Hi guys, I'm 26 years old and working full time in airline operation. I've been thinking about getting tattoos for long time since I graduated from uni, I am not a wannabe gangster or musician, simply like tattoo as a form of art. I would like to get full sleeves done however I worry that tattoos may affect my work or daily life as people nowadays still relate someone who is heavily tattooed as someone been marginalized by the society.
Please share your opinions, many thanks!
Do you have tattoos and do you regret getting them?
CharityCase on 24/11/2016 - 13:31
Last edited 24/11/2016 - 13:32
Last edited 24/11/2016 - 13:32
Poll Options
- 91I have tattoos and never regret getting them
- 48I have tattoos but I regret getting them
- 11I don't have tattoos but will get some in the future no matter what
- 145I want to have tattoos but will think carefully before getting them
Comments
Since this is OzBargain I will say one thing - they're not OzBargainer-friendly. If you're like the countless backpackers I meet travelling, you will become addicted to getting "just one more tattoo". Especially if travelling in Asia or South America. The art itself may become irrelevant but the impulsive need to get that extra tattoo may not dissipate for a while - if ever.
A common complaint I've heard from women with easily visible tattoos is that they HATE how their tattoos have become almost universal conversation starters. The tattoo wears you.
Personally, I have a fear of commitment. I can't tolerate being constantly exposed to the same movies, the same books, the same art or even the same people. I've got natural scars to remind me that not everything can be changed. Perhaps tattoos can help to overcome commitment-phobia but meh.
What are you talking about? OzBargain is all about buying more stuff. Haha!
But yeah, tattooing is expensive and you kinda want more after your first. :)
But their mentality seems to be quite conservative from what I've seen. It's not the best mix of opinions. Better off asking this question elsewhere.
What is a natural scar?
Presumably, you're not referring to your umbilicus…
Nah, Pete's still tethered to the mother ship 😉😉
I got a tattoo when I was 21, back when I thought I was top shit and, frankly, an (profanity). Got a really basic geometric tattoo on my upper back that I assigned too much faux importance onto. Went through a period of regret a few years later as it reminded me of my most cringe-worthy moments but now I'm at peace with it. Whenever people ask me what it means my standard response is that it is a constant reminder to not be an (profanity).
i have two. the first one i did was after i had an accident where i was left with a 16cm visible scar and indentation on my thigh. i thought to myself, i have this marking that i didnt choose, and i am going to 'mark' myself with something of my choosing. i did a love heart with snowflakes in the middle of my back, albeit now its a bit childish but i dont regret it and often forget that its there :)
2nd one is on the side of my neck, only visible when i tie my hair up, also an impulse but no regrets, more like an 'oh its there' when i see it. parents hated it though :)
Don't get face, neck or hands.
I don't have but I found some are really cool.
I have two full sleeves which I got both done in my thirties (a few years ago).
I'd recommend you hold off until you're 30 because by the time you're 30 you (usually) will have your shit together enough to know what you'll like and dislike and know whether it's a sensible idea.
I work from home now for a well known American web company so it doesn't matter at all what I wear or how I look, but before this working in more conservative offices I'd simply wear long sleeve shirts and no one even knew I had tattoos, let alone full sleeves.
My indecisive and unstable nature tends for me to lean towards the don't get a tattoo side because you will think it's cool for five minutes then be just like whelp this is my life now.
Or wow you used pocket money for a nice new home theatre set up on your arm or you could have that latest phone laptop or computer or console right now but instead here is a dragon.
It comes and goes. Honestly I do want one maybe a small one on my arm somewhere just so I can cross it off my bucket list just have not figured out what design to put on yet.
Honestly I do want one maybe a small one on my arm somewhere just so I can cross it off my bucket list just have not figured out what design to put on yet.
How about a checkmark ✓ done in skin colour?
Haha that is actually a good one knowing my forgetfulness nature I won't even know it was there.
