Body Ink on Wall Street
I've noticed a lot more people in the locker room, gym, or wherever with tattoos recently... even among senior guys, it seems like it's become a bit more acceptable. I wanted to post this earlier today but forgot. Anyway, my boss caught me yesterday in the locker room (most of us go to the same gym and go together during the day a lot) and saw the fairly large tattoo on my back. He wasn't shocked or angry or anything, and that surprised me. All he wanted to know was the story behind it. I'm also seeing a lot more of my analyst buddies and what not have them too, and it got me wondering if the stigma behind tattoos has basically gone away.
Anyone else been noticing this? And what are your thoughts on tattoos in general, but also in the context of employability. Would knowing someone you're interviewing has a tattoo on their arm make them less likely for you to give a good recommendation for hiring?
My own thought would be that anyone dumb enough to get one that's always visible isn't such a great candidate considering they don't understand or just don't care about the way society works.
I don't see why anyone would care at all if it's a tattoo that is covered when you're at work.
Then again, I don't get why banks drug test. It's a weird world we live in.
Cause some people just assume things about others based off of stuff they shouldn't be assuming stuff from... I do hope the stigma goes away, with the way our generation thinks about a lot of things, I do think it will tone down in the future... which will be good for me
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/23/the-tattooed-doctor/
http://mag.rankmytattoos.com/ink-meets-inc-20-tattooed-executive-and-wh…
I have a tattoo on my forearm, still don't regret it. It's for my mom, so it'll be really really hard for me to want it off. I guess the only bad thing is that I could never really roll my sleeves up if I got a job at a bank, but whatever, not that big of a deal.
I find it more despicable that a doctor would be so fucking fat and unhealthy
Also did you notice how all of the professionals on that list are fat and/or ugly? Tattoos are a fat chick's equivalent of a push-up bra And there are so many tatted lawyers, it's as if they do it on purpose to have a fighting chance with women. "yes i look like shit, yes i do boring shit all day, yes i have a personality of a wet napkin, but i got an adventurous streak too, dammit! Look at my tattoos, i am a badass!"
I disagree with everything being mentioned here but maybe I am the only one that still hates tattoos and piercings.
you hate them enough to not hire somebody if they have them?
If the tattoo is not visible than its fine if he is the best qualified candidate for the job.
excellent. that's all we ask lol
Other than the tears under my eyes I have no other tattoos
I think having an inconspicuous tattoo is totally a non-issue - more than a few people in business school have them. Although I agree that the overall stigma towards tattoos in the U.S. is definitely waning, there are still some generations and cultures that are uptight about them.
You have to be pretty fit for a tat to look good. Tattoos look terrible on skinny guys with no muscle.
and fat guys with flab
haters got their full hate on in this thread
so long as you can wear jeans and a polo without it being seen, it really doesn't matter at all.
so who here gonna ding me cuz my swag 2 fresh? u prob a hater.
hahahahahahahaha
Tats only look good if ur ripped and dark
strong avi to post content
Agree with gofedwinaus...
I think we can all agree that you probably shouldn't hire somebody with neck tats/hand tats for an IB job unless you keep him far far away from clients
Has anyone been watching the NBA lately? A few years ago, many of the players had a few tattoos on their shoulders or upper arms. Now those tattoos have spread like a disease, growing down both arms, covering their neck, their chest, and who knows where else. What does it all mean? I don't know, but what I do know is that this issue is rarely, if ever, discussed by the media...or the players themselves. As for the relevance of tattoos in the business world, I would imagine a small, barely noticeable tattoo would slip under the radar. Employees with more prevalent tattoos may have a more difficult time...but in a few years, who knows?
And they look like they had the cracked out street corner meth dealer from prison put them on.
Why would or should the media talk about it? Who gives a fuck. If some guy plays pro basketball, he doesn't need to conform to typical white collar office wear. If people are honestly offended by tattoos, they need to check themselves. "Ohhhh, my precious office boy sensibilities! Tattoos are mean!"
I don't remember IB required to pitch deals naked to clients.
Unless the tattoo is NOT on your forehead you are ok.
Only discrete fraternity tattoos are acceptable.
Please no.
That way we can know you're still a fuckin GDI even if you were in a so called fraternity.
