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Tattoos, visible piercings could affect appearance-related job opportunities
UTC Echo ^ | 3/30/06 | Joey Von Haeger

Posted on 04/03/2006 8:42:51 PM PDT by presidio9

Tattoos and piercings are ways for an individual to express their personality, but most employers are looking for presentable employees.

"I think that appearance is very important, [because] it lets the employer know that you know how to take care of yourself," said Eric Constantine, the manager of Athlete's House in Nashville.

It can be a very difficult choice whether or not to have your ears pierced or to get a tattoo, as Lisa Stevens, a freshman, found out.

"I really wanted the lifeguard job at the local pool back home," she said. "The only thing was that I also wanted a couple of tattoos that I could get, now that I was 18. I had to make the choice between the two because the pool wouldn't allow any visible tattoos. I second guess my decision a lot."

More and more people are getting tattoos than ever, and more and more of them are having to find ways to cover them up at work.

Tyler White, a Jackson, Tenn., freshman, was trying to find a summer job when a friend of his told him about an opening at a local car shop.

"I went in for the interview and everything seemed to go well, then the manager asked me about my tattoos," he said.

"I had to wear a long-sleeved jumpsuit all summer," White said.

It is important to realize that getting a tattoo is permanent and can hinder one from doing some of the things they might want to, like getting a job.

There are places that are appropriate to receive tattoos that are almost never visible.

Most employers say it would also be a good idea to stay away from too many piercings if one doesn't want to have to remove them every day before work.

Constantine said, "The employer pays a lot of attention to your appearance.

"It is important to look your best for [an] interview, even if that includes passing up getting a tattoo or an extra piercing," he said.

Overall, most people think it's okay to get that extra hole in one's ear or that barbed wire around a person's arm.

However, students are urged to know that career options might become limited because of many visible tattoos or piercings.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: badfad; culturalentropy; demonic; disease; duh; endtrend; hepatitis; holeinthehead; nokidding; paganizationofnation; piercing; selfmutilation; sick; skingrafitti; stupid; tatoo; tattoo; tattoos; trampstamps; ugly; workplace; yuck
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To: jocon307
I just got into another heated discussion with my recently-turned-18 daughter. She's in the midst of getting her third tattoo - she has one on her low back, and is getting one on each of her flanks.

She thinks I'm old-fashioned, that none of her bosses will care if she has tattoos, and even so, she'll cover them up, yada yada yada. I'm trying to convey to her that this is a lifetime decision she is making, she may regret it, etc. However, we're at an impasse, and she IS 18, and its her money...

She's a good kid otherwise, so maybe I AM overreacting. I just hate to see her make dumb permanent mistakes.

61 posted on 04/03/2006 9:21:37 PM PDT by IrishRainy
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To: Chena
When will some in this world ever learn that it isn't what is on the outside that matters, but what is on the inside?

Never, because many of us understand what's on the outside is a direct reflection of what is on the inside.

You may be aquainted with some 'illustrated' folk who are just spiffy, but your conclusions on character make as much sense as assuming a random kid doesn't like hip hop music because you know some who like classical.

62 posted on 04/03/2006 9:21:50 PM PDT by papertyger (Our Constitution isn't perfect, but it's better than what we have right now.)
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To: Chena
"I can understand someone not liking piercings or tattoos. What I cannot understand is someone refusing to do business with someone because of it. Amazing. I wonder how many people who feel this way also claim to be Christians?"

Sounds like you're trying to bait some nice Christians here. [It's pretty clear you are not one, and generally feel that Christians are hypocrites, just like you learned in all the 1980s and 1990s movies you watched.]

But if you think it's OK that we can not approve of the appearance, then how do we express it? By calling the deformed individual names? By spitting in his face? Or by not patronizing the business he works at, and not hiring him.

That's the only way, and the politest (and yes, Christian way) to express disapproval. It would be unChristian to lambaste the moron in the street. It is entirely Christian to not patronize the business.

Now get a grip and get over your stereotypes.

