I have tattoo's this doesn't make me any less "respectable"!? What do you think?

Question

OK so i posted a question on here a minute ago asking about whether having a tattoo on your hand has any impact on job interviews, and im really disappointed by the response!

Most people have said that they would turn away anyone with tattoo's and on even said "Yes..people expect those in 'respectable' jobs like doctors and lawyers not to have any tattoos."

Why do people have to be this way?

Its my body and i should be able to do what i want with it without people judging me for it!

You should feel comfortable in your own skin and tattoos make me feel happy about myself, but i don't see how it makes me any less able to do a "respectable" job.

What are your views?

Answer 1

ok personaly i LOVE tattoos... i plan on getting a few... i really want to get a sleeve but it sux that if u have  tattoos it will be impossible to get a realy good job... i plan on being a dentist but i cant do that wit a lot of tattoos.... so no having tatoos doesnt make u any less respectable..... most people r just ignorant to the fact that tattoos dont dont make u any less professional  then the next person wit out tattoos  

Answer 2

I belive the same thing but it is unprofessional to have a visible tattoo.

Answer 3

NO NO NO not at all keep inking girl!!!

im 30 i have 13 and im still going strong. people always complement my work to!

wear them with pride and F everyone who has anything negative to say

Answer 4

alot of places are like that they hink it will put customers off and so on stuff like that or make you look less trustworthy sometimes they even request that you cover them up with a long sleeve top or even make up before they would hire but i hink there jus a******s i have seen it before where they wouldnt hire someone cause he had a tattoo way up his arm but was a gd hard working guy then they hired a junkie but he didnt have any tattos its aload of shite in my opinion n if i was u i wouldnt let it put me off getting more tattoos you jus have to find the places that dont judge

Answer 5

It doesn't make you any less respectable of a person, but in our world appearance matters.  If you don't know someone, then you don't have much to go off of except their first impression.  If you're going to be in any sort of customer service related job, then how you present yourself is going to matter to the public and your employers.  A lot of people aren't going to care about your tattoos, but unfortunately some people do think they're trashy, unprofessional, etc.  This is something I was fully aware of when I got tattooed and I really have a hard time believing that someone is so naive to think otherwise.  Whether you want to admit it or not I'm sure you make snap judgments from time to time.  That's life.

Answer 6

hi i have a near full body of tatts

my boss does not like tatts but she get on well with me

as i mine a chef and stand and serve cust with food each day with no probs

so tell the other to shut up or put up as its your body

Answer 7

My daughter has a tattoo on her wrist, she has a job and nobody thinks any less of her because of it, she's the same person she was before she had it! x

Answer 8

It's a hard one cos I really like tattoos and I have a lot of friends and family who have them.   Because I know these people I know that they are just the same as people who don't have any tattoos and therefore just as capable of doing their jobs.  However although I really like tattoos I have to admit I don't have any because I know they'd be looked down upon in my profession and I'd have to be very conscious about keeping them covered up all the time.  i do think you are right in what you say but unfortunately not everyone thinks the same way as us.

Answer 9

i agree with you...its pretty naive to let a tattoo affect your thoughts on someone... its crazy

Answer 10

My daughter has quite a lot of tattoos and she thinks she looks great but they are so ugly and dirty looking. I certainly wouldn't employ anyone with them.

Answer 11

I have worked in accounting for 7 years and I recently got a tattoo on my right wrist, my co-workers were curious but only one made a big deal about it, I believe in my abilities and that's all that matters. I think one should be able to do whatever with their body.

Answer 12

Most people see tattoos as a sign of a person with a low mentality who is also retarded or common.

By all means have a tattoo but don't make it too obvious or in your face.

Answer 13

I don't think having tattoo's makes you any less respectable than anybody else. It's your choice to cover your self in art if you so desire. But you've got to understand that some jobs need to maintain a standard of service and in the society we now live in, there are physical objections to everything. For a job confronting the public, they normally ask for makeup to be minimal, tattoo's to be hidden, only single lobe piercings and flat shoes.

Some people hate tattoo's and unfortunately we have to try and please others in order to get along and avoid complaints. It's life.

In my personal opinion i don't think it should matter, you are who you are and do what you want! Why should you please everyone else. Ignore the prejudice!  

Answer 14

It sort of depends on the tattoo, doesn't it?

If a male nurse in a maternity ward has a tattoo that says "Mother," I guess that would be OK.

If a woman who runs a daycare center has a tattoo of a big, nasty-looking dagger, I think I'd take my kid somewhere else.  (And I think you would too, no matter how happy it makes her feel about herself.)

Answer 15

It comes under the category of "That's just the way it is." I have 3 tattoos - all in places that can be covered by everyday work clothes - sometimes you just HAVE to follow the rules! Besides, do you seriously think that anybody would hire you as a doctor or lawyer if you had hand or face tattoos? Come on, this is the real world!

We all know that a tattoo doesn't make any difference to the intellect and professionalism of a person, but there is this perception of respectability that is hard wired into people. It also works on the same basis as the type of clothes you wear, what colour your hair is dyed, how colourful your make-up is, how long your hair is, whether you bathe regularly. Non of these things make any difference to the person, but a great deal of difference to the person's perception by others. Why do you think that for job interviews, even for the most humble positions, you are required to wear a suit and tie (for men, the equivalent for women)? Same reason - other people's perceptions.

Answer 16

Sorry,dear. I agree a tattoo which is visible on a lady is in poor taste. saying that, it all depends on what it is. A small discreet one may be acceptable, any other type....No  

Answer 17

if you get a tattoo or already have one no big deal.  After getting mine I felt guilty and unclean as well (even though its not visable) but i'm over it.  If you want to be a doctor or lawyer nobody will stop you from being one becauase you have a tattoo.   If you're a good doc with a tattoo who cares..as long as you make me better.  If all else fails people with tattoo's can be your patients if the non tattooed people don't like you

Answer 18

I honestly don't see anything wrong with tattoos, provided they are classy/original.

Answer 19

I don't think that many people would be discouraged by someone who has a tatoo.  When it becomes a problem is when you have an exposed tatoo.  That becomes a distraction.  

In a "respectable" job you are expected to dress, act, and speak, in a professional manner.  Like it or not respectable jobs are not about expressing yourself, its about getting a job done.  While you are on the job, it should be all business.  If you went in to meet with your lawyer and he was wearing cut off jean shorts and flip flops what would you think?  If you went to a surgeon and he started dropping "f" bombs what would you think?  The same holds true with tatoos... they are not professional, therefore they are not acceptable in the work place.

Answer 20

It is a shame, but society is still not quite at the stage where they believe that "normal and respectable" people can have tattoos, it does not change who you are as a person, and it does not affect how you do your job.  I am sure that it will get there someday, but right now it's a long way off.

Answer 21

It would only make a difference to me if it made the person seem violent or not a nice person, ie. if the pictures were scary. Otherwise it doesn't make a difference. I have a very small, but obvious one on the inside of my wrist. If I felt like it I would get more, but I'm not thinking of that at the moment. When people embark on a tattoo collection they probably want to make a statement about not wanting a job that would disallow it. I have been self employed most of the time and I would not change my looks for a job, or get a job where I had to wear a uniform or clothes I don't like.  

Answer 22

I think some tattoos are more acceptable than others in the work place. For example, barb wire  around your biceps probably won't look too tough for your employer to want to hire you. I certainly believe that it's your body, but the fact of the matter is, if you have a very visible and controversial tattoo, your chances are a bit fazed.