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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you have lots of tattoos do you have a professional job?

97 replies

drivinmecrazy · 03/05/2022 12:54

DD1 (21) is about to graduate and is looking to her future. She's hoping for a career in publishing (I know that's quite a broad sector).
BUT my beautiful little girl who's as intelligent, funny and talented as it's possible to be has developed a love (or addiction?) to inking.
She now has many on her upper arm (maybe 3, I've lost count). They are undoubtedly beautiful tattoos, very tasteful black and white images that are significant to her.
But I worry. Admittedly I'm 50 with no tattoos so acknowledge I'm way out of whack.

I do however worry about how it might impact on her career. She says she can hide them when/if necessary but is also of the view that in todays world they won't have any impact.
Guess I'm asking has she ruined her life?
I'm in two minds in that I love the fact she's able to express the artistic side of her talents, yet worry for her.
Don't know why I'm asking really.
I remember a time not so long go that tattoos were a no no for several careers, is it the same mindset now??

OP posts:

Nowomenaroundeh · 03/05/2022 12:56

Tattoos are so mainstream now, I wouldn't worry. I was out for dinner with my solicitor last week - she has a full sleeve.

Newjobformoremoney · 03/05/2022 12:58

Im in advertising. Sleeves everywhere. I’m very senior and have a few in places you can’t cover up!

CharmingChinchilla · 03/05/2022 13:02

Don't give it another thought because (a) it's too late now to do anything about it and (b) it shouldn't have a massive impact on her career aspirations. People judge others based on skin colour, weight, accent, sex, and a variety of other meaningless metrics.

But if it reassures you, I have half a dozen tattoos, including one very visible one, and I am a professional working in management and earn 70K+

riotlady · 03/05/2022 13:04

I have a large colourful piece on my forearm and a few other less visible tattoos (leg, back). I have previously worked in a school and the NHS and am now a civil servant. Not a problem at all!

CapMarvel · 03/05/2022 13:06

I don't think anyone raises an eyebrow now, unless they are deliberately offensive/provocative.

Siht · 03/05/2022 13:09

Senior position in education, many tattoos, a few visible. I was offered an enhanced rate of pay hours after interviewing to encourage me to take the role, they were more focused on my skills and knowledge than anything, I doubt tattoos came into it.
I also have a tattooed parent who is head of a regional branch of a large organisation.

NinjaQueen · 03/05/2022 13:10

I'm an accountant and I have lots of tattoos. It's never been commented on.

Pamparam · 03/05/2022 13:10

As PP said, unless they are swastikas, she will have zero problem getting a job in publishing, or indeed any professional field, with visible tattoos! One of the most heavily tattooed people I know -hands, neck etc - is a very high level senior school teacher (and doesn't hide them).

gwenneh · 03/05/2022 13:12

My tattoos have never impacted my tax bracket. Neither have DH's.

Bananaramram · 03/05/2022 13:12

She’ll be fine! I have multiple large tattoos and work in banking. The old school bankers over fifty tend to be clean skinned but virtually everyone under 35 has something.

Copperpottle · 03/05/2022 13:14

I work in a prominent bank, in the financial tech industry, and have been interviewed twice by people with full arm sleeve tattoos. No one covers them, no one is bothered.

Tech is known for being a bit more relaxed than others, but if she works somewhere so strict they don't like tattoos then she can just wear clothes over them.

It's really not a big deal anymore.

Bananaramram · 03/05/2022 13:15

I should add that my dad thought I had ruined my life when I got my first - and that was a long time before I started in finance! Now he always mentions them when he talks about me and my career!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/05/2022 13:15

No. I work in a factory. But I'm sure she'll be fine if she can cover them up. I have ones on my hands and fingers that I can't cover. I'm not after a professional career though!

Original poster

drivinmecrazy · 03/05/2022 13:15

Wow these replies have set my mind at rest.
I'd never stop her (even if I could 😂) and kind of admire that she's become such a strong person.
If I'm honest I kind of envy her the confidence she has.
What I have learnt through her is that every tattoo is deeply relevant to her , before I would just see all the tattoos and think WTAF.
A fine example of the fact that we teach our babies and as adults they have much to teach us.
TBH if I wasn't so afraid of my own mothers reaction I might go for one too!!!

OP posts:

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/05/2022 13:17

Even hand tattoos are accepted nowadays, they call them "job stoppers" but I've seen people working in all sorts of jobs with them.

Cotherstone · 03/05/2022 13:17

Definitely not much of an issue nowadays. I have a corporate role and always have a few wrist/arm tattoos on show, the only comments I ever get are from people who like them - so I’m assuming if people don’t like them they don’t comment, but no one has ever said to cover them.

Though i would say any of those big front of neck tattoos might not go down as well…

dreamingbohemian · 03/05/2022 13:17

Why on earth would you spend even 2 seconds worrying about this when she can easily cover them up

Sounds like faux concern to me, you just don't like that she has tattoos

Eviebeans · 03/05/2022 13:25

From my point of view it would depend what they were and where they were. Through work I have seen some extreme examples.

Original poster

drivinmecrazy · 03/05/2022 13:27

Dreamingbohemian you are probably right.
But in my defence I'm 50 and when I was her age tattoos definitely weren't regarded in the same way as they are obviously accepted now.
My brother is older than me and I'll never forget when he was 19 and home on leave from the army and he tried to hide is first from my mum (tattoos were much cruder then generally). I still remember her anger and annoyance when she spotted him leaving the bathroom draped in a towel leaving his arm sleeve on display.
I'm not ashamed to say that when I was growing up there were certain connotations associated with tattoos.
That's why I asked the question.

OP posts:

EmmaGrundyForPM · 03/05/2022 13:30

I am in a professional position in Local Government and don't have any tattoos. However, several colleagues at my level do, and it's not an issue. Someone in a senior position to me has a hand tattoo.

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 03/05/2022 13:32

I have visible tattoos and it's never held me back at work.

Pebbledashery · 03/05/2022 13:32

I work in the NHS, I have a sleeve tattoo and tattoos on my clavicle. I was interviewed with some of my tattoos on show. Prior to that I held jobs in the corporate world with tattoos on show if it was a hot day in the office.
Nope, not ever had one word said about them ever.

TabithaTittlemouse · 03/05/2022 13:35

I think I’m the only one without tattoos in my workplace (nursing). As long as they aren’t offensive then she will be fine.
Be proud of her for being who she wants to be and proud of yourself for raising her that way.

HellsAngel81 · 03/05/2022 13:40

I'm a registered veterinary nurse with an arm full of tattoos and never had a problem. My patients owners love them (mostly animal themed).

whumpthereitis · 03/05/2022 13:41

I think it depends very much on where you are tbh. Cities seems easier going. I’ve got a lot of tattoos, including a sleeve. I’ve worked in a solicitors office and also for a transport company (again in office) and never had a problem.

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