Mia
You thought the idea of being asked for your facebook password in a job interview was alarming? How about being asked about your body art. I was speaking to a friend who works in HR in Hong Kong and she says in interviews now, many employers are asking about tattoos. Not because they’re worried the Aztec design on your lower back might scare the customers (one would assume in conservative fields like banking, law and finance that area would be well covered) but for reasons of character. They want to know what kind of person you are.
Yes, there are people younger than 65 who still believe tattoos are a sign of reckless rebellion. And one day they may be the one standing between you and your next job. Remember when the hardest question you had to answer was “what’s your weakness?” and then keep a straight face when you answered “I work too hard.”
But tattoos aren’t exactly a novelty anymore. And nor are they small and discreet.
Perhaps inspired by Ruby Rose, Pink and Rhianna, women are apparently rejecting discreet little symbols, roses, love hearts and dolphins for bigger, bolder designs. “Girls want tattoos that flow with the contours of their bodies, like Angelina Jolie’s tattoos,” tattoo artist ‘Moldi’ was reported as saying. “The scrag tag has really died off.” (a ‘scrag tag’, also know as a ‘tramp stamp’, is a tattoo on your lower back). And men are following suit, or maybe even leading the way.
Scarlett Johansson's tattoo
Does a tattoo really reflect who you are? Or maybe just who you were on the day that you got it? Do you think having a tattoo is any reflection of what kind of person you are?
Comments
239 Comments so far
Tattoos are an expression of feeling, emotion. They are pieces of art that tell a story. I was in a Team Meeting where a coworker declared only ‘sluts and biker moles’ get tattoos… Needless to say I kept a straight face when I asked her if I was either…confused she avoided the question. Years later I told her I had a tattoo – she didn’t believe until I showed her…and she proceeded to lecture me on respect…..
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My tattoos show my past and how I over came it, with a violent ex that repeatedly beat me and caused many health problems
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Oh oh Mia- I have another one for you.
I was recently (ok it was 2 years ago) speaking to a friend who works in HR and regularly sits on a job interview panel- there is some old rich, conservative bastard who also sits on the panel who asks every female applicant “what does your father do for a living?” Apparently he feels that this speaks volumes about
a) her
b) her capacity to do the job
Something tells me this guy would faint at the idea of a lay-dee sporting a tattoo
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I am 20 years old. I recently got a tattoo on my wrist. I intend to get more.
Do I wonder what a prospective employer might think of my tattoo? Sure. But I also think that I wouldn’t want to work for someone that narrow minded. It inspires me to work hard, so that one day I can be judged by my skills and knowledge, rather than what is permanently on my skin.
I look at my tattoo and it signifies a time in my life. It doesn’t define who I am. I think it’s disappointing that those with tattoos are so harshly judged by society.
I look forward to the day when I have an amazing qualification and job, and who knows how many tattoos. I refuse to allow a decision that I made stand in the way of my success, purely because someone else doesn’t like what I have done to my skin.
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I wanted to get ‘Hope’ tattooed on my wrist, but it seems everyone has it now.
I was thinking of getting the name of someone very dear to me who I lost on my foot or ankle; enough that it would be covered for work but something to remind me of what I learned from her. I’m still unsure.
I guess I’m lucky that in nursing piercings & tattooes aren’t really uncommon! I have a nose ring & I was hired with that.
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Here’s what I don’t get – why get a tattoo to remind you of something “significant” on a part of your body that you can’t see? Sure, if you look in the mirror you can see your back, but won’t it all be backwards? Seems really like it’s just there for others to see…and then defences go up when they judge…hmmmm
Deny away, but didn’t you really just get it there because you thought it was cool/pretty/sexy/edgy/whatever at the time??…I don’t buy the argument that it’s “just for me”. I call bollocks, despite what you’re trying to convince yourself.
Ugh…not a fan of tattoos sorry.
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Just remember bogan children, the 6 million in the Nazi camps who were held down, against their wills and branded with a number on their arms, like cattle.
Why anybody would want to do this to themselves defies any intelligence.