Real fraternities either do nothing or sometimes brand. Fraternity tattoos = GDI regardless.
I basically have a half sleeve on my left arm and no one I work with even knows its there.
Do you really?
I have large chest piece and no one ever noticed. I have seen a few guys that got small arm ones in college, I dont think anyone really cares, especially if they aren't noticeable.
I still think they look really ugly. I kind of hope they stay stigmatized
I don't have any, though I've considered getting one. I don't get the hate on them, though. Especially if they can be covered easily in business settings. Who gives a fuck if some dude has a tattoo on his upper arm or back or leg or whatever. Shit just doesn't matter.
I hate tats and piercings too, I totally agree with UFO. I also agree with the consensus here that I would hire a guy that has a tatoo that can't be seen (how would I even know it's there??). However, that includes forearms (sorry wolverine) and calfs and things like that. They won't be seen in the office, but chances are that you'll meet colleagues and clients outside the office with short sleeves and/or shorts.
Gotta agree with Maximus Decimus Meridius and UFO. Interesting to know that I am not the only one hating on tattoos and piercings. Still they are ugly and gross and I do not get why people need to have them in the first place.
what a toolish idea
Well I would say that your name sums up your personality pretty well then.
Good luck finding my tattoo on my forearm during an interview! AHAHAHAAHAAH!!! I'm gonna infiltrate your shit brah! YOU WON'T EVEN KNOW!... but honestly, I think I could find a way to keep it covered at all times... they even have crap like this if it's that big of a deal
However... I'm interested in s&t or programming anyways, so I think I'm good with the clients thing
I would hire that guy in a heartbeat.
Because I think tattoos are ugly?
I think that guy works for Piper Jaffray.
double p
Just to clarify: I don't hate them and actually think a lot of them look cool, I just see them as a red flag.
When do nipple rings become a problem?
(serious question, was thinking of getting one)
When you wear form fitting shirts in A/C offices.
Well thats my office exactly...undershirt?
Rad +1
If I get a tattoo on my face the day after I get hired can they fire me?
lol wonder how much he would have to spend yearly on that shit if he worked in an office
Well for one, I am unsure of whether or not the nosering would fly.
Two, maybe he can get an endorsement deal?
of course the nose ring won't fly, you can always take those out though
Would you prefer to tell him that with or without the makeup? haha
doesn't matter, I'd call him a retard if he had an attitude about it... then I'd probably get shanked
There are very few things I find worthwhile the possibility of getting shanked, hiring this guy would be one of them haha. With that said, I have a tattoo on my upper back, chicks dig tats bra.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/cZ1W7YOoGrg
http://www.youtube.com/embed/-lbzLgrJ2Ys
I wouldn't put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari.
it helps if you are in sales or in trading, makes you look like one tough mother fucker. Just make sure it's not some girl's name.
What if it says "Mom"?
What if your mom is also your dad? But your Dad is also your mom?
Always wanted a Thomas Hooper piece, but corporate lifestyle might not make it.
i dont see any problems with tattoos as long as they are concealed
tatoos usually look stupid because if you need to write a message or symbol under your skin in permanent ink to remember something then you are probably an idiot. only professional athletes, musicians and ex-military can get tats. And i don't know if the person who said frat tats are ok was serious but raping drunk chicks for 4 years and getting a tat to remember it doesnt make you cool. you are still a white kid from the suburbs.
that's not usually the reason why people get tattoos even if it is in "remembrance" of somebody/something
Then what is the reason? "Expressing yourself?" So you think you can "express yourself" for however many decades and that tatoo will never look bad and you will never regret it? I think a lot of tatoos are cool but I could never make a decision as a 20-something to get a permanent marking on my body.
cool because he's a black rapper http://www4.pictures.stylebistro.com/gi/Wiz+Khalifa+Tattoos+Lettering+T…
not cool http://img.funtasticus.com/2008/apr/tattoo04022008/tattoo008.jpg
youre thinking of the movie Memento
Rank white trashiness on a scale of 1-10: White people getting tattoos to "rep their city".
depends on if they actually say that they're "repping" their city.
lol some of you guys are so judgmental
i'd rep my area code
The one girl I've seen at work with a tat had to cover that thing up with makeup daily. Sucks.
