Tattoo or not Tattoo?

People often assume that if you have tattoos, that you're a 'thug' or a 'druggie'. When looking for employment, this has proved to be a big problem. 

If you are looking for a job, managers in many industries may not hire you, not because of their opinions on visible tattoos, but because of what their customers might think.  This is becoming more of an issue as more and more people are getting body art. Although having a tattoo should have no baring as to whether you have to ability to do a specific job or not, there are many people who think otherwise. 

For example, in the UK recently, teaching assistant was sent away form her first day of her new job at a Catholic school because her arms and neck were covered in tattoos.  26 year old Charlotte Tumilty says that she was told the tattoos on her feet, hands and neck were unacceptable because the school is 'strictly Catholic' and the management felt the tattoos were 'inappropriate.  The fact that she had tattoos did not make her a better or worse teacher; however, it went against the ethos of the school.

There are certain professions that seem to take a more lenient view of people with tattoos, such as the music industry, fashion, sport and some parts of advertising etc. 

So the moral of the story is, that if you're thinking of getting a tattoo, be aware that, much to your disgust, it may preclude you from getting a job in certain professions. If you are still keen on getting a tattoo, make sure it is either small or out of sight!

Tattoos - To be Respected or Condemned?

The value of a tattoo varies greatly depending on culture and social status. Some societies see tattoos as an art form, while others brand it as a mark of criminality or 'stupidity'. Many of these views vary, depending on the time of their existence and the lifestyle of the person judging them, but the main question is, why are tattoos respected in some cultures and denounced in others?


Tattoos have been an art form for thousands of years. They're known to have as many different meanings as there are global cultures.
In some civilisations, tattoos are an indelible mark of tribe or prestige. They represent a passage from childhood to adulthood, or a significant event in the owner's life. Many people also use tattoos as a mark of their relationship with a family member or a significant other, but one of the most popular reasons to get body art is that it adds to the beauty of the owner.

Hi, I'm Niamh and I'm blogging about the geography and origins of tattoos :)