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Disregarding the fact that tattoo art has had a perfectly legitimate place within many cultures for thousands of years … I’m sorry but that inference is way out of line.
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Could not have put that better myself, Anna.
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Hi Mia,
I enjoyed your article regarding researching your candidates for a job via facebook a while back and I was just wondering in relation to that, as an employer, would someone having a tattoo, for example a Southern Cross tattoo influence your decision on whether to hire them or not?
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itd influence mine. The only people I know (and I know it doesnt apply to EVERYONE) who have those kinds of tattoos are uneducated bogans who don’t understand the concept of immigration, refugees and or multiculturalism.
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Really….Says who? Says you doesn’t make it true Jess-magoo.
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Ive wanted one for sometime and currently working on a design which I absolutley love after some big personal ups and downs. Yes I can look at my family to know how lucky I am, but I think we all lose sight of what we have and what we live for, which is exactly the reason we also have our home filled with photos – a tatoo is a reminder I can take with me everywhere – live life and never look back
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I know in Japan, you are not allowed entry to an Onsen (public bath) if you have a tattoo. I think this is because there are a group in Japan (who are tattooed) who are part of a Japanese mafia (sorry i don’t know the Japanese equivalent to mafia).
So I guess in Japan tattoos represent an antisocial underworld.
It’s interesting that the Japanese have a blanket rule about no tattoos instead of trying to say that hearts or birds are ok but mafia tattoos are not.
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Yakuza, I believe!
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My hubby and I were in Japan last year, in a very traditional village and he had to wait until midnight when the onsens were empty before he could go in as he is covered in Japanese inspired ink. I think if they were more ‘western’ tatts he would have been fine, but the Yakuza still frighten a lot of the older generation over there!!
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because they still hold a lot of power. Its the same here in Korea.
I heard in Japan, you can even be denied boarding of a bus if you have visible tattoos.
Back to Korea, your background is a standard interview question here- what your parents did for a living. And sometimes, though its less common now, they judge based on blood type (also happens in Japan)
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I was once asked by a prospective employee if we had a policy on this. I could only suggest that we might be troubled by anything which showed an alarming lack of common sense.
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This was covered in the induction program at my workplace too. A big HR dance about really…. along the lines of “well we wouldn’t ever be able to sack someone based on a tattoo or piercing, but we would like to think that our employees would consider the public perception of [the progressive law firm] when contemplating such things”.
I have got my nose pierced since I started practicing, but wear a small, hardly visible stud to work unless it’s a casual day. I only wear my ring when I go out, mainly. My choice, not a directive from my manager. I also want to get tattoos and again, at my choice and not a direction, I want to get them in locations that can be easily concealed with professional work wear. I don’t think my employer would be particularly phased but clients are unpredictable – while some clients appreciate a lawyer who has tattoos and piercings, others don’t (even if they have such things themselves).
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To those below who have the Southern Cross and have been told that it is bogan and racist and want it removed -
Firstly, I’m not a tatt fan but my sons have them. Secondly – who told you they were racist?!! I’ve heard it said but I want to know why they would and what their aim is. This is Australia. We are Australians and despite what those who wish to demonise us think, we have EVERY right to be proud and patriotic! We live in the greatest country on earth, we are the least racist and most welcoming people in the world, our culture has grown from convict beginnings to a free and law abiding people who have incorporated so many wonderful aspects of other cultures. We have a right to be here, it is our country, ONE AUSTRALIA and we shouldn’t let the idiots divide and weaken us.
I hate tattoos but to any of you who have the Southern Cross, wear it with pride for gawd’s sake and stop letting the lunatic academics and social engineers manipulate us into believing we are what we most certainly are not.
Generations of Australians died for us and for this country that lies under the Southern Cross. For them, wear it with pride and never be ashamed to admit that you are proud of your country and love it and never forget the sacrifices they made so that we can live as we do.