63 posted on 04/03/2006 9:21:52 PM PDT by tom h
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To: presidio9

64 posted on 04/03/2006 9:22:15 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Chena
I wonder how many people who feel this way also claim to be Christians?

Most of the smart ones I imagine. Christians are admonished to avoid the very appearance of sin, or haven't you read that part?

65 posted on 04/03/2006 9:23:30 PM PDT by itsahoot (Any country that does not control its borders, is not a country. Ronald Reagan)
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To: presidio9
"It can be a very difficult choice whether or not to have your ears pierced or to get a tattoo, as Lisa Stevens, a freshman, found out. 'I really wanted the lifeguard job at the local pool back home," she said. "The only thing was that I also wanted a couple of tattoos that I could get, now that I was 18. I had to make the choice between the two because the pool wouldn't allow any visible tattoos. I second guess my decision a lot.' "

This girl needs to live through a world war to find out what life is really all about. If either me or my sisters had made that comment to my father, much less a newspaper reporter, he would've smacked us silly.

What an airhead. Pudding for brains. A product of our nation's public school system.

66 posted on 04/03/2006 9:24:27 PM PDT by tom h
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To: presidio9
"It can be a very difficult choice whether or not to have your ears pierced or to get a tattoo, as Lisa Stevens, a freshman, found out. 'I really wanted the lifeguard job at the local pool back home," she said. "The only thing was that I also wanted a couple of tattoos that I could get, now that I was 18. I had to make the choice between the two because the pool wouldn't allow any visible tattoos. I second guess my decision a lot.' "

This girl needs to live through a world war to find out what life is really all about. If either me or my sisters had made that comment to my father, much less a newspaper reporter, he would've smacked us silly.

What an airhead. Pudding for brains. A product of our nation's public school system.

67 posted on 04/03/2006 9:24:29 PM PDT by tom h
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To: itsahoot

I'm not "young enough to know everything" (and surely you understand my tagline. And I'm not so old that I don't have a lick of commonsense left either. I know that some people refuse to do business with those who are pierced or tatooed. That is their right, but it doesn't make them "right".

All I'm trying to say is that perhaps some people shouldn't be so quick to judge some of these people. My mother used to say, "don't judge a book by its cover". Those words are still true today.


68 posted on 04/03/2006 9:26:23 PM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: RedStateRocker

I don't have a tat, but most of my friends do. Our local tatoo artist gives the needles he uses to the clients after he inks them, so no contamination. I'd rather get blood from my friend Leti (has a tat in honor of her deceased baby broter) rather than a gay guy who isn't celibate and doesn't pracice safe sex.


69 posted on 04/03/2006 9:27:40 PM PDT by chae (R.I.P. Eddie Guerrero He lied, he cheated, he stole my heart)
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To: chae

Incidently, it is also illegal for gays to donate blood in most countries.


70 posted on 04/03/2006 9:30:09 PM PDT by presidio9 (Islam is as Islam does)
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To: tom h
Sounds like you're trying to bait some nice Christians here. [It's pretty clear you are not one, and generally feel that Christians are hypocrites, just like you learned in all the 1980s and 1990s movies you watched.] But if you think it's OK that we can not approve of the appearance, then how do we express it? By calling the deformed individual names? By spitting in his face? Or by not patronizing the business he works at, and not hiring him. That's the only way, and the politest (and yes, Christian way) to express disapproval. It would be unChristian to lambaste the moron in the street. It is entirely Christian to not patronize the business. Now get a grip and get over your stereotypes.

Now that is precious. You are telling ME to "get over your stereotypes"! ROFL! Isn't that what many people on this thread are doing regarding those with piercings or tattoos? And no, I am NOT trying to bait any nice Christians. You are also incorrect in accussing me of not being a Christian. I AM a Christian. And I do NOT believe that Christians are "hypocrites". I do believe that some "people" are hypocrites. I've seen some young folks with piercings that made me cringe. I do not like most of those sort of piercings. However, that does not mean that I would immediately assume that they are not nice people. I hated the look of men in leisure suits years ago, but I certainly didn't hate the man who wore it. :)

71 posted on 04/03/2006 9:32:25 PM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: IrishRainy
She's in the midst of getting her third tattoo - she has one on her low back, and is getting one on each of her flanks.

