To Be Inked.....

**J.P.** · 09-10-2012, 05:24 PM

Okay, So not the normal topic we discuss here about Optics, but on a different level of a part of our professionalism of our "appearance"

Tattoos

Now I for one am a Tattooed and Pierced Optician (Male) and employed. Many of the techs (Ladies) are also Tattooed with, one or multiple of ankle, shoulder, lower back, and foot Tattoos. In our office we are asked to "Cover any and all Tattoos at all times for the "Professional" appearance." My current Tattoos are fully covered by clothing and can't see the light of day without removing clothing ..... You are welcome ..... and many can not tell or would ever know unless told. The ladies of the office, when ever they cross their legs, or lean over, or wear open footwear their Tattoos show. Now there have been next to zero complaints of their Tattoos showing by either other employees or patients. When they have been seen, more often then not, the ladies are asked about them, and that's the end of it.

Now My next 2 that I have planned will be on my forearms, and I do naturally wear long sleeves shirts with the cuffs rolled up just above my wrist as that there are no pre-made shirts that fit my long arms and it is just easier to roll them up then have the "Short Shirt" fit. Now as I reach for thing high and low the sleeves tend to slide up and may reveal a small part of the Tattoos I have planned. Now there is nothing vulgar to my newly designed Tattoos, in fact they are Optical and Eye Industry designed to show my devotion to my field.

My main thought of this post is,

How do you feel about a "Professional" when you see the edge of or full sight of a Tattoo?

**Judy Canty** · 09-10-2012, 05:41 PM

Well, my oldest daughter proudly displays her ink. She's an unemployed bartenter. My middle daughter's ink is covered by her business attire and most of her casual attire. She's an attorney. My son's ink is only visible on one foot. He's a small business owner and all-star cheer coach.

My problem is that I am often so distracted by the ink that I can't concentrate on the conversation at hand.

**becc971** · 09-10-2012, 05:56 PM

i take no issue with tattoos and have one myself, and had my nose pierced at one point. i was livid when i was told to keep a job i would have to take my nose piercing out, mind you it was a super tiny silver ball, that most people didnt notice, and they didn't ask me to remove it until i had been there all six months and someone finally did notice it. my tattoo is not visible to the public

but i'm planning on one or two that are. I think that people need to look beyond the tattoos and focus on someones personality. I would have zero issue with an attorney with tattoos if i felt like they would kick a$$ in the court room, who says we all need to be cut from the same box anyway? I think that a lot of companies will start feeling this way with the newer generation entering the work force. I say that like i'm not 26 and pretty much part of it. We have to wear skirts in our office and a lot of our women have visible tattoos and no one usually takes issue with it. and most of our clientele is of retirement age.

For gods sake theyre making suits with skinny cut pants now, i don't think a little ink will hurt ANYONE!

**Java99** · 09-10-2012, 06:05 PM

I think a lot of it depends on your client base. Almost all of it, really. In a college town, next to an Apple store and a record store, show all the ink you want. If you're helping anyone 45+ and you take Medicare, think long and hard.

My tattoos are covered with clothing and long hair. My ears are pierced 3x each and I do wear all my earrings, small studs in each, and that has never raised comment with customers or former employers.

**AustinEyewear** · 09-10-2012, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Java99

I think a lot of it depends on your client base. Almost all of it, really. In a college town, next to an Apple store and a record store, show all the ink you want. If you're helping anyone 45+ and you take Medicare, think long and hard.

Totally agree. Tatoos are akin to pony tails and Mohawks. I've known plenty of nice people who sport them, but you have to admit they often carry a certain pre-concieved notion

**Johns** · 09-10-2012, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by AustinEyewear

Totally agree. Tatoos are akin to pony tails and Mohawks. I've known plenty of nice people who sport them, but you have to admit they often carry a certain pre-concieved notion

Yes, and if you want to leave the college town, and get a job in a conservative village, you can always shave your head. On the other hand, that tattoo of the bony fingers reaching up your neck towards your ear may limit your opportunities.

When I advertise for employees, I tell prospective applicants to not even bother applying if they have excessive piercings, or visible tattoos. I want the focus to be on what I'm selling, not on the employees body art.