I do not want to see one single comment under mine that calls us ‘invaders,’ not one. If it wasn’t the English then it would have been someone else and just as the Aboriginals weren’t happy, neither were my ancestors who were ripped from their family, never to see them again, sent to the end of the earth, to an unforgiving continent to suffer poverty, grief and hardship. To bury baby after baby, son after son, generation after generation struggling to survive until finally we have come to where we are, on the back of their hard work and sacrifice.
In fact, I might have talked myself into getting one on my tuckshop lady arm!
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paranoid against academics
refusing to acknowledge the English as invaders
blind patriotism
I wonder you don’t have a Southern Cross tattoo already! I think you should go get one right now.
You sound like the kind of open minded person who might appreciate an Indonesian restaurant on the corner, but wouldn’t want your sons to marry an Indonesian.
I hope I’m wrong? Do you really embrace other cultures?
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I don’t like tattoos.
I am proud of the Southern Cross emblem. I see it as the historical symbol of a time when men of all nations stood together as one to protest a form of tyrany in this land.
I embrace every culture that I possibly can.
I would marry outside of my own Anglo-Saxon “tribe” if I was single and found someone I believed I could build a decent life with.
I treat everybdy with respect until they prove that they don’t deserve that respect.
I get fed up when people who think that they know better than everbody else deliberately go searching for the bad in something AND find it !
Oh….and did I mention that I’m proud of the Southern Cross emblem ?
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Bradley, your comments are gold!
Thank you.
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Karenagain, I wonder you don’t find somewhere else to live. My children have an Indonesian step-mother and a half bother and sister. I have cousins who’s mother came here as a refugee. One of my daughters is married to an Italian Australian and a son is dating a Chinese girl who is more Aussie than me.
Now go and ask the academics to explain to you why you can’t think for yourself and why you swallow the stereotypes so readily.
AND I will NEVER fall for the ‘invasion’ line and I will never teach it in class in order to brainwash children and make them feel less than Australian. There is nothing wrong with Nationalistic pride but there is much wrong with taking what we have for granted and rewriting history out of the context of the time.
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Perhaps some other country would have invaded Australia if the English did. But that doesn’t mean that the English didn’t invade the country.
If you rob a house that has had its front door left open that probably would have been robbed if you didn’t, does that mean you’re not a thief?
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It doesn’t mean that one culture is superior to another though, does it? I have no intention of degrading the Aboriginal culture, nor glorifying it. Same goes for the British. It was was it was at a time in history that we can barely comprehend. I’m not ashamed to be who I am nor how I came to be Australian any more than you’d expect a newly arrived Burmese refugee to feel less at home because the academics and activists are determined to belittle us.
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My feeling on this is that the invasion aspect is one side of things (that you may choose to ignore) another side is that there ARE a lot of people out there that have the southern cross tattoo and are racist that have tainted the whole idea and image of it beyond simple patriotism. Reminds me of the “” f**k of we’re full ‘” bumper stickers and the old chestnust “love it or leave it”"; unfortunately to a lot of people this is what the Southern cross tattoo seems to signify now
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I don’t think there’s any need to be personally ashamed of what happened. But it is important to recognise what actually happened.
We shouldn’t feel belittled to recognise that people who settled in this country did things which we would find clearly unnaceptable and illegal today. Nor should we seek to hide that this occurred.
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Anon, I think we disagree on many fundamental world views, but I do agree it’s sad that the Southern Cross has been adopted by white supremacists and your run-of-the-mill racists alike, as most people have good intentions when first getting it tattooed on them.
If you’re up for a bit of a debate, I wrote about this issue years ago, and while I won’t rehash it here, I’ll link you to it:
http://www.annaeangel.com/2010/07/voiceworks-issue-81.html
I do think you’d have to be in serious denial to say the Southern Cross (and many other Australian-centric symbols) hasn’t been adopted as a nationalistic symbol. It’s well documented within those circles, and if you don’t believe me, have a look on Australian white-pride forums yourself, if you can stomach it. I almost couldn’t when researching this a few years ago …
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It has been adopted by white supremacists and racists which taints it for others. So when someone sees a Southern Cross flag or tattoo they may see a message (a white supremacist one) which the person never intended to send.
