Body Art?

[chris68]

Yep your right hightechtea.  I could picture them but couldn't remember the names even, and it wasn't that long ago.  I'm with you on the survivor nut part.  I can't believe we are into survivor iv already!  I can hardly wait for the next one to start.  Sometime next month I believe.  BTW, have you seen Rudy's new show?  He was part of survivor I.  Its some sort of Military survivor written by the same people.  Kinda interesting, but I'll have to watch again to see if I can follow it. A bit off the topic but hey, what ya gonna do.


Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

[hightechea]

Chris~I know you were using him as an example, just wanted to add my .02 about personally knowing him.  Plus it is kind of fun being able to tell people I know and worked with one of the Survivors.  Robin

[goldenearring]

Thanks, Robin.  I'm thinking of Jessica!  Finally remembered her name after you reminded me of the others'.   If I had worked with any of the contestants, I would have watched every episode, too.  I mainly tune in, because when I can I like to watch CSI afterward.  Unfortunately, that is starting to get a wee bit boring when you know that you're going to see 2-3 dead bodies each episode.  Kim was nice, but I thought it would have been just way too much if she had won since she was so much like Tina.  What do you think about the theories by some that the entire show is rigged and that they make sure they have a politically-correct mix of people?  And, speaking of p-c, why weren't there any American Indians, Arab-American or Asian/Pacific people on there?  LOL  Soon, they'll have to start with 150 contestants to make everyone happy.

[countrigal]

Just an FYI regarding my tongue ring...  Since most of my office mates are unaware that I have it (and yes, when they think you have one they do ask) I feel secure in saying that you can't hear it click my teeth when I talk (Andrea, did you hear it?) and I don't toy with it unless I'm all alone (because I don't care to see my own tongue, why put someone else thru the agony of seeing it?).  In fact, I have worked in this office almost a year and just last week my closest working companion noticed something on my tongue and asked me if I had it pierced.  The reason it was noticeable?  Over the weekend I put in a green and black ball (glows under a black light) so that when hubby and I went to the club it was noticeable.  I forgot to change it back, and unlike the reddish one, this is more "visible" because of the color contrast.  She still wasn't sure she saw anything, but had to ask.  (btw... the tongue is a muscle and if the ring is removed for anywhere from a couple of hours to 48 hours, the hole will be closed and will appear like it was never there, one of the reasons I wasn't too worried about getting it pierced.  When I'm tired of it, or outgrow it, I can remove it and it will be like it never was there.)

As for 5 pieces of jewlry.... man do I have that shot.  I wear 2 rings on my right hand (black hills silver normally, very simple pieces), my wedding ring and diamond on my left, always a necklace of some sort, and then anywhere from no earrings to 2 pairs and an odd-ball (up to 5 seperate pieces there alone).  When I wear my hair up, I tend to wear only one pair of earrings, but when it's down I tend to put them all or most in.  I just don't feel "dressed to the shoes" if I don't have a necklace on, and all my rings, plus my watch.  Guess I've blown that from the start.  But so far I don't think it's hurt my career.  I've progressed faster in my career than others around me and I believe it's because even though I have more jewelry on than y'all state, it's understated (I don't wear big chunky earrings, gaudy rings, or bulky necklaces) and completes an overall professional image.  (and the tongue ring stays out of sight!)

So back to my original question...How do we, working professionals, hire or not hire folks because of body art?  Are we to say that all these kids who are out searching for who they are will be unemployable in mainstream jobs when they turn 18 (or whatever) and head out into the world?  If so, as parents should we prohibit our kids from any piercings that are somewhat permanent?  (btw... the tongue is a muscle and if the ring is removed for anywhere from a couple of hours to 48 hours, the hole will be closed and will appear like it was never there.)  And is it a misrepresentation of yourself to "hide" body art (like I do with my flat, flesh-tone ball) when interviewing and going to meetings, when that's not what is worn/used/done normally?

