This is good advise, not only for young people
starting their employment, but for those of us
who have been employed for a long time.
Who knows how visable your tattoos can be
for the job that you have, or the job that you wish to be promoted to? I think about that often.

Interesting post. I understand where both of you are coming from and your logic but I still feel that it is a form of prejudice, even if not in the true legal definition. I mean, did your ability to understand and interpret the law somehow change when you got a hand tattoo? My guess is no. You were just as intelligent before as you were after the hand tattoo, and the only thing that changed was your appearance. We don't live in a perfect, judgment free world, and people should be aware so they can look out for themselves. Still doesn't change the fact that it's unfair though.
(I write this as a person who can hide all her tattoos.)

You should totally have more videos of this kind on the blog.

Great video, thank you!

You know, they made me watch a video before I had my tubes tied and that's about as permanent as a tattoo. I wonder how many tattoo artists would be down with showing this to clients before they get in to the chair.

I couldn't agree more,
When people ask for facial or hand tattoos I mostly don't do do it...for that reason.
Most of the time they try to yell out all tehe good reasons why I should do it, and then I just say...you' re 18, and I'm not going to be responsible for your unemloyed life...
As sad as it is, it just is this way ...

thanks so much for the video marisa - you are more beautiful than ever!

i have to say i'm totally on the fence on this one.
i've got the visible but cute tattoos and big ole' stretched out ears, but also do cover up when required (clients ) for work. one reason is because i really hate the whole 'being the novelty' at meetings and would just rather get down to business.

one thing i don't appreciate though and have walked away from friends - when they ask me to change my appearance to meet their partners, etc...i could understand maybe a funeral or some other respectful occasion, but because your new bf don't like piercings???

no thanks, jog on, i don't need people like that in my life.
(but i do need a job, lol...)

x

Right on, Marisa! I couldn't agree more. I am heavily tattooed, in a job I'll probably keep until I retire, but would never get any visible tattoos because you just never know. More and more these days I see neck tattoos on the younger generation and have to wonder what was the logic. I guess it's just an escalation of the 'shock value'. I can remember when a pierced ear on a guy caused comment. (Hey you kids, get off my lawn!)

Ginger: good point that this isn't just a young person's concern..

Mel: I agree it's unfair and should be changed but I believe change is best effected from the inside and out. We can't just bang on doors and yell to let people in; we need to get inside and unlock the doors ourselves as well.

Thanks, Martin and Phara. Will do more videos. Meanwhile check Bodmod.org for their artist interviews and convention videos.

Anonymous: I wish more tattooers were like you.

Carrie: Interesting! Docs face way more liability than tattooers -- mostly because they tend to be "deep pockets" who people go after so those videos are ways to cover their asses. For tattooers, I think ethics rather than fear of suit so guide the way.

Cakemix: Thanks, dear. I'm with you on being a novelty. When I would give presentations, I'd see people's eyes following my little knuckle tattoo, so even though they knew I had it, I still covered it up because it was a distraction. As for my personal life, being Greek makes it tougher because it is still so taboo in the community, so like work, I just cover up at weddings and fancy parties because I dont want to have to answer the same dumb questions.

And Bil, we have the same lawn? ;)

Thanks for all your thoughts. Sp appreciated!

@mel/marisa - i'm paraphrasing here (b/c I can't remember where i first read it), but Josh Homme once said something along the lines of: "You think that's 'Punk Rock,' banging on the door of the castle with your green mohawk screaming about injustice? It's not. It's much more 'Punk Rock' to sneak inside the castle and fuck shit up from the inside."

PLEASE keep ranting about this topic.
esp if it includes real legal info

thanks you very much

PLEASE keep ranting about this topic.
esp if it includes real legal info

thanks you very much

Yeah, one point I forgot to make in my comment was that the more obviously intelligent and capable people with tattoos are out there, the more that society will have to question the stereotype. Most of all I did like your point that was basically "stop whining, no you can't sue."

i can't agree with the "take responsibility for it" sentiment enough.
i don't really care whether an 18 year old gets his or her hand/neck/whatever tattooed. i might have an opinion about it but unless it's one my nieces or nephew or (in many years) my daughter, i could care less.
just don't whine about not being able to get a job, or that people give funny looks or whatever. then i care. i care for them to shut their dirty man pleasers, realize that it was more than likely their own decisions that cost them the job, etc. and move on.
and don't bitch to me about it thinking that since i'm tattooed i'll have any sympathy. 'cause i won't. and i'll say so.

Shouted from my lawn:

Don't blame tattoos for your failings that prevent you from getting work and don't use your job as an excuse for not getting a tattoo if you really want it.

People who can't get work with tattoos couldn't get a job without their tattoos.

People who say they won't get tattooed because it would affect their work are looking for an excuse to not get a tattoo.