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Exactly; I feel bad for well-meaning Southern Cross bearers.
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There’s an old saying, ” patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” just saying – worth considering! Very easy to wax lyrical about where we live, and gloss over the negative behaviours that abound here!
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As opposed to the utopia of Afghanistan or China? Interested to know what country on earth upholds your ideals?
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OMG the gallery works on my iPhone! Great work MM!
I don’t have anything to say about tattoos, but I’m very excited about the gallery!
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I am one of those young women that favour larger designs shaped to our bodies over the traditionally ‘feminine’ small designs, eg. butterflies on ankles and shoulder straps.
There are a few reasons behind this for me, and one of them is that bold, richly coloured designs age much better than small and intricate designs. So there’s less chance I’ll look back on them at 60 and think they’re ugly, even though my tattoos are much more visible than an ‘under the shoulder strap’ affair.
Another reason was that I’d often seen tattoos and just thought there was something out of place about them, something ill-conceived or just not quite right. I believe a large part of my reaction stemmed from poor placement.
You can have the best artist in the world, but if your design is too small for the area you’re placing it, or cuts your body off in weird ways, it won’t work and will stand out, rather than becoming a part of your body.
I have some rather large pieces, by a tradition female point of view. And I really don’t expect everyone to love them; it’s okay, truly! But please don’t stand behind me at the train station and talk loudly about how I’m a tramp who has ruined my chances of getting anywhere in life. I don’t mind the old guys who tell me I’m much braver then they ever were (“I served in two wars, but I couldn’t do that!”), but when was it ever okay to judge anyone on the street for their appearance?
Or is it okay because, in the eyes of some, we chose to be judged the second we put our body art on display? Does anyone out there think this is the case? Are tattoos easy targets because one can assume (often wrongly) that they were meant to be seen – and therefore appraised by strangers? How is this any better than thinking a woman in a mini skirt deserves to be called a slut?
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While I have no problem and totally accept that many people dislike tattoos, I have to admit I’m offended by some of the comments on this article! Several people have said tattoos ‘look bogan’. What’s wrong with being a bogan? Some people have said they believe tattoos look tacky, and I can accept that – to each their own. However, I have to admit… I think it is beyond rude when people voice their negative opinions about my tattoos. I don’t mind if it comes up in conversation and you admit that you don’t like them, but I don’t think there’s any need to make individual comments about MY body. I doubt you would make similar comments to someone about their hair cut or colour, so why do some people think it acceptable to comment on tattoos? My tattoos are small, easily covered and very meaningful. I was asked their meaning in a job interview recently (though he was merely curious, I didn’t feel it had anything to do with my being hired or not – and it certainly wasn’t, as I was offered the job!), which I was fine with. But I had someone come up to me and tell me they thought the small tattoo on my arm looked ‘hideous’ – never mind the fact that it’s significance was that I can gone to a third world country to volunteer. I’d had a gutful of it by then and said ‘Excuse me, but would you have told me if you didn’t like my hairstyle or colour?’ He realised what he’d done and was very embarrassed.
For those who dislike tattoos, dislike away – you are absolutely entitled. But I truly hope you don’t voice it every time you come across someone with one, and I really hope you don’t generalise those with them either.
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If you haven’t got anything nice to day, don’t say anything at all, right!
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I met a doctor a while back who had ‘primum non nocere’ tattooed onto his arm, which is Latin for ‘first do no harm’. I was impressed and pleased, but I did wonder what the opinions of his other patients might be.
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I love that, so poignant and relevant to his career choice.
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I have one on the inside of my left ring finger.
we also plan to have a tattoo artist at our wedding ceremony to have the other side of the finger tattood before we sign our certificates.
my partner of 4 years (we have been best friends for almost a decade) also has it and it symbolies our commitment to each other, rather than a ring that either of us could take off any day.
it tiny and rarely seen and in the near future when we are engaged officially my ring will cover it. It is special to us and we smile every time we see each other looking at it
i would be quite upset if a potential employer was to judge me on this basis…
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What a beautiful idea
May I ask Deanna what you have tattooed on your ring finger?
