Tattoos and Piercings

Although most people have either a tattoo or piercing (many have both!) is it every appropriate to have them visible at work?  Absolutely.  If you're Kat Von D, who owns LA INK, a successful tattoo shop in California.  Otherwise, most companies would agree that this type of self-expression is inappropriate for the work environment.

I believe that one of the main reasons for this is it appears unprofessional to potential clients.  People with tattoos definitely have a stereotype around them, that they are in someway "dangerous" or "risk takers".  For example, I wouldn't feel comfortable if my lawyer had an exposed tattoo on his neck, to me I would feel like he is more into a "rock star" lifestyle than his career, and that he wouldn't be as effective as another lawyer.

Another reason is your co-workers may be uncomfortable, especially if your visible tattoos are offensive to them.  If someone has a swastika tattoo, and your co-worker is of Jewish descent, this would cause tension in the workplace.  Also, other employees may get distracted by your tattoos and piercings, and concentrate more on them rather than to what you are saying.

What do you think? Should tattoos and piercing be hidden from sight while your at work? Leave a comment!


SOURCES:
http://www.illamasqua.com/socialise/wp-content/uploads/kat-von-d.jpg
http://articles.cnn.com/2008-06-19/living/too.tattooed.to.work_1_tattoos-piercings-body-art?_s=PM:LIVING