It may come as disrespectful to some...

[Nancy O.]

...the question asked by many "What do you do for a living?"

I'm not sure under what forum to post this, so I hope  "Off Topic" will do fine right now (:

Tattoos have come a long way throughout the years and I sure am glad they've (apparently) become more accepted by "society".

I'm barely starting to collect my share of tattoos; I've been wondering, what do you gals and gents who're heavily tattooed "do for a living"?

I'm in school studying to major in Zoology, but the "good luck finding a job with tattoos like that" comments are heard more often than not.

 

[Nancy O.]

Thanks for the advice (:

Veronica Virgo said:

I work in a (human) hospital. They frown upon visible tattoos, but they won't fire you over them. The trick seems to be don't let them see anything in your interview & try to hide them as much as possible (or wait to get easily visible ones) until you've proven you're a good employee.

[Betty Maraschino {Madam}]

Over the past four years I've worked in bridal. Most people call me scary and weird because I'm pierced and inked. My boss doesn't understand why I want to do this to my body, but she supports it because it makes me happy. (She is really like my second mother LOL)

However, I do feel like people expect me to know MORE about fashion ect because of the ink and piercings. Once people get over the fact you have more metal and ink than them, they see you as the kooky bridal lady. This automatically means you know everything about whats in and whats out, and what can make them look like a princess.

 

Rather  amusingly, people take my word over all the other staff on things. And I am more accepted in the bridal world than anywhere else (apart from down the pub/the tattoo studio of course ;)  ) 

[dallas90210]

dont worry about finding a job.be your own boss instead

[Candie Von Hart]

I do hair. I'm covered. Hands arms chest legs. But I have.a five year old. You wouldn't believe what people say sometimes. Most people are.cool with it because they know us. People will always have their opinions. Oh well.

[Buttercup Clothing]

I would believe you about what people say! I recall one guy at one of my past jobs saying to me in the most snooty tone I have ever heard "so did you get all of those tattoos in prison or in rehab? ". I laughed in his face because all I could think about is that my car is likely nicer than his. Besides he was assuming I was rich by assuming I can afford good tattoos AND good drugs, and assuming I am rich is a compliment right?. ;) nimrod. I have had alot of folks assume I am a crappy mother and such because of my tattoos. Well my kids are well fed,healthy,happy,well behaved straight A students,with great senses of humor, who already at young ages go out of their way to help people who need it, however they can. People can think what they want. Got to learn not to let comments bother us!

Candie Von Hart said:

I do hair. I'm covered. Hands arms chest legs. But I have.a five year old. You wouldn't believe what people say sometimes. Most people are.cool with it because they know us. People will always have their opinions. Oh well.

[SDstray]

     This is a great topic! very complicated.

     I have half sleeves from shoulder to elbow on both arms with a predominate pinup theme.  I am a Cop and would have to say the grief has been minimal for me, granted 3/4 of my ink is covered.  Every now and then I get a head shake by some supervisor that doesnt know me, but I cant point to anything saying I didnt get to do this or that because they didnt like my ink.   However, I do have a coworker who has a full suit and he has become the victim of political correctness to the extreme.  He has to keep it completely covered, long sleeve shirt, pants and gloves.  Also he has pretty much been banished to an area where he is out of sight out of mind, his career is done.

    On one hand I would have to say that your ink can and will affect your professional life.  On the other hand, if your good at what you do people wont give it a second thought.   

[Cherry La Boom]

i'm not heavily tattooed (i only have 4 so far, but plans for many more), but i work in a fairly conservative environment. i'm a special education teacher at an elementary school. i've only been asked to cover the one on my breast because it draws too much attention from adolescent boys who are boob-magnets as it is.

before entering the education world, i had to cover all my tattoos while working in administration at a hospital. let me tell you, that's no fun in the 100 degree, 90% humidity illinois summers!

people pass judgements as soon as they see them, sure. but i got over that years and years ago. let them live the uptight lives they choose, and i'll live the one i choose!

once they get to know me, they ask questions about them (how bad does it hurt, do you get sick of them, how long do they take, etc...) rather then assume i'm trash because i have them.

[Miss Va-Voom Vintage]

I'm a stay at home mom...but I'm too chicken for ink! :P

My aunt has tats and she used to be a grade school teacher, middle school principal and now she's an independent consultant for education, working with schools on American Indian reservations. She keeps her ink on her back or her ankles so it is easily covered up when she's working. When she was a teacher, she worked in St Louis and then moved to Aspen. Now, she travels, mostly in the western and southwestern US. 

[Brenda B]

I actually don't have have any tattoo's or piercing's, but do find them an interesting and beautiful art form. Isn't it amazing that we wear all types of coverings from colthes to makeup and yet some people find tattoo's wrong!!!

Lady Gaga wore meat and a conndom and is considered innovative (which she is!!!), but I'll bet there was a number of people out there who just didn't get it!!.

Yea for us who have escaped the confines of mindless conformities.

[Jessica Darling {*}]

I have a few tattoos that are visible annnnd crazy coloured hair. Has never been a problem at work but I know for a fact that they've passed me up for a promotion because of it :(. I'm one semester away from my bachelor's in fine arts though and I'm pretty confident I'll be accepted most places in the art industry.

[Cisco]

Im military and my wife works for a police department

[Ellie Retrophilia]

I'm a freelance makeup artist who is working towards an Associate's in Liberal Arts and later either a Bachelor's in Fine Arts or an English Major (I plan on being a high school teacher).  I used to work in customer service for a furniture store and at first I had to cover up my tattoos then as I showed my experience and capability the tattoos were generally ignored.  I do have to say Ive had random people grab me or touch my upper arm tattoo as though I am some walking exhibit (it's a beautifully done portrait by a West Virginia artist) and rude comments.  "Why would you do that?"  or my favorite "You're such a cute girl to be doing something so wrong to your body."  Luckily, kids are less close-minded.  Most are curious and love to look at the "pictures" on my skin.