Tattoo Hatred

I completely disagree. If that makes you happy then I say go for it. I would not have any issue receiving care from someone with a facial tattoo if they were good at their job. I know that's not the way things work in the real world though.

edit: I have one tattoo that's covered and will likely never get anything else. I would rather be able to find work. All I m saying is that there is nothing wrong with self expression to include facial tattoos. Yes it will make employment a challenge but that does not make it a bad decision for everyone in every circumstance.
 
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SeeNoMore said:
Would growing thicker skin change my opinions on this? I am not losing any sleep over it. I've been around EMS long enough to understand that most people don't share most of my views. I also don't disagree with everything that has been said. I agree that it is naive to undergo extensive body modification or tattoos and be surprised by a decrease in employment options. I agree that setting standards of professionalism is essential in gaining the public's trust. I do not agree with blanket statements that certain types of body art represent poor decision making. And I think the tone of some comments has been disrespectful. That is not the same thing as saying people don't have the right to say it.
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You sound like a whiny little two year old. They are peoples opinions. It's ok if you think it is disrespectful. Maybe I think its disrespectful how you are saying everyone who has commented on this has made blankets statements...I don't because I could not care any less, but still, see my point? Most of the people who have commented on this thing have 4 tattoos, as do I with one pretty big one that is visible.

Don't even understand why this thread is still going, so this will be my last post in it.

You either have tattoos knowing that it may hurt a job opportunity, and if your job does allow it then you should know some people don't like them. Who cares. If my pt doesn't want me taking care of them because they don't like tattoos then they more than likely didn't need an ambulance to begin with if they want to be nitpicky.

And lets be real, face tattoos no matter how you look at it, is a poor decision. Even tattoo artists with face tattoos look ridiculous.
 
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I think the Maori pull off facial tattoos pretty well. There is always a right way to do something.

I'd let this guy get a line on me as long as he spoke well and seemed to know what he was doing.
 
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Chewy20 said:
You sound like a whiny little two year old. They are peoples opinions. It's ok if you think it is disrespectful. Maybe I think its disrespectful how you are saying everyone who has commented on this has made blankets statements...I don't because I could not care any less, but still, see my point? Most of the people who have commented on this thing have 4 tattoos, as do I with one pretty big one that is visible.

Don't even understand why this thread is still going, so this will be my last post in it.

You either have tattoos knowing that it may hurt a job opportunity, and if your job does allow it then you should know some people don't like them. Who cares. If my pt doesn't want me taking care of them because they don't like tattoos then they more than likely didn't need an ambulance to begin with if they want to be nitpicky.

And lets be real, face tattoos no matter how you look at it, is a poor decision. Even tattoo artists with face tattoos look ridiculous.
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Let's be real. Your perception of what does of not look ridiculous is not the measure of the validity of people's choices.
 
SeeNoMore said:
I agree that it is naive to undergo extensive body modification or tattoos and be surprised by a decrease in employment options.

I agree that setting standards of professionalism is essential in gaining the public's trust.
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That's all pretty much anyone's been saying here. "If you want to be viewed as a professional in the eye of the public, then - right or wrong - think twice about getting visible ink, because it's often viewed as unprofessional". That's all.

I'm not sure where you are getting the "people here are too socially conservative and closed minded because they think anyone with tattoos is a dirtbag and a loser". I haven't seen any such sentiments here at all. In fact I haven't seen any anti-tatoo statements at all, outside of how they affect perception of professionalism.

What specifically are you talking about?
SeeNoMore said:
I do not agree with blanket statements that certain types of body art represent poor decision making.
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But yet you did agree, in the post I quoted above.

How can you acknowledge the real-world fact that "it is naive to undergo extensive body modification or tattoos and be surprised by a decrease in employment options", yet say that voluntarily do so doesn't represent poor decision making, for one who hopes to have employment options in a field where again, right or wrong - appearance matters?

Voluntarily ingoring the fact that a given decision you make will often be viewed as unprofessional and will likely limit your employment options is the definition of poor decision making.

I really don't even understand what you are in disagreement with. You said the same thing most of the rest of us "anti-tatoo" folks said, just with different phraseology.
 
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I am only saying that just because certain types of tattoos or body modification are a bad idea for those seeking Ems employment does not mean they are a bad choice for everyone in society.
 
SeeNoMore said:
I am only saying that just because certain types of tattoos or body modification are a bad idea for those seeking Ems employment does not mean they are a bad choice for everyone in society.
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No one else is saying that either. I haven't seen a single post on here that is anti tattoo for everybody all the time. Most of us on "this side" of the argument have tattoos.
 
