NationStates Jolt Archive

Since nobody is posting pics of thier tattoos to show off can i assume its ok to ask a tattoo related question? It seems to be understood that tattoos are frowned upon in the workplace and they arnt viewed as being professional. My nurse gf for example isnt allowed to have any visible tattoos while she works. Why do you believe this is so? Does this view have any merit? I can make another thread but this one seems generally tattoo related already at this point.

Since nobody is posting pics of thier tattoos to show off can i assume its ok to ask a tattoo related question? It seems to be understood that tattoos are frowned upon in the workplace and they arnt viewed as being professional. My nurse gf for example isnt allowed to have any visible tattoos while she works. Why do you believe this is so? Does this view have any merit? I can make another thread but this one seems generally tattoo related already at this point.
They are viewed as being unprofessional by those of previous generations when tattoos were reserved for the outcasts of society: gangs, inmates, those in the armed forces, etc.
They were viewed as something to mark those who were not considered "okay". That is rapidly changing with the current generation. Piercings and tattoos are okay in my school...the principal has several tattoos, and likes my nape piercing.

I think that tattoos on the face and regularly visible areas are unprofessional in most cases.

I don't care, I don't mind if someone serving/working with/above me has piercings or tattoos. I don't understand why it would matter.

I know this thread's a splitter, but it seriously needs a poll :(

Ive never done a poll before ,is this something i can add at this point or is it too late or impossible due to the split?

Ive never done a poll before ,is this something i can add at this point or is it too late or impossible due to the split?
It would be under "Thread Tools" if you can . . .

My personal opinion is that I don't mind visible tattoos as long as they look cool. But if it's some kind of idiotic tramp stamp or half-assed Looney Tunes abortion, I have to draw the line.

However, in a professional setting, the goal is to look the part and tattoos are generally not a convincing sign of maturity and competence in the workplace.

It seems like most corporate cultures like to talk about creativity, but in practice they discourage it. Some will scrutinize every aspect of your outfit during a job interview right down to how expensive your socks are. This has nothing to do with what values those particular socks represent. The quality of your socks is just an indication of how dedicated you are to materialism and conformity.

There are other companies that try to create a relaxing, fun environment. Those places usually have brilliant people working there, like google, and they think those people need flexibility to do best. Other more conservative places seem to think their employees are inherently bad and need to be controlled. Maybe they're right, I don't know.

I have a tattoo on my upper inner arm - a very classy tattoo, at that. It's a simple phrase, "per sempre", in black script. I get a lot of compliments on it, because it's both pretty and tasteful.

My place of employment insists that I cover it at all times when I'm on the floor, because tattoos are not appropriate for the work place. Therefore, I have to wear three-quarter length sleeves, and man, I get *hot* in there. It's a pain. The few times that customers have seen it peeking out and asked to see the whole thing, they've had nothing but good things to say. Even my manager admits that it's really nice... but, hey. Company policy.

Personally, I think it's a grey area, so I can understand where black-and-white policies come from. On one hand, a tattoo like mine, or any other simple or tasteful tattoo, I have no problem with. Sleeves, however, or really graphic or crude tattoos, or any on the face... those, I could understand not fitting in with certain work environments. It's all judgment call, but that can't legislated, so they have to go with an all-or-nothing approach.

Poll is up. Hope the choices are acceptable.

I don't have tattoos but I do have a three inch (sometimes longer) goatee, so I obviously don't work jobs where that would matter. I plan on eventually getting 'short' sleeves, which is a term I think I might have just made up...anyway, tattoos on my shoulder and upper arms. If I was cooler I would get flame tattoos on my forearms but I'm frankly not cool enough to pull that off.

Wait, this didn't answer the question. I don't like the idea of something like that being 'unprofessional.' I don't think what you do with 40 hours of your week should dictate the rest of the time, and who you are. Your work is your professionalism, that should be what speaks, not adornment. It's why I don't work those jobs, or ones that test. Fuck you, if I show up stoned, fire my irresponsible ass, but if I do it on my own time that's my business.