**n711** · 11-16-2012, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by AustinEyewear

Totally agree. Tatoos are akin to pony tails and Mohawks. I've known plenty of nice people who sport them, but you have to admit they often carry a certain pre-concieved notion

Maybe in the 1960's... this is 2012

**AustinEyewear** · 11-17-2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by n711

Maybe in the 1960's... this is 2012

nothing has changed. if you don't think so, then maybe you are the one that is not open minded.

**Judy Canty** · 09-10-2012, 06:15 PM

Just remember, it's not what I think or any of the rest of us for that matter. What counts is who writes your check and what they think. And your patients, what they think matters as well. They may not say anything, but will certainly have an opinion if asked.

**wearegood** · 09-11-2012, 12:15 AM

We never allow employees to show their tattoos in office. This is the basic rule long before. Personally I will question someone's expertise if saw they have tattoos. Sorry to be offensive but this is the real thinking of mine.

**Chris Ryser** · 09-11-2012, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by wearegood

We never allow employees to show their tattoos in office. This is the basic rule long before. Personally I will question someone's expertise if saw they have tattoos. Sorry to be offensive but this is the real thinking of mine.

There used to be times when wearing tatoos was offensive as was discount opticals, today it seems to be the other way around,

**Johns** · 09-11-2012, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

There used to be times when wearing tatoos was offensive as was discount opticals, today it seems to be the other way around,

I still find discount opticals offensive.

**J.P.** · 09-11-2012, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by wearegood

We never allow employees to show their tattoos in office. This is the basic rule long before. Personally I will question someone's expertise if saw they have tattoos. Sorry to be offensive but this is the real thinking of mine.

Well it's not intentional that most Tattoos are seen here. It's not as if we walk around in no sleeve, belly button shirt while wearing short pants. They just tend to slip and are shown on accident.
So you just have a problem in general with people whom have Tattoos?

You are entitled to your own opinion and all. But would you refuse treatment from ER staff and Doctors with Tattoos if your life was on the line because you "question their expertise"?

Just remember, the difference between people with Tattoos and people without Tattoos. Tattooed people don't care that you don't have a Tattoo.

**mdeimler** · 09-11-2012, 07:40 AM

I tend to think that someone who has a face tattoo can't have a very professional job. Who would hire them ?

**Ginster** · 09-11-2012, 08:02 AM

I have a cross/Cleft tattoo on my left wrist, to show my love of worshiping God through music. I am currently looking for work, but never have had anyone say we can't hire you because of the tattoo or where it is placed. On the other hand, they may not hire me because of it and I wouldn't know. But I have it to show my faith in God and it is to him I will trust to put me in the right position. Amen Sisters and Brothers. P.S. Im 53 years young and got it two years ago.

**wearegood** · 09-13-2012, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by mdeimler

I tend to think that someone who has a face tattoo can't have a very professional job. Who would hire them ?

The artist. I have a friend as artist and he has tattoo on left face. Now he teach in a college. Special and character.

**MikeAurelius** · 09-11-2012, 07:47 AM

Tats are the new facial hair.

Yes, let's discriminate against that guy/gal who has a sleeve (full arm ink) just because "my patients won't like it" despite the fact that this person was the highest scoring student in his/her opticianry school.

Yes, let's discriminate against that guy/gal who has multiple piercings just because "I find it offensive".

Come on people. Stop and think about what you are saying/doing here. Why can't we all just get along with each other and judge people on their merits and knowledge instead of the way they look?

(with apologies to Dr. Martin Luther King)

I have a dream that people will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by ink on their skin or by the number of their piercings but by the content of their character.

Personally speaking, I'd far rather have someone skilled at what they do who was covered in tats and piercings than someone who hadn't a clue as to what they were doing.

**J.P.** · 09-11-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

Tats are the new facial hair.

Yes, let's discriminate against that guy/gal who has a sleeve (full arm ink) just because "my patients won't like it" despite the fact that this person was the highest scoring student in his/her opticianry school.

Yes, let's discriminate against that guy/gal who has multiple piercings just because "I find it offensive".

Come on people. Stop and think about what you are saying/doing here. Why can't we all just get along with each other and judge people on their merits and knowledge instead of the way they look?

(with apologies to Dr. Martin Luther King)

I have a dream that people will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by ink on their skin or by the number of their piercings but by the content of their character.

Personally speaking, I'd far rather have someone skilled at what they do who was covered in tats and piercings than someone who hadn't a clue as to what they were doing.

Well Said!!!!!

**n711** · 11-16-2012, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

Tats are the new facial hair.

