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

[drivinmecrazy]

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??

My DH has lots on his arms and torso, only visible if he is wearing a tshirt but he has a very senior role at a huge company.
Tattoos are very mainstream now, wouldn't imagine it would have any detrimental impact on jobs.

ImprobablePuffin I said she maybe had three on her arm. She has an olive branch on her rib cage, a rather large pomegranate on her thigh, a magpie, a couple of fossils and a primrose on her arm. None of them are tiny all of them are very 'artsy'.
All are relevant to her life journey so far.
If I were prone to over reacting I can assure you I'd have burst a blood vessel many times over regarding her various life choices over the years 😂

I have many visible tattoos and work in biomedical science for the NHS

I'm heavily tattooed. 10+ years ago, some employers would stick their nose up at tattoos but they're common place now. I don't have any in prominent places though apart from 2 small ones on my hands and 1 small one on my neck. I work in accounts.

My boss can't really say anything as he has lots of large tattoos. He's a millionaire, so it hasn't hindered him.

One of the surgeons when I had my last c section had the big ear holes and one of the doctors on the ward had tattoo sleeves and it did not impact on their ability to do their job in any way, nor did it make me think negatively of them.

The head teacher at a local school is covered in tattoos as are many of the teachers. They do an excellent job and it's not impacted their careers at all .

I’d say cover them in interviews, but otherwise not a problem.

We were only talking about this in my office last week (finance) - only one person in our company of 20 people has a tattoo. We were commenting how in this day and age it's actually quite unusual. It wouldn't put me off hiring someone. In fact, it could possibly be a bit of a conversation starter with candidates!

One lady I used to work with used to ask permission before getting a tattoo, even she had absolutely no need to!

As PP have said, as long as it's not offensive, I'd be surprised if it bothered anyone.

I too am slightly jealous of her confidence and ability to choose decent tattoos. I've always said I'd be open to having one but I've never come up with anything so significant that I'd want to be left with it for life!

I also live in one of the most affluent towns in the UK and tattoos and piercings are very common. I have tattoos on both my wrists and a nose piercing and no-one has ever batted an eyelid at my very professional work. My dad however is still convinced I will come to a Bad End because of them!

I'm covered in them. Including my hands. It's so mainstream now that no one even mentions it.

Good job I don't want to be a banker or live in an affluent town then! Sounds awful.

They sound like dicks. I wouldn't want to work with anyone who judged people with tattoos, it's narrow minded.

No tattoos here but I think attitudes have relaxed quite a bit recently I recently went back to being employed after 4 years as a SAHM. I don't wear 'work clothes' anymore. People just wear whatever they want. Plenty of piercings and tattoos about. Work in professional services.

As long as she hasn't got them all over her face (not saying that's not ok but would probably raise an eyebrow) I don't think she needs to worry at all. Especially within the creative industries.

I have a fairly senior corporate role and have four tats. None are typically visible in work clothes, but when they are no one cares. DH has a senior role in fintech and has a large back piece and two half sleeves. It's a complete non-issue now.

Self employed granted, but contracting myself out consulting. Requires meetings, trainings and very customer orientated.
Full sleeve of tattoos, random ones on my other arm, on my back and on my legs. Doesn't matter a jot, and never had a comment made.

I have several and never stopped me having a professional job.

I have worked in many professional environments & nobody there would ever suspect how many tattoos I actually have.
You can't really see any of them in a work outfit.
Some of them are massive (my whole back).

As long as they aren't on your face the only thing that has ever happened if someone finds out I have them, is that a surprising number of equally respectable looking in work clothes people start pulling up their shirt sleeve or whatever to show you their tattoos.

I've got used to it now but I used to find the 'show my tattoos' thing a bit weird.

This has included some of the most senior people in companies.

On the face seems to be the one area people aren't keen on, especially in customer facing roles.

Guess I'm asking if she's ruined her life?

Tad dramatic I think, OP.

As long as they're not offensive and can be covered when/if she wants to, then I think they won't have any impact on her professional life whatsoever.

Also - people having many/multiple tattoos doesn't detract from them being funny/beautiful/hardworking/intelligent etc. The insinuation that it does/would is quite insulting.

On here, people will say that everyone has tattoos, no one bats an eyelid etc

IRL, I don't think everyone is so relaxed about them

In my (admittedly quite conservative) field, tattoos would be frowned upon

It's weird. Because I'm saying it and I'm a real person in real life. As is everyone on this thread

My nephew is a vascular surgeon. Full sleeve

Maybe those of us who are saying it are doing so because that’s the experience we have had? Imagine that.

Do it! I got my first in my forties and i was pleasantly surprised by my Dad's reaction 😁

I've got tattoos on my shoulder and legs, so they are easily hidden. I do cover them if I'm in the office although some people at work have seen them. I'm 35 and a solicitor. My tattoos have had no impact on my work at all.

@underneaththeash Which town do you live in? I live in a famous university town in the uk and most people I know have tattoos, including university staff and medical professionals.

HoD in one of the university colleges I work alongside has a sleeve that is usually visible to all.