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.

Where do you work that you're stripping off cathy

Dhs are on his upper arms

Not sure what you mean there Rufus!

Sorry lovely

I was joking very badly

My point was that tattoos can be hidden in other than intimate places

So as dh hasnt taken his shirt off in front of the partners at work they haven't seen the tattoos on his arms

LOL Rufus. Thanks.

No worries cathy

No way do they hold you back anymore. The richest (and coolest) people I know all have tattoos. So much that every year we consider getting one

I think the type of tattoo says more about you - if you had dolphins in the 80's, the Chinese symbol for cat in the 90's, shaded stars in the 00's or a rose more recently, then you really need to take a long hard look at yourself.

But the people being specific about the senior roles they hold, are all covering their tattoos ie "I've a tattoo on my back". It's covered, and on your back. So it isn't going to cause comment is it? I'm wondering is it upper/lower back, and do you wear summer tops to work that show the tattoos. I suspect not. If as you say it wouldn't hold you back then, why do you hide them?

However, he is a graduate and is a manager at national level. That could be anything from Halfords to the CEO of Barclays. One type of employee might possibly have tattoos, the other is highly unlikely to have tattoos.

True, didn’t occur to me that it was necessary to be specific. Also don’t like to be too identifiable on MN!

Manager of a government dept. Deals with ministers, foreign government officials etc.

So an area where people are wearing suits and generally expected to be smart etc.

mistress

The OP made no reference to where these tattoos were on the body

in fact she went straight in with the 'unqualified' comments

I agree with you OP. Tattoos are dull and provincial.

No way do they hold you back anymore. The richest (and coolest) people I know all have tattoos.

Feel that it is partly a "comfort" level thing (if many people around you have tattoos / piercings, then you may not judge them in any negative way).

For myself, then yes, it would make a difference (as I too question the need).

Your choice to have a tattoo (or piercing) but if I can see it, then it may be my choice whether to consider you positively or negatively.

That celebrities are often seen with tattoos may make them seem all the more acceptable, and just the same with piercings, but none seem necessary to me, and yes, it may have a detrimental effect.

I'm not impressed by them, and for the most part, I think they are simply a peculiar blemish on what might have been a plain piece of skin.

No, I won't ever question whether I "missed out" if I decided against someone on the basis of such matters. It's in some way similar to how we might "judge" the clothes being worn.

We like some, we dislike others. Our choice.

Depends on the profession.

But the people being specific about the senior roles they hold, are all covering their tattoos

Upper arms/lower arms and feet here (for some of mine).

Didn't cover for any other reason than weather. So in summer would wear sleeveless dresses/no tights/cropped smart trousers etc etc. Never specifically covered them to hide them: never had an issue

Your choice to have a tattoo (or piercing) but if I can see it, then it may be my choice whether to consider you positively or negatively

I just find it all so nonsensical. As a consenting adult I choose what to do to my body. You then use it to make decisions on how to treat me? The only sensible course of action is to say "I don't like tattoos therefore I won't get one".

You can imagine how ridiculous it would be to say "oh all people without tattoos are intellectually challenged" or "they're so boring I simply wouldn't hire a person who didn't have ink"

Tattoos
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattoos" target="_blank">http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattoos" target="_blank">ii<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattoos" target="_blank">being<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattoos" target="blank">unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/amm<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattoos" target="_blank">i<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattoos" target="_blank">beingg<a class="break-all" href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattooswww.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3073010-tattoos" target="_blank">unreasonable/3073010-tattoos

I have a professional job (and two degrees), within the NHS and have several tattoos, including 'visible' ones on my arms (although these can be easily hidden too). I know a wide selection of professionals with visible tattoos (including face and neck tattoos!) such as nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, dieticians and psychologists.

I have a 2:1 in English and a pgce...plus a massive back tattoo..

So whilst i agree that perhaps a visible tattoo might turn some employers off, it has niwt to do with intelligence.

Rufus I'm not asking OP, I'm thinking about reason people say "I'm in a senior corporate or government role" then go on to talk about a tattoo they don't actually display at work - and yet say, they're not held back professionally by tattoos.

Haven't read the thread so sorry if this point has been made before. Winston Churchill, George Orwell and Dorothy Parker all had tattoos. Nowt up with their grammar.

Bit insulted here. I have 12 tattoos. Am highly qualified and sought after in my field.

Partner has multiple tattoos. Very experienced and highly qualified Head Chef. Also sought after in his field.

People can hold whatever opinion they want. Our CVs and recommendations speak for themself.

Ok mistress I misunderstood

I cant comment as i think they can hold you back...which is why some people hid them

Rufus yes, I think the same. So many people are talking of doctors, nurses, senior corporate etc with visible tattoos and I'm sitting here thinking - I live in London, how is it I don't see all these senior corporate, health, law etc professionals with visible tattoos?

I think they hide their tattoos. Which is absolutely fair enough. But I think it's a bit rich to "defend" tattoos as it were, when one is hiding tattoo at work.

Although I suppose if it's on boobs/chest/thigh then it's not going to be on show

I know

And you have to be careful of looking too closely

I do a lot of work in Asia so would not even think of getting one as in Japan and some other places they are seen quite badly and you cannot even enter some spas with them. I think it was Japan anyway.

Besides that, I'm really scared of needles. I do have some minion stick on tattoos though that only last for a few days. So I wear those instead.