1. I have hairy (but not dark) forearms. Anyone in the same boat here have tattoos on their forearms? Does the hair obscure it too much, or are you satisfied with it?

2. anyone have to wear long sleeved shirts to cover up tattoos? How is it? Worth it?

I want to get a piece done that will probably have to be 3/4 - full sleeve to really get the most out of it. I would go 1/2 sleeve if the piece would still work, but I think a lot would be sacrificed. Trying to think of all aspects/trade-offs/consequences before committing.

I'm not sure having to cover it would be an issue at my current job. But it would be short sighted of me to not consider the fact that i'll probably have to cover it up for work at some point.

thoughts?

9/28/2008 1:39:11 PM

I have to wear business casual, which means polo shirts and whatnot.

I also have a tattoo that runs from arm to arm. It ain't no thang at my work. At first I was concerned about it (who wouldn't be in a conservative business environment), but if the regs. don't mention anything, then you should be fine. After all they hired you. Also I had no qualms asking about it during the interview. Most people don't care as long as you are friendly and work hard.

[Edited on September 28, 2008 at 2:25 PM. Reason : tattooooo?]

9/28/2008 2:25:37 PM

i have specifically not hired a best-qualified person because of their tattoos

let me make it clear that it wasn't personal, but because of the location (on the hands), long sleeves wouldn't cut it...regardless of what my personal take on tats is (i don't mind them at all, even if i don't have any), you have to be concerned about the customer/client's view

i, personally, would never have a tattoo that would hinder my wearing shorts/short sleeves at work (because of my field, i can do that pretty often)...i (again, personally) would hate to ruin my chances at a job for the sake of a tattoo

i think it depends a lot on what business you're in...if it's construction or something, i doubt it'll ever matter...if it's something that puts you into contact with customers on a regular basis, i think you're setting yourself up for POTENTIAL problems down the road

9/28/2008 6:52:56 PM

i had the same thoughts. i really would get a wrist tattoo, but i wouldnt risk it. my current employer hires all kinds of tattoo'd people for customer facing roles, but we're a bit quirky.

i believe as we get older and our bosses/coworkers are our age or younger, it wont be an issue anymore. since we still work with and for people our parents age or older, though, id have concerns.


[Edited on September 28, 2008 at 7:01 PM. Reason : i realize that second sentence sounds dumb, but u know what i mean]

9/28/2008 6:59:53 PM

i've never been asked to cover up my tattoos. my employer doesn't see a problem with them but if a client complains, i'll have to put on a long sleeved shirt to cover them up.

9/28/2008 7:19:51 PM

yeah, i was also wondering about getting tattoos in hairy places. i want to get one on my calf... i don't have the hairiest legs ever, but they're not super smooth, either.

9/28/2008 7:23:49 PM

Quote :

"let me make it clear that it wasn't personal, but because of the location (on the hands), long sleeves wouldn't cut it"

On one hand, they got a tattoo they can't cover up just by donning long sleeves. This indicates that their decision-making and planning skills might not be up to par
...On the other hand, how do you know they haven't rectified that?


I have a wrist tattoo that
- is slightly further up, so that it can be covered by long sleeves
- has never, ever been an issue (it's a flax flower)
- I am constantly complimented on. The first time the big boss (boss of the person who hired me) saw it, she was quite vocal in her appreciation for it, and she is an older, conservative lady

Quote :

"i believe as we get older and our bosses/coworkers are our age or younger, it wont be an issue anymore. since we still work with and for people our parents age or older, though, id have concerns."

Agreed.

9/28/2008 7:30:56 PM

I have a pair of birds on my wrist. They are low enough that it would take long sleeves and potentially a watch or wide bracelet to cover them. I deliberately placed them where I did and I have never had any trouble because of them. Many places of employment are only concerned if your visible tattoos are offensive or "distracting" which is very subjective. That's why it is best that your tattoos are placed so that you can cover them up.

9/28/2008 8:48:38 PM

thanks for the input. I'm definitely going to consider it some more. The tattoo would not be offensive at all and my current employer is fairly laid back. I don't have contact with many people outside of the office. At my old job, which had a very conservative dress code (and was conservative in general), they wouldn't have liked it even though I had zero contact with anyone outside the office, but it wouldn't have mattered b/c i would have to wear long sleeves all yr round anyway.

It's a bit of a drawback at places that allow short sleeves but are not open to tattoos i guess, but I think i'm willing to make that sacrifice if an employer has a problem with it.

9/29/2008 2:03:01 PM

No one has ever given me issues about mine. It's on my side and bright enough you can see it through a white dress shirt. Could be they do not want to admit to looking that much at my shirt.

9/29/2008 2:31:17 PM

Maybe you could just wrap it in a bandage and wear short sleeves on a REALLY hot day.

9/29/2008 3:09:10 PM

just tell everyone you're a BURN VICTIM

9/29/2008 3:16:07 PM