View Of Tattoos In Society

TheLynx

Does society still view tattoos as being only for convicts and the unemployable?

Discuss

chin_grin

Are you only here to troll or is this a serious conversation, discuss.

TheLynx

Perhaps I will rephrase my question,

In previous generations tattoos were associated with certain occupations and in modern times it seems the music/sports industry, where as previously it was criminals,sailors,tribal warriors etc

Would having multiple tattoos today be viewed as being a criminal,sailor,tribal warrior etc or has the general public's opinions changed?

BadGirl

My Mother didn't speak to me all over New Years because my hubby bought me 2 new tattoos as my Christmas present. She told me to cop the fúck on to myself, an AULD WAN like me should have more sense...

I'm 32, i don't consider myself old, i love my tattoos and all can be hidden, but she has a real problem with them on me.

Oh well... this is my worried face

johnners2981

BadGirl wrote: »

My Mother didn't speak to me all over New Years because my hubby bought me 2 new tattoos as my Christmas present. She told me to cop the fúck on to myself, an AULD WAN like me should have more sense...

I'm 32, i don't consider myself old, i love my tattoos and all can be hidden, but she has a real problem with them on me.

Oh well... this is my worried face

:eek: Try keep your chin up and maybe this difficult time will eventually pass

BadGirl

johnners2981 wrote: »

:eek: Try keep your chin up and maybe this difficult time will eventually pass

You needn't worry, this is not a difficult time, she has gotten over it and is speaking to me now, but hasn't yet seen the new additions

King of Kings

oddly I was considering posting a similar query myself - I have 3 large tattoo on part of my body that are not seen in work

I am a senior manager in a Finacial Services company ( a global one) .

I have a great tribal on my upper arm/shoulder - done my wally from urban gorilla when he was in stigmata.

I was to expand it to my forearms.
But worried how it would be percieved in work - I wear shirts but casual dress etc...they'd know about it.
my normal suit and tie would cover it but I like to wear t-shirt/jeans on fridays.

My beliefs are "i've 1 life it's mine " but at the same time i've a missus and tow kids who rely on my career and is it fair to stall that at my current level for my own beliefs?

interesting topic

my gut feel is to do it this suimmer amd follow my beliefs but I do feel that air of caution bugging my thought process.

BadGirl

I think tattoos ARE much more acceptable now, and in your case King of Kings, i don't honestly think that would cause you a problem. If you were planning on getting it up your neck and onto your face then i would advise caution but the fact it won't be seen in your 'normal' work dress would be fine...

But that just my opinion and i don't work in your sector, only you will really know....

BG x

Hail 2 Da Thief

BadGirl wrote: »

She told me to cop the fúck on to myself, an AULD WAN like me should have more sense...

I'm 32, i don't consider myself old

Ah mothers eh!

I'm 30, just got my first tat & will soon be getting my second. You're not the only 'auld thing with no sense'

antocann

im 21 , have my arms , hand and back done(one on the left cheek :rolleyes:) ,
no problms with people and them ,
parents like them considering they paid for most of them

Arawn

Yes, purely for criminals and scum.

Megan fox and angelina jolie have quite a few, the criminals.


stupid question is stupid.

Bruncvik

I got my first tattoo at 35. It was quite a shock for my parents when they saw it - I didn't tell anyone about it beforehand. However, regardless to whom I showed my tattoo (a large painting-like work across my upper back), the reactions were nearly identical: "I always thought tattoos were ugly and for lower class people, but this is a beautiful work of art." One by one, I'm convincing people that tattoos are a valid art form

windingo

I always used to joke that instead of a tattoo I would just staple a pretty picture to myself - its the same idea. But I finally got one and havn't had any issues with people when they see it. Seems like people reactions is luck of the draw unless you know them.

maximoose

Got my first at 19... My parents didn't really mind, I'm the youngest of 4 and the others have paved the way for me to do what I like really! Just asked me not to get too carried away with them

Now 23 and I have quite a few... both forearms, half sleeve left arm, ribs, finger. Thankully I've never had a negative reaction. I work in a pretty relaxed office environment and managers etc have never said a bad word about them, quite the opposite really. I think they are definitely becoming more acceptable, they're pretty common now tbh.

chin_grin

TheLynx wrote: »

Perhaps I will rephrase my question,

In previous generations tattoos were associated with certain occupations and in modern times it seems the music/sports industry, where as previously it was criminals,sailors,tribal warriors etc

Would having multiple tattoos today be viewed as being a criminal,sailor,tribal warrior etc or has the general public's opinions changed?

Of course it has changed. You (in a way) answered your own question by bringing up the Entertainment business and "stars" having ink thus plebs wanting to emulate it.

You'd find that this "it's disgusting, you're going to regret it" way of thinking is from the older generation.

You can also dissect your argument further.

There are tattoos that look amazing (sleeves, backpieces, etc) that could be colour, black&grey, tribal, biomech, etc.

Or you could have tattoos that look like sh!t (in the same areas) that have a heart and say "mother" or something. Personally those are disgusting, but I'm sure they mean something to the wearer.