Your work is your professionalism, that should be what speaks, not adornment.


At the rate at which labor is being deported to overseas, our economy will be completely unprofessional in no time. See, we have what's called a "service" economy now. This largely involves:


Buying ties
Early tee times
???
Profit!


Adornment is all we got left. That and subprime loans.

I don't have tattoos but I do have a three inch (sometimes longer) goatee, so I obviously don't work jobs where that would matter. I plan on eventually getting 'short' sleeves, which is a term I think I might have just made up...anyway, tattoos on my shoulder and upper arms. If I was cooler I would get flame tattoos on my forearms but I'm frankly not cool enough to pull that off.

Wait, this didn't answer the question. I don't like the idea of something like that being 'unprofessional.' I don't think what you do with 40 hours of your week should dictate the rest of the time, and who you are. Your work is your professionalism, that should be what speaks, not adornment. It's why I don't work those jobs, or ones that test. Fuck you, if I show up stoned, fire my irresponsible ass, but if I do it on my own time that's my business.
as someone with a half sleeve and a chest tattoo i'm going to warn you, they are harder to hide than you would think. my chest tattoo isn't visible in a tee shirt under a dress shirt, but if i wear the dress shirt with the top button undone its visible and if i just wear a tee shirt its visible unless the shirt is brand new. my half sheeve is only covered if i wear full long sleeves... a short sleeved shirt actually will in the course of normal movement expose at least half of the arm from elbow to shoulder.

as someone with a half sleeve and a chest tattoo i'm going to warn you, they are harder to hide than you would think. my chest tattoo isn't visible in a tee shirt under a dress shirt, but if i wear the dress shirt with the top button undone its visible and if i just wear a tee shirt its visible unless the shirt is brand new. my half sheeve is only covered if i wear full long sleeves... a short sleeved shirt actually will in the course of normal movement expose at least half of the arm from elbow to shoulder.

I'm not worried about covering it up, people should see it. I just don't have any ambition for my forearms is all. Except for the flames I'm not cool enough to pull off. (and really, I'm not into enough to actually do, I just like the idea of them)

My arm tattoo and even my large back tattoo are easily covered up. This allows me to have a corporate exterior and a "me" interior. It's a compromise that I'm perfectly fine with. I make damn good money, and at the end of the day, I still look like I want to look. Win-win.

It depends, actually, especially on the profession concerned. My school discourages/prohibits visible tattoos and piercings except earrings. Seems reasonable for me, in thinking how would a child react if his pediatrician has a tattoo in the forearm or a doctor with labret piercings. However, if it is not visible or being covered, then it's no problem.

That said, I don't think it can affect your competency as a professional. How would others view your competency, maybe. But I have a very good radiology professor who has three tattoos (I've seen one, but the other two were hidden... in very secret nifty places...), and heck, she is the assistant director of the hospital! :p

My arm tattoo and even my large back tattoo are easily covered up. This allows me to have a corporate exterior and a "me" interior. It's a compromise that I'm perfectly fine with. I make damn good money, and at the end of the day, I still look like I want to look. Win-win.

people often ask me if i have dirt under my collar or really thick chest hair when they see the top of my tat around my neck... the top of the wind bare shows but it doesn't convey any of the tattoo's form.

the arm piece is either visible or not...

my back pieces are never visible unless i show them. i didn't realize how much harder it would be with the chest piece. i probably wouldn't have placed it exactly like i did if i had known.

It depends, actually, especially on the profession concerned. My school discourages/prohibits visible tattoos and piercings except earrings. Seems reasonable for me, in thinking how would a child react if his pediatrician has a tattoo in the forearm or a doctor with labret piercings. However, if it is not visible or being covered, then it's no problem.

That said, I don't think it can affect your competency as a professional. How would others view your competency, maybe. But I have a very good radiology professor who has three tattoos (I've seen one, but the other two were hidden... in very secret nifty places...), and heck, she is the assistant director of the hospital! :p
the schools i work for don't have a set policy but i try not to show to much ink... the kids get a little obsessed when they can see it when i'm subbing and that's all they want to talk about.