If you make a dubious decision for all the public to see, it's human nature to defend this, lest you look like an idiot.
it's human nature to defend this,
And if you fail, you look like an even bigger idiot.
The smarter idiots learn from their mistakes and move on. But with tattoos, those mistakes are exhibited on their skin forever.
I have a full sleeve (left arm) as my first tattoo. My PERSONAL opinion is, if you do it once, do it right. I'm not a fan of single tattoos therefore i opted for a full piece. People do look at you differently but who cares right?
I would recommend you find something you absolutely like then go for it. I also suggest taking into consideration of some of the comments above about the "waiting" period. I saw something I liked one week and decided I was getting that the next.
I don't regret it one bit.
People will say the usual "that'll stay there for life" and whatnot, well no shit.
edit: I usually wear long sleeved stuff so you can't see it. I usually wear long sleeve stuff for work to cover it up, not because i have to, its because i want to.
When you see people with neck or face tattoos and you can almost see your tax money feeding them welfare….
EDIT: All my tattoos can be covered by my shirt. Fun to get. It is like putting a sticker on the inside of your macbook.
I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with tats - it's just that the majority of the ones out there seem to be seriously f***ing ugly.
Yes, If I wouldn't hang that picture on my wall, why would I want it on my body.
Because it's your
命運
NOTE: Apologies to the many Chinese users if this doesn't make sense - I just Google translated "destiny" - which I'm pretty sure is all people do when getting Chinese calligraphy tattooed on themselves.
Not chinese but I can read it, and people love getting weird translated phrases with horrible font (comic sans equivalent lol)
I have total of 9 tattoos all hidden except 1 which on the neck.
Had trouble at starting finding jobs but it's all good now and even started getting complimentsI think people have started being more inclusive since pretty muck everyone have them these days
No they really haven't.
People are just more willing to learn that you're not a thug, but you still have to prove yourself.
When we watch the news, anytime there is a thug on … 90% of the time they have visible tattoos… 90% of the population don't have tattoos.
Tattoo's will be associated with thugs and fools for a long time coming.
Rugby League players and their antics are prime examples of Tattoos and bad behaviour
That's a really sad outlook and analysis of someone having tatts. Just people someone has 'visible' tattoos and they're on the TV doing someone morally / ethically wrong, doesn't make them a 'thug'.
There are also alot of news stories that are covered with people without tatts.
That's life everyday you walk down the street and you see strangers you're making a snap stereotypical judgement on them.
Visible tattoo's… Sleeve Tattoo's as per what the Op what want has a very bad linkage… no different to some one walking towards you wearing what ever is the current bad boy clothing/hairstyle
I use to have a hairstyle with my clothing choice that was quite individual, that what most 'bad people' co opted, I just liked the style.
I accepted the fact that I was always targeted by security where ever I went, that people would walk across the street when they saw me. That's the warning I'm and others are giving the Op.
You may not be a bad person but you're choosing to adopt something that bad people identify with.
Then you're contributing to the problem with people stereotyping and judging people at first sight all because your experience, media, teachings, upbringing and so many internal and external factors that made you feel that way.
Sure there are logical judgements such as walking across the street at night, if you're about to walk towards a group of people to feel safe etc.
But making snap judgements is what's wrong with people. This goes for personal and professional life. I worked in retail and my manager would say stuff like "don't be with that person too long, looks like he/she is not going to buy anything"… if fact he's wrong. The not well dressed people are most likely the wealthiest in a casual environment.
There's different kinds of judgement based on environments. I provided examples, I am not going to repeat myself. And for a fact, I used to judge people based on their clothes etc but I don't anymore. I'm desensitised to the whole jdugement thing. Why should I care if I am in a shopping centre and judge people around me? What's the point? They're there to shop. Also when I got to my tattoo parlour, im there to get a tattoo and NOT judge what other people get….. you tell me how judging other people in a negative way will positively impact your life
The premise everyone is focusing on areas that may effect you, not those that don't.