Also if you can cover ink up and it's not noticeable. Why would it matter in a professional surrounding?

Reku

Hail 2 Da Thief wrote: »

Ah mothers eh!

I'm 30, just got my first tat & will soon be getting my second. You're not the only 'auld thing with no sense'

My mum offered to pay for me to get another tattoo a few years back (when I was back in college after becoming unemployed).:D

Don't think my parents know I'm up to 7 (and looking to get more done) though.

As for peoples' reactions I do find they're usually taken aback a bit since in person I tend to come across as a nice and quiet lad, so I guess they must still have certain perceptions of the type of person who gets a tattoo.

ZombieBride

Both my grandfathers were covered in tattoos, and I have the army records for my great-grandfather from 1912 and in his description it said "extensively tattooed an chest and arms" All three of them were in the army, and that is where they got them.

None of my employers have ever had a problem with my tattoos, as long as I got the job done that's all they cared about.

Broxi_Bear_Eire

BadGirl wrote: »

My Mother didn't speak to me all over New Years because my hubby bought me 2 new tattoos as my Christmas present. She told me to cop the fúck on to myself, an AULD WAN like me should have more sense...

I'm 32, i don't consider myself old, i love my tattoos and all can be hidden, but she has a real problem with them on me.

Oh well... this is my worried face

Your only a wean lol I am 57 and in the middle of planning a sleeve

Marty McFly

I think perceptions of people with tattoos are begining to change slowly but surely. But there are still those who will judge you for having them aswell across all ages and social circles.

My mother for instance hates my tattoos and she thinks everytime she sees a tattoo it reminds her of English lager louts her words not mine, and has told me she doesnt want to know if I get anymore. This kind of attitude does annoy me but at the end of the day my tattoos are for me whether other people like them or not is irrelevant to me.

Tattoos generally by people are either loved or hated whith very few in between.


I do know in some places if you have tattoos you will not be eligible for a job. i.e Aer Lingus flight staff cant have any visible.

Atavan-Halen

I think it'll change somewhat though in the coming years. As this generation are becoming CEO's and bosses of companies who would be more accepting and might even have tattoos of their own as opposed to a previous generation where they might view tattoos as things for sailors and riff raff.

Please Kill Me

Unfortunately, the reality is that some people will still look down on you if you have tattoo's and/or piercings. I have both arms done and my right shoulder blade, as well as my ear and eyebrow pierced and my head shaved. It's me, it's my look, but when I walk down the road or I'm in a shopping centre, I get some weird looks. Some people have even crossed over to the other side of the road. :rolleyes:

But at the same time, as already posted, people in general are slooooowwwwly coming round. It's almost popular in some cases. But you can't get away from person perception. If someone thinks that a person with tattoo's are "scumbags", then no matter what you say or do, you won't change their mind.

I missed out on a job once because the interviewer caught a glimpse of a tattoo when my sleeve came up slightly as I was reaching for a pen. He said I had all the qualifications and experience, but he didn't like tattoo's! :mad:

boodee

I have a good few tattoos, the most are covered but I have had a few negative experiences with work. There will always be the people that will think tattoos are rancid and the work of the devil, but to most they are a statement of beauty and self expression.

In an image obssessed world where we are subjected to laws, taxes, time, perfect bodies, p's and q's and political correction to within an inch of sanity, some would say it's our own little way of keeping something for ourselves.

You can make me do what I have to by state law, but with my body goes my law.

As many the tattoo goes...Only God Can Judge Me..

In one job I wore a white tunic as part of my uniform and was asked to wear a top underneath to hide tatts. It didn't bother me and never will. For any professional reason I will cover them up. Sometimes you just have to suck it up.

My husband was asked to a dinner party recently that would have meant me choosing certain clothes and pulling out the derma blend. I wasn't happy, but willing to do it, none the less. I would have went to this bother for my husbands sake and just because of the circumstances involved....we decided it wasn't worth the hassle in the end....as in, we weren't bothered with said dinner party people.

What really annoys me is when family and lifelong friends expect me to cover up at weddings etc.....they know me long enough and I have seen them through tough times so I had to knock that whole debate on the head with them. My tatts don't make me less of a friend. If i can put up with their sh*t then they can put up with a few tattoos.
I got hassle on my wedding day despite the fact that I had a piece done for the occasion.

eviltimeban

King of Kings wrote: »

oddly I was considering posting a similar query myself - I have 3 large tattoo on part of my body that are not seen in work

I am a senior manager in a Finacial Services company ( a global one) .

I have a great tribal on my upper arm/shoulder - done my wally from urban gorilla when he was in stigmata.

I was to expand it to my forearms.
But worried how it would be percieved in work - I wear shirts but casual dress etc...they'd know about it.
my normal suit and tie would cover it but I like to wear t-shirt/jeans on fridays.

My beliefs are "i've 1 life it's mine " but at the same time i've a missus and tow kids who rely on my career and is it fair to stall that at my current level for my own beliefs?

interesting topic

my gut feel is to do it this suimmer amd follow my beliefs but I do feel that air of caution bugging my thought process.

