Posted on 04/03/2006 8:42:51 PM PDT by presidio9
Any job openings for losers?
Different demographics may lead to different paradigms, everyone has a working model. I base my conclusions about people on a basic principle: "By their fruits ye shall know them.". It works. Note, that it does not say "by their looks..."
I have met some very nicely groomed people who would steal the house out from under an elderly widow in a New York second.
Others I know would go mow her lawn for free, even though they are not the 'type' by appearances who would be found on the society page and might be a tad rough to look at.
When you have a dozen grandchildren, you should begin to notice that what was 'cool' for your age group is not necessarily what is 'cool' for the adolescent of today. Certain appearances may be associated with a classical appearance of "respectability", but looks can be deceiving, either way.
I have known quite a few people with tatoos I would (and have) trusted with my life, including a Police Chief, a former SEAL, a Sargeant Major in the USMC, and a host of others, many, but not all, former military.
Just 'cause something or someone is 'pretty' does not mean it is nice.
While some tatoos make significant statements about the character or history of their owner, most do not, except to say they got a tatoo.
I, personally, never saw any artwork I want to wear that long. Nor do I desire to go having holes poked in me with sharp objects (or dull ones!), in fact I have tried to avoid that all my life.
Now, I live in an area where gays, gangs, and a host of other cultural problems are few enough as to not hit the radar screen. The population is sparse enough that we do not tolerate certain behaviours, regardless of how you look, and we generally have other things to worry about. In the average year, the climate can kill you, and I have known two people who froze to death and another who came so close he will never have to trim his fingernails again.
It is an environment where the guy at the bar in blue jeans and a ratty Carhardt jacket is as (or more) likely to be a multimillionaire as some guy dressed in the polo shirt with the critter on it. Suits are generally for church, weddings, funerals, and court appearances, although there are a rare few who wear them to work.
My paradigm works for me, where I am--which is why your questioning my ability to decide what works for me is amusing.
Yours may work for you--if so I am genuinely happy for you.
But I must ask, out of curiosity, where you draw what line. Is it piercings? Haircuts? Tatoos? Organic (genetic) unatractiveness? Skin color? Eye color (aside from red or yellow)? the shape of the nose? BMI? Bust size? The wrong school tie?
What factor or factors do you use to determine who is who in your world? What determines who you are civil to in passing, versus who you would hire, versus who you would trust to babysit your kids?
And yes, some jobs are a specific context, but that works both ways. Some jobs, it does not matter what you look like, performance is paramount. (I have one of the latter, thankfully, and it pays reasonably well, (multiples of the median income in my state), despite having hair to my a$$. I am hired for my ability, not to look pretty.)
No reply is necessary, really, the questions are rhetorical. But think about it.
If what works for you works, that is the bottom line. But if you deemed those who, say, wore bell bottomed pants as useless, at one point you would have chucked most of the US Navy over the side.
Have a good day, what is left of it anyway.
I kind of think you can get a good idea what's on the inside by actions if you study long enough. I'm biased and I know it but I don't like them on my kids. I get this urge to get the brillo pad out when I see them.
And the principle I live by is "test all things, hold fast that which is good." Note, it does not say "test only those things in conflict with your paradigm."
Is it not self-evident to you that on a yet to be defined level, body art IS a fruit?
yeah... we pay more of the taxes Americans don't want to pay. Rob Reiner made a killing off us in CA.
No. No more than clothing which is adequately modest, and even clothing can be deceiving. I suppose you would turn away anyone with a tatoo, even if it said "Jesus is Lord" or was composed of scenes from the Stations of the Cross?
It is not how you look, but what you do.
If a tatoo states a certain belief or activity which indicates or even glorifies illegal or immoral activity, that is a statement which cannot be ignored. Someone who is no longer in agreement with that (some people change) will manage to cover it, have it removed, or tatooed over.