The OP wants a sleeve tattoo… not small butterfly on his back.
You're old enough and seem sensible enough to do what you want but.. everyone has a sleeve, very trendy with the cool kids (cough cough), and you will be judged. Like it or not, it may impact you in future situations. I have a tat, it's well concealed, but even then it sometimes draws unwanted attention. By all means do what you feel you need to do, just know that it's a 1 time deal so best think long and hard about it.
All these people professing to have tatts, but then saying they're always covered.
Begs the question: why get them?
Actually this wasn't meant to be a reply lol
…For the times that you're not a work + personal reasons. Silly question.
If you're getting Tata to show off to other people or make a statement you're generally doing it for the wrong reasons. It's generally a personal thing.
because of how everyone who doesnt have a tattoo judges them. Im really surprised by the amount of people in this post are against them. Some almost have a vandetta against them commenting on all the pro-tattoo posts.
Because its possibly life changing.
Kinda like how most Asian's have an western name, way before these studies from around the world and Australia proved it… Asian's have long known having an ethnic name reduces their employment chances.
Name you can change, a sleeve tattoo is another thing altogether.
Everyone wants to be able to be their individual self… most of people are quite fake at work actually. We're fake at work to ensure things go smoothly.
A few years ago, a workmates said I was too conservative to get a tat, so I went to get one straight after work. The tat artist, said "what did you want?" and I said I had no idea. He asked me what I like, or am passionate about and I said "xbox". So now I'm stuck with the four coloured buttons on my wrist. I used to try and cover it up in business situations but now I don't care. People are far more accepting these days.
You are a fearless boss mate!
Jesus Christ…
Depending on your job in the airline industry, check with HR on the policy. Flight attendants, as I understand it, cannot have visible tats. It may vary with each airline, so it is worth checking. Baggage handling or mechanic, etc… should be up to you.
I got a tribal type tattoo 20 years ago before they were common because it was a slightly rebellious thing to do, and I thought I was hot sh1t as a result. Now that every Tom Dick and Harry has one it is a bit embarrassing. In fact now it is more of a statement to not have a tattoo. Tattoos are like babies, everyone thinks theirs is special and unique but in reality noone notices and to everyone else they all look the same.
True …. very true!
I wanted to get a tat for the last 10 years or so… I postponed because I didn't like how old people look with tats on them.
Now, I'm glad that I waited as I see a lot of people with tats and it's nothing special anymore. In fact, the opposite, you're special if you have none :)
I recall getting a tattoo somewhere between 4 and 5 years old with a friend and his adult relative. Of course ours were temporary. I certainly regretted it - but can't remember if that was because I didn't like the design, or because of the trouble that followed after my mum find out I had been taken to a tattoo parlour.
It's one of my few moments of clarity from my preschool years, and it took me a lot of effort in my adult years to teach myself not to immediately associate tattooed people with trouble. Still I will never get one.
I have no tattoos but have a son who is spending a lot of money to get one removed. Might be wise to know what is involved in removal before proceeding. This site has information and some useful links:
http://www.medilase.com.au/May I ask why he wants to get it removed ?
Ask this question to Melton West in Victoria, i actually say a dude there once with the F-Word tattooed across his knuckles.
Prison Tat…
I think as long as you can cover them comfortably if required theres no harm. Everyone judges, even people with tattoos. There are some ugly fugly tattoos out there.
For those thinking about tattoos. I recommend getting the art you want and making it your phone wallpaper. Leave it like that for a couple of months and if you still like the art then go for the tattoo.
Would your chosen image look good on a portly, wrinkled 60 year old? That could be you down the track.
Here's an idea. Think of a really nice design for a shirt and have it custom made. But don't stop at one. Buy enough so that you will be able to display the same image for the rest of your life.
Fashions change, our tastes change. Why would you want to make such a lifetime choice that you ae stuck with for the rest of your life.
