Tattoos

[callthatgirl]

For those with tats, do you show them or hide them at client visits or at your shop? Of course I am talking about those with full sleeves, arm and neck work. I have 12 and one is on my neck that is not large, but probably the size of a pop can. Since I have left the corporate world, I haven't really cared about the tats and it hasn't stopped any business from coming my way (that I know of). When I was in the corporate world, I always wore my hair down to cover the neck tat during interviews for "just in case" purposes.

Just wondering about those with more work showing than I have, what do you do? Care or not care?

[16k_zx81]

Firmly not care.

I think the case 30 years or so ago was that people with ink were far more firmly regarded as being in a 'sub culture' than is the case now. These days, everyone - doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc, have ink. Hell, my mother-in-law has a tat!

There's no stigma AFAIC, and if someone wants to impute that, then, really, not my problem.

I have a full back-job, a couple on my chest, and both my shoulders done. The only time a customer would see them is if I wore a white shirt. But, yes, I have, and, no, I have no reservations about anyone, including customers, seeing my tats

[Xander]

Originally Posted by 16k_zx81

Firmly not care.

I think the case 30 years or so ago was that people with ink were far more firmly regarded as being in a 'sub culture' than is the case now.

First thing I thought of:

No tats here; even got bored with my old ear piercings and have let them close.

[Techlogon]

Some people will still care or attach stigma (the older the more so, especially with large/multiple tats) just like with shaved head/long hair or jeans/trainers - the question really is whether they care enough for you to lose work, and whether you would care if you did?

On home visits it shouldn't matter - by the time you finish hopefully they will like your work and use you again regardless. Same for a shop unless there are so many on staff it looks more like a tattoo shop. For corporate I would err on the side of caution - especially for an interview/pitch.

If you feel the situation is worth putting on your best clothes/tie/shave/good haircut etc to make a good impression (because you know some people expect/like that) then it's probably best to hide tats also...

[strollin]

From someone that has no use at all for tats.

I view tats on a person the same way I view any other disfigurement. Whether you have an unsightly wart on the end of your nose, a large birthmark, large scar, tattoo, piercings, etc... it doesn't affect whether or not I would hire you or do business with you.

[FoolishTech]

Personally I don't care, of course, but on a professional level I don't want to see any tats. My guys with visible tats must keep them covered.

Like many places of business, especially dealing with the public, we do have a dress code. Tats stand out and clash with it. As far as I'm concerned, a visible tat might as well be a pair of cut off jeans. Against code, unprofessional, not allowed.

We get a lot of the older folks that still do care about that sort of thing. Maybe it's just my perception... But we also have a lot of businesses that (at least I would think) expect a certain amount of professionalism from us, and we try to maintain an image for them.

[Elemdee]

When I read the title I sort of expected this to be a subject about 'show us your tattoos'. You disappoint, Lisa.

[BartramPCRepair]

Originally Posted by Elemdee

When I read the title I sort of expected this to be a subject about 'show us your tattoos'. You disappoint, Lisa.

LMAO, I was thinking the same thing.....

[callthatgirl]

Dang it, I can't edit title! And I can post pics later this week, but anyone else here should post 'em!!!

For the record, I do show off all my tattoos and don't hide them. But I had a situation the other day at a client visit that put had me feeling awkward with my neck tattoo. I usually don't care either, but it was one of those "corporate America" type clients. I shook it off.

[Martyn]

Well I have a story about this. As a consultant and before as a technical service specialist over 25 years with my last company I never, ever showed my five tattoos on my arms. I always wore a suit and even in the hot weather wore long-sleeved shirts. I know some people may formulate an opinion on initially seeing them so I decided that I didn't want to be at a disadvantage. Roll on to the last year working for myself i have carried this on. I don't wear a suit now but still cover them up one way or another. Well guess what, last week I got job to visit a tattoo shop to advise them on backing up their data. I walked into the shop with my tats showing, it felt really strange.