I love my tattoos. I have three of them, and each one holds important significance for me, reflecting a period of time in my life, connections to certain themes or people, and also they just look damn cool. I have proudly worn my tattoos for years now, and I adore them. But, I know not everyone is a fan of ink injected into flesh.
Over on The Guardian, a woman published an article about her 21-year-old son getting a tattoo. She was horrified.
I know I’m being completely unreasonable. This level of grief is absurd. He’s not dying, he hasn’t killed anyone, he hasn’t volunteered to fight on behalf of a military dictatorship. But I feel as though a knife is twisting in my guts.
[…] “To me, it seems like self-mutilation. If you’d lost your arm in a car accident, I would have understood. I would have done everything to make you feel better. But this – this is desecration. And I hate it.”
This mother is definitely overreacting, and the article is more useful as a commentary on how parents overstep their role for years after they should, but that doesn’t change the fact that tattoos are still taboo to many people. Even as tattoos become increasingly mainstream, there are those who simply don’t understand them, would never get one themselves, or feel that others shouldn’t either.
I’ve seen more and more people in high-level positions who wear casual wear at work with visible tattoos. Meanwhile, some employers still won’t hire someone if they are showing ink. Do you think tattoos are a sign of poor decision-making? Do you find them offensive in the workplace? Are you grossed out when people use their own bodies as a canvas?
Even those who can appreciate the art of tattoos don’t necessarily like them. I can even consider myself in that group to an extent – I love the look of tattoo sleeves, but I would never get one myself. Then again, I’ve changed my mind about things before… maybe I should get more ink.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.
Last Updated: July 14, 2017
Kikmi
July 14, 2017 at 10:39
YOUR FACE IS GROSS PSSSHHHH
(Ok now let me read the article)
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 10:42
Wow dude!
Kikmi
July 14, 2017 at 10:51
das iss joke ja?
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 11:13
NAH!
Kikmi
July 14, 2017 at 11:13
JAVOL !.!.!.
Caveshen Rajman
July 14, 2017 at 10:41
I’m happy to work at a place that doesn’t mind my tattoos. The only other place I interviewed for after completing university had a hard rule against ’em, and recommended bandaging them EACH DAY or covering them up of course. Thankfully right now I can walk into work with shorts, sandals, and my tattoos in full effect, and nobody particularly minds or tells me not to.
You do still get the odd person who’ll ask in a confounded manner, “But why?” or, “Do you realise you’re ruining your skin?” but for the most part people are supportive, or pro-ink so to speak. So that’s delightful.
The first few times I came home with tattoos, my parents didn’t particularly enjoy it. I always told them beforehand, so it wasn’t some big surprise. But I would get the likes of “What have I done as a parent” and “How can you be my son I don’t know” etc. thrown at me upon returning home with fresh ink. xD
I’m also very grateful to have a trustworthy, relatively affordable tattooist who knows exactly what I want and makes it happen for me every single time. I think tattoos are quickly becoming not just acceptable but encouraged, and that’s pretty darn awesome.
EDIT: I’m currently on 10 tattoos, for what that’s worth. Mostly gaming.
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 10:44
Yo, I’m inked so I am a hardcore MF! Is that how it works? http://2.media.dorkly.cvcdn.com/20/43/b04e9cb874d9f61ffc1d44831e2c14de.gif
Kikmi
July 14, 2017 at 10:51
People are odd things for the most part. Fighting patriarchy and striving for equality but then in the same breath they dont want to vaccinate and vote Trump. There are quite a few banks that have eased up on the stringency of their employees attire, which if you’ve ever worked int he financial industry is quite a big step for big corporate. Then a few shops down the road the afrikaans run dirt bar wouldn’t for a fuck let anyone work for them if they have piercings or tattoos. I think for the most part, the propensity for more old minded folks is actually blinding them to ideals they would otherwise be for. Freedom of speech and the right to do to ones body what they please. Its an odd dichotomy and one that I think will likely endeavor for quite a while. We are such petty creatures.
Tracy Benson
July 14, 2017 at 10:54
I think a lot of the tattoo hate has to do with the “older” generation’s experience with tattoos. People my parent’s age didn’t get tattoos unless they were in the army or something, and they were terrible quality tattoos that aged really, really badly. Hence the “it will look awful when you’re older” etc.
Nowadays, tattoos are good quality (for the most part) and age well (if you take care of them). I remember with my tattoo, my mom was trying to talk me out of it up until the moment I left for my appointment. After seeing my tattoo, now she has one of her own and is planning on more!
