please do not toughen up about that.</p>
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Don’t get married then. Or but a house. Or car. Or relocate for a job. Or… well, you get the idea. Life is full of decisions that could cause “permanent damage” or not “age well”.</p>
<p>That having been said, if this is your concern, then you definitely should not do it. But don’t judge people for taking that leap unless you have some sure knowledge that it was a mistake for them.</p>
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Life is scary. Don’t eat or handle chicken, there might be salmonella. Don’t go on a roller coaster, it might malfunction. Sure as HECK don’t get in a car!</p>
<p>Or just realize that anything worth doing is worth doing right. Go to a good, clean, reputable place. The people getting MRSA from piercings are making the same kind of mistakes as the ones who get plastic “surgery” from door-to-door “surgeons” with syringes full of industrial sealant.</p>
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<p>Well, I think it can be good to take a “stand,” but understand what the “stand” is. Yes superficial appearance is a valid hiring issue. Judges will sanction attorneys for inappropriate outfits. International Bankers deal with international clients. Some jobs require a uniform.</p>
<p>Like it or not, it is a valid hiring concern if your clientele is not “comfortable” with countercultural signalling. So, understand the ‘stand’ you are taking. Decide if it is worth it. But, don’t expect the mountain to move for YOU. You are not that significant. None of us are.</p>
<p>Also, your preferences do not supercede the preferences of others. They are just that, preferences. So, perhaps those with gauges will have the purchasing power, some day, to make the sales people at Tiffany’s comfortable in those adormnents. Certainly, the men who sell there wear the earrings now.</p>
<p>Carry on.</p>
<p>Yes, life is scary. Avoid tattoo and piercing parlors.</p>
<p>I find it really curious that gauge proponents become really defensive at the first sign of criticism and launch attacks on folks who are not in their camp. If someone says to me, “I do not find your dress attractive”, I simply shrug my shoulders and carry on - I do not see the need to write multiple posts about it.</p>
<p>As I said, I have some friends who have gauges. They also don’t think they are going to be the CEO of BofA</p>
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I was replying more to this part of MommaJ’s post:
There are positions where you must accede to the prejudices of your customer base… but there are a heck of a lot of positions where that is not required. I work for an engineering firm. Our sales and other external staff look very “clean”, but many of our technicians, office staff, and even some of our internal professionals have tattoos or piercings that in no way affect or indicate the professionalism with which they perform their jobs.</p>
<p>In short, I draw a line between “putting up with prejudicial treatment based on appearance because it is a business necessity” and “hiring and treating people differently because I do not like the way they look”.</p>
<p>Twenty-three percent of Americans have a tattoo, according to a Pew Research poll from 2010; and 32 percent of people ages 30 to 45 have at least one tattoo.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/fashion/tattoos-peek-out-at-offices-but-only-at-some.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/fashion/tattoos-peek-out-at-offices-but-only-at-some.html</a></p>
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Why?</p>
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I was not defensive towards “I don’t like the way they look”, I do get defensive about other people deciding that a choice they would not make for themselves is automatically a wrong choice for other people. I do not have gauges and do not want gauges, but I think it is absurd to condemn people who do.</p>
<p>Why? For the same reasons we should avoid driving, getting married and eating chicken. :)</p>
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<p>But if you wear them every day, you are slowly destroying your body.</p>
<p>My point is that I do not find it very convincing when people tsk-tsk about gauges and noserings from a health perspective, unless they also go around saying, “I would never let MY daughter wear high heels to work every day!” Is this really about health, or is it about what people are used to seeing? </p>
<p>I don’t have any piercings or tattoos myself, not even earrings, but I don’t go into fainting fits when I see one. Seriously, do not come to Seattle if you are so sensitive.</p>
<p>I live near and work in the city, although I have yet to meet an attorney with visible tattos or piercings. 
I do not faint when my cup of coffee is handed to me by a barista with elephant ears (as long as they follow basic food prep hygiene rules - if they don’t, I remind them), but I do not find them a bit attractive. </p>
<p>And yes, my Ds know better than wearing heels 24/7, are well aware of STI transmission routes and have a few piercings in their ears (ditto my SIL). Neither of them finds gauges and extensive body art appealing. Go figure :rolleyes:</p>