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11:29AM Sunday 05 July, 2009

Tattoo trouble

12:00a.m. 22nd November 2008

| By Nathan Woulfe

Poll: Are tattoos trouble?

This poll has closed. See the results.

Responses to letter about tattoos that was published in the Daily last week has sparked a flood of responses both for and against the ancient art.

While several respondents have claimed tattoos are nothing more than intimidatory body bastardisation that severely jeopardises employment prospects, more have defended the art as a personal choice or “an expression, an emotion, a time of your life you want to remember and even an enjoyable, addictive pain,” as one wrote.

Take Buddina 26-year-old James Daly.

James has covered about one-third of his body with ink and has plans for plenty more, but at the same time, manages one of the Coast’s biggest pubs.

In the past seven years, James estimates he has spent well over $2000 on tattooing, a figure that has grown in line with his income.

He said his body art had not affected his employment.

“I wear long sleeves (and) no one notices,” he said.

“The only visible one is on the back of my neck, just a Japanese symbol – most people don’t even notice it.

“I’ve got all my right arm done, my right-side chest, stomach, leg, the back of my neck and whole back.”

Maroochydore’s Aaron Brown shared a similar view.

The 20-year-old retail assistant described himself as on the way to being heavily tattooed, but kept his art out of sight.

“I have never had one problem or remark on any of my forms of artwork,” he said.

“In my opinion most of the bad and dim views people once had for tattoos and tattooists have been abolished along with slavery and the like.”

Andrew Ewan, CEO of employment group Cadet, said tattoos did not appear to be an issue for Coast employers.

“Not from what we’ve seen – it depends on the role,” he said.

“It depends on the employer and the environment they are going into – if someone is basically covered on their arms and looking to go into a front-line customer service role, they’d be advised to wear long sleeves.”

Mr Ewan said employers placed more importance on skills and experience.

Recent Comments

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Posted by vanga from caloundra
on 22 November, 2008 at 5:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
maybe someone got confused with the nursing mum

SHOW US YA TATS
Posted by LUMBERJACK from Maroochydore
on 22 November, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
To some people they`re tuff stickers to others they`re body art or a way of expressing a important lifes moment for ever, to each their own.
Posted by nostradamus from Bli Bli
on 22 November, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's mind boggling to me how people who don't like tattoos or piercings think that a person is incapable of doing their job because they have a tattoo or piercing. I don't understand how someone is considered less professional because they chose to show their individuality. I was once told the difference between people who have tattoos and those who don't are the people with tattoos don't discriminate against those who do not have one. How true this is.
Perhaps if people weren't so judgemental and ignorant then the people who choose to get tattoos wouldn't be considered a second class citizen.
Old fashion values are really outdated in this day and age.
Posted by cantabcoaster from Cotton Tree
on 22 November, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Lets face it you dont see many brain surgeons who are covered in tatts,i guess theres a reason for that
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 22 November, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Individuality?

Yes, oh these people are 'so original' with their individuality permanently etched into their flesh.

This look is trash. Let's not forget where tattoos originated from....Prisioners.....

It looks unprofessional, and has no place in the workplace. IF you want to put graffiti on your body, pierce your nose, your tongue or any other part of your face....I don't want to see it. I am disgusted when trying to order a meal from someone whose lip has a big ugly ring in it, or has a hook hanging out of their nostril with a nice piece of booger hanging off it because they can't distinguish from a piece of metal or the need to blow their nose.

It is trash.
Posted by sorbent from West Woombye
on 22 November, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I consider people who have tattoes & or body piercing to be mentally deficent to desecrate their bodies in such a way. I definitely would not consider them for employment, as for the people who say they cover them up to attend work it shows they are ashamed of what they have done to their body, then you have the other gooses who get around with minimum clothing, especially in winter, to show of the desecration of their body
Posted by oldskool74 from mudjimba
on 22 November, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
every "TRY HARD" and "WANNABE" is lining up for a tattoo or some form of mutilation to show how "HARD CORE" they are. Nothing even remotely original about Tattoos
Posted by ellah from yandina
on 22 November, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
snkoz... tattoos did not originate with prisoners!!
the act of tattooing is over 5000 years old and mean various different things in different cultures.
i challenge any one of you who say tattooed people are deficient in the mind to go up to a maori with personal tribal tattoos and say it to their faces. granted their are some people who dont think tattoos through and get them as more of a cool thing to do who get tattoos that they dont know the meaning to but for the bulk of heavily tattooed people, each one means something special.

just because it is not in your personal taste doesn't mean they are mentally insane...
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 23 November, 2008 at 1:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ellah.....What I was refering to, was where caucasians get their need for tattoos...It began in the prision system, and had nothing to do with honoring a Maori.