I have full sleeve on my right arm and 2/3 sleeve on my left. Most days I put a concealer cream my right wrist up to just past my shirt cuff. Never roll up my sleeves and polo's aren't allowed any day during the 5 day work week. Haven't worn anything but a long sleeve shirt to work weekend or not in the last 2.5 yr.'s since I started. My left shin is completely covered as well.
Slightly off-topic, but for those who have tattoos, who is/are your artist/s?
Only one I've fucked up so far is my check tat (used to be a big mike tyson fan), butchered it tbh so I just colored my whole face green. Worked out fine, no one in the BO minds.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bad+tattoo&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=…
i dont have any tats but i like them alot and have a few friends in the business with multiple tattoos. Of course they dont flaunt them in the office but its no big deal unless u work shirtless...
I think as long as your tattoo isn't like Mike's, you should be ok
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.insomniacmania.com/sites/…
1... you're in high school, which may explain your need to generalize everybody like a child. Just because the kids in your high school that have tats aren't the brightest doesn't mean that everybody outside of high school with tats is just as worthless or a bad person. Jesus. 2. like when you're old and wrinkly with your balls at your knee caps, an old tattoo is going to be the thing that makes you self conscious... PS tattoo artists nowadays know things that past tattoo artists didn't, which means that the spreading of ink is going to be decreased dramatically. 3. that's why you make sure that your tattoos mean a lot to you and will always mean a lot to you, think em over for months.
I think tattoos are a little bit different than "drawing on yourself"... don't try to make something look bad by making it sound worse than it is. If you get a good enough artist, you can have a beautiful piece of art on your skin, a lot better than what children draw on themselves. Get over yourself.
Most people with tattoos do think about their future, you just think you're above them because the idiots at your school have tattoos. How many tattoos have you seen that are "very stupid" or "juvenile"? I bet you know way more people with tattoos that aren't juvenile than people who have tattoos that are. You're probably just basing this off of the pictures on the internet of straight up retards' tattoos.
"they have to put on cover up every single day just to hold a job"... again, trying to make something sound worse than it is "just to hold a job". You act like he has to do something excruciatingly difficult/inconvenient, it's cover up, it's not that bad.
You're right, its worse than drawing on yourself, its burning something into your skin. How many tattoos have I seen that are juvenile? Are you fucking kidding me? Pretty much 90% of them are juvenile or have some retarded meaning like "oh I got this because I think I'm Buddhist but I don't really know lol". Please give me an example of a cool tattoo on the average white guy. Honestly I don't know a single person with a tattoo that isn't an idiot.
says the guy who thinks that tattoos are burnt into your skin (or is that just you being dramatic again?)... I can give you good examples of a cool tattoo on white guys but you're obviously ridiculously against tattoos enough to where it'd be pointless. and just because you think that somebody's meaning was "retarded" doesn't mean that the tattoo is retarded. believe it or not, there are more ways of looking at things than just your way.
stereotyping people with tattoos is fucking stupid and a lazy way to deal with choosing candidates if the rest of their resume/qualifications tell you that they'll be good for the job (not including client facing roles)
I have to put cover up on everyday too. Its called a fucking shirt.
LOL most of them aren't even fat, and you could make a case against them being ugly...
they're just tattoos guys, stop looking too much into it lol
You know why I like tattooed people? Because they don't give a fuck if you don't have a tattoo.
the few of them that are not fat still don't look good or even normal.
I don't give a fuck about tattoos, i just don't want to be forced to look at nasty flabby bodies that are flapping their folds in an effort to showcase said "art". for some reason fat people think it's more acceptable to show nasty rippled thighs if there's a tattoo on them
I know that feel bro
I have one...the proper rule is that no one should be able to see it when you are dressed, i.e. shirt or polo.
I know plenty of guys that have tattoos (cool and stupid) that are very intelligent. I got mine with some army buddies and such. Do I regret them all? No. Do I regret any of them? Just one.
Souvenirs of service.
I'm not against all tattoos, just 90% of them. Show me an example of what you think would be a "cool" or tasteful tattoo.
pretty much anything that depicts or is in honor of a loved one?
Those people who get words tattooed on the inside of their mouth, or under their eyelids, that's pretty fucking baller.
