# Are noserings and tattoos unprofessional? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 11, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116 "2003-06-11T15:13:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/81 "2003-06-12T23:43:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \* > \*\* > can’t get enough to it. > \*\* Can’t get enough to EAT. Spelling errors. Yet another human failing. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/82 "2003-06-13T05:52:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by blanx \* > \*\*Why is it incumbent on the employer to make the accomodation, and not the employee? \*\* Where did I say it was incumbent on the employer to make the accomodation? It’s not incumbent, but if you’re turning away valuable people over their appearance, I’d have to say that’s bad business. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/83 "2003-06-13T10:41:18Z")
Yes, they are unprofessional, outside all but the most alternative or casual office. If your workplace wouldn’t permit you to wear surf shorts, a skin tight mesh top, bright orange trousers, etc etc, then similar non-mainstream body adornments should be concealed or removed. If you work in a record shop, or an industry that appreciates more cutting-edge fashion, then fine. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/84 "2003-06-13T13:06:53Z")
As for hair colour, why is it ok to dye your hair Black when it is grey, but not Red when it is brown? ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/85 "2003-06-13T13:15:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stonebow \* > \*\*Tattoos and excessive piercings are not status symbols of the successful. \*\* Tattoos are a symbol of status in my world. Of course that we be the Thieves World, comrad. Marc ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/86 "2003-06-13T13:58:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dewey Cheatem Undhow \* > **I’d bet dollars to donuts Gerry Spence didn’t do the Davy Crockett thing when he first started out. Sure, after you’re won a zillion cases and have been interviewed on TV countless times, the buckskin thing is charming and eccentric. If you’re just some poor shlub with a law degree, the buckskin thing makes you look like Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel. You can get away with a lot more _after_ you’ve made a name for yourself.** Fair enough. Spence used to be a prosecutor and then an insurance lawyer; I’ll grant you he probably didn’t show up at the DA’s interview in a buckskin jacket. My Dad has been practicing for over 30 years and never wears a business suit. He’s locally famous at the courthouse for never wearing one…well, almost never. He wore one a while back he picked up for $6.00 at Goodwill (looked great, believe it or not) and the DA and Judge pretended not to recognize him and asked to see his bar card. If it’s just an arraignment or entering a plea for a misdemeanor he’ll usually just go over to the courthouse in a rugby shirt and khaki pants, something the younger lawyers (myself included) could never get away with. He can because he’s been practicing for a long time, is a great trial lawyer, and is president of the local bar and former board of directors for the State Bar. Dad’s a “character”; if I tried the same thing I’d just be underdressed. On the other hand…a bunch of mechanics who worked for a chain of garages went to a corporate conference. They were shown two men, one clean cut in a neat uniform and one disheveled in an oil-stained jumpsuit. The presenter asked “what can you tell me about these two men?” A mechanic in the back piped up “one of 'em ain’t been workin!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/87 "2003-06-13T14:45:37Z")
It still sounds to me that you are trying to justify your prejudices. I have been turned down jobs because I have a beard. I went to school with a girl who had one too. She could very well shave but everytime she shaved before it just came back thicker and faster so she stopped shaving. Would you not hire her? It seems that your main point of focus is that you consider the tattoos a distraction. Everything that I have seen so far that you post is still a type of distraction but it is really irrelevant to how the person will perform. Maybe you should switch to only doing interviews over the phone and if you have a dress code policy state it there. ---
**Author:** ![Stonebow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/88 "2003-06-13T15:31:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dorkusmalorkusmafia \* > \*\*It still sounds to me that you are trying to justify your prejudices. > > Maybe you should switch to only doing interviews over the phone and if you have a dress code policy state it there. \*\* Are you suggesting that employers disregard attributes in potential employees that may cost them money and clients, whatever talents they bring to the table? I think that most of us will agree that appearance in back-of the house employees is certainly less of a priority than those who have to deal directly with clients/ the public in person, but to say that one’s appearance has no bearing on perception of their professioinal skills is just wrong. You might argue that employers and clients should dig deeper, but there’s really no incentive for them to. And please don’t bring up clients who might be put off by people in wheelchairs, african americans, etc. We are focusing this discussion on attributes that the employee has direct control over. Body modifications are chosen, and even then, piercings can be removed during work hours, tattoos can be covered up. When you’ve ‘made it’ in your field, it might be reasonable for employers to overlook your quirks to hire you. But to assume that they should do it as a matter of course, especially when it might cost them business, is naive. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/89 "2003-06-13T15:41:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sampiro \* > \*\*I am on a hiring committee for a professional position in education. (I don’t want to be too precise for obvious reasons). > \*\* Primary school? High school? University? If it’s university I have no qualms at all if they showed up with a green mohawk, tattoos saying ‘FUCK’ on their wrist and a chain going from their ear to their nose. That’s what university is for. Anywhere else, I have no problems with tasteful artwork and noserings. My best friend’s wife has a nosering and tattoos of fairies on her arms, and she works at a daycare. All the parents and kids love her. ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Beaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Grim\_Beaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Beaker)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/90 "2003-06-13T15:42:54Z")
Well said **Stonebow**. My points exactly. In addition I’d like to indicate that we’re primarily discussing proper _interview_ attire and appearance and not the concessions that employees have gotten from employers after years of exemplary performance, or people who are well known as being in the top of their field. We’re specifically discussing run-of-the-mill applicants in regular interview situations. That’s probably at least 95% of the work force and I believe it’s misleading to focus on “fringe” cases which have little or no bearing for most applicants (i.e. ubangi applicant with a 3" disk in his lower lip, syphilitic pirate impersonator with a pegleg, etc. etc.) ---