Young girls really shouldn't get tattoos anywhere near their butts.

72 posted on 04/03/2006 9:33:04 PM PDT by randog (What the...?!)
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To: itsahoot
Christians are admonished to avoid the very appearance of sin, or haven't you read that part?

I have pierced ears. Am I, in your opinion, therefore a sinner? Is my elderly uncle a sinner because he has a tattoo? Do you really not see my point?

73 posted on 04/03/2006 9:34:53 PM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: chae
I'd rather get blood from my friend Leti (has a tat in honor of her deceased baby broter) rather than a gay guy who isn't celibate and doesn't pracice safe sex.

Well, if you're going to put it that way, I'd rather get blood from a sewer rat than a gay guy who isn't celibate and doesn't practice safe sex.

74 posted on 04/03/2006 9:35:50 PM PDT by randog (What the...?!)
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To: Chena
I wonder how many people who feel this way also claim to be Christians?

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. Mk 7:15

They don't call it "self-expression" for nothing.

75 posted on 04/03/2006 9:36:12 PM PDT by papertyger (Our Constitution isn't perfect, but it's better than what we have right now.)
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To: IrishRainy

My parents were likewise bothered when I got my first tattoo at 18. Some 24 years later, I'm still fond of that tattoo. It's nothing short of arrogance to assume that your daughter will regret it later. She might come to cherish it even more.


76 posted on 04/03/2006 9:36:28 PM PDT by Melas (What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
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To: Chena
and surely you understand my tagline.

Yes I do. I was making reference to what you said in the post, I should have included the comment, sorry.

If you are "Not young enough to know everything" Then your statements were oxymoronic, because you should be old enough to know better than what you said.

77 posted on 04/03/2006 9:36:53 PM PDT by itsahoot (Any country that does not control its borders, is not a country. Ronald Reagan)
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To: Chena

Your mother might have added, "Don't have beelzebub and flaming skulls tattooed on your arm, chest, or forehead unless you're prepared to be treated like an freak, a criminal, or an idiot."


78 posted on 04/03/2006 9:40:25 PM PDT by JCEccles
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To: itsahoot

Thanks for your response, itsahoot. I know we all do some judging of people based on their appearance. I've been guilty of it myself, and have paid for it in the past. I have misjudged people because of how they "looked", and it is a mistake I do not wish to repeat.

Sadly, I do believe that it has come to this. That people, such as yourself, now think it is "oxymoronic" to believe that it IS what is on the inside of a person's heart, mind and soul, that is more important than what is on the "outside".

Forget about the tattoos and piercings. Those are just the "visual aids" that enable someone to be unjust in their judgement of someone. I'm reminded of an old man who lived not far from our home. He rode his bicycle every day to town and back, he appeared unkempt, and I know some local kids taunted him, and parents whispered behind his back. I often wondered about that man. I'd smile and wave whenever I passed him, and he'd just nod his head. Well, he died a few years ago and sadly, I learned more about that man after he died than when he was alive.

It turns out this man was brilliant! He was kind, loving, and well respected by those who were blessed to know him. Now, I don't know if he had a tattoo or not, so maybe some of his friends (if like those here) may not have accepted him as a friend if they had known THAT.

"Don't judge a book by its cover".


79 posted on 04/03/2006 9:50:02 PM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: JCEccles
Your mother might have added, "Don't have beelzebub and flaming skulls tattooed on your arm, chest, or forehead unless you're prepared to be treated like an freak, a criminal, or an idiot."

LOL I'm sure if I had insisted on getting a tattoo, she would have calmed down if I had one that said, "I love Jesus", or "I love mom". ;)

80 posted on 04/03/2006 9:52:45 PM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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