Dumb was the word you were looking for
I agree
http://designtattoos.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/4.jpg
again, black rapper so that kind of shit is expected. I guess I just see tatoos as trashy unless they are completely over the top or awesome, but whatever.
my friend got kissy lips tattooed on his ass cheek in high school, is that tasteful enough for you? his deal was "i'll do it if you guys pay for it"
Tribal armbands and shit that doesn't make any sense is something I'd never do but I don't really care if someone has it, I just don't understand it. But most people, probably that 90% you're talking about, have tattoos with a serious meaning to them. They want it to be a part of them more than just in their minds. Sometimes it's a sign of commitment or dedication or something like that, other times it is in memory of someone, sometimes it's just to remind them every time they see it. Mine's just about all of that and I know I'll never regret it, and that by the time it looks bad (saying tattoos look bad by 40 is just downright ignorant. Try 60 or 70 unless you become a fatass overnight or something) I won't give a fuck. I'll probably be proud of how shitty it looks actually.
I don't see anything wrong with getting tattooed on the inside of your mouth, not like anybody can see them. Though they do tend to wear out really quickly so it's kind of a waste of money... I don't know what this under the eyelids thing is, but it sounds painful as shit.
The tattoo looking bad at 50-60 or after gaining weight should be the least of someone's worries. I have never looked at a fattie covered in tattos and thought to myself "you know, she would actually be pretty hot if it wasn't for all that ink" If anything, ink and piercing actually make ugly people somewhat more attractive by distracting from their horrible physiques and camouflaging cellulite and stretchmarks. Case in point, check out this old lady, the tattoo is applied in a way that creates an illusion of a waistline, plus black is slimming. I'd say she needs to add sleeves to that
Versus
.
Damn, i thought i was the only one who had a huge Twilight tattoo on my back
Double standard, but guys with non-visible tats no problems. Chicks though...I just found out a girl I work with relatively often has a small tattoo on the front of her foot. Completely changes my opinion of her.
I have a personal belief in the manner to which I look at women: If she's hot, she's hot.
As long as it's covered...
I slept with this fairly conservative (at least you'd think that) muslim girl a few times when I first got to college, who had a big tat with some shit in Arabic right above her pussy...you can't explain that,
Depends of the tattoo
Also, depends on location and type of work/person.
Generally in Western Europe in what I would call "Classical countries" like France & Germany, a conservative boss will find it bad taste (there is still that "old school 50s conformist mentality" in banks).
But I would say, on the sales/trading side, with alot of young people there, it would go unnoticed. Of course if the tattoo is impossible to notice (small/hidden by clothes), there is a dont ask dont tell policy
Only black fraternities brand.
Ya, DKE at LSU is a very black fraternity.
i have the grambling state "G" tattooed on my chest.
Tattoos are lame, unless you do what I do. I tattoo a tally mark for every chick I slay onto my chest.
When I'm among work colleagues and they ask what the tallies mean, I tell them the truth, which usually prompts surprise and then often a round of high-fiving. All the analysts revere me, all the partners live vicariously through me, and the hottest girl who maintains eye contact while high-fiving gets added to the chest later.
Tattoos are lame, ugly and gross.
There are some back office people at Citigroup, mainly Asian and White females, who have noticeable tattoos on their forearms and feet. Nothing large, just noticeable.
i judge about 99% of people with tats.
I'm an analyst at a hedge fund and have a pretty large tat. Got it in high school, it was an impulsive decision at the time, but I like having it because it reminds me of the unconventional path I took to my seat today. No one at my firm has seen it, and there is no need for them to. When I was on the sell-side, a bunch of the guys saw it, no biggie.
Since when do people work with their shirts off?
.
Surely the only problem is if you have a massive tattoo on your face or somewhere where people can see it. If it's on your back it surely shouldn't be a problem.
Can't speak to the chick equivalent of discovering each other's tattoo's in the locker room.. (I dont hit the gym enough).. but recently some VP in my group talked about getting a tattoo for this special reason or something. Apparently has one on his back. And half the desk totally talked about it like it's a cool story.. basically no stigma
Accurately sums up the tattoo sporting populace:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/iNzG35p0KP8?rel=0
Glad all my tats are in VIP-only areas
COVERED AREAS ONLY. PERIOD. Unlessssssss....... Your daddy happens to be VP or Partner and you rolled through Harvard due to your Father's Alumni status and $200,000 donations.