Caveshen Rajman
July 14, 2017 at 12:22
Can concur with this. Only ever received criticism from old people, and religious people, oftentimes both.
Tracy Benson
July 14, 2017 at 13:31
Any religious person that says anything about the bible banning tattoos or whatever pisses me off. Yeah the bible also bans mixed fabrics, pierced ears and shaving your beard. Don’t cherry pick from the Old Testament to suit your needs.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 14, 2017 at 13:49
I got that from a religious friend, going to hell for having a tattoo. Like, shut up, you’re a Mormon, you don’t get to lecture me on poor life choices.
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 14:28
HAHA
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 14, 2017 at 10:55
I’ve definitely noticed an increasing trend towards more visible ink. Going to gym I’ve always seen plenty of tattoos, but there’s a marked uptick in the number of sleeves & big leg tats I’ve seen over the last few years.
It’s really subjective, either you like them or you don’t. You also need to be cognisant of your (potential) work environment & expectations around it. Some places it’s fine to have visible ink, others not. I work in a technical environment so guys having tats is nothing remarkable, but I knew a guy with a full sleeve who had to wear long sleeve shirts to work every day to keep it covered.
And yes, they’re permanent. So be damn sure you want one, and you’ll still want and like it in many years time, before getting it. My sister regrets her big biker club tattoo now, mostly because it’s fugly.
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 10:55
Another week, another non gaming FFD….*sighs*
Kervyn Cloete
July 14, 2017 at 11:13
CriticalHit is not Lazygamer. We cover more than just gaming news now, so our discussions need to have the same variety.
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:23
Indeed it is not, however, there hasn’t been one in months
Kervyn Cloete
July 14, 2017 at 11:26
Uhmmm…..
http://www.criticalhit.net/opinion/friday-debate-e3-successful-hyping-certain-games/
http://www.criticalhit.net/opinion/friday-debate-will-win-e3/
http://www.criticalhit.net/gaming/friday-debate-loot-boxes-cheap-trick-keep-hooked-longer/
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:28
2x E3 articles (becoz mandatory for that time period) and then one other. Still, one in 8 weeks?
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:30
OH SHIT A FRIDAY DEBATE ABOUT THE FRIDAY DEBATE https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ba7508dfbe1e96c60dfdde441fbe88d9620afad5fd77cb4e153115eaa9a7e50f.png
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:30
Shit just got real yo
Kervyn Cloete
July 14, 2017 at 11:31
I love a good mass debate!!
Original Heretic
July 14, 2017 at 12:30
Just because we’re gamers, doesn’t mean we like talking about how fat we’re getting.
Chuckles von Clausewitz III
July 21, 2017 at 14:27
🙁 There, there old chum…. I miss lagz too!
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 10:56
I have 2x, and I want some more. But just make SURE of what you are getting, think about it for a month or more, don’t do it on impulse
HairyEwok
July 14, 2017 at 11:20
So basically don’t go pulling a Hangover move.
VampyreSquirrel
July 14, 2017 at 11:01
I have 1 tattoo and most people don’t know it exists… I have another 2 or 3 planned, which I’ve been designing and tweaking over the last 2 yrs.
Some people hate tattoos, some people love them… each to their own.
#chucks2cents
Original Heretic
July 14, 2017 at 11:05
A great tattoo can also be considered a great work of art.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9651ab9f9efb5e64a4fa6914e72920777fa2a7e87b4a21b8c09f6cc16d801f0e.jpg
Gavin Mannion
July 14, 2017 at 11:09
As I said in the company group. You are unlikely to be hired by me in my real job if you have visible tattoos.
What you have under your clothing is your own business but I often have to deal with financial clients, insurance houses and law firms and I can’t have one of my team going in with visible tattoos showing.
It really depends on the industry you are in but I think it’s very short sighted of you to have visible tattoos when you still need employment.
We had a family friend growing up who had tattoos all over and he told us over and over that it was the worst decision of his life and had made employment extremely difficult.
HairyEwok
July 14, 2017 at 11:14
So basically no hiring any Yakuza members XD
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:33
In construction people dont care,
except the German investors… Really crazy.
Caveshen Rajman
July 14, 2017 at 12:17
I just don’t understand this stigma, I mean what do they think people with tattoos will do that people without tattoos wouldn’t do? Last I checked, ISIS don’t have tattoos.
Matthew Holliday
July 14, 2017 at 12:25
There is a stigma attached to tattoos, it has nothing to do with the tattoos, its just… preconceptions and social prejudice.