Yes, let's discriminate against that guy/gal who has a sleeve (full arm ink) just because "my patients won't like it" despite the fact that this person was the highest scoring student in his/her opticianry school.

Yes, let's discriminate against that guy/gal who has multiple piercings just because "I find it offensive".

Come on people. Stop and think about what you are saying/doing here. Why can't we all just get along with each other and judge people on their merits and knowledge instead of the way they look?

(with apologies to Dr. Martin Luther King)

I have a dream that people will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by ink on their skin or by the number of their piercings but by the content of their character.

Personally speaking, I'd far rather have someone skilled at what they do who was covered in tats and piercings than someone who hadn't a clue as to what they were doing.

Perfectly said!!!!!!

**Judy Canty** · 09-11-2012, 08:45 AM

While lunching at a national 24-hour diner chain, a young woman came in to apply for a job. She was dressed in scrubs, probably from an office in the medical building nearby, quite well groomed and polite. The manager was obviously impressed, until they shook hands. The young woman had tattoos on her hands. After she left, I heard the manager remark that she couldn't hire anyone with tattoos on their hands. Other areas didn't seem to be a problem, but they drew the line at hands. Just sayin'.

**n711** · 11-16-2012, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Judy Canty

While lunching at a national 24-hour diner chain, a young woman came in to apply for a job. She was dressed in scrubs, probably from an office in the medical building nearby, quite well groomed and polite. The manager was obviously impressed, until they shook hands. The young woman had tattoos on her hands. After she left, I heard the manager remark that she couldn't hire anyone with tattoos on their hands. Other areas didn't seem to be a problem, but they drew the line at hands. Just sayin'.

sounds like discrimination to me... there is makeup that can cover even the darkest of tatoos. Just sayin'

**optilady1** · 09-11-2012, 08:54 AM

I think if it's that much of an issue with your job, you should just find shirts that fit better.

My response to the "Can't we all just get along" talk: Keep dreaming, it ain't gonna happen. We all judge. It's wrong, it hurts, but it's reality. I think we have a few more generations before the more 'taboo' body decorations become acceptable in mainstream jobs. We can't even get over the prejudices of race, religion or sex. It's gonna be a long time before we get over ink and body piercings.

**J.P.** · 09-11-2012, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by optilady1

I think if it's that much of an issue with your job, you should just find shirts that fit better.

It's really not so much an "issue" with my job. Arms can be covered up easily one way or another. I was mostly just thinking og the fact, if the edge of it catching the glimps of someone's eye, what might they think of the "Professional" and that was the purpose of this post to ask others opinions. As I said, many of the girls Tattoos are seen on a daily basis, and not always by purpose to show them off.

As for a shirt that fits better. That is the challenge, it takes a XXXL Sleeve to fit my arms, but an XL to fit my torso.

It's like i'm wearing a MooMoo with the XXXL's lol

**scottster** · 09-11-2012, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by J.P.

As for a shirt that fits better. That is the challenge, it takes a XXXL Sleeve to fit my arms, but an XL to fit my torso.

I hear ya! I have the same problem being 6'3" and 220 lbs with long gangly arms. I have found it much easier to find clothes now then in the past, maybe somebody got wise and realized there is a huge untapped market for tall guys clothes. Not that I have any stock in the company but I recommend Men's Warehouse for shirts. They always seem to have plenty of shirts with longer arm lengths. Just my 2 cents on the topic.

P.S. I have multiple tattoos, several of which are on my forearms so I am always wearing long sleeves, even in the tropical heat of this summer. None show when I'm fully dressed, though, and that's what I would expect of co-workers and peers.

**J.P.** · 09-11-2012, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by scottster

I hear ya! I have the same problem being 6'3" and 220 lbs with long gangly arms. I have found it much easier to find clothes now then in the past, maybe somebody got wise and realized there is a huge untapped market for tall guys clothes. Not that I have any stock in the company but I recommend Men's Warehouse for shirts. They always seem to have plenty of shirts with longer arm lengths. Just my 2 cents on the topic.

P.S. I have multiple tattoos, several of which are on my forearms so I am always wearing long sleeves, even in the tropical heat of this summer. None show when I'm fully dressed, though, and that's what I would expect of co-workers and peers.

Never thought about looking there..... mostly because of the price, but I'll check them out.

And if you think it trpoical hot there, come to Alabama and try wearing Long sleeves, lol