I think, it depends firstly on what field you are in and secondly what the tattoo is of:

1. I am going to be a health professional, and through my work I will most likely be working with a lot of geriatrics. Friends of mine have found that even just with a less conservative haircut older people do lose confidence in you. Let alone a tattoo of a burning skull! Because as was said earlier: tattoos are used to be considered marks of thugs and gangs! (armed forces is a dubious area: the tattoos will generally be a symbol of a regiment or something which as long as it is nothing obnoxious, I doubt too many people would have a problem)
Naturally, if it can be covered then it is problem solved. I suppose some other areas that would have this problem is lawyers, teachers etc...

2. If you are in a position where you are able to have tattoos showing, it is really a matter of taste... There is a difference between a southern cross and a dismembered body on your arm. If you want tattoos that could be considered obnoxious or offensive by a group of people, then it is probably better to cover it.

A friend of mine, who I look up to alot said once: "The only difference between a tattooed and a non-tattooed person is that the tattooed person doesn't think less of the non-tattooed person for their choice."

(For the record, I do not have any tattoos and do not intend on getting any, mainly due to point 1.)

Eh personally I don't care, however I do have to say I'm not a big fan of Tramp Stamps and if a woman has one, I'm sorry but it does make me judgmental of her, 1. for getting the tattoo and 2. for wearing your pants so low so people can see it.

*Dons flame suit*

*Dons flame suit*
*fires flamethrower at Wilgrove* :p

I don't think tatoos are unprofesional generally. That said, there are certainly some motives in some places that will be likely to prevent you from getting a job in a bank.

The less obvious locations (upper arms, ankles, backsides, tummy) that allow a tatoo to be hidden when required, while still allowing the tatooed to show them to the general public when he/she chooses, usually don't interfere with work at all. I haven't ever worked anywhere that I couldn't show if my tatoo. Both the location and the motive of my tatoo are acceptable.

Someone with a full sleeve of snakes and skulls extending onto his/her hands might find is a bit more difficult in some professional areas, though.

To me it depends on the profession.

To be honest, I have much more concern with a tongue piercing than a tattoo. I do wonder about the intelligence of a person that wants to have a self inflicted speech impediment when there are people who pay speech therapists to NOT talk like they have a tongue piercing. :(

To me it depends on the profession.

To be honest, I have much more concern with a tongue piercing than a tattoo. I do wonder about the intelligence of a person that wants to have a self inflicted speech impediment when there are people who pay speech therapists to NOT talk like they have a tongue piercing. :(

meh, I paid a Speech Therapist to not talk like that after my last jaw surgery and it doesn't bother me that people get tounge piercing.

meh, I paid a Speech Therapist to not talk like that after my last jaw surgery and it doesn't bother me that people get tounge piercing.

I had a year of speech therapy as a kid for a tongue thrust issue I was born with. I think only a nitwit wants to sound like I sounded. :p

Other: Realistically, it depends on the tats and the line of work. A small anklet tat shouldn't be a big deal in a bank office. A full body tat would be an asset in some jobs...

Facial tats and such will depend on the cultural context...

Should they matter? Heck no. But we all live in the real world...

you know, i really hate seeing society tied down by the stupid cultural biases of old people. especially when they don't have any justification for them other than the fact that they are the stupid cultural biases of old people. its even worse when you realize that some stupid old cultural biases are driven entirely by inertia, despite nearly everyone no longer wanting to follow them - the individual power holders are just unwilling to be the first one to stop following the retarded dictates of received belief.

to say that having tattoos is 'unprofessional' is to say that bankers and such don't hire people with visible tattoos. if they did, then it would no longer be 'unprofessional'. that is quite literally all there is to it.

you know, i really hate seeing society tied down by the stupid cultural biases of old people. especially when they don't have any justification for them other than the fact that they are the stupid cultural biases of old people. its even worse when you realize that some stupid old cultural biases are driven entirely by inertia, despite nearly everyone no longer wanting to follow them - the individual power holders are just unwilling to be the first one to stop following the retarded dictates of received belief.

to say that having tattoos is 'unprofessional' is to say that bankers and such don't hire people with visible tattoos. if they did, then it would no longer be 'unprofessional'. that is quite literally all there is to it.