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I’d be scared to get a tattoo, knowing how my tastes change between decades. I cringe looking at hair colors and outfits I wore in the 80′s and 90′s…imagine if you got the best design ever full of meaning and all that….wake up 10years later…oh crap! Nothing stays on trend forever so I’m thinking I’ll go invest in a laser tat removal company and make my mint in the next decade when a population of young women inevitably change their minds.
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Oh, you mean like me and my 20cm Tinkerbell on my back? Yeah, that was a smart move… I’m looking into getting that stupid thing removed.
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Tattoos are fairly widely accepted these days but they are still disliked by a lot of people. I think having a tattoo says something about you. Personally don’t like them on anybody, dumbs you down.
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Poppy, I agree with your comment.
A tattoo tends to say to me, “I can take vast amounts of pain”.
This afternoon, I caught sight of a young woman who had the largest pair of angel wings I’d ever seen, tattooed on her back. On each feather, was written a name, perhaps the names those nearest and dearest to her. Perhaps the names of people who had influenced her throughout her life
For the life of me, I cannot think of fifty people who have influenced me greatly enough or are that near and dear to me that I would want to have their names permanently etched onto my person.
The young woman may well have thought her body art sublimely beautiful. That’s up to her. I thought that it looked plain tacky, and that’s up to me.
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I’m sure that’s fun now but one day she could just want to contact Stacem’s laser company…
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It’s a shame that you wouldn’t be able to see past my tattoo to my 2 degrees and masters. Personally, I think judging people before you know them dumbs you down.
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Let’s face it, people have been tattooing themselves for years. The Maoris and Japanese spring immediately to mind. Their tattoos traditionally had meaning, explained their life story etc. Just because they no longer have that meaning in western society doesn’t mean they’re completely meaningless/worthless.
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Don’t have a tattoo. Why put a bumper sticker on a ferrari?
(I’m not really that vain, just saw this quote and thought it was funny – I actually like tattoos, just don’t have any myself)
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I have two tattoos currently, with plans for at least 3 more at this stage- however at this point in my life I have more important things to spend my money on/save my money for.
I am also currently job-hunting and if a potential employer decided against hiring me because of my visible tattoo (a small treble clef behind my left ear), or my tongue piercing for that matter, it is obviously a workplace that I would not fit into or be happy in!
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I have 3 tattoos and I love all of them! My first is a little butterfly on the inner side of my left ankle, the other is a “tramp stamp” which I love and I got when I was over 30 (all of my tattoos I had done after 30) is of another butterfly on pink asian like clouds, and the other or others depending on what you decide (I count them as 3, others count them as 1) are of my children’s name, Alex, Lilli and Liam in Chopin script. All of them I can cover up for work, but really they are for me.
I love butterflies and believe that they are the souls of our dearly departed. This was affirmed by several stories that I have heard (after I had them done) of butterflies appearing after someone’s loved one had recently passed.
I do believe though, there will be many a tattoo on a young person that they will regret later in life. I did see a young girl with two sizeable cartoon mushrooms on the top of her feet and thought that maybe later in life she may wish that she hadn’t….. I believe the mushrooms were from Super Mario…..
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Love the yellow top in the pic, Mia – where did you get it? I am always looking for yellow:)
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Tats in HK or Japan are strongly related to gang membership and organised crime. How would you feel Mia about employing someone with their entire back covered in a Hells Angels tat. I am sure this is the angle of concern over there.
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Does a tattoo really reflect who you are? Or maybe just who you were on the day that you got it? – I think both- because who you were on the day you got it is a part of who you are as a whole! Every moment in our lives make us ‘us’
Do you think having a tattoo is any reflection of what kind of person you are? – You would think so, but actually I know such a huge range of different people with tattoos – that I don’t think there is any one thing which ‘unites’ them.
I have no tattoos, and can’t imagine ever wanting one. I don’t particularly like the look of them on other people either, but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker.
