meow85 said:

Genesia said:

Exactly.

And I don't think employers are worrying about not having enough staff right now. They're layin' folks off because of the economy - tattoos or no.

It's so cute when Americans think the whole world is the same as their country. Here the economy is picking up and business is booming. There are more bodies than jobs, true. But every industry is in the midst of a hiring spree.

Then Vancouver is doing better than the entire world. Congratulations.

meow85 said:

TheVoid said:

I've seen persons with tats that shocked me in positions that shocked me too.

But I postulate these are all quite lucky people and not a sign of some social 'change' taking place.

I think the numbers speak for themselves.

If 60% of young people here have tattoos or piercings, and those 60% are deemed not fit for work, then just WHO is going to be taking over industry jobs when older generations of workers retire?

There will come a time, in Canada at least, that it will simply not be practical to deny work to those 60%.

nobody's saying they can't work, only that they will be have one thing to overcome in higher paying office-type job interviews that the other 40% will not.

But blue collar jobs have never been as discriminating about having a conservative appearance.

meow85 said:

chocolate1 said:

Quick question: meow, why are you taking this so personally? Are you heavily modded?

(this is a serious question)

I wouldn't say I'm heavily modded by most definitions, but I do have tattoos and piercings. So do many intelligent, capable people I'm close with. Like most people who get them, my work isn't to rebel (rebel against what? I could never figure out what people think I'm trying to rebel against) it isn't to prove a point, and it isn't an attempt to stand out or call attention to myself.

Some of my piercings are pure ornamentation but some of them, as well as my tattoos, are markers of important things in my life. Visual signposts of people or events or ideas that are very important to me. Removing jewelry from a piercing or hiding a tattoo unnecessarily isn't nearly as simple for me psychologically or emotionally as just taking off a necklace or changing my shirt. That's the case for a lot of people who have tattoos and piercings.

A lot of people without mods or who only have mods as decoration don't seem to understand how very seriously some of us take our work.

How can I explain to someone that my lip has jewelry in it because I was trapped in a heavy depression and considering self-harm, but the physical jolt of a needle through muscle kicked me out of it?

How can I explain that my father and sister are being carried in my arms? Or that my personal proof of adulthood is on my back and neck?

How can I explain the guilt of how my dog's life had to be ended is salved by what's on my feet?

How can I explain some of the metal in my ears as visual tokens of bonds with loved ones?

How can I explain any of that satisfactorally to someone who's already decided I'm just a shiftless drug addict trying to rebel against whatever?

Aside from all that though, is the fact that whatever constitutes professionalism in appearance is a vague, nebulous concept that is already subject to shifting social and fashion mores. It's not long ago that professional women were required to wear dresses and makeup, and nurses had to wear impractical and ridiculous starched whites. To think that attitudes about body modification are going to remain static ignores that nothing remains static.

Thank you for answering.

I don't like tattoos of any kind. I know everyone has them now but when I was growing up, the only people that had tattoos were rednecks. The same goes with trucks of any kind so I'll never have one of those either. I don't care who is doing it nowadays, that redneck image is stuck in my head.

vainandy said:

I don't like tattoos of any kind. I know everyone has them now but when I was growing up, the only people that had tattoos were rednecks. The same goes with trucks of any kind so I'll never have one of those either. I don't care who is doing it nowadays, that redneck image is stuck in my head.

When I was growing up, the only people with tattoos were either military men or ex-cons. Either way, if you had a tattoo, you were tough.

Now that everyone has one, it's ruined one of my best stories:

In 1982, a Texas A&M Corps cadet attacked a male SMU cheerleader for touching the football field while performing a cheer during a game. The Aggie first assaulted this cheerleader, who (from his knees) knocked him down and continued with his cheer. Then the Aggie drew his sword, and it was on. Cooler heads prevailed before anyone got shish-ka-bobbed.

Anyway, the best part of the story is when I'd describe this male cheerleader. It turned out the guy had been a defensive end on the football team but had blown out his knee. He was really, really mean - he broke a collarbone or two in fraternity flag football. But the kicker was, he had a tattoo.

That used to mean something, LOL.

Prince symbol tattoos.

[Edited 6/30/10 16:45pm]

I love tattoos...just about anywhere, but the face. In Canada it's not big deal and doesn't really hinder one from getting a job - a good job. I think I am the only one at work that doesn't have at least one!

And I live in Ottawa, about as conservative as it gets in this country.

chocolate1 said:

I don't like tattoos, for the reasons named, but mainly because I don't like the permanence of them. When my female students ask my opinion, I always say, "Think of that same design on someone my age." Their response is usually

And "tramp stamps"

I dont like neck tattoes... Specially if they are done in script...

I don't really like them at all and tramp tags do nothing for me.

The only one i've seen recently that i've liked was Acrylic's...

Rogue588 said:

I don't really like them at all and tramp tags do nothing for me.

The only one i've seen recently that i've liked was Acrylic's...

Thank you!

dudes with fuckin stars

[Edited 6/30/10 20:51pm]

NDRU said:

meow85 said:

I know anecdotal evidence is the worst kind...

My best friend is an elementary school teacher. She has full sleeves, and only wears shirts that cover them in cold weather.

Another close friend is a law student working as an intern at the offices of a criminal lawyer. Her neck is covered in ink.

The manager and owner of a local Rogers retailer where I get my cell phone business taken care of has stretched earlobes adna septum piercing.

My first and second year Astronomy professor has his favourite constellation tattooed on his hands.

My cousin is chief safety supervisor at the Alcan plant in Kitimat, with hands full of roses.

Should I go on? The only young people I know with shitty jobs are people whose education isn't finished yet.