Not to be rude, it's really easy to say that when your visible tattoos are the reason you can make a living. Your reality is not the same as most people's. Whether you like it or not, there is still a stigma against the heavily tattooed. Discrimination is bad, no disagreement there, but even employers who don't personally care about your appearance do have to deal with a public that does.

TL,

You may not be aware that I have worked many jobs including teaching (substitute high school & college TA positions) as well as service industry jobs (mostly bartending) while heavily and publicly tattooed and otherwise modified. Not to mention that I know and have documented many cases of heavily modified, facially tattooed people working so called straight jobs. when I first got my public tattoos and for years after I supported myself with jobs I got via merit, hard work, and perseverance in spite of the tattoos that most thought would me unemployable.

I don't contend that my reality is remotely the same as most but I do contend on the basis of having expreienced it and seeing others do it that you can be visibily tattooed and not just get a job but a very decent job. I don't deny that there is still a stigma but I have seen time and time again that the stigma many people with visible tattoos experience is the result of their own poor behaviour first and at worst only reinforced by the tattoo.

Also, I began my first post "shouted from ym lawn" to indicate I was going for an exaggerated, over-the-top style of expression rather than calmly reasoned but I am willing to continue on at either level

I get what you're saying and I definitely agree with your first two points, but telling people they're looking for an excuse not to get a tattoo is a little unfair. Visible tattoos definitely aren't a brick wall to employment, if you have the skills, the dedication and the right attitude, it's not going to stop you from succeeding. But I don't believe that it's unreasonable to seriously think before making the commitment to a facial, neck or hand tattoo. There's nothing wrong with weighing priorities and goals. In fact, I'd say the people who don't consider the results of their actions are precisely the ones who fail and complain.

But maybe I misread your intentions with that comment. I do think you're an intelligent guy, so I don't mean any disrespect and I don't think I was clear enough on that.

Modern life provides many fascinating worlds to explore, and perhaps the greatest joy of living in these times is the opportunity to move between and participate in diverse worlds. Plan your tattoos poorly, and you're trapped in one world. Like the 7-11 world. Tragic.

Marisa and Adam's concept that you have to earn the right to wear visible tattoos is extremely valuable. I can't believe that Lizardman is here to serve as a fine example. When he became Lizardman, he was prepared. Now, when he travels to different worlds, reptilian eyebrows and all, he's ready. And I bet he has fun, unique lizardmanly fun, in those worlds.

@TL - the reason I characterized it as looking for an excuse not to get a tattoo is that I too often see people who don't want tattoos looking for a way to criticize those who do using this approach. I'm fine with someone not wanting a tattoo but I hate seeing them use excuses like this which I see as mostly falsehoods. You don't want a tattoo - fine but don't claim the reason you don't want it is that it will somehow ruin your life in order to imply that those who do get them have ruined theirs. I don't mean you personally but I think (and hope) you see what I am getting at. I spend a lot of time confronting critics so sometimes I unintentionally steamroll more sympathetic audiences

@John Mack - I don't mind if it is capitalized or not, I'm just happy I get to be an adjective

I'm there with Anonymous. I have told numerous people "no" when it comes to hand and neck tattoos. Unless someone is already heavily tattooed (at least full sleeves, if not more) I just tell people I don't do them. I find that stops any arguments before they even happen. I also bring up the job thing to the girls who want to get their wrists tattooed. My one exception is the back of the neck on a girl, because most girls have long enough hair to hide it if they wear it down, which is perfectly acceptable in most professional environments.
But yeah, I wish more people would really think before deciding they want visible tattoos.

Yes,the video stopped close to the end ,but managed to hear most points made.If a person was born with a dark birth mark on half their face,this person would probably get a job,if the same person or another person had a tattooed face ,i bet they would not get the job{dicriminatory prejudice under equality and diversity I'd say](Maori people would have a good argument for this)Heres another question,if one got an actual"allergic to pennicilin" bracelet tatt2d on both wrists,would this pass the works dress code policy,IF the answer is no,one could argue that this is discriminatory prejudice on medical grounds.

I know alot of people who have tattoos. But after listening to them yelling about not getting their promotions or getting the cush jobs etc. I explain to them. Yell at the Crips, Bloods, latin Kings. They give tattoos a bad name. But you don't yell at them and you know why? They'd jack you in a new York minute.

The best example i give them is this: See that Policeman over there? What if we called him over to tell him that someone hit our car, and he said, hey I'm not a cop. We'd be shocked. You mean, you look like one and you're not. Wait, you mean, you look like a crip or blood, or latin king and
you're not.

Remember the person who gave you your ink? What did this person look like? If you or a loved one needed a life saving operation and the doctor looked like your tattoo artist, would you want a second opinion? So you have tattoos. Nobody put a gun to your head to get them. Yet people discriminate against you. But I bet you don't go to the clubs where the latkin Kings, or Blood go, because you discriminate by not going there, why? And you have tattoos?