Tattoos (Originally Posted: 05/21/2014)
I've always liked tattoos and I want to start getting some. Will tattoos below the elbows hinder career progress? I'm usually in at least a long sleeve shirt, but I roll up my sleeves sometimes.
Obviously, when I'm in a suit, nothing will be visible. And I could just never roll my sleeves up. But I don't want to have to hide it. I'm getting my first 2 on my upper arms and I have a few more I want on my body of areas from these 3 paintings I own. I'll probably get some on my forearms eventually anyway, but I want to hear what you guys have to say anyway.
how old and established are you? how many levels of people do you need to answer to? do you work at a conservative place or a liberal place?
think about the most casual you'd ever be in a business interaction. for most, this is sailing or playing golf (shorts & short sleeves). if it's visible, I wouldn't get it. if not, no one except girls and your doctor will know, and I say go for it.
But on the other hand, I think that there isn't anything wrong with stereotyping and wouldn't blame anyone for doing it because stereotypes are based on observations, so...
General sentiment would be that it's not a good idea (can't make a judgement on whether it's "bad"). No one here at the fund (large, laid back) I work at has visible tattoos (have been in more than one casual/social setting where people are wearing shorts/short sleeves).
Nothing visible and you will be fine. People do and will judge. Women included. Keep it hidden.
Think about all the successful people who aren't athletes, actors, or musicians that have tattoos. Oh wait.
Get a tattoo on your shoulder or torso. It will remain hidden but still be in a cool position. Try to avoid the neck and face, LOL.
When I see someone in a work context with visible tattoos, I consciously start questioning how serious the person is about their career. Then my intellect kicks in, I rationalise that it's cool etc. But my initial conscious reaction is still a question mark.
I can expect my subconscious reaction is even more negative and less open to reason.
Some of my best (non-banker) friends have tattoos. I had one tattooed friend who was into BSDM and had a custom-built "vacc sack", where you could get inside, have all the air sucked out of the sack and then just breathe through an air tube while encased in skin-tight vinyl. I tried this a few time and had nitrous oxide pumped into the airtube.
So, I like to think I'm a fairly liberal sort of guy. If my initial reaction to tattoos visible in the workplace is negative, imagine how your average banker thinks consciously and subconsciously about visible tattoos.
DISCLAIMER: Advice may not be relevant as the "average" banker is into crazier stuff, like watersports or nanny porn. That's probably the case for ex-public school bankers in London, at least.
Sounds fun.
hahahahaha hahaha that made me lol for about 5 minutes. you're killing me hahaha
I'd say keep them hidden if you can. At the end of the day if you love a design enough to wear it on your body for life then go for it. As much as I'd love to have a full sleeve I haven't started on one yet.
It sounds like where you want to start is fine. By the time you're ready to get tattoos below the elbow you might be in a much more accommodating industry, or you will have made your bones so that no one doubts your ability. As an example when I worked in IB someone having visible tats would have been unimaginable. Now that I'm on the corp fin side some of my co-workers will have their tats showing, depending on the team. On the other hand, my boss has a full sleeve tattoo, but always wears long sleeves (you can still see where the tattoo terminates just above the wrist though). The corp dev group is a bit more buttoned up though so it would likely not sit well with my superiors if I were to wear a polo with lower arm tats.
I'm about 40 and got a couple of tattoos while I was in high school/college before I had a clue what I wanted to do with my life. The best bit of advice I got was from an older neighbor who was a former marine who did very well in the business world afterwards and had some ink: don't get it where someone can see it if you're wearing short sleeves or shorts if you want to be in the professional world, finance or business. You will end up in a casual situation someday-golfing, boating, afternoon party at a beach house, whatever-wearing a polo and shorts and people will judge. You can argue all you want about the rightness of people judging but they simply will. No one will ever see the tattoos if it's above your short sleeve shirt sleeve unless you're somehow swimming or in a hot tub and if you get to that point, you're beyond quick judgements because of a tattoo. Just don't do it, and that's coming from a PE guy with two tattoos.
This is spot on.
Check your non-tattoo privilege.
Face tats or you're not fully committed.