As Mikinoz suggested, get some temporary ones to try. But get plenty of the same design. Or better, choose option 6 instead.
But when you're 60 and wrinkly, would you really care?
Never had and never wanted one. Though, I like to see interesting tattoos. They are so rare.
Should be an option for "I don't have any tattoos and have no desire to get one"..
edit.. someone already posted this above.
My friend wanted an eagle tattoo from a street artist at a fair, it looked like a harassed pigeon .
I've thought about getting tattoos occasionally … but quickly discounted the idea each time based on the simple phrase "You can't improve on perfection" ;)
I can kind of relate, I have trouble being humble because of how great I am.
At 26, you have around 60 years to live (statistically).
So, the awesome, cool, sick, gangster, phat, grouse, neato, unreal, bonza, swell, (insert superlative de jour here) design you settle on after weeks or months of deliberation will be displayed on your person for quite some time to come. Specifically, more than twice as long as you have already been alive.For argument's sake, let us imagine the doyen of budgie smugglers, Tony Abbott, had gotten a tattoo at 26. That would have been in the year 1983.
Ahh…..1983, when the Ford Telstar was car of the year, the median house price in Melbourne was $52k, and it was illegal for gay couples to have sex in Sydney. Bob Hawke became PM and a teenaged Nicole Kidman starred in BMX Bandits.Now, everyone's favourite onion-muncher (who recently turned 59) could still be proudly rocking ink reflecting the contemporary choice of aesthetics he was forward-thinking enough to make during those enlightened times.
Plus, he would be displaying that exact same body art for at least the next quarter-century, as his skin and body take on the characteristics of a seventy-year-old and then an eighty-year-old man.
Seems like a sterling idea.
Haha, sterling indeed.
small tatts are interesting. especially those I find only after the clothes comes off. Its like a treasure hunt.
I have a friend who has a small where's wally. It's hidden but not underneath clothes
did you have fun finding it?
totally haha - it's behind his ear just below the hair line (but his hair juuuust covers it.
OP have you thought about piercings? I was tossing up a tattoo VS piercings when I was 17, and I ended up getting piercings. Now, much older, I no longer have my piercings in and the holes will eventually close up without implication or painful laser surgery.
Allows you that little bit of rebellion without the potential employment implications which others have described above
I actually thought about ear stretching before then I realised that is way too much and my parents would abandon their only child because of that haha
Haha fair enough. Can't have the parentals on the wrong side!
Is there any type of clothing, hair or home styling or other choice of "look" that you won't want to change after a few years? I very much doubt it and that's why tattoos are a bad idea. They look terrible on older people especially and in general make you look like a bit of a bogan. The term "tramp stamp" is an accurate one in my view.
The thing is, once upon a time tattoos were a bit alternative, daring and different. That time is long gone. Now they have become very mainstream. Getting a tat and then going off to work as an accountant on Monday - not really what it was meant to be all about is it? Its not original, its not attractive (in all but a very few cases) and you will get sick of it, just like every other appearance choice. You can shave off stupid beards etc only acquired because you were told it was trendy, but tattoos are a lot harder to get rid of.
This. Keyword is "not original". Attractive or not is subjective.
You said you'd like tatts as a form of art. Think of it as a form of fashion, permanently. In 2003 it was fashionable to wear flare jeans, 2005 was straight, 2007 onwards it was all about slim & skinny.
If you like it then go for it, YOLO stuff. But don't do it because you think tatts may change how people perceive you (e.g. make you "cooler"), because, again, they are unoriginal.
You can shave off stupid beards etc only acquired because you were told it was trendy, but tattoos are a lot harder to get rid of.
They require a much closer shave.
you have noted concerns for employment and you should, they will effect you in the future if you can not cover them up with a normal business dress standard.
you probably wont want to be a sh!t kicker the rest of your working life.
the fact you have asked for an opinion poll is a worry.
opinions are like assh@les we all have them and you shouldn't be considering a tattoo if you wonder about regret in future years.
