about tattoos

[Crowley]

I wouldn't worry about it - I don't have tats but I do have some piercings and I have no problem with either - your body is your body, and you can do with it as you like. As posted above, some dive centres put in their job adverts that the applicant should have no visible tattoos or piercings; but then some also require the applicant send a "full body photograph in swimwear" and you can bet they're not going to hire anybody that doesn't look like a Baywatch extra.

In my personal opinion, it's discrimination, and it's not so far away from "only white people need apply", and I'm not even going to bother working for a centre that discriminates in any way, shape or fashion, because clearly they are interested only in what you look like, and not how good an instructor you are. I don't want to work for these people, and I wouldn't want to dive at their centre as a customer.

When it comes to controversial themes - well - that's a different story, and depends what you intend to do with the tat. If by controversial you mean "I'm going to get a tattoo of a topless mermaid", well, you won't be the first. And that's kinda cool, actually, as long as you don't make a habit of showing it to small kids. If you're going to get a tat of some religious organisation people hanging and burning some people from another religious organisation then yeah, people are not going to look well at that.

Your choice.

Cheers

C.

 

[vladimir]

In my personal opinion, it's discrimination, and it's not so far away from "only white people need apply"

This is silly. A tattoo is a choice, as you say:

Your choice.

Race (or sexual orientation, or disability) is not. A tasteless tattoo is no different from wearing a tasteless T-shirt, except it shows even worse judgement because it is very difficult to remove. And just as a job applicant who chooses to dress inappropriately can legitimately be discriminated against, so can a tattoo wearer. It boils down to your definition of appropriate.

There are firms on Wall Street that don't tolerate rubber-soled shoes. If I were staffing a dive op, I probably wouldn't care, depending on the "controversial themes."

 

[fjpatrum]

Studies done in the US suggest that visible tattoos subtract points from your perceived intelligence. They are still not considered mainstream here. That said, in the diving community, I don't think it matters much wherever you teach or work. Folks seem to accept instructors for their knowledge. I have visible tattoos and do not work as a diver. Had I known, I would have made them normally hidden.

Care to link any of these studies? I seriously doubt that anything within the last 10-15 years would find the same results.

That said, visible tattoos can be a detractor for a lot of employers but I'd think if you covered it (IE always wore a rash-guard or something) it wouldn't be a problem. I have a quarter panel on my left side (IE full sleeve and entire rib cage), a half sleeve on my right arm and a reasonably good sized tattoo on my leg and I get nothing but compliments on them all. My sleeve is visible all through the summer at work but I know for certain it has/will impact my future growth in my profession. I was already employed when I started the big work and accepted that as a price to pay for what I wanted to do with my body.

My limited experience with dive shops and dive boats is that people won't make a big deal about it. That probably will be different if it's a niche market catering to high-end clientele only (read upscale resort locations) or some place where tattoos are still regarded as heavily "gang related" by the local population.

Either way, if it's a rib-cage/lower back tattoo, it's easy enough to cover up without looking too unusual. Sleeves and anything above the neck get a lot more difficult and also typically have a more negative connotation with the general population, in my experience.

 

[mmerriman]

"In my personal opinion, it's discrimination" - yes it is - but its perfectly legal and acceptable discrimination.

 

[spc751]

I do not have much of a problem with tattoos because they do not invade my personal space. However, I do have a problem with the instructor/dive guide smoking on the boat. If you are smoking then you are getting a VERY small tip if a tip at all.

 

[Magnolia3]

Studies done in the US suggest that visible tattoos subtract points from your perceived intelligence. They are still not considered mainstream here. That said, in the diving community, I don't think it matters much wherever you teach or work. Folks seem to accept instructors for their knowledge. I have visible tattoos and do not work as a diver. Had I known, I would have made them normally hidden.

realy.... :bored2:
care to provide a link...

 

[simskiscuba]

It could also be argued that a visible tattoo involving a "hateful" or "erotic" theme would demonstrate questionable judgement when working with the public in a service industry.
What is the difference between "erotic" and "artistic"? You'll probably know it when you see it. Be aware though that if it's an "artistic" display involving female nipples or any sort of genitalia of either gender It's probably going to skeeve out a few people.

 

[Magnolia3]

Think very long and hard about the tattoo. Make sure that it is something that you can live with for the rest of your life. They are not something that you can change on a whim.

Once the commitment is made they are really great. They are better than jewlery, you can never loose them and nobady will ever steal them.

Yes, I have a lot of tattoos.

X2 on that sentiment. A tat is something you will have rest of your life.. and remember that cute tat now might look incredibly ugly when you are old and wrinkled. Tats do not fair well in the sun. they tend to both fade over time and the lines get less distinct.
Consider the type, and placement of tats. As some others have said. Something you might find cool now, others will find unacceptable.
Something that is acceptable in one culture/country is not acceptable elsewhere.. think carefuly. Next what YOU find neat and cool at 20 you may very well be embarassed by it at 40. Getting rid of a no longer wanted/cool tat is possible but is both painful and expensive... again think very very carefully about what art you are choosing.

I have tats, mine were placed in such a manner, that I can hide them if I desire. They are not hidden in a bathing suit.
I did not get them until I was in my early 30's. I like them as much now as I did then.. I was priviledged to have them
done by Lyle Tuttle. He happened to be visiting the tat artist I chose. I wanted a full back tat of a dragon that peeked over
my shoulder. HE gave me the above advice. Helped and suggested what I have now and did them himself. I did not know until
much later WHO did my tats. They are as nice looking, or almost as much as 30 yrs can be, as they were the day I had them done.
I use extra sunscreen to keep the fading to a minimum and so on.

An unplanned plus of it was that my mum had a hissy fit.. not often I can make her scream and faint at the same time..
I am now 61 (or will be in ten days) what I chose then, I would choose now... think carefully.

To forstall the inevitable question... a purple rose and a phoeniz rising..where is my business.

 

[Kingpatzer]

If it's controversial enough that you're thinking you'll offend some people, then most likely you'll offend some people.

That can impact your career. It likely won't stop it, or prevent you from succeeding. But consider if the themes you're considering really need to be part of your tattoo.

And yes, I have a tattoo -- it's dive related and visible when diving a shorty.

 

[Frosty]

Op= Im an employer so for the moment have my employer hat on. Lets say Im looking to take on a staff member in a public service role.
I have two guys to choose from -A person with tattoos "with a questionable theme" or a guy with no tats.Allowing they are both equally qualified. Who will I choose?
If I'm a 20 something female diver and I choose between 2 dive ops -One where the staff are tatoood and the other where the staff apear to be clean cut all american boys again where would I go?
So yes unquestionably that is discrimination. But discrimination is a part of everyday life.
Simple question is -Do you value the ink enough to risk it?