Sure, the Maori can pull off a face tattoo...but that doesn't apply here at all. Completely different culture that has no bearing on ours....Here, the professional culture says face tattoos are Bad and extremely unprofessional. While there clearly is a minority that believes otherwise as evidenced by the fact there is even a debate here, the simple fact is the vast majority of professional employers (including the vast majority of EMS public and private) will take one look at an applicant with a facial tattoo and file their application in the circular filing bin. Maybe in 50 years our culture will change, but for now, the simple fact is that is the Truth. And it's not exactly a secret...it's been that way here since forever. Even visible ink on arms, it's well known most employers with military style uniforms (read pretty much all LE, Fire, EMS here in the States) generally mirror the military in that tats need to be covered up in non PT uniforms.
 
Let me cut to the chase: I am covered in tattoos and honestly? No one really gives a ****. What family member is going to say "uh excuse me... girl with the tattoos...can you stop doing compressions? Your appearance is making me uncomfortable".

When I first started out in EMS, I was convinced I would never find a job, employers wouldn't hire me, I would be looked down upon by my peers, community, patients...etc etc.. blah blah blah. All this stigma, all these dumb threads like this made me so anxious. GUESS WHAT!? Contrary to popular belief, if you have tattoos, YOU TOO CAN GET A JOB!

Here is what I have learned through the years.

Middle aged folks: Most likely not too fond of them, but by now they probably have a child, or grandchild who has tattoos. Some of these people are real class acts and I jokingly say it's never too late to get a tattoo! At this point of the conversation they tell me their life regrets and what they should have done when they were younger... (depressing). On the flip side some of them are real jerks but hey, thats just, like your opinion man. (watch the big lebowski for that reference)
Geriatrics: They can't see very well. If they can, they try to touch me and tell me what pretty pictures I have on my arm. (You would be a surprised at how many older people have tattoos)
Peds: My "pretty pictures" are a good distraction.
20's-30's: "Cool tats, who does your work? Are they local? I have a (remarkably crappy) tattoo on my arm. ISN'T IT COOL?" cue the eye rolling in my head. Continue with my assessment.
Adolescents: "I want tattoos! My parents wont let me get tattoos! You're so lucky! UGH!" (That's nice honey. Now please tell me what drugs you took so you don't die)
Psych: (see Peds category)
Combative, BAMF's aka (too cool for school) : You know those patients who are just too bad *** to utter one friggen sentence? Listen here brother. Answer my dang questions! I'm not a square. See? I'm not like those other guys. I have TATTOOS. We can RELATE. I'M A BAMF just like you. homie. (hahah this one is far fetched)

Sick people: "........" yeah. exactly. Critical patients and family DO.NOT.CARE. I repeat they DO.NOT.CARE.


There's more to this whole topic than looking professional. I am ALL ABOUT tucked in shirts, pulled back hair, well fitting pants with a belt and polished boots. I am a professional. I know my role. I take pride in my uniform, in my appearance and what I represent. I just so happen to have tattoos. And most of the time I use those tattoos to my advantage. (see above list) I am pretty good at recognizing when they need to disappear.
I always cover them up for meetings, interviews, con eds, PR stuff.. but on duty, if there is not a policy in place, well then. I am going to dress like any other professional employee and continue to use my best judgement.


Now my only concern (if you want to call it that) is management.
If any future employer wants them covered at all times, cool. I have no problems with that.

The only "complaint" I ever really received was from a patients husband who said I wasn't contributing to society because I had tattoos. That's one I keep in my laugh bank. It's a running joke at work now. "Hey Nay, you going to contribute to society today?" oh dear....

The END.
 
So you have tattoos, cover them when required, leave them out when not. Some of your patients think they are cool, some do not. You've even been (incorrectly) stereotyped by a patient's family based on your tats. And while most normal people (customers and management) don't care either way, if you were required to cover during work you would?

^this my friends, is the epitome of what we are talking about. If you want to cover yourself in tattoos, thats great I hope you have a talented artist. But don't be surprised when some one passes judgment on first sight. Is it fair? No. Is it to be expected? Yes. And if your employer asks you to where long sleeves while on duty, just do it. This isn't a human rights issue, its not as big a deal as some are making it.
 
I covered myself in tattoos long before I even got into EMS. I do have some pretty craptastic tattoos, none vulgar (thank god). Do I regret it? Sort of. If I had a million dollars I would probably get half of them zapped off. But delusional 19 year old me thought I would end up a famous tattoo artist in Berlin. (bahahaha) Anyway, I've made it work. And if you are covered in tattoos and are new to EMS you better develop a thick skin and get used to rejection and snide, unwarranted comments. Actually, in EMS, you better have thick skin (whether it be covered in ink or not). There will ALWAYS be a situation in which someone will just not want your care.

I don't think tattoos will ever be truly accepted with open arms in any profession unless its a tattoo shop. And I don't really care. I used to make myself the victim and blame society. Whatever. We are not perfect.

I have my own biases as well. I know a few obese providers who waddle around covered in grease, shirts untucked, boots unzipped. I do not want their beads of sweat dripping on me if I ever need an ambulance.... but I digress..
 
Everything is made up and the points don't matter.

I'd like my points back for not referencing that reference.
 
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