Do you think it's fair to judge the book by the cover = people by their look?

Question

Why do most people think that tattoos in general (both on males and females), earrings and braids on men, correspond to being 'bad individuals', 'thugs' or 'misfits'? How can getting a job depend on those features? I understand that many jobs require to wear jacket and tie, or skirt/pants suits, and that your way of dressing up shouldn't offend decency, but what's wrong with braids, tattoos or earrings? They don't offend anybody or anything!

Don't you think that people should be evaluated by their experience, skills and manners rather than by their tattoos, earrings or braids?

P.S. I love tattoos (I have 5), I love men with braided hair and earrings, and I do have a very formal job having much to do with etiquette and protocol; yet, in many places people with those features can't get similar jobs; I find those criteria absurd, how about you?

Answer 1

Look at me. I am a guy.

Answer 2

It's a stereotype and technically it would be nice if we were all judged by what's on the inside but from your list i think employers should be able to live with earings and braids cos they can be modified for specific job reasons e.g. long hair/big earings may be a health hazard depending on the job. Plus i don't think earings are that unusual these days for guys and girls. From your list tattoos would be the only thing that an employer might want covered up that you couldn't easily remove.

I do think it's fair if a company has a dress code that if you refuse to adhere to it they don't hire you. Tatoos aren't seen as culturally significant as they are in e.g. polynesian cultures and a lot of ppl find them off putting. If you have tattoos all over your hands, neck, etc where they can't be hidden then yeah i can't blame an employer for having 2nd thoughts especially if their clientele is amongst people who would find tatoos intimidating.

if your skills, manners, etc are equal to someone who doesn't have exposed tattoos than honestly i can see why an employer would pick them over you. Same as a tatoo parlour would pick someone who has tattoos over someone who doesn't; or certain music stores will allow kids to dye their hair and wear eyebrow rings to work when lots of places wouldn't.

Answer 3

Depends, if it's an employer that's giving a job interview to a potential employee that will be working with the public in a position where customers are going to judge, and their judging is most likely going to have an affect as whether a purchase/service will be made...then yes
Other than that no, people can miss out on some interesting friends if they just judge people on their looks.
Being kind and well mannered usually get most people past first impressions of what they look like. If not, you will most likely find that the person judging isn't worth their time about worring about having any kind of friendship with anyway, so no big deal...life will go on.

Answer 4

Yes it is fair. In this day and age when everything HAS to be almost instantaneous, we don't have the time to 'get to know' people. It's sad, but true. The thing is, that everyone is already aware of the fact that if you don't conform to social norms, then you will not climb the ladder. But what surprises me is that whilst knowing this, people will still go out and get made up like a rock-star...and then complain that nobody will give them a job!
They are essentially rebelling to the unwritten laws of what you can and cannot do. So, chances are that they have an aversion toward work. And it is this instantaneous judgement that will be made on you the second you walk into that office for a job.

Answer 5

that's no longer basic to decide a e book by employing its conceal yet we frequently do. observing photos in a magazines a lot of human beings have mentioned oh she or he's sexy grotesque or regardless of its in simple terms something we do. (no longer announcing its precise yet its in simple terms something which seems suited in society). (a minimum of the kind worldwide seems to think of so) What substitute into it that made him appear like a thug? substitute into it the outfits? outfits do no longer make a guy in spite of the incontrovertible fact that it could make a universal effect final. On assembly somebody for the 1st time we seize carry of the 1st effect, because of the fact we don't now the rest approximately them. in simple terms as you could could have accomplished beforehand attending to appreciate your boyfriend. greater then possibly you're nonetheless gaining expertise of issues approximately him which you will not have universal from the preliminary assembly. Its large that your human beings are looking out for you if it incredibly is there real purpose. greater beneficial than possibly after assembly him speaking with him etc yet another opinion would be shaped the two in help of there preliminary or opinion or complety distinctive. It takes time to get to appreciate anybody guy or woman. Your real pals will understand your decision and be there for you sturdy situations and undesirable.... To be basic i do no longer think of you're able to make a valued finished opinion on something without some style of further expertise or learn

Answer 6

Fair or not, it's something that's just done. I've got a black trench coat and when the whole Columbine thing went down, I started getting some interesting looks. Tattoos aren't quite as taboo as before and most jobs don't care if you can cover them up...but it's an image that's been developed, the "bad ***" image, and that's what people think these individuals are wanting to portray through tatts and piercings.

Answer 7

I am going to copy and paste an answer I gave the other night to a similar question:
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

My uncle (by common law marriage of 35 years) graduated from Harvard & MIT at the same time when he was 16 years old. He had the highest security clearance at Rockwell International, he wore checked purple and white pants with a green, red, blue striped polyester shirt, his hair was always in a long ponytail that reached the middle of his back. He was so smart he barely knew 1 PLUS 1= 2. He's awesome though. I always enjoy my time with him.
If you are qualified or like Chris, they don't ( and shouldn't) care.

i added one word!

Answer 8

I dont think its fair. I have a friend who has earrings all over her face and if you speak with her she is one of the most intelligent people you will ever meet, not to mention one of the nicest.
However when she wanted to rent an apartment in a building, noone wanted her there because of the way she looked.
They never even bothered to give her a chance.

No I dont think its fair. I do think though that if someone wants to work in an area that you need to have a dress protocol and doesnt want to do it for a few hours, they need to try to find a new line of work because unfortunately it will be extremely hard to be accepted. What ever happened to be yourself??

Answer 9

Unfortunately, they DO offend many people. They may be narrow minded people, but it's reality. I know that I wouldn't want to go to a lawyers office and have her secretary greet me in a tank top and a pair of daisy dukes with her top hanging out of one end and her bottom hanging out the other. I probably wouldn't ever give the lawyer the time of day, because her employee looked unprofessional.

I bought my husband his first tatoo last year for his birthday, but it is on his arm where it can be covered by a dress shirt. It may not be fair, but society looks down on such things.

Answer 10

Fair or not, that's why books have covers, so we can judge them. I think that there will always be people who are put off by tatoos, braids, earrings,etc..People who get tatoos, or get something peirced are TRYING to look different, and I think it's foolish foor them to then turn around and ask us what we are looking at. Everyone should be exactly who they want to be, but that comes with a price. Going against the grain takes courage, because it doesn't let you blend in with the crowd.

Answer 11

it is pretty absurd. so many ppl are too concerned with outward appearances. if you only knew what your doctor or lawyer looks like under their clothes...many are pierced and tattooed. lol. it doesn't have anything to do with a person's ability to perform their job...some ppl just have a personal fear or dislike for piercings and tats, and the look of the person who has them. i personally love em! realistically, most ppl who are pierced and tattoed stand out in the crowd, and are more easily identifiable than those ppl who aren't, so i think "we" are less likely to commit crimes...well, all the ppl i know anyway. i could be totally wrong about that, but the majority of my friends have ph.d's and master's degrees, and are "upstanding" citizens. we're just a bit "alternative." ;o]