How do you feel about tattooed people?

523rd FS, USAF - Crusaders I spent my whole active duty time in that squadron. I was there when I met my wife, finished college, started my family, etc.... It all came together for me while I was in that squadron and I have good memories of it and the friends I made while I was there.

Max - I have lots of competing interests for my disposable cash. I don't hunt, (grew up in the burbs and dad didn't own a gun) so I don't want more than a couple of good rifles. I have a few EDC pistols, but have always wanted a 1911 by STI. They are sweet shooters and made in Texas. (BBQ gun!) Another interest that I never acted on was getting a pontoon boat for fishing and swimming. I may buy a beater some Fall and spend Winter restoring it. Winters are pretty mild here and my boys (and me) can learn a few things. I always like learning how to fix things. It would be a good excuse to spend time with my family. (my brother, dad, etc....) We hang out and watch sports and play 42 a lot, but it would be fun to play 42 on the lake while we fish too.

 

They would make for a nice tattoo.

 

I saw a guy with a tattoo on his arm that was quite well done. I commented that I liked it. He said during the summer he is treated differently when his sleeves are short or rolled up and it ain't good. Seems like discrimination to me however, since tattoos are elective I guess civil rights don't apply?

 

I can't be arsed to read this entire thread...
...So many ugly/trendy images that look horrid in a few years. Somebody is going to make a fortune in the not too distant future on a painless and cheap tattoo removal service.

 

Correct. It's one thing to be born with a cleft palate. It's another to deliberately scar yourself with pins, rings and ink markings.

 

I guess that's me..but not struggles more a celebration. I'm able to describe my motivations for and the symbology behind my tattoo (I won't bore you with them though). But my point is I have a process of thought and a relationship into my tattoo which you describe as 'new agey mumbo jumbo'. And I reckon we're both right. We both use different expressions to describe that same motivation and resultant expression of it.

As an Aussie I got to say....outdoor BBQs ftw!

My understanding of the tattoo was more from a tribal viewpoint. A personal choice. I'm just sharing this with you as a point of interest with no desire to 'justify' my having one.
Having a tattoo means as much as not having a tattoo does, only as much relevance as you yourself want to give it.
And as for being 'cool', I hear the 'cool' kids these days say they don't care about being 'cool'; so there's no real uncool way to finish that point off.

Well there is a state of mind I went into in accepting the pain of the needle over the bony parts under my tattoo. Now I'm not trying to have a measure off to see who's able to endure the most pain or whatever, I'm just saying, it hurt and I had some endorphins going through my head to counter the pain.
Is there meaning in my tattoo? Sure. But sharing it with someone who's not interested in it is indeed a carry on.

In my experience, poor judgment and mistakes are often valuable life lessons to those who make them but yeah, fair enough, tattoos aren't for everyone.

 

Agreed there is a difference. But I don't agree it's the same difference as wristy and horse dude. More like the same difference between perfecto and stuffed crust pizza bases. Sure you can the regular base, but the option for cheese to be built into the part that some people don't eat is there for the taking. As for those hot dog stuffed crusts freaks...they're just weird.

 

Nowt wrong with a bit of 'new agey mumbo jumbo' for them wot likes that sort of thing.

Equally, why must everything remain hidden?

We don't paint ourselves with woad so much around here anymore, but there's certainly a history of it. Times change, and so do cultures.

'Western culture' is not, and has never been, remotely one single uniform culture. Never has been, never will be. Tattoos have been a part of various subcultures for decades (and certainly not just 'criminal' ones!). They seem to be going mainstream at the moment, and that's fine. It shouldn't be assumed, however, that everyone who gets a tattoo is doing so to be 'trendy' in the current 'popular culture'.

For some perhaps, of course, but many different people have many different reasons, and their tattoos mean different things to them.

 

And keeping funeral mass cards or picture in a wallet isn't mumbo jumbo? How is that any less externalized than someone inking their loved ones image under their clothing?... I have three hearts inked over my heart, one for every daughter, I'll carry them close to heart everywhere until the day I die...if you prefer to keep a couple cents worth of paper in your wallet as a memory thats your choice, I have made a different choice...

The cool factor is just your imagination, you're projecting your viewpoint on others, you have no idea what the motivation is... tattoos have become so mainstream among the younger generations its routine, no one really cares...those who make an issue and judge tattoo owners are older generations like yourself...my tattoo is never seen by anyone but mrs wyly so tell me just where is the cool factor I'm supposedly after?

 

how is discriminating against someone because of how they adorn themselves any different than doing so because of the colour of their skin?...both are irrational prejudices. ..

 

I'm not that old...I'm 49. Right now...the 40 - 55 y/o demographic run the World...we are executives and decision makers. Visible tattoos in a job interview will be a strike against you. Fine by me...ink all you want; that much less competition to contend with for the job.