When you are part of the "old people" then you get to dictate. The old people are who have the old money. ;)

As an employer I have to consider who is paying me, without customers I won't have a need for employees.

Depends on how extensive the tats are and where they are. I tend to be uncomfortable with a doctor covered in them. And can we skip the facial tats?

When you are part of the "old people" then you get to dictate.

that's a terrible way to run things, and certainly not necessary. we managed to get them to stop being legally allowed (required, even) to be racist without waiting for the racists to die, for example. it is a matter of social power and decision-making, and what can be justified and what cannot.

The poll is not a ROTTEN POLL (as is my usual posting for polls which are, well, rotten), but it should have had a "depends" or "other" option. Apart from that, well done, IF.

I've described my tattoo in the other thread. I got it when I was 31 and I'm 37 now. I'm a music professor at a Catholic university, and I'd never wear something with short enough sleeves (i.e., a tank-top) to show mine, but I am very glad I got it. I designed it myself, and it expresses exactly how I feel about the subject of my chosen profession. If anything, I think someone hiring me as a professor of music would be heartened by my tattoo -- the fact that I'm dedicated enough to music to have a symbol of it etched into my skin for life.

I will agree, though, that folks with facial or just blatantly obvious attention-getter tattoos are deliberately looking to be noticed for them, and that sword cuts both ways.

that's a terrible way to run things, and certainly not necessary. we managed to get them to stop being legally allowed (required, even) to be racist without waiting for the racists to die, for example. it is a matter of social power and decision-making, and what can be justified and what cannot.

You missed the point and the giggle.

As an employer I know who my customers are, and I know their expectations. If I didn't I wouldn't be in business long. Reality check nothing more.

As an employer I know who my customers are, and I know their expectations. If I didn't I wouldn't be in business long. Reality check nothing more.

except that we know customers will get over most anything as long as they are exposed to it and especially if they don't really have any options but to get over it. which means what we have is the type of collective action problem i sorta alluded to earlier.

it would be better for everybody if we got past a number of our silly and irrational biases, and it would not actually be hard to do it. but the way we have currently structured power and decision-making in this realm does not lend itself to easily resolving stupid old idiocies in the right way - nobody wants to be the first or only one to make the jump. this play out in odd ways all over the place, actually. like wearing suits and ties in the middle of summer. its fucking stupid, and yet nobody is willing to be the first to say "fuck it, i ain't doing this shit no more", even though most everybody would rather not.

except that we know customers will get over most anything as long as they are exposed to it and especially if they don't really have any options but to get over it. which means what we have is the type of collective action problem i sorta alluded to earlier.

it would be better for everybody if we got past a number of our silly and irrational biases, and it would not actually be hard to do it. but the way we have currently structured power and decision-making in this realm does not lend itself to easily resolving stupid old idiocies in the right way - nobody wants to be the first or only one to make the jump. this play out in odd ways all over the place, actually. like wearing suits and ties in the middle of summer. its fucking stupid, and yet nobody is willing to be the first to say "fuck it, i ain't doing this shit no more", even though most everybody would rather not.

Maybe because that could mean poverty for the business owner.

Look 35 years ago I had six piercings in my ears, if you don't think it cost me employment opportunities you are mistaken. It did and I know this. My answer, get enough education I opened my own business and never had to deal with that again. But, owning my own business doesn't guarantee patronage, being the best at what I do did. When you are the best, then you can do what ever you want, until then it's a hoop, jump it. ;)

Much of my clientele is senior citizens and other professionals. They have certain expectations and years ago they overlooked my piercings because I was good at what I do. Now it is nothing to see it, so yeah it takes time. But it won't happen by being mouthy about it, it will happen gradually.

