What DO tattoos say about you?
Yes, I have tattoos, I don't regret them, I like them, I want more. What some people forget is that these were my choice and it doesn't really matter what your choices are unless you are thinking about your own image. I didn't get them done for other people and I certainly do not think they are something that explains who I am as a person.
When people cross the road when they see me coming, I have to wonder what it is that they actually think I would do and if I was legitimately going to do something, would the space between the road stop me? I don't know because I don't look to start any fights and certainly have no wish to attack a stranger - generally I will avoid physical confrontation if I have to, though I will stand up for my friends before I am likely to physically stand up for myself. I have done years of martial arts, full contact training and have always believed that everyone should be able to protect themselves, but protection doesn't mean attacking someone who has not threatened or attempted to harm you.
When it comes to employment - I understand the need to remain professional if that is the life you choose. I work in a corporate environment, wear a shirt and generally the tattoos remain hidden. I was once asked if I would remove the tattoo on my neck for the benefit of my employment. The short answer to that is - "no". I have worked in my role, within finance for several years. I've worked hard, I am passionate in what I do and I will always make sure my team and my customers are treated with equal respect and are comfortable to challenge anything. If its not law, we can change it, always look to improve it. If I have not demonstrated my abilities by now and require the removal of tattoos to advance myself, then I wouldn't want to work for a company that held that in higher esteem. Though different, I would liken it to not choosing the best candidate for a role because of their eyeliner colour or their haircut. Though not permanent, it would be just as superficial.
People ask me what they mean - I find it difficult to answer that. Not because of their meaning, just that their meaning was based on feelings. Each was in a moment where I had a life choice to make, the decisions needing to be made on what I had learned from life. They certainly cannot be explained in a word. I am not so naive to believe I will never be judged and I get why - the same for how someone dresses. What someone wears doesn't tell you who they are as a person, but their decision to choose what and the amount of effort they invest does give some definite personal insight. Everyone makes decisions for a reason, calling a person stupid for a permanent decision is not exactly going to make them disappear and even I think it would be a mistake to have a name tattoo'd which is a different degree of the same judgement.
Anyway - I can guarantee that your opinion will not change mine and I guarantee I will want more. There are bigger problems in the world right now than worrying about what a tattoo says about someone. What if that person were the first to stop and help if you tripped and fell or suffered a medical emergency. Would you decline their help and wait for a nicely dressed business woman, with the right haircut, ethnicity, makeup and conversational expertise.... I doubt it. I don't doubt there might be those who get them done to hide insecurities or to fit in... Sad as that may be, they still have what it takes to make the world a better place :)
When people cross the road when they see me coming, I have to wonder what it is that they actually think I would do and if I was legitimately going to do something, would the space between the road stop me? I don't know because I don't look to start any fights and certainly have no wish to attack a stranger - generally I will avoid physical confrontation if I have to, though I will stand up for my friends before I am likely to physically stand up for myself. I have done years of martial arts, full contact training and have always believed that everyone should be able to protect themselves, but protection doesn't mean attacking someone who has not threatened or attempted to harm you.
When it comes to employment - I understand the need to remain professional if that is the life you choose. I work in a corporate environment, wear a shirt and generally the tattoos remain hidden. I was once asked if I would remove the tattoo on my neck for the benefit of my employment. The short answer to that is - "no". I have worked in my role, within finance for several years. I've worked hard, I am passionate in what I do and I will always make sure my team and my customers are treated with equal respect and are comfortable to challenge anything. If its not law, we can change it, always look to improve it. If I have not demonstrated my abilities by now and require the removal of tattoos to advance myself, then I wouldn't want to work for a company that held that in higher esteem. Though different, I would liken it to not choosing the best candidate for a role because of their eyeliner colour or their haircut. Though not permanent, it would be just as superficial.
People ask me what they mean - I find it difficult to answer that. Not because of their meaning, just that their meaning was based on feelings. Each was in a moment where I had a life choice to make, the decisions needing to be made on what I had learned from life. They certainly cannot be explained in a word. I am not so naive to believe I will never be judged and I get why - the same for how someone dresses. What someone wears doesn't tell you who they are as a person, but their decision to choose what and the amount of effort they invest does give some definite personal insight. Everyone makes decisions for a reason, calling a person stupid for a permanent decision is not exactly going to make them disappear and even I think it would be a mistake to have a name tattoo'd which is a different degree of the same judgement.
Anyway - I can guarantee that your opinion will not change mine and I guarantee I will want more. There are bigger problems in the world right now than worrying about what a tattoo says about someone. What if that person were the first to stop and help if you tripped and fell or suffered a medical emergency. Would you decline their help and wait for a nicely dressed business woman, with the right haircut, ethnicity, makeup and conversational expertise.... I doubt it. I don't doubt there might be those who get them done to hide insecurities or to fit in... Sad as that may be, they still have what it takes to make the world a better place :)