I personally have never understood the attraction of tattoos, but never thought much of them when people had them in places where they wouldn’t be seen when wearing normal clothing (which I believe is the military requirement now). Nowadays it seems like a competition for “freak of the year”, with facial/neck tattoos and such; I can’t believe that some people aren’t tattoooing themselves out of whole sectors of the workplace with them. I recall seeing something where people described an “addiction” to getting tattoos; I see them more as a sign of boredom by people experiencing feelings of being inconsequential or going through mid-life crises (a female co-worker in her 50s with a tramp-stamp was just sad...).
I just don’t get it; I’m not hip or cool (and proud to be neither).
I’m of the same mindset as you.
I don’t get them at all. You may be on to something about freak of the year.
It's already happening. Anybody coming into my company for a job interview with a visible tattoo is immediately disqualified. Now we'll think up other reasons for not hiring them in order to conform with EEOC rules, but bottom line, they aren't coming to work for us. I'm sure other companies are doing the same.
It's one thing to have a tattoo that you can keep covered with clothing when you are working and representing the company. I still don't understand it but that's your own business. But anything on the face, hands, neck, lower arms, etc., is a dis-qualifier in any professional job. Now if you plan to make a living as a nightclub bouncer, a rock musician or maybe leading a motorcycle gang, then go ahead and get all the tattoos you want.