Seriously though, people will judge you if you have tattoos. The designer/UX guy I work with has full sleeves and neck tattoos that are always visible. He's super successful, but in a creative role where it's definitely not a hindrance. His wife is a programmer at a tech company and has tattoos and pick the color of the week hair, usually pink or purple. It also hasn't hurt her career.
Where it does have an impact is in their personal lives. They've mentioned that they have issues with other parents making comments at school events for their kids and recently ran into some issues when shopping for a New House in really high end neighborhoods. People automatically think they aren't successful because of how they look/dress. Together they probably make $500k/year.
It's not super relevant to finance, but I've always thought it was interesting that they knowingly open themselves to criticism. I'm also surprised by the comments/looks that they get from people that they don't even know.
All things equal, I wouldn't want to do business with someone that has a tattoo. Possible exception for military or top sports team. Fraternity no.
How the fuck did you get into a BB?
Unless you are Axl Rose save your money. You'll be glad you did.
Getting tattoos is fucking stupid, period. I don't care whatever reasons you have. If you've made the mistakes while you were still a dumbass in highschool, fine. But if you are about to start a professional career and thinking of getting a tattoo that is potentially visible to your clients, then I sure hope that'll be a career limiting decision you will make.
If you are a damn genius that can simply kick everyone's ass, maybe nothing will ever stop you from climbing up the corporate ladder, but sadly most of the time you are fungible.
Making broad generalizations is what's fucking stupid.
I'm starting out with an EGA on one shoulder and I want a Ukrainian trident on the other. And I want 4-5 parts of a series of paintings I own on my body. Gonna hold off on anything a polo and shorts won't cover.
Agreed.
Ukrainian trident. LOL
Maybe you should consider this:
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/tattooing-the-logo-of-my-bank
I have a few and honestly forget that I have them a lot of the time. When it comes to placement, just use common sense.
I've been thinking about getting a "No Ragrets" tattoo over my chest, from "We're the Millers," for awhile now.
Well I personally don't believe this would be a good idea. Especially working in corporate america where many individuals are judgmental. I believe the most you should do is stick with just the tattoos on the upper arms. I hope this helps.
But seriously, how BA would it be to come in one day with a Mike Tyson. Bet your MD wouldn't dare throw work at you on a Friday night anymore
I associate tattoos with the person having a greater likelihood of doing hard drugs and having an STD. May not be rational but that's the correlation of behavior that comes to mind. And if no one can even see it then I'm not sure what the benefit could possibly be, other than a hidden advertisement of risky behavior.
Enjoy the ink!
That's mad prole.
Tattoos below the elbow unfortunately have a good chance of hindering your career. Sure you can cover it up, but if you ever have to take a company medical exam, the doctor might take note, and in out-of-the-office events with coworkers somebody might see. If this happens, you will probably get a stern talking-to from your MD for not committing and getting a full-body tat, or at least some Mike Tyson-style face tribals. You don't wan't this. Either go all the way, or keep yourself ink-free.
Poke and Stick baby
@SSits should not have to wait for me to get credits before getting a SB. Never heard of a vacc sack, you learn something new every day.
Semper Fi, OP, I know plenty of jarheads w/ tattoos working in professional careers (incl BB) and as has been said, just use common sense on placement.
Now my one guy who got two full sleeves done is a Hell's Angel, so exit opps start to change, but I assume you weren't going that far.
Yup, gonna take it slow for starters. Kill, bro
Aside: So my sister's friend's ex boyfriend is a tattoo artist and painter. He painted these 3 paintings and they hung in my sister's apartment:
http://tinypic.com/r/nosymc/8
She got married and her husband hates them, so they've been mine for the last 6 years. I've been planning on getting the umbrella girl on my rib cage. My sister and bro-in-law took me to dinner the other night and I told her I was planning on getting that tattooed and she sad that umbrella girl is supposed to be her.... leaving her troubles behind or some shit.
Anyway, I just thought that was cool. And I want it tattooed just because I love how it looks and I've been staring at it for 6 years.
Wtf dude, lol...your body I guess
Tattoos are for sailors, whores, and Princetonians.
Always think about the long term. Western society is becoming more accepting of tattoos, but high finance (with the exception of VC) is very old fashioned and slow to change.
