On being a heavily tattooed professional

Tattoos have taken on a variety of meanings over time. They’ve been used for religious events throughout the world and by people for self-expression.

However, the problem that still exists in today’s society is that tattoos have long been linked with the mafia, criminals, and general criminality in different countries around the world.

This may have been the trend tens of decades ago, but this is no longer the case.

Tattoos have evolved as a form of creative expression as well as a cultural protest against conventional nuclear beauty standards.

We need to change our professional workforce as a culture to accommodate these new, foreign standards and cease labeling them as unprofessional.

Generations today are more likely earlier to acquire tattoos, most do so in a non-visible location for fear of being unable to find work. But people should not be forced to choose between a job and the freedom to express themselves.

Lucky for me, I’ve been employed in a company that sees what I can contribute to the business and focuses on that, but some employers who are accepting tattooed employees require them to cover up their tattoos.

The world is changing, with more jobs being more accepting towards them. Companies are now starting to figure out that they are potentially ruling out good candidates who can do the job. Hence a job that has always had a conservative form of approach toward its employees is changing in line with modern trends. What wasn’t acceptable once, now is.

But in some cases, people with no visible tattoos are more likely to get hired by industries than those with visible tattoos.

We can’t blame them. Tattoos are a hazy type of personal identity that anybody can easily misinterpret. Here in the Philippines, we usually don’t make a judgment on an artist, vlogger, content-creator, celebrity, or band member’s tattoos because we regard them as a mark of their craft.

It is increasingly seen as an art form, with artists specializing in different styles.

What makes it unacceptable is when people place way too much emphasis on them being permanent or the “what if” question.

“What about ten years from now?”

What about it? Tattoos are commonplace and not as taboo as they once were. People of every race, culture, and social status are getting them. Society is no longer defining or holding a certain stereotype.

Tattoos aren’t really for deviants, criminals, or even heroes; they’re worn by individuals of all kinds, from all walks of life, for a variety of reasons. They are as distinct and significant as the skin we wear, and judging a person only based on their leads to numerous unjustified judgments.

Tattoos have always fascinated me but they are better if they have meaning, whether that is personal, tribal, or a mark of honor or achievement.

Also, I think that it’s part rebellion against those that say, “No you can’t,” and part “Look what I can do.”

It’s not a big deal, the tattoos that I have will be with me forever, and life goes by quickly. We have one life, I don’t think it’s wise to live your life in a way where if you wanted to get a tattoo, you don’t only because “other people” scare you from it.

Do you want ink? Get it. Enjoy it.

The only thing to consider is what other people think of you. I don’t care if people judge me at all. It doesn’t bother me.

There’s nothing wrong with it, objectively, in my opinion. Anyone can put whatever art they want on their body.

At the end of the day, your choice to get or not get tattoos and to judge others with or without tattoos is the same. You can do both, but you should be smart when you do either.

People have to decide for themselves what is right for them.

Tattooed or not, wear your skin as you own it and be proud. That is attractive and appealing.