Show me your TATs

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by newb

I read that quick and thought it said "testicle tats"

Well, he COULD get Lovecraft's testicles...

[crashN2awall]

I have A LOT of tattoos. Almost two sleeves, some leg tattoos, stomach, chest, and the back of my neck. Im working on getting Damion (from the Omen), and a giant vampire on my right arm removed. They don't really match the rest of that arm. I'll eventually upload some pics of my favorite tattoos. The last tattoo I got was a zombie Star Wars piece based off of the death troopers novel.

[ChronoGrl]

Soooooooooooooooooooo... I want your opinion(s) - Also, selfishly, I want your encouragement because I tend to take things too personally and I'm a little down about this...

ANYhoo...

I had my one on one with my manager today and he said to me (in a manner of speaking):

Don't take this personally - To be honest, I love your tattoo, but I want you to be aware that not everyone in the company will feel the same way. If you're looking to advance your career in the future, just be wary of how some people may perceive tattoos. This negative perception is dwindling, but it does exist.

I mean - I know that there is still a stigma attached to tattoos... And I knew exactly what I was doing when I got one that would show when I wore a short-sleeved shirt... But the whole conversation just made me feel like a child being chided by my mother... Like I did something horribly horribly wrong that will destroy my future career...

I don't know - I think I'm taking it waaaaaaaaaay too personally, but I'm really rattled by this... Did I make a mistake getting a tattoo that big in a visible place? Do I even CARE about becoming an executive here at my company? I don't know - After spending a couple of weeks being elated over my first tattoo (and planning subsequent tattoos), I feel like I'm having an identity crisis.

Just wanted your opinion... Well, ok, I wanted you to make me feel better - Like I've done nothing wrong... And if you could avoid the "You know what the consequences were when you got it" speech, I'd appreciate it, because I feel like a fucking asshole idiot loser right now. :(:(:(:(:(

[hammerfan]

First of all, you're NOT a fucking asshole idiot loser. Second of all, yes, there IS still a stigma attached to tattoos and people that have tattoos. Most of today's conservatives see people with tattoos as "bad" people. At the company I worked at before this one, I had to hide my tattoos (easy) because the woman I worked for is Jewish and sees all tattoos as an insult to Jewish people because of the concentration camps.

The bottom line, Amanda, is that YOU are the only one that can make you happy. Of course, it could be my age, but I'm at a point in life where if people don't like what I say, do, wear, eat, watch, read, listen to, etc., I say fuck them. I'm going to do what I want because I'm sick and tired of kowtowing to other people's needs/wants/beliefs. It's MY turn!

Long story short, if you're happy with your tattoo, be happy with it. If you DO want to advance further in the company, hide it.

[neverending]

There IS a stigma in certain circles but without people like you, willing to push the boundaries, the stigma will always be there. Well, the stigma will always be there, but the number of people willing to judge you will be smaller and smaller.

At the mall in which I work it seems like I see more and more women with tattoos... and not just tattoos, but a LOT of tattoos. Most common ones I see are the angel wings on the back, and then a lot of artistic work on the arms. Without stereotyping, it seems like women choose more artistic images to display.

Without people willing to take risks, nothing ever changes. The final choice has to be yours.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

First of all, you're NOT a fucking asshole idiot loser. Second of all, yes, there IS still a stigma attached to tattoos and people that have tattoos. Most of today's conservatives see people with tattoos as "bad" people. At the company I worked at before this one, I had to hide my tattoos (easy) because the woman I worked for is Jewish and sees all tattoos as an insult to Jewish people because of the concentration camps.

The bottom line, Amanda, is that YOU are the only one that can make you happy. Of course, it could be my age, but I'm at a point in life where if people don't like what I say, do, wear, eat, watch, read, listen to, etc., I say fuck them. I'm going to do what I want because I'm sick and tired of kowtowing to other people's needs/wants/beliefs. It's MY turn!

Long story short, if you're happy with your tattoo, be happy with it. If you DO want to advance further in the company, hide it.

Thanks - I honestly appreciate it. :)

And you're right - I'm more of the mindset of If they don't like it, fuck 'em. It might be juvenile, but I love tattoos and am not sure I'd want to advance in a company that thinks they're inappropriate.

I'm not going to quite my job tomorrow or anything, but if it comes to a point where I think it's preventing me from opportunities, then I will go elsewhere. I have actually described my company as "incredibly square" to people, so I shouldn't really be surprised at the talk my manager gave me (not that he really chided me - He's actually a really cool guy - I think that he was just trying to be honest and warn me about how it might be perceived - I appreciate it, but it was still hard to hear - THE TRUTH SUCKS ARGH I HATE PEOPLE... except for you <3).

Originally Posted by neverending

There IS a stigma in certain circles but without people like you, willing to push the boundaries, the stigma will always be there. Well, the stigma will always be there, but the number of people willing to judge you will be smaller and smaller.

At the mall in which I work it seems like I see more and more women with tattoos... and not just tattoos, but a LOT of tattoos. Most common ones I see are the angel wings on the back, and then a lot of artistic work on the arms. Without stereotyping, it seems like women choose more artistic images to display.

Without people willing to take risks, nothing ever changes. The final choice has to be yours.

OH MY GOD YOU ARE AWESOME

Ok - So I actually had this exact same thought the other day: I think that by me having a visible (and large) tattoo, I might be changing people's perception - A lot of people at work do ask me about it and compliment me... But then there are others that just stare and look away... The fact of the matter is, I think I might be the only one in my building with a visible tattoo.

HOWEVER, one woman came up to me and essentially told me that she's been holding off on getting a visible tattoo, but might go ahead and get the one that she's wanted on her wrist for a while.

Honestly, I totally agree with you - There absolutely NEEDS to be more people out there willing to take risks, especially when it comes to self-expression. I feel as though I am a risk-taker in that regard... And, honestly, I think that I might have changed some people's minds about tattoos already (now others, on the other hind, might have changed their minds about me, but, hey - As long as I continue to do a good job, be intelligent and well-spoken, then I can show them that having a tattoo is NOT the sign of a "bad person).

You've just inspired me!!! HAIL TO THE TATS!

[hammerfan]

The woman I used to work for gave me a very hard time about my tattoo (back then I only had one), and I felt really bad. Then I started thinking about it and thought "Instead of seeing it as an insult you could see it as a tribute".

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

The woman I used to work for gave me a very hard time about my tattoo (back then I only had one), and I felt really bad. Then I started thinking about it and thought "Instead of seeing it as an insult you could see it as a tribute".

Which tattoo was that? And I'm sorry she gave you a hard time. Lame. :(

[hammerfan]

It's very tiny and you can only see it if I wear a low-cut top. It's a butterfly/heart/flower that I got in 1983 in Biloxi, MS when I was at Air Force technical school.

[ChronoGrl]

All colored in. :D