When Will Tattoos, Piercings, And Dyed Hair Stop Being Taboo?

By Amanda Cohen on September 30, 2016

When my family and I were vacationing in the Islands, my dad noticed that many of the hotel employees had Band-Aids or large compression covers to hide parts of their bodies (especially their arms and legs). We talked about it and we knew that it would be nearly impossible for every single employee at the resort to have an injury in similar areas, so we assumed that they were hiding tattoos.

So my dad, having already developed a relationship with the hotel employees and a man who has six tattoos himself, asked one of the waitresses if employees were required to cover their tattoos. Our assumptions turned out to be correct, as the waitress told us that every tattoo or “abnormal” piercing must be covered before serving the hotel guests. My dad and I thought that this notion was absolutely ridiculous, but it is a topic that is very much talked about when applying for jobs.

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Tattoos are no longer as “taboo” as they used to be in the past. Many of my friends sport small, tasteful tattoos on their bodies, as do my family members. When discussing tattoo placement with my family and my friends, as I want to get a small meaningful tattoo, I always asked about a location that I could put the ink on that I could easily hide for job interviews.

So, I guess the question I am asking society and myself is why do I have to even consider how potential employers will view my tattoo? On a related note, why are people afraid to get certain piercings and/or dye and style their hair in a certain way because of potential employers? We are living in the twenty-first century, why is this still an issue?

The reason people get tattoos, get piercings, and style/dye their hair is because they are using these as tools of self-expression. So, why is it considered so “wrong” in the workplace? I am attempting to play devil’s advocate here. On one hand, I believe that people should express themselves in every way possible. On the other hand, I understand that employers, especially employers of certain careers, want to ensure that they hire only the most professional and qualified applicants.

Yet, why is qualification based on the color of your hair or the number of tattoos and piercings you have? Shouldn’t qualification be based off of resumes and interviews?

When going into a business meeting, maybe it’s not that appropriate to have purple hair and earrings all up your ears. Yet, I would rather have a purple-haired, tattoo loving employee who works their butt off than a generic looking employee that doesn’t give a rat’s ass about his/her job. This issue can be looked at in the same way we look at the fact that some companies do not hire women who look a certain way or the fact that a “male nurse” is considered a bad thing.

Why is society focused so much on appearance rather than credentials?

I don’t think there is anything wrong with a CEO having a full sleeve on their arms or a preschool teacher with pink and blue hair. If they are the most qualified for the position, who cares what they decide to do with their appearance? I know I don’t! One of my professors this year has two tattoos that I can blatantly see each and every class. Do I respect him any less? Hell no! I honestly think it’s pretty badass.

The problem is that society views people who have tattoos, dyed hair, and piercings as troublesome and not hardworking. That is the sad truth. My dad and professor both have multiple tattoos and I can tell you that they are not by any means “menaces of society.” They both just love their ink! Would I maybe be skeptical hiring someone who had a tattoo that read “bootylicious” on their lower back? Possibly. Yet, if she has an amazing resume and killer recommendations, why shouldn’t I hire? Just because of a tattoo? That doesn’t seem logical.

Tattoos, piercings, and hair styling/dying are all forms of self-expression. I don’t think it’s right for society to stop letting people be who they want to be. There is such a negative stereotype involved with people who have tattoos and piercings and such, but these stereotypes are not true and I know from personal experience that these stereotypes are laughable.

So, to my future employers and to everyone out there looking for jobs, don’t hate on me if I decide to get a tasteful tattoo on my finger or wrist. If you want to hate me because you don’t think I’m right for the position, then that is your right. But stop judging on appearance and forms of personal expression.

It’s the twenty-first century, people — let’s live our lives and dress and act how we see fit!

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