I'm buy-side, client facing, and I have tats. None visible in shorts or a polo. I have known one guy with visible tats in my ~10 years that was successful. It extended down to halfway down his forearm. That's it. Out of hundreds of colleagues, one guy had tats visible in short sleeves and never had his sleeves rolled up in office once.
Do what you want to do. Could visible ones hurt you? Yes. Can non-visible ones hurt you? No.
This is the ticket, OP. You can wear a suit without anyone knowing. Plus, you have sweet Yakuza exit opps.
Seriously, I am not a fan of tattoos and I am pretty sure that I am in the majority. I agree with sentiments here. Do whatever you want, as long as it's not visible, because most people will definitely judge. I just want to add that most people regret getting their tattoos in the first place, as well.
On a side note, most people's reasons for getting tattoos are pretty lame. I think that many make the decision to get one, and then try to rationalize it as being a good idea. One girl I know was telling me the meaning of her sparrow tattoo. I told her that it basically the pace car of Manhattan girl tattoos. So much for "expressing" yourself, and being original.
keep it hidden, simple like this.
I have one tattoo on my right a** cheek I got the day I turned 18, directly after lacrosse practice. I had always wanted one, and was young, dumb and fearless. My rationale was that I wanted it to be a SECRET, and the main purpose was as a memento of my youth. I wanted to be able to look in the mirror (naked) when I'm 40 and stressed out and tired, and be able to smile and laugh at myself and remember the kid I used to be.
I paid good money and the tattoo itself is extremely well done and intricate.
Make no mistake, if you are a white collar professional and have a tattoo - people WILL judge you...if they know about it. It is human nature and unfortunately mainstream culture stigmatize them as "alternative". I grew up white and middle-upper class (like 90% of the Wall St./Finance) but had a tremendous upbringing in which I learned that judging people is weak. Tattoos are elective expressions (genuine or not) that should only mean something to those they belong to; don't get a tattoo because you want to be perceived a certain way by others b/c I won't work out for you.
My close friends, HS lacrosse team, and my girlfriend, are the only ones that know about it and I intend to keep it that way (it's on my butt for God's sake). I think it's a shame society sees tattoos the way they do, but I don't have the credentials (yet) to change their mind. Honestly, if a HF manager has full sleeves but is able to generate ridiculous alpha, are you monkeys going to tell you wouldn't invest with him b/c of the ink in his skin? It truly is time society began evaluating people based on their merits, and not appearances but alas, perception is reality and that in an inarguable truth. We are a far cry from this, especially in the upper echelons of finance.
To the OP, do what you want, but be damn sure you know what the consequences and sacrifices are associated with your freedom of expression. Rant over.
I was talking to our PR girl and she told me that she got a very angry letter from an investor once complaining that one of our PMs went on CNBC without a tie.
Be very conscious that the tattoo may be visible through certain dress shirts. I have a coworker that has a tattoo on each forearm and a tattoo on both upper arms. Sometimes he wears a light colored dress shirt with no t-shirt underneath and they're all visible. Even with a t-shirt, the forearm tats are visible. Yea very thin dress shirts would do this, but just a heads up.
Try and go as long as you can without getting the tat. Those that say tattoos are forever (not that you said this) are idiots...you die, your body decays, tattoo=gone.
I like tattoos and I have a couple.
unless you're at google or equally liberal tech company the t-shirt and shorts rule is a good one to follow
Tattoos and Wall Street (Originally Posted: 04/04/2015)
Whenever I go shopping in some parts of the US and Europe, I am surprised how many people have tattoos. Ok, we are top few percent of the population, income-wise and education-wise (although there are ungrateful people at Harvard College as well). We are biased.
When I see people with tattoos, I think of 2 things.
(1) Gangs, Yakuza; To the best of my knowledge, they have tattoos to show their membership and commitment. I won't comment on people of this type. I have nothing against these people in principle.
(2) People who have tattoos as a self-expression. I am old-fashioned. When I see people with tattoos to "express themselves," I immediately think this; they have nothing else to make themselves stand out, so they have to ink their bodies to "express themselves." Their life is so hard and miserable, they really can't think of any other ways to "express themselves." They are "confused" and "unconfident" people who need to ink to make peace with themselves.