This explains the concept pretty well:
John 15:1-8
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
(Excerpted from The Complete Multimedia Bible based on the King James Version Copyright (c) 1994 Compton's NewMedia, Inc.)
That pretty much explains the concept, and better than I have apparently done.
You (papertyger) wrote: "And yeah, I have some of the same types of people in my life too, but lets face it, drawing a parallel between my grandfather the WW2 vet and the girl next door is tenuous at best. You wouldn't parallel a young man wearing lipstick and mascara to your blue haired grandmother, would you?"
If my grandmother (God rest her soul) decided to die her hair "blue", would you assume she had lost her marbles? Or maybe she just thought blue would look pretty on her? Would she now be considered not worthy of your business, or kindness? I mean, come on, blue hair isn't something most grandmothers choose as a hair color. LOL As for a young man wearing lipstick and mascara. I don't know what drives young folks to do half of what they do, and I didn't know what drived my urges back then either. My father was HORRIFIED at bell-bottom pants and especially the "hip-huggers" that allowed other people to see my (gasp) naval. LOL
And now back to the topic of this thread, which was tattoos and visible piercings. Opinions have been stated on this thread that pretty much sum up both sides of the issue. Pick and choose as you wish. :)
Unlike you, I can't read minds and can't possibly know what their "inner personality" is like by looking at a piece of artwork on their body. I have no idea what that object, animal, or design means to that person unless I know them personally. And before you say, "but what about....blah blah blah".....yes, I understand there are certain tatoos that are known for their meanings. But we are talking about tattoos in general, not a specific "gang banger" tattoo (so to speak).
Hiya, durasell. :) I do have to disagree with this specific comment of yours. What study defines, "most people"? How can anyone say that "most people get tats to show they're a rebel and a free spirit"? Perhaps there have been studies done, or polls taken from those who have tattoos? Personally, those that I know had very personal reasons for their tattoos, and some just liked what they call, "body art". If your comment is correct, I will have to tell a certain 80 year old friend that he's a "rebel" and a "free spirit". Trust me, he'll love it, but laugh his head off. LOL ;)
I could be wrong. I was just mouthing off based on personal experience.
Mistranslation. It says to avoid every appearing of evil.
Oh yes, there are certainly what "you" would call respectible and normal looking folks out there, although each person has their own definition of what is "respectible and normal". Hence, the problem. I don't think anyone could guarantee that they are any more productive, or honest, or intelligent than someone with a tattoo, but perhaps that's a good example of why we should get to know someone before we make a serious judgement about their character. What a good idea! ;)
Just so you know, bannie, Presideo9 is the one that made the comment your referenced in your post to me. :)
Just so you know, bannie, Presideo9 is the one that made the comment you referenced in your post to me. :)
No, I do not have any tattoos. I never did care to have one, but if I did, I'd like to think it wouldn't change who I am. LOL
We're afraid we'll get cooties.
How'd you get yourself into the position of having to make that choice?
Oh yes, I do agree with your first sentence. We can get a good idea what a person is like on the inside by their "actions" IF you study (or get to know them) long enough. That's exactly why I cannot allow myself to judge someone based on the fact that they spent a couple of hours out of their life (or more, depending on the person) getting a tattoo. At least you admit you're biased and you have every right to your opinion, Cindy.
When our son decided to get a tattoo (he was already an adult), he knew I didn't want him to do it because I wanted his body just the way I delivered it to him so many years ago. Isn't that silly? Like, I "owned" his body now because I gave birth to him? LOL It's funny now in hindsight because I realize that him getting a tattoo didn't change him one teensy little bit. He's the same fine young man, loving and respectful to everyone, intelligent, hard-working, kind, honest.....you know, all those personal traits that REALLY matter. And you know what else? I really do like this tattoo now that it has grown on me. I tell him that I gave him his first "mark" though....he has a large birthmark but not nearly as colorful as it could have been if I had been a more colorful person. LOL ;)
But I doubt that you could have sold the ugly ones.
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