**Author:** ![blanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@blanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blanx)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/91 "2003-06-13T17:39:13Z")
Yeah. The focus is on interviewing. I want to hire a person who wants to work at my theoretical company. To me, that means a person who is willing to make reasonable accomodations for the morning, or afternoon, of the interview. Let’s put it this way- would those of you who feel that I’m trying to justify my prejudice support the OP if it were about an applicant who came to the interview in khaki’s and a polo shirt, where the rest of the applicants came in suits? Isn’t this really the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/92 "2003-06-13T18:29:46Z")
**And please don’t bring up clients who might be put off by people in wheelchairs, african americans, etc. We are focusing this discussion on attributes that the employee has direct control over. Body modifications are chosen, and even then, piercings can be removed during work hours, tattoos can be covered up.** So long as you’re willing to admit that we’re talking about the same kind of prejudice here … ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/93 "2003-06-13T18:32:41Z")
OK kids lets put on the nonconformist uniform and recite the nonconformist oath, “I will do stupid ugly things to my body and then blame everybody else when I get laughed at.” ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/94 "2003-06-13T19:19:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Degrance \* > \*\*OK kids lets put on the nonconformist uniform and recite the nonconformist oath, “I will do stupid ugly things to my body and then blame everybody else when I get laughed at.” \*\* Goodness, that was hostile. Where did that come from? ---
**Author:** ![Stonebow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/95 "2003-06-13T19:54:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\*Goodness, that was hostile. Where did that come from? \*\* It was quite hostile…unfortunately, it was a pretty fair summary of everyone that I know that is into body modification. A bit abrupt, but constant contact with these hordes of ‘individuals’ can be tiring. The reason you do it (whatever odd behavior ‘it’ is) is to get people to react to you…don’t be surprised that a fair share of people will react to you by thinking that you are just another bored teeniebopper. And back to **Evil Captor’s** point- no, it’s NOT the same prejudice. That was the point of my little aside- a tattooed, pierced person =! handicapped =! black person =! woman when it comes to legal protections or public perception. the closest thing i can come to that might match is religious practice- and the law only requires ‘reasonable’ accomadations for that. So yes, there is a difference. If your activities are likely to cost me business, you’d better be damn good. ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Beaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Grim\_Beaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Beaker)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/96 "2003-06-13T19:55:04Z")
**Evil Captor** > [@](#): > > So long as you’re willing to admit that we’re talking about the same kind of prejudice here … I’m not sure what you mean here. I don’t see anything in **Stonebow** ’s post which implies agreement with the statement that people with a phyiscal deformity are somehow experiencing discrimination and/or prejudice similar to those who willingly choose a non-standard appearance. Could you explain further? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/97 "2003-06-13T20:44:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stonebow \* > \*\*It was quite hostile…unfortunately, it was a pretty fair summary of everyone that I know that is into body modification. A bit abrupt, but constant contact with these hordes of ‘individuals’ can be tiring. > > The reason you do it (whatever odd behavior ‘it’ is) is to get people to react to you…don’t be surprised that a fair share of people will react to you by thinking that you are just another bored teeniebopper. \*\* No, not everybody you know, to the degree that you “know” me. I didn’t get tattooed because I was rebelling against anything, or conforming/nonconforming to anything, or wish to invite rude commentary from total strangers, or for any other reason than because I like tattoos. That’s it. Same goes for most of those I’ve known with tattoos or piercings, whether degreed professionals or honest joes pumping gas. We’re in agreement that certain standards should be recognized when applying for white collar employment, but the overgeneralized characterization of the pierced/tattooed person as a cretinous plebian trying to attract attention to themself is unfair and unkind. ---
**Author:** ![Stonebow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/98 "2003-06-13T21:10:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\*No, not everybody you know, to the degree that you “know” me. I didn’t get tattooed because I was rebelling against anything, or conforming/nonconforming to anything, or wish to invite rude commentary from total strangers, or for any other reason than because I like tattoos. That’s it. > > Same goes for most of those I’ve known with tattoos or piercings, whether degreed professionals or honest joes pumping gas. We’re in agreement that certain standards should be recognized when applying for white collar employment, but the overgeneralized characterization of the pierced/tattooed person as a cretinous plebian trying to attract attention to themself is unfair and unkind. \*\* For what it’s worth, I agree with you. I was just trying to clarify **Degrance’s** position because it’s one that I see every day. I work with college kids, in Student Life- several show up every week to show off new tats/piercings. I don’t agree with his methods- I experience the same frustration, and I try to be kind when I can…but it does get old. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/99 "2003-06-13T21:16:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\*Goodness, that was hostile. Where did that come from? \*\* Hostile or not it is true. If you go out of your way to modify your body outside the norm don’t complain when you’re treated accordingly. Marc ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2003, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116/100 "2003-06-13T21:23:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MGibson \* > \*\*Hostile or not it is true. If you go out of your way to modify your body outside the norm don’t complain when you’re treated accordingly. > > Marc \*\* Whoa nelly. We’re not talking about employment anymore, we’re talking about common decency. I don’t whine about the fact that I have to cover up my arms at work, that’s understandable. But as far as how I am “treated” in general, I expect to be treated with the same dignity and common courtesy that I extend to everyone else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-noserings-and-tattoos-unprofessional/181116.md?page=6)