I don't really get where you are coming from.

You complain about how stupid it is that people won't hire someone with facial piercings/visible tattoos. Then you say in fact that is not the case, they all have amazing jobs. Everyone in Canada is pierced & tattoed & has great jobs, so what is the problem, exactly?

My point is only this: 60% is decorated, that leaves 40% available to take their jobs. Stupid though customs and rules may be, you cannot rationize & argue them away to the cornfield.

There are plenty of employers -still -who for whichever reason have decided to take issue with tattoos. People who do have visible tattoos tend not to even try getting jobs with them.

I hardly said "everyone is tattooed and pierced and has a great job", so do try not to exaggerate.

What I said was a sizable number of young Canada is modded, and as more older workers leave the workforce it's going to be illogical and possibly even damaging to business to deny themselves staff on such a superficial basis, so why do it now?

Genesia said:

meow85 said:

It's so cute when Americans think the whole world is the same as their country. Here the economy is picking up and business is booming. There are more bodies than jobs, true. But every industry is in the midst of a hiring spree.

Then Vancouver is doing better than the entire world. Congratulations.

Snark's not a flattering colour on you.

NDRU said:

meow85 said:

I think the numbers speak for themselves.

If 60% of young people here have tattoos or piercings, and those 60% are deemed not fit for work, then just WHO is going to be taking over industry jobs when older generations of workers retire?

There will come a time, in Canada at least, that it will simply not be practical to deny work to those 60%.

nobody's saying they can't work, only that they will be have one thing to overcome in higher paying office-type job interviews that the other 40% will not.

But blue collar jobs have never been as discriminating about having a conservative appearance.

Either way you look at it, 60% is still an incredibly high number to turn away unless a person genuinely believs said 60% are shiftless unemployables.

JustErin said:

I love tattoos...just about anywhere, but the face. In Canada it's not big deal and doesn't really hinder one from getting a job - a good job. I think I am the only one at work that doesn't have at least one!

And I live in Ottawa, about as conservative as it gets in this country.

I think this thread hits on another one of those divides between Canada and the U.S.. For all the two countries have in common, there's quite a lot we differ on too.

Body modification is mostly a non-issue here. From the time I first started getting heavily pierced when I was 10 (Yes) I can only recall one negative comment, and I've had nothing but positive reactions to my tattoos. The only appearance issue that comes up is many professional workplaces not allowing what's referred to as unnatural (blue, green) hair dyes, but even that's changing.

meow85 said:

Genesia said:

Then Vancouver is doing better than the entire world. Congratulations.

Snark's not a flattering colour on you.

Anything I wear is more flattering than that mess you have on, my dear.

EmeraldSkies said:

I wonder where he works.

Shyra said:

EmeraldSkies said:

I wonder where he works.

The Circus??

Shyra said:

EmeraldSkies said:

I wonder where he works.

he's probably CEO of a major Canadian company...

Genesia said:

meow85 said:

Snark's not a flattering colour on you.

Anything I wear is more flattering than that mess you have on, my dear.

I was gonna say that Snark really brings out your eyes.

johnart said:

Genesia said:

Anything I wear is more flattering than that mess you have on, my dear.

I was gonna say that Snark really brings out your eyes.

meow85 said:

XxAxX said:

to be honest, i think ALL tattoos are tacky.

have you ever seen an old woman or man with ancient tats?? BAD news, dude. tats do not age well.

also, they grow tired rather quickjly. once you've seen the tat, it's just there, another inkblot on someone's skin. supposed to be impressive, but usually not so. esPECially now that everyone and their granny has a tat

fresh, unprinted skin is more intersting, imo. looks better too.

HENNA is cool, i like the semi-permanent way of it. washable, changeable, and fades over time.

A well-done piece of ink from today is not going to age the same way those older ones did. Sure, it will fade over time, but due to the improved quality in ink, machines, and technique modern tattoos will never look like Grandpa's WWII blobby green battle ink.

yes, the ink will stay. BUT the skin underneath, sagging and wrinkled, will not.

XxAxX said:

meow85 said:

A well-done piece of ink from today is not going to age the same way those older ones did. Sure, it will fade over time, but due to the improved quality in ink, machines, and technique modern tattoos will never look like Grandpa's WWII blobby green battle ink.

yes, the ink will stay. BUT the skin underneath, sagging and wrinkled, will not.

Do you mind? I'm eating lunch over here...

meow85 said:

NDRU said:

nobody's saying they can't work, only that they will be have one thing to overcome in higher paying office-type job interviews that the other 40% will not.

But blue collar jobs have never been as discriminating about having a conservative appearance.

Either way you look at it, 60% is still an incredibly high number to turn away unless a person genuinely believs said 60% are shiftless unemployables.

lordy, this is what I'm talking about. I don't think you actually read what people type

Genesia said:

meow85 said:

Snark's not a flattering colour on you.

Anything I wear is more flattering than that mess you have on, my dear.

Another lesson in grace and class demonstrated by Genesia. Bravo!

XxAxX said:

meow85 said:

A well-done piece of ink from today is not going to age the same way those older ones did. Sure, it will fade over time, but due to the improved quality in ink, machines, and technique modern tattoos will never look like Grandpa's WWII blobby green battle ink.

yes, the ink will stay. BUT the skin underneath, sagging and wrinkled, will not.

Like saggy, wrinkled skin looks sexy normally.

When we're 80 we'll all look like elephant skin rugs, so those who are so inlined might as well decorate while they can.

I can only hope, for the sake of your own employers and others who have to deal with some of you out in the real world, that you behave in some way closer approximating adult than you do here.