If you really want to get tattoos and you really are not a wannabee, why get full sleeves?
you own lots of body you can tattoo with out having them where its difficult to hide.
for the record iam 50+, have leg sleeves and top half arm sleeves and chest done when i was young (15 to 25 years old before they were trendy) and no regrets but i can wear a short sleeved open collared shirt and long pants and no one sees jack.note 1, one of the biggest growth industries is tattoo removal and most of the clients are in your age group and younger.
note 2, sleeves wont help you fight, f@ck or be cool so think long and hard before you get them.
good luck.I don't buy the employment warning. I've got a fair few visible tattoos and I work in a large company in a senior role that I have lots of contact with the exec team.
It's never been an impediment to roles even in the most conservative industries and over there years I've worked in a few.
In short, nobody cares these days.I would throw up all of the usual cautions but it seems that enough people here have already it covered.
So when did you get the tattoo's?
You're in a senior roles, you've already proven yourself.
Going to interviews, there is minimal information to judge you, visible tattoo's gives an immediate impression.
Even full sleeve shirts you can see the Tattoo's underneath, you will be judged.
If my Manager comes into work with a full sleeve tattoo, at worse I'll think he's having a mid life crisis.
I'm the only guy in my finance office who doesn't wear a tie or a suit… I know get away with it because I'm senior. The juniors don't dare.
I got them about 5 years into my career. Though I did have piercings (it was the 90s after all) when I started.
I think it's really how you wear them… Sure in the 90s there was a bit more of a social hurdle to jump but I honestly believe now that it's a minority of people that would even care, that barrier is long gone (if you allow me to mid metaphors).I think you're more likley to judged on the quality and content of your tattoos than the fact that you have them.
Am too good to have a tattoo.
I'm older than most who seem to use this site, at 44. I have one tattoo on my upper arm that I got in my late 20s in a seedy place in Honolulu. I've never regretted it and am thinking of getting more, but I would never get anything on my neck or wrist.
Get something that means something to you that will never change, and avoid anything in fashion. Tribal tats and tramp stamps were always bad IMHO, but now they're just cringeworthy
Funnily enough a friend of mine in her mid 20s has a half sleeve and also words tattooed on her inner wrists, and she only regrets the latter
finally an ozbargainer older than me
They often help police when identifying the body.
They always help police when identifying criminals
I have two large text tattoos on my forearms. I forget about them a lot of the time. I've never had any overt problems. I'm getting a sleeve tattoo early next year. From initial design idea to execution will be 2 years so I'm sure.
I haven't had any problems at work but I work in the bureaucracy which is generally pretty open and flexible.
Each to their own, but I do think you're probably a more unique individual if you don't have tatts these days. ;)
Interesting reading through the comments o.O
I got a tat almost 9 years ago now just after I turned 20 - I lived in Japan for 10 months as part of my uni degree so my tattoo is a souvenir of that time. I have no regrets although I kinda wish I'd let the tattoo artist have more input into the design. But I stick by my choice (A plain black cherry blossom tattoo).
I've never really had any bad feedback about it - I mentioned it as a full disclosure to my retail pharmacy boss when I did the interview mentioning I was happy to cover it up if required - He said it should be fine - I late discovered said boss had a tattoo in the exact same place (inner bicep). I had a few customers see it over the years, mention that I have a "tough sticker" and other stupid crap like that - But I also had to deal with tons of seedy old men crassly making blow job comments every time I knelt down to stocktake the bottom shelves….
In short I think if you have a good reason behind your tattoo (a memory, a tribute etc) and if you think on it for a reasonable amount of time (ie dont think about it and then want to get one next week!) You probably wont regret it. There are other things I recommend excluding from tattoos - eg partners names. Of course there are people who go all out and spontaneously tattoo themselves and never regret it either.
from a reaction point of view - a flower/dragon/koi fish etc will get treated differently to a pinup chick with tits out etc - Just something to keep in mind ;)
No tattoos. No ragrets.