Hmmm, I'd be cautious about that, although you will know best what the people in your office are like. I also work in a finance-related office, a lot of older people, and I have a sleeve to my wrist. I wear shirt and tie all the time, so no casual Friday, and I also wear a wrist band in case my shirt rides up and exposes the tattoo.

Now, I do that simply not to invite any problems - I could walk around with them out but no good will come of it. Like someone else said, just suck it up. As for your casual Friday, you could just wear long sleeved tops or casual long sleeve shirts instead.

Finance related companies tend to be very old fashioned when it comes to this - especially if you have any dealings with clients. Unless you are working for Google or in a call centre where its anything goes, I would also advise erring on the side of caution.

saa

I don't care what society thinks of my body because its never going to be good enough..I can understand that if you have visible tattoos you might struggle in many areas with employment for our generation at least that's the way it is right?

Well worse than the mother scenario above my partner is against me getting a rib cage tattoo that is quite important to me, its my body not his but he says I would be ruining my body, ah ffs how do I explain I'm getting it and he has no right to talk me out of it.
Sigh in all other ways he's fantastic.

boodee

saa wrote: »

I don't care what society thinks of my body because its never going to be good enough..I can understand that if you have visible tattoos you might struggle in many areas with employment for our generation at least that's the way it is right?

Well worse than the mother scenario above my partner is against me getting a rib cage tattoo that is quite important to me, its my body not his but he says I would be ruining my body, ah ffs how do I explain I'm getting it and he has no right to talk me out of it.
Sigh in all other ways he's fantastic.

I would have a lot more done if it wasn't for my husband. I have 10 tatts at the moment and money available will have my entire back piece finished this year. I know how you feel, maybe there's a comprimise you could come up with.

With regards to eviltimeban and king of kings, I have to say, you're right to be cautious. Even if you had a liberally minded boss who doesn't care about your tatts. However, if the company or business suffered in anyway because a possible client/contact was lost, it'd be a differnt story. Do you know what i mean.
Traditionally, tattood people were service men, self employed or unemployed, therefore not having to commit to any code of conduct for social or corporate gain. Rebels and the like:cool:, unfortunately, the economy dictates we have to do what's necessary to keep working so sometimes that means hiding a few things......and in some cases, it's a lot more than tattoos;)

ZombieBride

Please Kill Me wrote: »

It's me, it's my look, but when I walk down the road or I'm in a shopping centre, I get some weird looks. Some people have even crossed over to the other side of the road. :rolleyes:

I've had teenage girls scream at mine :P

Please Kill Me

ZombieBride wrote: »

I've had teenage girls scream at mine :P

PMSL!

Hellrazer

Good topic and heres my take on it.

Ive a full sleeve,a second half sleeve started and a nape piercing.

I use to have this attitude that I was above everyone including employers and that they`d employ me for how good I am at my job and not what I look like.

But you know something---thats absolute crap.

In the real world tattoos are still seen as the mark of a scumbag and some employers will never hire someone with visible tattoos.I have to keep mine covered and to be totally honest it doesnt bother me one bit.

The other side of this as an employer/senior manager who is now interviewing potential employees is that I find myself unwilling to hire someone with visible tattoos.
I had a lad in last week for an interview with a neck tattoo--his CV was decent enough and he came across as quite bright but he didnt get the job because of the visible tattoo.He made no effort at all to cover i even though the job was for a role dealing with the public.

The role was a customer facing one and this lad was only 18 or 19--in my honest opinion he is now unemployable because of the visible tattoo on his neck--and this is coming from me a tattoo lets just say fanatic.

By all means get yourself tattooed head to toe--but get them in places that can be covered if the need arises.

Dont go getting visible tattoos ie face,hands,neck at 18 or 19--most employers will frown upon them and you wont get the job.

Viva La Gloria

Yeah, I agree with what people are saying that it's slowly but surely becoming more acceptable. Although I doubt it'll ever be fully accepted in the workplace, especially with regards to professional type jobs. Even where I work in a supermarket, they absolutely freaked when I showed up with a septum piercing one day. In some ways it seems so unfair because you know that piercings and tattoos will never physically restrict you doing your job, it's purely an image issue. But I have 4 tattoos on my legs and shoulder, so I never need to worry about them being on display unless I wore skin coloured tights. It doesn't bother me that much because I know that that's just "the way it is" but occasionally it can feel repressive.

Cupcake_Crisis

I have noticed over the last few years that it's slowly becoming more acceptable. I never get negative comments about my tattoo's, the opposite really! I remember working in a well known accessories shop a few years ago and when I went for my interview they actually asked me if I had any tattoo's/ piercings. It turned out they were pretty much looking for someone who had a more 'alternative' look so the shop would be more appealing to 'alternative' people! So they pretty much insisted that my piercings were in and tattoo's were on show! To this day when I go in to the shop there's always someone with piercings and visible tattoo's.