Employment-wise, I won't hire anyone with tattoos. I actually ask sometimes "what do you think of tattoos at interview?" The correct answers as far as I am concerned are
I hate shop-assistants or sales-assistants with tattoos. I complain to corporate if I see any (even if I don't shop there). I then say "I decided not to buy anything because your shop-assistant had tattoos and didn't even have the decency to cover them up at work."
You seem like a real fun guy to be around.
Nihil modi at maxime et rerum. Aspernatur eos consectetur expedita impedit in cumque. Consequatur id qui ab aut omnis sunt hic.
Praesentium natus blanditiis nobis. Consectetur voluptatibus harum odio sit aliquid ut.
Quia odit fugiat maiores qui sequi dicta. Officiis voluptas mollitia et asperiores. Dicta laborum neque ex beatae id vero eum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Et nobis neque laboriosam harum saepe pariatur recusandae. Illum et perferendis adipisci accusamus quasi et. Eligendi rem vitae velit iure.
Et est inventore commodi iure nemo qui. Maiores earum dolorem maiores earum voluptate ut molestias.
Est laboriosam nisi minus qui quia laudantium. Temporibus quia velit vel optio nam non. Voluptatem explicabo quo aut natus.
Quibusdam corrupti nihil dolorum velit inventore. Consequuntur veniam eligendi qui nam. Similique tenetur et eos corporis consequuntur nesciunt. Et sed atque velit non. Vitae aut sit voluptate blanditiis corporis est laborum culpa.
Omnis vero voluptate quas. Reiciendis deserunt quas itaque reiciendis ea nam. Non aut aut ducimus quia commodi sint asperiores. Dignissimos est alias totam ut.
Ipsa cupiditate voluptatibus autem soluta. Vel consequuntur quisquam quam corrupti labore id minima. Quia nesciunt enim natus sed et. Dolor aut quo est sit id aperiam.
Dolore nesciunt dolorem at cupiditate et omnis. Nemo impedit facilis inventore. Molestias voluptatem et doloribus ipsam quas tempore sed laborum.
Vitae enim rerum eos. Dolorem maxime non ex doloribus debitis commodi recusandae. Atque facilis vero iste minus nam. Modi architecto veritatis repellat illo officia. Alias et in dolores.
Laboriosam repellendus vel asperiores officia ipsum accusamus. In sapiente corporis repudiandae enim sit.
Provident dolore consequatur sequi voluptate. Quia quod non molestias omnis facilis. Et et nostrum quas enim aspernatur dolorem doloremque.
Excepturi sed architecto omnis id quod aliquam. Labore sint et eos et enim est enim. Enim et nulla recusandae eum quos earum et.
Laborum incidunt ut excepturi et incidunt qui deleniti. Eligendi et dicta hic vero hic et amet minus. Qui soluta sapiente laborum et qui inventore.
Eum quibusdam quos vel maxime dolorum atque. Earum aut voluptatibus officia asperiores. Recusandae omnis ab molestiae tempore. Inventore corporis reprehenderit voluptatem quibusdam.
Voluptatibus dolores modi placeat quo facilis. Cupiditate commodi magni nobis dolorum adipisci eos praesentium. Enim consequatur ad sunt labore aut numquam tempora.
Delectus enim maiores ducimus doloremque hic cumque ducimus. Consequatur quos officiis occaecati nostrum provident rerum laudantium repudiandae.
Enim explicabo repellendus unde incidunt similique iure praesentium veritatis. Est maxime error non. Consequuntur exercitationem esse dolorem molestiae qui. Deleniti tempora dolores explicabo maiores. Provident autem voluptatem dignissimos quod. Eaque et maiores dolorem qui doloribus delectus. Omnis nobis labore excepturi et possimus.
Pariatur enim sint repellendus delectus cumque. Officiis quia ut similique molestias nesciunt repellat. Autem aperiam quos vitae. Eos facere voluptate magnam totam laboriosam soluta. Qui voluptas omnis deleniti reprehenderit voluptatum sit enim.
Sit sint aut facere blanditiis ut nobis. Molestiae ducimus cumque velit molestiae eveniet amet.
Ad adipisci sapiente officiis vero ratione. Enim non nihil omnis sed quidem laborum. Nisi est ratione aliquam porro.
Esse voluptatem eum incidunt dolores. Magni excepturi autem mollitia tempore sint laudantium.