In Gavins case, its his attitude towards other peoples attitudes. (which I dont entirely agree with)
Caveshen Rajman
July 14, 2017 at 14:33
Yeah, this is something I’ve pointed out to my parents before. Look at this untattooed person who dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy. Look at this untattooed other person who is addicted to drugs. I am responsible, I am independent, I have a degree, why does my choice of getting a tattoo make me worse than these other people? (For example.)
Matthew Holliday
July 14, 2017 at 19:02
tattoos are expensive! One needs a job to afford them.
The stigma should be that tattoos are a mark of wealth and financial stability!
Gavin Mannion
July 14, 2017 at 12:54
I assume they don’t have the best long term decision making skills..
Caveshen Rajman
July 14, 2017 at 14:30
I suppose this can be seen both ways. I mean, speaking personally every tattoo is something I’ve agonised over before going ahead with, and I was meticulous about every aspect of it from design to aftercare. In that sense, I’ve already demonstrated more long-term decision-making than most without tattoos have. On the other hand, a different person might have simply walked in and spontaneously got a tattoo done, and in that case (while I hold no judgement against that person) I would probably agree with you in the context of long-term decision-making. 😛
Avithar
July 14, 2017 at 12:27
This has changed over the years as tattoos became more of an art then before… i interact with CEO’s and COO’s of some of SA biggestest companies and my visable tattoos are a talking point as aposed to being frowned upon.
Matthew Holliday
July 14, 2017 at 12:36
I disagree, and your view is only one step better than the current misconceptions.
With the age of social media and the need to appeal to a larger audience, having high ranking personnel that are “cool” has resulted in in the stigma being less prevalent.
Many of my friends are quite successful and have full sleeves, even going sofar as to intentionally getting tattoos that stick out from under shirt cuffs and collars.
Actually havent heard one friend comment on their tattoos being a hinderance.
The most Ive seen is my friends having to remove the big spacers from their ears. That does seem to be a fairly common deal breaker for employers Ive noticed.
Gavin Mannion
July 14, 2017 at 12:55
what current misconceptions?
I’m not looking for my view to be seen as better or worse than anything. But I’m not alone with my views and that really says it all.
Oh and getting a tattoo to stand out is just dumb. Those are the ones you end up seriously regretting
Matthew Holliday
July 14, 2017 at 13:13
“misconceptions” was probably the wrong word, “attitude toward them” would probably have fit better. would “prejudice” or “bias” fit? Not quite, meh! tip of my tongue!
But, dealing in absolutes is dumb, losing out on a potentially skilled employee, because you don’t think they have good long term decision making skills, which is presumptuous, and because “some others” hold the same opinion, seems like a waste.
Someone else would hire them, what was your loss is someone elses gain.
Meh, the whole debate is pointless though, since the end answer is that your experience says otherwise, and my experience is contrary to that.
Gavin Mannion
July 14, 2017 at 13:24
I did say unlikely, not I won’t.
First impressions and all that.
I do expect you to arrive to an interview in a long sleeve top, pants not shorts and with clean hands and nails and clean shoes..
So if I’m still seeing a tattoo then, well yeah that’s where my prejudice comes in.
Magoo
July 14, 2017 at 13:49
I get it. Client relationship is more important than hiring THAT guy. And some clients might be the mom mentioned in OP.
I also think it is smarter to keep your ink hidden in general. Just as a form of neatness and presentability. You don’t know if in 20 years you might come across an opportunity that tickles your fancy then when 20 years ago you were against anything of the sort and used a tat to express it. For example, anyone in prison ever.
Kervyn Cloete
July 14, 2017 at 11:18
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/18145009760fb395a7b1a7b0c51edee56c41d175b416f408e25e365b1cfd874a.png
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:22
Dammit Debra
Daniel Hallinan
July 14, 2017 at 11:19
I think it’s more accurate to say that Tattoos can be perfectly fine, but it’s *very* easy (and common) to fall for all the traps and get something horrid.
Each design needs careful consideration before jumping in, and going with expensive tattooists is _always_ worth it. I’ve a friend who has severe self image problems, and sees tattoos as a way to beatify herself, but always makes well thought out decisions before getting each tattoo.
…but I also know one or two people who get tattoos indulgently (and, by extension, on the cheap), and it looks horrible. Like, *really horrible*. As in, “facebook group for terrible tattoos” horrible. Never get tattoos indulgently.
There is of course the employment issue, and this is a tricky one because people can easily rationale that “it won’t be a problem” when they’re looking to get the tattoo – but shit like this can hit you hard, so it bears consideration. At very least, I’d advise to avoid getting visible tattoos until you feel comfortable in the job arena.
