Tattoo's, Piercings and Employment

Kirri

SUESMITH wrote: »

yes, the person in charge of the panel told me in no uncertain terms that they didn't allow things like that there thank you very much. i pointed out that i would either wear a retainer or a no see um but he wouldn't budge - their loss

Wow surprised they admitted it, think I would be interested to know though - I have mine pierced and often wonder if employers discriminate against it but just don't say. I'd rather keep the piercing than work somewhere like that though!

paddyrg

Worth chipping in here - working overseas, attitudes will be very different from in the UK. We're in a global workplace, and for instance even with an 'alternative' lifestyle you might want to travel with a circus troupe/whatever - don't rule it out.

In some countries, it marks you out as a gangster/moll/prostitute immediately. In some countries you will have to cover them up despite the heat making you want to strip off. Depending on subject matter it is entirely possible to get yourself arrested/deported (we came close on a show).

Kirri

paddyrg wrote: »

Worth chipping in here - working overseas, attitudes will be very different from in the UK. We're in a global workplace, and for instance even with an 'alternative' lifestyle you might want to travel with a circus troupe/whatever - don't rule it out.

In some countries, it marks you out as a gangster/moll/prostitute immediately. In some countries you will have to cover them up despite the heat making you want to strip off. Depending on subject matter it is entirely possible to get yourself arrested/deported (we came close on a show).

^ I was treated very badly in Japan with tattoos! ie grabbed by the arm in a shop to loud exclamations over my tattoo, banned from the hotel swimming pool and refused service in a restaurant. Still liked the country though!!

Tiddlywinks

coinxoperated wrote: »

Isn't it amazing how SUESMITH's interviewer could openly discriminate against the way she looked and over a bit of jewellery aswell. This is so sad to see!

Why shouldn't an employer choose an employee that they feel will represent the culture of that organisation?

Dunroamin

coinxoperated wrote: »

Isn't it amazing how SUESMITH's interviewer could openly discriminate against the way she looked and over a bit of jewellery aswell. This is so sad to see!

Making a job offer based on the way someone looks isn't discrimination; that's why people wear suits and other formal clothing for interviews..

JRP666

Hi! I work in retail where I am face to face with customers on a daily basis. I have an extreme hairstyle (blue lazyhawk), facial piercings and stretched earlobes.
I find most of the time people do not judge outwardly as I always would greet a customer with a smile and am very friendly and chatty, most people, if they do comment, just say that I am brave for the way I look or say that they like the colour of my hair. I have had all sorts of people make comments about the store and ask my opinion on items so I do not believe I look intimidating. My workplace understand that no matter what I look like I will always work really hard and am courteous to customers.
Bad experiences frustrate me. I did have a customer once complain about me, even though I had not served her. She had complained that I was rude, maybe she expected me to be by my appearance, but I think these people must be very shallow to expect something bad from the get-go. She would not have guessed from my appearance that I love Crochet, have two guinea-pigs and send my Nan flowers on valentines day.
My advice is to be who you are, find something that fits with you and your life. There may always be a little compromise but make sure its worth it

LameWolf

Fwiw, I feel far more intimidated by someone in a suit, starched shirt and tie than someone with tattoos, piercings and a blue Mohawk.

Just my personal two pennyworth.:o

Natjos2aid3nia4

Hi there, I'm a mother of four wonderful children and I own my own business . I have the best job in the world I get to hurt people for a living and it's legal and they thank me then pay me to do it.
I have the most amazing thing happen to me every day and that is when someone walks into my shop and asks me to put something permanent on there skin that they would happily wear for the rest of there life .Thats a BIG honour That's a BIG deal That's something that no one should take lightly. I consult every single one of my clients to make sure that it is something they want. I probably turn at least 5 clients a month away as I'm not sure if they are ready to commit to a tattoo .
A tattoo is a personal thing .I have a chest tattoo and I love it but even being a tattooist I still took a long time to make the decision to have it.
IT'S PERMANENT so my best advise in the world is BE SURE ,BE CARFUL and make sure it's what you want.
As for jobs....... I get looks I get people talk about me I get people point and stare. but....... I look straight back I take about them and I point right back . You are who you are and if your not hurting anyone then I can't see the problem . Good luck just make the right decision ..

adouglasmhor

LameWolf wrote: »

Fwiw, I feel far more intimidated by someone in a suit, starched shirt and tie than someone with tattoos, piercings and a blue Mohawk.

Just my personal two pennyworth.:o

A lot of people do, you should have seen the panic I caused one night in the east end of Glasgow in a take away by wearing a suit and tie. I had gone straight from work to the filming of a show at the BBC Scotland building and we went for food on the way back to a friends, I think the staff thought I was a gangster or immigration or something..