In fact, I bet the Maoris roll over with laughter, looking at how ridiculous all you 'originals' think you are.

Yep, you're one of a kind.
Posted by gill_alex from alexander headland
on 23 November, 2008 at 5:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
original? in aus? haha! when my nephew expressed interest in getting a tattoo, my husband said to him.. why be a conformist....?!

each to own....however to do think piercings are unhygenic...and nose piercings only look good if you are also wearing a sari...otherwise its just like a big pimple.yuk - i would employ someone with a small tat...but not half their body...you need to ask why..?
Posted by gypsy_girl_72 from little mountain
on 23 November, 2008 at 5:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
You have got to be kidding me.The mind set of some of these people is ridiculous.What day n age do we live in.Tattooed people are apparently not as mentally competent as those that don't have tattoos.How stupid is that.On ya ellah,very good comment.Tattoos have been around for far longer then most ppl know and it is a form of art.Tattooing did not originate from prisoners.Ppl if your going to make prejudice comments then at least get your facts right.As for tattooed ppl having trouble gaining employment,I have two jobs and was recently offered another two jobs and I have 13 tattoos.What narrow mindedness .How does covering up your tattoos transform into being ashamed of them?Hello it is called respect for your employer.What an extremely unintelligent comment.I don't think too many ppl would want to work for someone soo judgmental,prejudiced and narrow minded.So sorbent if someone has a highly visible scar does that mean you won't employ them,or someone who is disfigured in some manner.How is it soo different?How can one be soo judgmental? Have you ever thought to take into account someones personal situation?No of course not having tattoos just makes one stupid hey.Some people have really pathetic lives feeling the need to judge others based on their appearance,very shallow indeed.I personally find tattoos and piercings very attractive and would date a guy with tattoos and piercings before i would a guy without. I say each to their own,if ya don't like them then don't get them,pretty simple.
Posted by elonii from Buderim
on 23 November, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hmmm.... interesting one. I have a tattoo and I didn't notice any considerable decrease in my IQ score as soon as the ink touched my skin. In fact, after my tattoo I graduated from Uni with a first class degree, did my masters year, and now run my own marketing business.

I don't consider my tat a desecration, but now that I'm 15 years older and I hope a little wiser... I certainly don't consider it to be pivotal to my personality, nor does it define me. I think a good tat looks great, and lets face it... I'm in the up-and-coming generation of employers. When I interview a potential staff member its their abilities I'm interested in. They could paint themselves blue and pierce every orifice for all I care, so long as they don't bunk off work to surf and actually do what I need from them - nothing else really matters!

They are rapidly becoming the norm, regardless of what those who dislike them think. So all you tat haters... get used to them. They're here to stay!!