Though I will say as an employer, I won't hire someone with a tongue piercing unless it is understood the oral toy stays home, nor would I hire someone with a name in two inch letter scrawled across their neck like I saw on the NCAA last night, unless they understood they had to wear a turtleneck at work. I am not a charity fighting a cause I am a business. If that doesn't suit someone they can open their own firm. :p

Now ask me if I have ever hired someone with a tattoo. Yes, with the understanding that she could not wear belly shirts to work. She had no problem with that, she understood the more money the company made the more she made.

I had a year of speech therapy as a kid for a tongue thrust issue I was born with. I think only a nitwit wants to sound like I sounded. :p

Well, true, but I heard rumours about situations in which a tongue-piercing can be ... well, just amazing. I can't vouch for it, as I haven't had that experience myself yet, though.

Well, true, but I heard rumours about situations in which a tongue-piercing can be ... well, just amazing. I can't vouch for it, as I haven't had that experience myself yet, though.

I think I've heard the same rumors abut tounge piercing can be quite simulating....

I think I've heard the same rumors abut tounge piercing can be quite simulating....

That's what I heard. I'm always curious, so finding someone with a tongue piercing for a little fun would be great. Unfortunately, the Irish tend to be a bit conservative on the piercing-front.

Didn't mommy ever tell you don't judge a book by its cover?

my friend case a tattoo shop in a small city/large town in new york(jamestown). he gets a fair amount of professional people in, he even tattooed a 60 something female judge once, but those professionals tend to be pretty conservative in tattoo placement. he also tattoos alot of college aged kids(under 18 is illegal in ny), but his bread and butter is blue collar adults. not dirt bags mind you, but factory workers and contractors, and alot of law enforcement... police , prison guards, heck he designed an arm band for the local tactical squad and inked most of them.

i'm sure that its not the same for every shop everywhere, but those are my observations from my experience. tattoos aren't just for outlaws and sailors but there is still a class divide. as far as i'm concerned that's just fine, people need to be able to define themselves and their place in society. heavy ink tends to define you as working class and say that you aren't harboring any illusions about becoming upper middle class in the future.

my friend case a tattoo shop in a small city/large town in new york(jamestown). he gets a fair amount of professional people in, he even tattooed a 60 something female judge once, but those professionals tend to be pretty conservative in tattoo placement. he also tattoos alot of college aged kids(under 18 is illegal in ny), but his bread and butter is blue collar adults. not dirt bags mind you, but factory workers and contractors, and alot of law enforcement... police , prison guards, heck he designed an arm band for the local tactical squad and inked most of them.

i'm sure that its not the same for every shop everywhere, but those are my observations from my experience. tattoos aren't just for outlaws and sailors but there is still a class divide. as far as i'm concerned that's just fine, people need to be able to define themselves and their place in society. heavy ink tends to define you as working class and say that you aren't harboring any illusions about becoming upper middle class in the future.


Good point. That reminds me of Dr. Suess' Star Belly Sneeches ;)

In the western standard culture, tatoos aren't part of the formal look code, and as such it isn't a good idea to display them in some professional occasions. Take a judge, and picture him helding a trial while sporting a tatoo on his face. It's about the same as a judge working while dressed for golf, or for skiing.

Good point. That reminds me of Dr. Suess' Star Belly Sneeches ;)

Hey you sneaky little bugger, no fixing things while I'm clicking on quote to correct you!

In the western standard culture, tatoos aren't part of the formal look code, and as such it isn't a good idea to display them in some professional occasions. Take a judge, and picture him helding a trial while sporting a tatoo on his face. It's about the same as a judge working while dressed for golf, or for skiing.

So no change from the funny black robe then?

So no change from the funny black robe then?

No way.

Also, dark suit and tie for lawyers, etc.
Choosing the look isn't just about own tastes: it's also about choosing a conventional form to show the right attitude to other people. If you're there for skiing, dress for skiing; if you're there to work as lawyer, dress as such. It's conventional, but conventions are important in any kind of society: even saying "good morning" or "good afternoon" is conventional, still it's important.

Hey you sneaky little bugger, no fixing things while I'm clicking on quote to correct you!