Be original.
Don't get a tatt.
No boner when I see a tattoo on a girl's arm, back or thunder thighs !
… because that's exactly why she got them, for your boner, right
If you had tattoos I would discriminate against you given the opportunity. I know a lot of people that feel the same way.
All cool - having tats helps keeps away close minded judgey discriminating types…. Means I don't have to deal with them 90% of the time
Like at a job interview?
If an employer cares more about my small flower tattoo than whether I can do good work - I'm not interested in working for them. As I said in my original post - I mentioned my tat to my potential employer during the interview saying it should be hidden by the sleeve but I was happy to cover it if requested - turns out that employer had a tat in the same location - and he was a pharmacist. You know - one of the people who works in the consistently most trusted professions?
People in this thread are ignoring what the Op is talking about.
A full sleeve tattoo.
There maybe some, but the portion of people who are going to make a judgement on a small flower will be tiny. A full sleeve tattoo on the other hand.
Again I think the content of the tattoo is more important. Most men can hide them easily with shirts - I don't know many professionals who wear short sleeves to work. I've seen cops wearing long sleeves in summer and you always know those ones have full sleeves, but in the business world - who knows whats going on under their shirts.
Also OP asked for opinions on people who have tats and whether they regret them or not. A lot of the replies here aren't specifying their judgement simply to sleeves - just tattoos in general and that is where my replies are coming from.
When you see a Thug on the news… 90% of the time they have a tattoo.
With limited information… that tattoo links you to those type of people
That's like saying 90% of skinheads are bald, being bald makes you a skinhead…
Again, if people are going to make that assumption of me without talking to me: I don't want to know them, its a time saver for weeding out twats on my end.
Yes but being bald is pretty mainstream…
Tattoo's especially sleeve tattoo's are not as mainstream as people like to think.
We make snap judgements/stereotypes every day… you included. Calling people twats because they don't agree with you is going to limit you in life.
Someone doesn't have to agree with me or be called a twat. My husband has no tats nor any interest in getting any - and that's fine. But had he judged me and decided it was enough to never want to get to know me - wouldn't have wanted him in my life. As I said - it weeds them out - If that limits me from not dealing with people who are super judgemental well so be it: I don't feel limited. I've also know people who've made comments about hating tats on girls to me before realising I have one - Said boy had a crush on me and he struggled immensely to take his foot out of his mouth once he realised. That said he realised his mistake and wasn't so hasty to make judgements and broad statements in the future.
Noticing individuals with tattoos helps me identify people with low impulse control and poor judgement. If you basically blew off every person that you met with a tattoo you would benefit in the aggregate. The good people with tattoos are far outweighed by the bad. Just a reality.
I have 11 tats…all with various meanings and significance for me (the most recent was one earlier this year that was in memory of the daughter i had lost a few weeks before.It is an infinity symbol intertwined with a heart and our child's initials around it…it is on my wrist and is largish).
All of the ink i wear holds a memory (both good and not so much) and i will add a couple more later (as people say,they are addictive),but i only get them after much thought,rationalising and planning (unlike shoes,if i hate it…too bad).
The one thing i will say is this…if i did not say anything to anyone,with the exception of my wrist,you wouldn't know i had any (and if i wear long sleeves,you see none at all),so i have never had an issue with employment (FYI i am a professional in the medical industry…so not exactly a liberal "free for all" as far as personal expression goes)and i am certainly not seen as some kind of "cheap skank","low rent" junky type (not to my face anyway HAHAHA),and i don't subscribe to the idea that those who do choose to ink are all like that (although there are plenty of exceptions to that rule).
In the immortal words of Edith Piaf "Non,je ne regrette rien"I am so sorry for your loss :(
Haha Kangal.