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I have two. One I’m afraid is a tramp stamp in all it’s glory. I got it when I was 18 (8 years ago) when I was living in the UK with a friend. While I don’t particularly like the design anymore, I love that it represents what that experience was all about for me – me being independent, young and stubborn. My second is a bit deeper than that. I have the words ‘This Life’ tattooed on my wrist in Khmer script. I’m currently working in Cambodia and there is a big story to the meaning behind these words but basically they remind me every day that I only get one shot at life and I need to make the most of it. It can be covered if it has to be, but if that tattoo means someone doesn’t give me a job one day, well, then, maybe I don’t really want the job that much.
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Isn’t Khmer script beautiful? I contemplated a tattoo after I spent some time there teaching English recently but chickened out and settled for an engraved ring :p
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There are some pretty ugly tattoos in the gallery. Scarlett’s is just awful.
Having said that, I have no strong feelings about tatts. They used to be a big deal, now it seems everyone has one. I don’t. Considered it, but never got round to it.. I guess its just not ultimately ‘me’.
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I think the vast majority of those tattoos look divine. I really admire people who have the strength to pull them off, and love them forever.
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Looking at those pics all I kept thinking was how ugly they look – on EVERYONE.
Your body your choice, each to their own etc, but just FERAL
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I think some tattoos can make adults look really immature and i have only seen a small few that older people can pull off (mine not included) Honestly, I wish I could go back in time and tell an 18 year old me NOT to get those 2 tattoos.
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When I was 18 (7 years ago), I got a tattoo that was of significance to me, reminded me of my family and of where I’ve come from. No one I knew had the same tattoo, nor had I noticed it on any strangers .
Then all of a sudden the tattoo was quite prolific and a general societal consensus developed that it was a bogan symbol, and even more alarmingly, a racist one. As a result I now feel I’ve lost my connection to it and have looked into getting it removed, however it is quite costly (and it is a very small tattoo that is hidden besides when in a bikini) so it is likely by the time I can afford to remove it, I’ll be old enough that I’ll have stopped wearing bikinis and it won’t be an issue.
And yes it is the Southern Cross, sigh
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Oh my, I think you just described me exactly!!!! same age, same tattoo, same problem!!!
I hate admitting that I have a southern cross, and most of the time I don’t tell anyone because I get teased. But when I got it done, I didn’t know any one else who had one. Silly 18 year old me…
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The exact same thing has happened to my father, my mother and my brother, My sister and are tattooed a lot more than that, but held off and have matching tattoos which we felt represented our relationship within the family more. I tried laser removal once. about 14 years ago now. It hurts, and burns for a hell of a lot longer than the procedure. I ended up getting a cover up, it was quicker, cheaper and a shit load less painful.
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What is a cover up Candy?
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A cover up a when a unwanted tattoo is inked over by a new tattoo design.
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Thanks
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Exact same thing happened to my fiance! He recently had additional work done to it though, so it’s meaning is really obvious (He had the words ‘we are one, but we are many’ as well as various cultural symbols from around the world).
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Has anyone had a tattoo removed? I have 3 and love 2 of them, don’t mind the 3rd but am sceptical about the removal process and how effective it is, scarring, etc. does anyone have any information?
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I have just come back from my laser tattoo removal appointment and I am in so much pain that I am finding it hard to sit down. It is absolutely horrible, I’ve heard people say that tattoo removal is a 100 times worse than getting the tattoo in the first place but I thought surely they had to be exaggerating but it really is that bad.
I’ve only had 3 treatments so far so can’t comment on how effective it is long term. My doctor recommends treatment every 6 weeks for approximately a year. They can’t tell you upfront how many treatments you will need and how effective it is going to be as every tattoo is different, every ink is different, some go very deep, others don’t etc.
If I knew how bad it would be I honestly don’t know if I would still have it done. I think if you’ve got something like an ex boyfriend’s name or something that you just cannot live with, then go for it, but if it’s just a tattoo that you don’t particularly like any more but don’t hate either, then I don’t know if it’s worth going through the removal. It’s excruciating, sloooow and very expensive.