:p I looked it up. As soon as I posted I had that "ooopps" feeling. So I checked. Intuition is your friend. ;)

No way.


You misunderstand. Tattooed face, golf cloths, tu-tu and faerie wings (on a male judge), funny black robe . . . it's no change. They're still a judge.

Good point. That reminds me of Dr. Suess' Star Belly Sneeches ;)
well yeah... its almost a tattoo story now isn't it... and its true the line does keep blurring and that is in some ways good, but there is value in subcultures having unique ways of identifying themselves, be it dress or ink or body mods.

Are tattoos unprofessional?

Simple answer?

Depends upon the profession.

Poll is up. Hope the choices are acceptable.

Woot! Poll is up! Wish it was multichoice, but meh, thanks for adding what you did! :fluffle:

Since nobody is posting pics of thier tattoos to show off can i assume its ok to ask a tattoo related question? It seems to be understood that tattoos are frowned upon in the workplace and they arnt viewed as being professional. My nurse gf for example isnt allowed to have any visible tattoos while she works. Why do you believe this is so? Does this view have any merit? I can make another thread but this one seems generally tattoo related already at this point.

Like I said in the other thread, some tattoos are nice and some are unsightly.

It all depends on the workplace. If you work in a music shop, you can have all the tattoos you want. It's completely acceptable for your line of work. If you are a lawyer, you might want to keep your tattoos underneath clothing - while having a tattoo doesn't change you as a person, people look to lawyers to uphold a certain standard of dress and appearance, and to fullfil those expectations it's advisable not to have visible tattoos.

I have very long, slightly curly hair. I am an artist. When I'm at the gallery, my hair is down. It's appropriate for the industry I'm in. However, if I were working at a bank, I would straighten my hair, tie it up, or wear a headband. It's just about the formalities in our society, as well as practicalities. With your girlfriend, I'm sure the 'no visible tatts' rule is partially because of appearance expectations, and it's probably also to do with practicality - nurses must appear clean (and unfortunately tattoos do not appear 'clean' to all people) and neat. If I were a nurse, I'd be expected to have my hair up. It's pretty much the same thing.

It all depends on the workplace. If you work in a music shop, you can have all the tattoos you want. It's completely acceptable for your line of work. If you are a lawyer, you might want to keep your tattoos underneath clothing - while having a tattoo doesn't change you as a person, people look to lawyers to uphold a certain standard of dress and appearance, and to fullfil those expectations it's advisable not to have visible tattoos.

but the better question is, are those expectations worth fulfilling? do they actually serve a vital function or are we just catering to prejudice?

If theyre on an area like the shoulder that is easily covered, why does it matter?

Unfortunately, I haven't got time tonight for a full discussion, so I'll just give my quick personal input.

I have a nose-ring and two tattoos -- one large one on my upper arm (a tao symbol enveloped by a bird) and one small one on my inner left wrist (a coyote totem). I have had all but the coyote for more than ten years, before I went to law school and I got teh coyote after my first semester of law school.

I am an attorney. I have appeared numerous times in various courts -- Indian, state, and federal--in various states. I have appeared before juries and worked with high-ranked Fortune 500 managment. I worked for many years for one of the largest and most prestiguous intellectual property law firms in the country. I worked for two different federal appellate judges.

I have met many people who warned me that other people would judge me negatively for my tattoos or piercings, but I have never met anyone that either (1) admitted having a problem or (2) appeared to actually have a problem themselves.

Many people that I thought would care -- federal judges, juries, partners, clients -- have overlooked my appearance and focused on my actual professionalism and work.

Take my story FWIW. ;)

I vaguely remembered your nose ring thing Cat.

Basically, tats and piercings are a signal. They only count insofar as first impressions go. If you are forced to work with someone who has them for an extended time you soon stop noticing them, the same way you stop noticing fat people if they are good at their job. Moreover, they may even be an advantage if you are really good, because they are a talking point and such.

On the other hand, they might count against you in an interview type situation.

I really don't think its a big deal these days though.

but the better question is, are those expectations worth fulfilling? do they actually serve a vital function or are we just catering to prejudice?