I do agree with the comment about boogies hanging off nose piercings though. That is a bit of a yuk, and its one of the reasons I decided to take my nose piercing out many moons ago!
Posted by chocbeach from kings beach
on 23 November, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
i have a small tatoo on each shouler.each one signify a certain point in my life and they mean a lot to me.iv had my own business for 26 years and have found no decrease in trade at all.my ability to contribute to society is still paramount.i give blood on a regular basis,speak4 languages,and have supported a balinese family of 4 for seven years,i dont use the f word in the company of women and im crime free.maybe my tats are the decline of me but im yet to notice it.to the rednecks,take a trip to samoa and see how tatooing is done.a small hammer and pig tusk.all chiefs have almost full body art and its a sign of greatness.wake up you bigots and look around.tatoos are here to stay
Posted by pharq2 from Mt Coolum
on 23 November, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The only difference between tattooed people and non tattooed people is that tattooed people don't care that you are not tattooed.
Posted by bendertiger from Calamvale
on 23 November, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Tat's don't affect your employment prospects, after all, I'm clean shaven, cut hair, no tattoo's and still unemployed...
Posted by nostradamus from Bli Bli
on 23 November, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
After reading these comments, I am now assuming that snkoz is a very wealthy world leader, who has cured a disease or two, owns many successful businesses and is in line for the next nobel prize. I am also assuming that cantabcoaster is in the medical industry or has brain surgeons as friends for having such an insight - because all surgeons walk around the hospital in shorts, tank tops and thongs parading their art work, I am also sure they choose not to wear the gowns in surgery to show off any new ink jobs!
As for a career in Hungry Jacks, I am not sure if you have noticed but Hungry Jacks like McDonald's employee 15 year olds, so therefore it is HIGHLY unlikely that you will have a tattooed person serving you as it is illegal to get a tattoo until you are 18 years of age. Which brings me to another point, how would a successful, wealthy and intelligent person like snkoz be aware that people with piercings and tattoos serve you at these businesses? Surely someone of this calibre would not be seen in such an establishment.
You can get your licence before you are allowed to get a tatt.
I want to know how to look professional. Because the term 'professional' is also given to the escort industry and the ladies who walk the streets at night - is that how a professional should look?
An ancient art that has been practiced for thousands of years is ridiculed by someone who is scared of what exactly?
I'll bet these people against body art are also against gay couples, mixed race couples and single parents - because that's not how it is meant to be is it in 1950?
Posted by sjk89 from mdore
on 23 November, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
im a 19 chick and i have 2 tattoos, 6piercings and fleshies. yet i also work at one of the biggest retail stores on the coast. there are a number of us working there with tats, and that doesnt affect our work. tattoos are a very personal thing for someone to get, and for people to pass judgement on others just because they are expressing something that meant so much to them that they wanted it on them for life is stupid and inconsiderate. get over it!
Posted by goatracer from caloubdra
on 24 November, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I just wish we had so many young women going down the "Tramp Stamp" path 30 years ago.It would have made it a hell of a lot easier to "right off" the dodgy element and find a decent young lady that didn't look like she's just been rolling around on a wet comic book
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 24 November, 2008 at 3:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh, and Cantabcoaster...I would have to agree with you. In fact, I have several friends in the medical community.

One friend is a dentist. Keep doing what you're doing when you pierce your tongue.....he loves it. It causes you to chip the enamel in your teeth, making a need to see him more often than those who do not disfigure their face.
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 24 November, 2008 at 4:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
oldskool74: I could not agree with you more. The one's who will be truly individual, are those of us to choose to honor our bodies as God created them, and accept this beauty as that which is truly original.

All you other fools are merely clones.
Posted by sjk89 from mdore
on 24 November, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
clones??
i havent come across many people with the same tattoos?
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 24 November, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
sjk89- how on earth do you possibly think you look any different than those who are as goatracers put is 'as looking as if they'd rolled over a wet comic book'?

It's all ink, it's all disfigurating your otherwise clean canvas...it's just simply the look of white trash, and it's ugly.
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 24 November, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh and by the way, there's a lot of duplicate tattoos out there. That's why those so called artists use a little tool called a template.
Posted by Lookingin from Ilkley
on 24 November, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Great feedback. I am considering a tatoo of my scottish clan shield, and nothing in these blogs has swayed me away from the idea. Pull your head out of the sand and keep up with the times. In this world of self expression, this is just another page. Do we also start on musicians, politicians, doctors , lawyers. I`m sure the ink doesn`t penetrate the personality.
Posted by nostradamus from Bli Bli
on 24 November, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Tattoo artists use templates yes but then they also add their own interpretation onto the design therefore making it an original.

You cannot judge someone for having a piercing or tattoo the same way you are not allowed to judge someone by the colour of their skin or their religious beliefs.
Posted by nostradamus from Bli Bli
on 24 November, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I can't see how any 'decent' young lady would be interested in a person who would dictate how a lady is to look and behave in this day and age. Imagine all those bras burned in the 60's & 70's to get equal rights for women only to be told 30 - 40 years down the track that ladies must behave and act in a certain way once again!
Posted by snkoz from alexandra headland
on 24 November, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
There is nothing decent looking about a head full of tattoos, or a nose with a ring in it, or a one of those piercings through the forehead.

If you consider women like this "ladies", well...good luck with that. I am sure you'll make each other very happy.
Posted by starfish from Battery Hill
on 24 November, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I cannot believe the narrow-mindedness of some of these comments!!!!!

Seriously, in Australia we have this thing called ...
FREEDOM OF CHOICE!!!!