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Thanks for taking the time to reply Anon, I really appreciate it! I would love to know how it turns put for some later their treatment is complete or long term!
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I have no tattoos at the moment but I think I would like one in the future. (Picasso’s bird of peace!)
Although I don’t have anything against tattoos… Scarlett Johansson’s is horrible.
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I’m 22 and have 3 tattos, one on my hip, my foot and a quite large one on my upper back. All have significant meaning and are a reflection of important parts of my life/personality that I like to have reflect on my body as part of my life journey so far. Each tattoo was considered for at least 12 months before being done. People virtually never see my tattoos unless I choose to show them or am at the beach or happen to mention having tattoos. The shocked looks and comments I get when people find out about my tattoos never ceases to amaze me. Don’t judge and never assume, people.
Also, if I was denied a job because of tattoos that are not even visible I would be seriously unimpressed and highly offended. it just reeks of them being small minded and insular, neither qualities I would be ok with in an employer
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I have five and each and everyone of them has meaning to special events in my life. They can be hidden or seen if I want them to be.
I think as long as there is thought put in them and they have meaning to you and only you, well there’s nothing wrong with it.
I don’t agree with younger ppl getting them to be “in the in crowd”. I would love to meet up with them 10 or 15 years later and see if they are still happy with their choice of art?
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There’s nothing sexier for me than beautiful tattoos on either men or women.
I would rather my son get a tattoo than smoke or take drugs, not that they go hand in hand but they do seem to be a right of passage when coming of age.
We live in Japan and tattoos here are totally taboo, because tattoos were previously associated with the Japanese Mafia, no visible tattoos are allowed on the beach, police patrol and ask people with them to cover up or leave.
Swimming pools and public baths are complete no entry zones for people with tattoos and I have seen a man (non Japanese) asked to leave a department store because his tattoos were disturbing other customers.
Even though I want one I couldn’t consider it while I am here.
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Interesting. I didn’t know that about tatts in Japan, yikes!
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Wow that is really interesting….. thanks for sharing!
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I think you should never judge a book by it’s cover.
While I don’t have any tattoos myself and have no plans to get any (just not my thing) I have a younger brother who is a very talented tattoo artist, he is covered in tattoos, some meaningful, some just for the hell of it or for practice. My brother is honest, hardworking, polite and very family orientated, he is in his early 20′s and it annoys me when we are out in public and people judge him wrongly and make rude comments based on his appearance.
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I have two. Got my first at 30, the second a bit after I was 40. I adore them. You will never see them unless I want you to, and one of them is 16cm high. I think its hilarious that people state they would not employ someone if they knew they had tattoos. Hello, discrimination case!
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The sexist comments about women with tattoos have actually made me want one more than ever!
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My hubby has tattoos, from long before I met him and I don’t like them. Tattoos themselves are ok, but the fact he got them when he was young and stupid means they really do look like a hot-headed 20 year old chose them (scull, bats, FTW, yuck!) He regrets those too, but has two that he loves which is fair enough. I’ve no tattoos and don’t intend to, but each to their own!
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Yes, no one should get a tattoo before the age of 30. They always regret the ones they got when they were young.
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I completely disagree.
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I have several tattoos, mostly covered by normal clothes.
you wont see them unless i was wearing a bikini.
I always find myself defending them, I was just about to say..
I’m a 23 yr old, graduated from unversity. etc etc etc
and it doesnt change the type of person I am.
Theres a great quote in the tattoo parlour I go to and it says
The difference between tattooed people and non tattooed people are the tattooed people dont give a eff
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That quote just sums up my gut reaction of what I thought many tattooed people were like. I always felt bad for judging on appearances but hey, if they’re proudly proclaiming it on the wall of the tattoo parlour, I don’t feel at all bad now.
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I understand why people get tattoos, but I choose not to have any.
I figure the only things that are as permanent as my skin in this life are the kids, and it’s not like I’m going to forget them anyway. And besides, if I want to see a reminder of them on my body I just have to look at my tummy!