I think saying we're "catering" to prejudice is taking it a little bit far. Personally, I like that in our society we dress up for particular occasions and present ourselves in a certain way, but I do agree that the expetations don't really serve a vital function. I think that by saying people can't have tattoos in certain jobs enforces the idea that tattoos are bad. This isn't just a problem with tattoos, either. My fiance had to take his braids out because we know it appears "unproffessional".

I don't think tatoos are unprofesional generally. That said, there are certainly some motives in some places that will be likely to prevent you from getting a job in a bank.

The less obvious locations (upper arms, ankles, backsides, tummy) that allow a tatoo to be hidden when required, while still allowing the tatooed to show them to the general public when he/she chooses, usually don't interfere with work at all. I haven't ever worked anywhere that I couldn't show if my tatoo. Both the location and the motive of my tatoo are acceptable.

Someone with a full sleeve of snakes and skulls extending onto his/her hands might find is a bit more difficult in some professional areas, though.

I gota disagree, I can't think of any reason that would tie in ones proffesionalism in their job to the choice to have ink or not. Obviously I understand some people don't like it, some *gasp* don't even like tats at all?

But there is not one reason that I can think of to call it unproffesional.

You misunderstand. Tattooed face, golf cloths, tu-tu and faerie wings (on a male judge), funny black robe . . . it's no change. They're still a judge.

No, you misunderstand the meaning of conventions.
Looks IS communication.
By working while sporting tatoos, tutu and faerie wings the judge would communicate through his looks "Hello everyone, I'm here to express myself and generally to have a good time; if you don't like my look you can engage in autoerotical acts. Now where's the party?". By working dressed the conventional way, the judge communicates "Good morning, I'm a judge and I'm here to work as such, to respect laws and common rules myself, and to enforce respect for them".

I don't think that a judge would work worse in a tu-tu... simply, he would communicate the wrong things.

I don't think that a judge would work worse in a tu-tu... simply, he would communicate the wrong things.

Ummm interesting, who dechipers what he is trying to communicate, and how far does it differ from what he is actualy trying to communicate?

I gota disagree, I can't think of any reason that would tie in ones proffesionalism in their job to the choice to have ink or not. Obviously I understand some people don't like it, some *gasp* don't even like tats at all?

But there is not one reason that I can think of to call it unproffesional.

Well, personally I wouldn't call it unprofessional (unless it's really badly done). But the majority of the population wouldn't agree with me. Most probably wouldn't trust a banker covered in tatoos. I'm the other way round : I don't trust people wearing ties.

Well, personally I wouldn't call it unprofessional (unless it's really badly done). But the majority of the population wouldn't agree with me. Most probably wouldn't trust a banker covered in tatoos. I'm the other way round : I don't trust people wearing ties.

Yeah I get that. tie wearers are sorta disgusting, look at all that pride in their apperance!;)

Yeah I get that. tie wearers are sorta disgusting, look at all that pride in their apperance!;)

Ties and uniforms. Just my very personal two immediate "distrust!" markers... ;)

Ties and uniforms. Just my very personal two immediate "distrust!" markers... ;)

Well some uniforms are quite errmm nice!

Well some uniforms are quite errmm nice!

Well, ok, schoolgirl uniforms being the exception... ;)

I have a lower back tattoo...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_back_tattoo

“Tramp Stamp” is a derogatory term referring to a tattoo which a women places on her lower back. It is especially popular among women born in the late 70’s, 80‘s, and even early 90’s. Fair or unfair, these tattoos have a socially constructed connotation associated with them. These women are labeled as tramps, whores, or other derogatory sexually promiscuous terms. →Although these are often bias generalized claims, there have been sociological studies done by the American Psychological Association, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and other demographic researchers showing strong correlative evidence associating tattoos with high risk behavior, illegal substance abuse and sexual promiscuity. These risk factors are greatest in the age range which these types of tattoos are gaining main stream popularity. Some have also jokingly stated that by 2050, the “tramp stamp” will be renamed the “gramp stamp”.