Why are people so close minded about tattoos?

Question

I have a few tattoos all meaning the something special. But recently the two tattoos that have gotten the most grief from others mainly immature college guys at bars have been my houston city skyline on my lower back and my pink and black stars on my rib cage. Its funny because most of these guys have the stereotypical tribal armband or legband and probably only had to sit for an hour tops. plus im tired of employers making it difficult for tattooed individuals to get good jobs. any ideas on this

by the way the stars were done the day after i proposed to my fiance and the city skyline is the city i live in.

Answer 1

I wouldn't really worry about the grief you get from the younger generation they haven't lived enough to speak. I agree with you on the younger guys with their tribal armbands. Most of them got them because they're "Cool" or show off their arms... ooooo cool.... Yours has meaning or a reason.

As for employers I sit on both sides of the situation. I have many tats but I'm also head of division and have people under me. All my tats can be covered easily. Unless I wear a skirt/dress and then you can see the bottom part of my legs where most of mine are. When I have to do the interviewing of employees I take other things into consideration HOWEVER I make it known that within the office/working environment there will not be facial piercings (if they have them). I don't go for the people with facial tats or above the neck and the hands. If they are sleeved then they need to also where a shirt that is sleeved. It's ok to have tats but is unprofessional to expose people to them that may not be comfortable with them. But then it also depends on the industry your in. As for the company I work at - well they are liberal in that sence. They actually ask me periodically if I've gotten any new ones & want to see them.

But us that are inked tend to forget that society feels the "steriotypical" inked person are scary. At least in societies eyes we are rude, ignorant, non educated people that cause problems. Even though most of us aren't that way at all. So it does tend to scare those who judge from first glance. Or if your like my grandparents it's against the Bible. We can't fix or change society but those we encounter. Out of respect for my grandparents (ONLY THEM) I always made sure my tats were covered when they were alive. My grandmother wasn't as judgemental because she is of Cherokee decent as my grandfather was.

I'd really like to see the skyline you have. Obviously you are proud of where you came from.

Answer 2

Wow your stars must be beautiful! I have a cluster of stars on my ankle also meaning the coming and going of the changes in my personal life and it also represents the "light in my path!" Well as for you question I think it's peoples views and ideas! I've heard people label certain things to people and they automatically know just who you are and why you got a tattoo in the first place! You can't judge anyone by anything. We all have our faults and dislikes about each other! We just need to realize that People are going to be different! Not that long ago People used to say a woman with Red hair or red nail polish is a Whore! That's not true she probably likes the color red! It does show a bit of immaturity in others young and old if they tell you that your a tramp or it's just cheap! If they knew how much it cost to get a good one! Lol! As far as Jobs, I just heard a report that soem places are giving in to the Tattooed public! most college students that want these jobs go to school for it and get denied because they have a tattoo. It doesn't look professional in some cases but They also said the same thing about dreads and braids! So things are changing in our favor Hun! so keep your head up and do what you gotta do!

Answer 3

Yeah, don't expect quality employers to give you good jobs if you have distracting body art all over the place. At some point everyone needs to grow up and realize that having a face that looks like you got hit with an IED in Iraq and/or tattoos all over the place that show is unprofessional in the business world. If your career is selling bikes for Harley Davidson, then yes, you are fine.

It's about individual choice. Tattoos on the leg or back or trunk of the body are fine. I can't imagine someone not hiring you for those, unless the job requires those areas to be exposed.

Answer 4

Most of it is because people are still living in the past. Where people with tatoos were considered bad or criminals. I also have a couple tattoos and got them for special reasons. My youngest brother and my oldest son are both tattoo artists and very good at what they do. Giving a tattoo is really an art and can be for very special reasons. Both my son and brother have had an increase in business lately and it just keep getting busier. But you are right about the close minded thing. My son was in between jobs and went to apply for a "regular" job. The people looked at him like he was contagious or something." People...its just ink..a picture or some words...you wont catch anything from it and it wont hurt you. Underneath that tattoo, is a person with the same feelings you have. " Stop being so judgemental !!!!!
Thanks for letting me have my say...and thanks for a great question !!!!!!

Answer 5

Being judgemental is just a human trait...you just have to accept that not everyone is going to like everything about us, be it our skin color, hair color, body art, religion, behavior, etc. That's just Life.

As for tattoos and jobs, I've mixed feelings...some places that don't allow tattoos to show, seems a bit strict...but other times, I can see where being conservative is a bonus for the business. Some people have tattoos that are crude, sexually or violently graphic, etc and aren't appropriate for a conservative busiess environment...but to say those tattoos cannot be shown but butterlies and flowers can, isn't fair...so the business must adopt an all or none approach, and none is typically better for the business because they don't want to risk losing customers/clients because THOSE people find tattoos unprofessional and/or unappealing.

Answer 6

I think tattoos have alwasy been linked to people who are low-lifes and with very little intelect. I have a tattoo, but it can not be seen by everyone. I see nothing wrong with it, but I think others in our society see it as a weakening of the soul to put your feelings or expressions on your skin. Some people just can say or write what they feel so they use tattoos.

Answer 7

People sometimes do discriminate a person because of tattoos.
I have one simple butterfly with roses on my right wrist. I went for an interview for an adminstrative assistant job and I was hired, but was told to cover up my tatoo daily. I gave them two weeks of work and let them go, because the way things are now a days, there is no room for closed mindedness.

Answer 8

the permanance. You can get a wild haircut,dye it orange/purple/whatever; wear some ripped up jeans falling off your behind-whatever you wish, BUT that's all reversible once you outgrow it or the style is totally changed to something else, or an important job depends on not having it, you are free to change-NOT so w a tatoo as lovely and special as it may be to you now, your feelings can change drastically in a few years. I work w someone who has them in very obtrusive areas that cannot be hidden and the field she is in it is not common or well accepted. This person now has to suffer some discrimination though I dont think it's right the discrimination still e xists

Answer 9

I truly believe that it is a generational thing. I think that a body covered in tattoos is ugly, one tiny tattoo can be really cute. I can't help but believe that later on in life, there will be a great many individuals who bitterly regret getting so many. I already know many people who feel that way.

Answer 10

I asked myself this question a while ago, then I talked to more people that are against them and I realized that in most cases it is one of the following: They are old and back in their day the only people getting tattoos were sailors (or uneducated, trashy people)Another: they think it's just a fad and when it goes away you will regret getting it, They look bad, and because religious people believe its against what God says.