If you don't like tats or piercings, fine. For Pete's sake, get a life!!!!!
Posted by madmick from kawana
on 24 November, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I find it amazing that people can be so ignorant to judge someone by how they look when really untattooed people don't know what it's like to be tattooed but tattooed people know what it's like to be untattooed maybe if people could live and let live the world could be a better place
Posted by niffy from Yandina
on 24 November, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have a tattoo over my scar, and I get heaps of nice comments.. and last but not least, I haven't seen many tattoos exactly the same...
Posted by marlin from Yandina
on 25 November, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I am almost embarressed by the comments of some people here. There are far more important issues to concern yourselves with. Get over it! If you don't like tattoos, don't get one, but respect those who choose to. I find some comments very distasteful and narrow-minded. And as for "brain surgeons" not having any.....I have worked with neurosurgeons and most of them, while great surgeons are VERY boring people!!! I enjoy looking at interesting tattoos and one day may be brave enough to get one that represents my life and my children, but I don't think that will suddenly change my personality or make me a lesser person.
Posted by wendy from Yandina
on 25 November, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This whole debate is easily fixed, for all those people who don't like tattoo's, you don't have to get one. It's as simple as that. What or who will you pick on next?, people who wear purple!
Posted by seadog from Sunshine Coast
on 25 November, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Whats wrong with wearing purple?? lol

Funny debate, and I use that term loosely. The whole argument is entirely polarised.. those who like tats and those who don't.

I am in the middle ground.. I don't have any tattoos .. my wife and two of my kids do.

If I had some desire to put a permanent picture on my skin I guess I would.

Must admit though that I prefer the look of skin without them... probably why I haven't got any. :)
Posted by JustThinking from Kawana
on 25 November, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Each to his/her own as long as they've worked for and earnt the money to pay for a tatt. But do so at your own peril as there are employers who won't employ if there are visible tattoos as it's just not a suitable look and impression for their business...and they have the right to feel that way. Afterall, it is their business they're running.

Having said that, I'm 47 today (yes, Happy Birthday to me...thank you) and for my 50th I intend to get a small (very small) feminine tattoo on my shoulder where it can be covered. I'm not getting it to show off to the world...I'm getting it for me. I've always been employed, run my own business and have raised/still raising three very, nice young ladies. I think my iq is of a reasonable level.

I did have to giggle at my elderly father slanging off people who 'desecrate' the perfectly good body god gave them by getting a tattoo. He was slanging them off inbetween rolling a cigarette and taking a swig of his beer...both of which he was putting in to the perfectly good body that god gave him.
Posted by sbb123 from Noosa Heads
on 25 November, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
People are Black,White,Asian etc People are mentally challenged,scared,poor,rich what ever! stop judging people weather they have inc or not. Who really cares everyone has there own right to do what they want!
Posted by bb from Palmwoods
on 25 November, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's a beautiful thing to find someone who doesn't feel the need to adorn themselves with tattoos and piercings, but to just exude natural beauty as they are!!
Posted by larabelle from Palmwoods
on 26 November, 2008 at 12:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
An Uncle of mine has got a tattoo on his arm (which he proudly shows off) to remind him of his time in the army serving the country that he loves. My Brother has a tattoo of his kids as a symbol of his love for them & I have friends who all got the same tattoo in memory of their mother.
Now all these people have done so for personal reasons & none of them are shy to either show them off or explain why they got them.
For those who don't like tattoos (& you'd be surprised at how there are actually few more than 1 would've thought)...DON'T LOOK!!!
Posted by ellah from yandina
on 26 November, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
its funny reading through these comments, the people who have tattoos or know someone with a tattoo all seem to be coherent people with well thought out comments. I think people need to stop looking at what people do to their own bodies and worry about their own. I have no tattoos and only ear piercing, but that doesnt make me any better than my friends who have chosen to tattoo themselves.

Some people are just too snobby for their own good.
Posted by game2 from buderim
on 27 November, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have recently had a tattoo at the age of 39. The man that did my tattoo was covered in them. At first I was a bit scared but when I started talking to him I found him to be kind and gentle. We also had a few things in common. Stop judging people by the way they look, Maybe they have had a different journey than you and their live choices haven't been all that wise but they are still human beings.
Posted by fdigital from Buderim
on 27 November, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
As far as I'm concerned, anyone that is willing to come on here and make negative comments on other peoples personal decisions - eg. tattoos, needs to be beaten with a large hickory stick.

Likewise anyone that judges people for their personal appearance.

Sometimes people shouldn't have the right to an opinion.

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