To think tattoos don’t hold you back professionally?

[Fluffysparks]

... But the people who get them are more likely to be less qualified?

Aware that I’m about to get flamed here, and probably have to NC. Also, I am aware this is a MASSIVE generalisation based on the evidence of one thread.

But, reading another thread earlier, I couldn’t help but realise the grammar of those who claimed to have tattoos was (disclaimer: in general ) much poorer than people who didn’t. It just made me wonder, that’s all, as most of the employers said that a tattoo wouldn’t put them off.

Which is ironic

As dh got his last tatoo as a 45 year accountant

And what raving said

Dh has hidden his

No idea about the statistics but I have a PhD and multiple tattoos. I have met more than one working academic with ink as well. I don't think you could call us thickos.

I'm also not sure "vaguely remembering the impression posters on Mumsnet made on me" is the best methodology for your data collection.

And to be fair hot

I have told my children to hold off having tattoos until well settled in their chosen careers and to pick non visible ones depending on their jobs

I doubt they will listen though

@Tabsicle - what do you mean by academia, and would you display your tats for all your supervisors and students to see? I don’t have much respect for academia as a ‘profession’ admittedly, but even I know that the most successful academics don’t display their tattoos to all and sundary.

Senior management role, have been offered equity partner roles in smaller companies, have worked at one of the big 4 professional services firms, have a visible tattoo on the back of my neck (depending on how short my hair is)

Funnily enough in my work life people are more interested in my extensive professional experience than in my appearance. Oxford undergraduate degree also.

David Dimbleby and Samantha Cameron both have tattoos amongst many many others who I think would also disagree with your characterisation

You're going to get people here saying "I'll prove your generalisation wrong!"

But out of all the people I know, it WAS the thicker ones that didn't go to uni/went to shite unis that had tattoos.

Sorry, I will always look at them and think the owner can't be that smart.

@bananafish81 - senior management in a big 4 is still early days in terms of a career. Come back and let us know how quickly you made partner of a big 4 compared to your non-tattoed colleagues.

Fair point Tabsicle

Personally I don’t like tattoos. But I don’t judge others choice, of course if I was recruiting I would employ the most qualified person regardless of tattoos.

I have always wondered what this man does for a living
I've seen him at a music festival

@RavingRoo luckily I work in the creative industries and have no plans to go for partner in a big 4. But good luck to anyone who does!

I have a tattoo but only a BA so probably not that clever compared to others with phds etc. Its very well hidden and if anyone saw it then it must be because we were on very friendly terms

I think having a degree means you are more likely to get a tattoo but its more likely to be a classy one rather than '2 dogs humping' glares at brother in law who has a phd

Having just been caught up in freshers fortnight this year there were plenty of tattoos not only very much on display but actively encouraging others to visit the local shop and get a few too.

I don't think you meet that many people with facial piercings or tatoos in professional roles. At least I don't.

Sorry, I will always look at them and think the owner can't be that smart

Whereas snap judgements and sweeping generalisations screams intelligence

The most tattooed person I know is an extremely successful barrister!

My brother, the Dr and professor at a leading university has an almost complete body suit. Invisible under his suit....

I have a degree and a masters, I am a senior manager and DH has just retired from an even more senior post, we both have tattoos. they are popular and it's about time those with a prejudice against them just got over it tbh.

I've a degree, a Masters and a doctorate. I have a good number of tattoos and piercings. I'm an engineer. Nobody cares. Nobody cared about them when I was a teacher, either. It hasn't held me back professionally, and if anyone was that whiny or judgemental about them I wouldn't want to work for them anyway.

Dunno, but in teaching, visible tats are very much frowned upon. A mate was unable to get into several police forces due to a tat that was visible when he wore short sleeves. It's very much dependent on the force, though, as I've seen officers with full sleeves on TV and another mate in the Met has his children's names in large script along his arms (does he worry he'll forget their names? I never understand the name tattoos)

I've got two degrees, am a company director (in an old-fashioned, very traditional industry) and have two tattoos and a nose piercing. Honestly, YABU - it's not 1920 any more and tattoos aren't just the preserve of sailors and criminals. Anybody who thinks that a tattoo is in some way indicative of someone's intelligence is either being classist, old-fashioned, or just plain rude...

I'm a doctor. I have tattoos.

I was recently in a large multidisciplinary meeting. While we waited for the neurosurgeon to arrive we chatted and got onto the subject of tattoos. The only un-tattooed person in that particular room was the work-experience student

The most tattooed person I know is an extremely successful barrister!

I’d say they’re pretty unusual though. I’ve encountered 100+ judges and can’t think of any with visible tattoos. I have met/seen a similar number of judges and can only think of one with a tattoo (as far as I know) - an ill advised one on her shoulder so not usually visible in Court.

I heard a forensic psychiatrist say that tattoos are irrelevant if they are within collars and cuffs. If you choose a tattoo on your hands/neck/face, that can be significant.

I don't care what other people do, however I am very interested in WHY people get tattoos. I realise it is arty and expressions of self etc. etc. But they are INDELIBLE FOREVER!

And like it or not, many people judge others negatively if they see have inked themselves up visibly. That is the reality.

So if you want to get one, get it on your coccyx or somewhere only you (with a mirror lol), or your partner can see in a state of undress.