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Tattoo Question...

Discussion in 'Yacht Crews' started by Natalia, Dec 18, 2014.

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  1. Natalia

    Natalia New Member

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    What is the general consensus on visible tattoos? Will tattoos prevent someone from getting hired on?
  2. bliss

    bliss Senior Member

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    Sometimes.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Not hired by me.
  4. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    I wouldn't list them amongst the things I consider an asset
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Well, it certaintly is NOT going to help you get a job nor help you with anything in life. It can only hurt you in life and especially in the marine industry, how much, depends on many variables.
  6. Atlanta

    Atlanta New Member

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    In addition to seamanship and safety, yacht crews are hired to create an impression - an atmosphere. That's why deckhands spend so many early morning hours washing down a charter yacht before guests aboard awaken. That's why stews learn 100 different ways to fold napkins and why they steam polish water spots from crystal stemware. That's why uniforms must be clean and tidy when guests are aboard. That's why personal grooming is important. How do you think visible tattoos factor into that? Plus or minus? If the ink used is amenable to laser tattoo removal, then laser tattoo removal is a good career investment for tattoos visible beyond short sleeve T shirt and shorts.
  7. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    Not sure how this pertains to Yachts, but I abhor ink. When I see people with tattoo's I want to take them to the nearest Retirement home, and let them see what a 70 year old "work of art" looks like. Somebody told me recently that tattoo removal was a larger industry (dollar wise) than getting them. People have this desire to enshrine loved one's gone, important junctures in life, etc. They should have a scrap books like everyone else.
  8. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    The key is older captains, older owners, older people in general. Even at my age I grew up in a time and place where most tattoos were military men who got drunk one night and returned with one and certainly no "ladies." Most captains and owners are older than I am. I've come to accept them as part of what young people like today. Still would never have one myself. I change my mind too often to write anything permanent. Furthest I'd go is to a sticker. Plus don't like pain.

    So while my views are more accepting today I think most with yachts value image too much to accept them. But then I have a younger wife and she's influenced my thinking too (and no she doesn't have tattoos). I'm just not very image oriented. I have known some people to find creative ways to keep theirs covered when working.
  9. Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    Good response.
    I would say that a tattoo is a bad idea. Look at it this way: In the '60's the young people (many of them), got stoned, listened to music and made a lot of free love.
    In the '70's they got out in crazy clothes, grew their hair to unacceptable lengths and made a lot of free love...everywhere!
    All these fashions and styles were temporary and on the most part reversible.
    Same for the '80's and '90's.

    Now the deal is to get a permanent reminder of a decision made on a whim or due to pressure or inebriation. Bad combination.
    Many people will wonder what the heck they were thinking when they had most their upper body turned into a sagging canvas for a poor artist who should have been restricted to graffiti!
    This is a fashion that will mark many for life.

    BTW, a close friend has 2 full arm tattoos done by one of the most incredible artists and thought hard and long about it before he proceeded. He does not need to work. Has a doctorate and is highly respected. That is different.

    If you want to have a tattoo, it's your business, many of us will not judge you for it. But be prepared for great bias. This is not something that can be washed away or sorted out at the local barbershop.
  10. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    Won't hire someone for a representative function, otherwise no problem.
  11. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    When I see a tattoo on a woman, all I can think of is stripper. On a man I think biker, welder, machinist or some guy trying too hard to pretend he's bad. Although I considered getting a tattoo since I was about 17 I didn't get my first and only tattoo until I was 55 and well established. Even at that it's related to my profession and placed high on the shoulder where it's never seen by employers or guests. If I saw a tattoo or body piercings during a job interview (other than one or two earings on a woman), it'd be a very short interview. It says nothing good about a person. Either they're a rough character or a poser.

    While in high school my brother-in-law got a tattoo of a marijuana leaf on his arm. Then he joined the navy and later became a defense contractor. Need I tell you that the man hasn't been able to wear a short sleeved shirt in almost 40 years. :(
  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    You're showing your age and generation. While I agree they're a problem for a potential crew member, I don't agree with your characterization of the person based on them. There are many very decent good young people choosing tattoos. It's not like when you were young. I wish they weren't, primarily because people have the perception you just expressed. But I'm not going to say everyone with a tattoo is a rough character or poser.