Maybe in 10 - 20 years when the inked are in charge it will change...but I can assure you, visible tattoos are viewed negatively by most corporate HR departments. Piercings can at least be removed for an interview. How are you going to cover a hand or neck tattoo? There might be visibly inked people in the corporate environment, but rarely will you find them making executive level decisions unless it's some tech start-up company founded by the rebellious sorts.

Look at the Google CEO. Larry Page, worth an estimated 17 billion



The corporate World still stresses a conservative appearance.

 

In 2007, I had a step-son that was getting close to the age of majority. He was always drawing these artful tattoo patterns that he planned to put all over his body. He was going to have piercings, colored hair the whole nine yards. The only reason he didn't have those things already was that I wasn't paying and he didn't have any money. One day we were at Walt Disney World, at the Grand Floridian Resort. I told him to take a look around at all the people. Count how many have visible tattoos, body piercings or crazy hair. Not a one. I told him that these people are the successful. They dropped $500 plus per night for their room and it didn't phase them.

It must have sunk in because he's an adult now, and the only tattoo he has is easily hidden by a short sleeve shirt. His head is shaved but he's in the USMC so, that is norm but he has zero piercings. What a lot of people don't understand is that you still have to meet people and do interviews to get a job. If you walk in to interview with me for a senior level position and you don't present the image that I feel represents me well? You aren't getting the job.

 

Reality right there. ^^^^^^^

 

It's not IMO, I was just commenting because it seems that some people feel that way from what the guy was telling me. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

you're 49 going on 89... I'm 61 and hire many people, I don't let prejudiced superficial opinions affect who I hire...tattoos, piercings, blue or pink hair, none of it matters as long as they can do the job, and my clients have yet to complain...bigotry is not tolerated in my work environment...

 

yeah I understood that...

 

Maybe in Canada that flies, but not in America. Tattoos are not protected by the Constitution...that is a voluntary form of changing your appearance. It's not a mole or freckles. Plus if it's covered by clothes no one will know. No one is saying otherwise...it's the foolish who get the arm sleeves of tattoos or on the neck and face. You will be discriminated against and it is not illegal to do so. I'm just telling it like it is. I'm out in the corporate World every day. Your appearance matters...it reflects the business. Those that run the businesses may or may not find visible tattoos acceptable, but despite their popularity; most view them negatively if they are clearly visible despite wearing normal attire.

Plenty of jobs...tattoo artists, rock stars, pro athletes can get away with more "artistic" expression. However for your run of the mill office job, or job dealing with the public...tattoos are still a negative.

This is how it is. Whether I'm considered a dinosaur or not...if you're young and dumb and visibly inked/pierced...you ain't getting hired for any sort of responsible position. You have doomed yourself to a lifetime of low wages...but you will look cool in the poor house at least.

 

Number 1 it is dangerous and Number 2, it diminishes your job opportunities(if the tattoos are visible and Number 3, it looks ridiculous for an older/elderly person with sagging skin to have tattoos, sorry but that is the truth. I think my son should go into the tattoo removal business. He will make a fortune.

And, IMO, excessive visible tattoos are unsightly and not at all impressive. Naturally, that is my opinion and if you want tattoos that is your right.

 

What is the job? It will be understood if you are afraid to answer.

 

What branch of the military? I know the Navy doesn't allow officers (pilots in the Navy are all officers) to have tattoos that are visible in the PT uniform (shorts and t-shirt).

 

I think he's talking about Army Warrants, but I always thought sleeve tattoos are not allowed regardless...enlisted or officer. Maybe they are relaxing ths standard to allow 1/2 sleeves, but I can't imagine full sleeve tattoos being allowed.

Think about when you get of the service also. No major airline will touch you with visible tattoos while in their corporate uniform and Summer short sleeve shirts are part of the uniform. Good luck hiding a full sleeve tattoo with that.

These are Army Warrants and typically they fly helicopters...and civilian helicopter jobs tend to be more loosey-goosey than the major airlines which must contend with a public image.

 

The phrase "needs of the service" spring to mind. For the past decade the needs of the service were great, resulting in a reduction in standards in order to fill the ranks. Now that the wars have wound down, the needs of the service are less and they can be more selective on who is selected to serve our nation.

 

Try to explain that to a owner losing business. With race, ethnicity or gender it's not a choice thing, people are what they are. However if you choose to look scary and some kid starts to spit out her green soup, then you cant blame the owner for giving you the Boot.

If that Tat person really wanted a job as a waiter though, then I might suggest a different type of restaurant and not a family joint,,,follow?

[Sorry it took so long to answer, I was out a few days]