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I got a tattoo of my daughter’s name, because she died. Turns out, she was not so permanent after all. But the tattoo is.
Horses for courses I guess.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. God be with you.
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I find these days most people I know under the age of 40 have at least one tattoo. These are people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, all occupations. They are all different people, with different life experiences, different values and different personalities. It is not relevant to judge people or make decisions about them based purely on whether or not they choose to have a tattoo. I don’t have a tattoo myself but I have had several piercings in the past. Tattoos just aren’t my thing – but I certainly don’t judge anyone for having a tattoo, just as I wouldn’t want anyone to make certain judgements about me for having had piercings. Each to their own form of body art and art appreciation I say
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I think like pretty much anything, there are great, tasteful, meaningful tattoos and then there are ones that are just plain awful.
A friend of mine spent years designing hers. It is a line from Lord of the Rings, written in elvish caligraphy on her calf. Lord of the Rings is her passion, she has done numerous trips to the movie sets etc, and she chose a location which can be easily hidden or easily shown. It is meaningful and tasteful.
Another friend has a very cool tattoo of a lipstick kiss and Carpe Diem on her shoulder blade. It perfectly suits her personality. And again, under anything but a singlet top it is hidden.
I love those tattoos. And I’ve seen about as many ones that I love as well as ones that I think are awful. Another friend has an amazing catfish tattooed on her, but there is no meaning, she just chose it because it was different and she wanted a tattoo so somehow it isn’t as great as the previous two.
People do judge on appearance so if someone wants to work in a conservative industry, having a very visable tattoo is probably isn’t a good idea, but in general I have no issue with them. Personally however I just can’t imagine ever settling on something that I would be happy to permanently have inked on me, I’m just too indecisive.
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You don’t live in Canberra do you? I’m pretty sure I know both those people…
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I went through a stage of aching for one of those barbed wire tatts like Pamela Anderson. Thank goodness I never got around to it. I was quite an impulsive person for a long time and I have some regrets from those years, so I’m glad I don’t also have a barbed wire reminder to contend with.
Tatts on other people? Probably not a huge fan but doesn’t even rate on a list of things I’d think about.
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Scarlett Johanson’s tattoo looks like a kid painted it at preschool!
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Agree- or one those ones you used to get free with bubblegum.
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I was thinking the same thing……..it looks like something my son would draw….. cute stuck on the fridge, but stuck forever on her arm? Not so much.
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Not a huge fan of tattoos on anyone – in fact, the only ones I really like are Maori/Samoan/Tongan/Pacific Island tattoos.
Each to their own though!
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It’s funny how these stories on rats tails or tattoos bring out the snobs, and the sexist. ‘Tattoos are bogan’.. ‘I hate tattoos on females’.. ‘I wouldn’t hire a female with a tattoo’ ‘girls with tattoos are trashy’..
Seriously guys? Come ooon we’re better than that!
If you meet at lovely, well dressed, attractive person and immediately look down on them because you see a tattoo peeking out of their sleeve, then it’s purely a reflection on YOU. If you feel morally superior or like you’re of a different class to someone because they have a tattoo, then you’re probably an elitist wanker. And if you actually feel that men can get away with it but women are somehow no longer womanly if they get a tattoo, then you’re sexist. Plain and simple. Go and read Caitlin Moran!
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Thank you!! I’m absolutely blown away by the amount of blatantly sexist comments on this post.
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I love you post MJ. Judging others says so much more about “them” and their insecurities than it does about the people they are judging. If having a tattoo separates me from these wankers of the world…..then fabulous!!!
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I don’t mind tattoos on people, hell I have one myself! but in the last few months I have seen TWO blokes with the nazi symbol on their forearms… I wonder if those blokes really understand the meaning of that symbol??
I wouldnt even consider hiring these people given the potential they have to offend/ upset customers, clients and colleagues.
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Are ysure they were Nazi and not buddhist symbols? I’ve seen a few buddhist tattoos.
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Thanks crazy!
I saw a guy last month with a massive filled in black ‘Fuck You’ on his forearm. Horrible!
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