    I know two young people who have tattoos and definitely are not as you characterized. One has a butterfly on her ankle. Her mom and she love butterflies. The other has her deceased twin brother's name on her hip as in forever joined at the hip. He courageously battled brain cancer and she considers him the bravest and kindest person she ever knew and is committed to being the kind of person he'd be glad was his twin.
  13. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Since most money (aka: business leaders, yacht owners, etc.) are older, it's something people have to strongly consider. My view is absolutely a generalization to which there are many exceptions. I have my ink and I'm a sweetheart.:D As a biker I have several friends with full sleeves and body tatts. My own wife got one of a wolf's head on her lower back, because she loves wolves. Love her, but it took me years to get past, and it still burns her because it's still a tramp stamp to me that I have to look past. The bottom line is that the view is there, and having a visible tattoo starts you in the position of proving you don't fit the stereotype. That's not the position you want to be in when applying for a job. As anyone in sales knows, you don't want to give your prospect any reason to say no.
  14. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    My guess is the OP already has one. A large portion of the younger crew all have them, it's the smart ones that have them that don't show! I've seen many foot tattoo's, the thinking was when they got them they would have shoes on in most professional endeavors and wouldn't be a problem, not so in yachting! I would say over the years a large part of my crew have had one somewhere. It's one of the questions I have on my pre hiring questionaire, along with piercings. A small visible tattoo isn't the end of the world, but a full arm full is another matter.
  15. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    It's one of those things to try to keep in perspective but at the same time be honest about. Does having one or many make you a bad person like many in previous generations think? No. Is is something you might later regret? Yes. And will it potentially keep you from getting certain jobs? Yes.

    People do judge others based on appearance and often that is unfair and many times a prejudice that even the person judging may be unaware of. In a service job like boat crew then it's even more likely. But I know a college girl who has always had unique hair colors as part of her style. In our mind they were creative and beautiful. Sadly, in looking for a summer job last summer she had to become a brunette. It was a choice. One group of jobs available with neon hair and another as a "boring brunette" (her words). Now the difference between hair color and a tattoo is hair color is easily changed.
  16. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    A friend and coworker years ago wear a wig to cover his personal hair design.
    It really did look bad (kat stuff) to me but made him happy.
    A few years later, he got tired of the wig, shaved. Discovered bald was cool.
    Maybe he knew something (20 years ago), he is the only one of us with dark hair now days.
  17. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    When a large part of your work is with the public, direct customer contact. Sales, service & training, most of the public does not like tattoos. Like OB stated; " A judgment may be unaware of".
    But they pay the bills. Their money IS the vote of a dress code.
    Employers and employees must understand this.
  18. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    But a tattoo is self-mutilation that someone has chosen to do. SO, it brings the thought of why someone would choose to do something permanent, something that will never bring anything positive to their lives, and can only be a deterrent to success in various aspects of their lives, yet they chose to do it. Same with the large ear gauges. Personally, I think it stems from insecurity and it's a reason for people to look at them and give them attention, whether good or bad it's still attention. Why else get something on your body that's in a place that you cannot even see yourself unless you get 2 mirrors out. I don't like them and from 40' away they look like a giant bruise. I don't think people judging them is unfair, they chose to appear that way. If you wanted to be treated with respect, you have to dress respectful. If you walk around looking and smelling like a bum, you will be treated like a bum. If you go to a managerial job interview, dressed like a floor sweeper, you will be offered a floor sweeper position.
  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I wonder if Natalia still wants to talk to us?
  20. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    There are those who don't share your view on it as self mutilation. To some it's art. To some it's expression. There are also those of us who are accepting of those who have tattoos even though we personally would never have one and we wouldn't recommend them. I think the reasons people get tattoos are quite varied. While I agree they are negative to many employers and negative to many customers, I don't agree with characterizing them or the persons who have them in the manner you do. To some people their tattoos also carry a deeper meaning and are very personal to them.

    The top reasons people get tattoos today are: Identity, Honoring loved ones, Religious, Style/Art, Military/Patriotism, Gangs, Cover scars, Impulsive mistake, tattoo addiction.

    I don't understand doing it but I'm not going to condemn those who do. I would advise any considering it though that some others will feel just as you do and that's part of the price of doing it.

    As to whether I personally find them aesthetically pleasing, in general I don't. But I have known some that were so beautiful and tasteful that I did recognize that beauty.