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:21
If you have Chinese letters as a tattoo, you need prayer
HairyEwok
July 14, 2017 at 11:23
Same for a tramp stamp.
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:24
LOL trampstamp
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:24
I would pay good money for a Trumpstamp just above my ass
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:24
I want to get a tattoo of Hammersteyn on my butt
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:25
Has to be this face O: or you fail
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:25
I have one better, one where he is dressed up as Harley, instant boner
HairyEwok
July 14, 2017 at 11:27
There are those futuristic tattoo’s you can get that actually help you. So it all depends.
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:28
Help you get to the gates of hell
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:28
Your body is a temple fam
HairyEwok
July 14, 2017 at 11:30
I’ve seen temples with graffiti XD
HairyEwok
July 14, 2017 at 11:33
Remember folks, when you get a tattoo you better have…..
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51GCnpIbO%2BL._SX342_.jpg
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:34
No rugrats as well
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 11:35
I remember travelling around China with a friend who has a huge carp on his left leg. Shit was SCARY. We were told in no uncertain terms that it needs to be covered or we would, permanently…
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:37
Get CARPal tunnel syndrome?
BakedBagel
July 14, 2017 at 11:37
Stop this right now
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 11:38
LOL!
HvR
July 14, 2017 at 11:37
Not really a fan myself, will probably not ever get one.
Wife has a couple of small ones which look really nice.
Not an expert have seen some awesome ones but must say majority of tattoos I’ve seen especially big ones look utter crap.
In the end when you get one in a visible place remember everyone has the right to judge and have an opinion. Different cultures, religions and places have different viewpoints on tattoos and images
In the end you are an adult making adult decision of something permanent on your body; live with the consequences.
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:43
FFD about tattoos, and the fish puns come out to play. Heh
HvR
July 14, 2017 at 11:48
Who thought this COD have happened
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 11:54
My work is done…
Magoo
July 14, 2017 at 13:36
Ugh now you’re just fishing for updotes.
Admiral Chief
July 17, 2017 at 09:34
“Updotes”?
😛
Ottokie
July 14, 2017 at 11:49
http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/042/619/4ea.jpg
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 14, 2017 at 11:52
Yes, just move along. Your precious snowflake of a millennial body couldn’t handle getting inked anyway.
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 11:53
He’d prolly get MLP ink
Ottokie
July 14, 2017 at 11:53
And they can on your excess old skin folds?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 14, 2017 at 11:54
Yes. It works like those back covers on MAD magazines. But you’ll probably have to bing that.
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 11:55
BING!? Killing me
Ottokie
July 14, 2017 at 11:56
Just buy them digital now, you can thank the millennials for that.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 14, 2017 at 11:57
You’re right. I do have millennials to thank for soulless digital knickknacks that lack any kind of tactile response. Thank you.
Ottokie
July 14, 2017 at 11:59
Even if they were still in CNA you would not go out the house anyway.
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 11:59
Not when you can get them delivered and avoid all the millennials no
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 14, 2017 at 12:00
CNA? Are they new? What happened to Paperbacks?
Ottokie
July 14, 2017 at 12:00
You try growing up in a one horse town in the middle of pineapple land! xD
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 11:54
hahahahaha OUCH!
Avithar
July 14, 2017 at 11:59
i have 9 different tattoos and i love each 1 of them.
RinceThis
July 14, 2017 at 12:00
But not #6, that one can get gud, am right?
Avithar
July 14, 2017 at 12:25
i actually don’t remember which was number 6 lol
Admiral Chief
July 14, 2017 at 12:06
I wonder how many tattoos Llew has?
Matthew Holliday
July 14, 2017 at 12:23
The times theyr a changing.
Young professionals are becoming more and more prevalent, as such, tolerance for tattoos is more accepted than it once was.
Many of my friends have tattoos, are employed and most of them earn more money than me.
Even schools are more tolerant of them. My sister went rebel and got one on her wrist, during matric, and the teachers barely batted an eyelid, at a private and quite conservative school. They just told her to not make it too obvious.
Magoo
July 14, 2017 at 13:35
Tattoos are fine. But people are going to judge you by them and whether it’s fair or not doesn’t make a difference to their conclusions. So get it for yourself, not for anyone else.
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
July 14, 2017 at 16:34
My body is my temple, and I will decorate the walls as I please.
Though I am respectful for the company I work for, and everything can be hidden with a collared shirt.