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member

[mlm668]

I don't believe it is misrepresenting yourself.  You are respecting the views of others (knowing that those views may not take your piercing very well).

As for the 5 pieces of jewelry - I'm shot on that one two.   Two rings on my left hand, one on my right and two earrings, a watch and occasionally a necklace and my other two earrings.  I've seen woman who overdo it and some who wear no jewelry at all.  I think that with jewelry its a matter of "presentation".  

I do believe that parents need to restrict their children a little more when it comes to this issue.  I have set limits for my children regarding their appearance their entire lives.  I believe that they can "find themselves" no matter how strict or loose I am with them.  If I don't set limits now, how will they learn to set them for themselves.

None of this was meant as a personal attack on you CG.  We all have opinions and preferences and what we consider proper.  If you are still succeeding, then that is all that is important.  If I was in a position to hire "youngsters" I would hope I could still give those who are pierced a chance, but I would also have to lay down the law about their appearance in the office.  If they can't abide by that, then they wouldn't be the right one for the job.  

Michelle

[goldenearring]

Guess I'm not the only one who missed the question at hand, CG.  Looked like you were asking for our critique of your plethora of personal expression-wares!  LOL  Now that you have that, here's my answer to the question you thought you had asked.  I think it's important to inform kids about ALL the possible choices open to them, state the potential consequences, and then get the heck out of their way except to guide them.  Face it, we all did what we wanted to.  Some of them will learn things the hard way, and some of them will make great choices because they "get it" right from the get go.  Some will screw up all the rules, but they'll be so doggoned brilliant, that it wouldn't matter if they looked like Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtin as Coneheads, plus had body art!  So, my answer is:  it just depends.

[countrigal]

MLM, and all others, don't worry... I didn't take anything personally.  Heck, I brought up the discussion.  I just figured if I didn't say anything of my personal style, then others would wonder and ask so why not beat them to the punch?  And anyway, I learned something I had never heard before -- 5 pieces of jewelry is the standard acceptable amount, with allowances made depending on presentation.  And learning is why I'm here -- to learn from all of you out there.

It will be interesting to see how opinions and preferences change as the world continues... where once a woman had to wear a dress/skirt to be professional she can now wear slacks.  Where once jewelry of any kind (minus a wedding band and watch) was frowned on for men, they now can wear other pieces if done in good taste.  Where once only 1 pair of earrings was professional, now we have workers wearing 2 pairs and looking professional.  How will the eyebrow-ring and other body art move into the mainstream and be considered "tasteful" and "professional"?  I can see it happening at some point down the road, but how we're going to get there will be interesting to see and just goes to show that the world we live in keeps evolving.

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member

[akara]

Hi

I guess i agree with most of what's been said here.  You want to adorn your body with tattoos, or put holes in various parts of it, that's up to you - your body, you decide what you want to do with it.

However, you should also respect the rules of your business, and if boss thinks it's inappropriate to the company image, you've got to abide by that.  I believe in free expression, but I also acknowledge that we've all got to follow rules, whether we like it or not - especially to get on well in the business world.

Personally I don't even have pierced ears - but that's mostly because I can't stand pain in any form!! (I made a similar comment in the 'body hair' thread).  Pierced tongue - that sounds so painful!!  Biting my tongue inadvertently is agony enough - and I've done that enough times.  But to have someone ram a sharp instrument all the way through it - yikes!!!  And there must be blood - the sight of my own blood makes me keel over!!

So on balance I prefer to remain unpierced, thank you very much!

Akara

[laundryhater]

CountriGal:

Sounds like you are doing things right. Your jewelry, even though it is more than five pieces, still sounds like it is in good taste (not chunky or gawdy). The tounge ring sounds like it's in good taste too since your friend didn't even notice it until now (after a year).

Basically, if you have never been approached by your boss or had negative comments said about you from customers or fellow employees you are doing it right.

I hope the nose ring and eyebrow ring never become acceptable in the office attire. It just hurts me to even look at those things.