Tattoos in RE
I saw a few posts about this but most were a bit stale and not from folks in real estate.
I’m a dude working on the GP side in multifamily doing acquisitions with the goal to make director in the next 6-12 months. Previously, I was on the IB side for a few years.
I’ve thought about getting a tattoo on my left wrist of something with religious significance. It would be between my hand and watch band and not large at all. How would this be viewed among LPs, brokers, lenders, etc? I know RE can be a good ole boys club at times and very relationship driven. While it would likely matter to me, I want to be cognizant and not shooting myself in the foot professionally.
I would imagine the only time you'll really run into that prejudice is when/if you're sitting at the table with institutional players (particularly older snobby types), whether they be a LP, lender, etc. Outside of that, I don't think it matters much, if at all. I've had people with visible tattoos at every company I've worked for and they've always been more extensive or significant than a small wrist tattoo. My guess with the type of person to notice/take issue with this would perceive a small wrist tattoo differently than a full sleeve.
Additionally, this conversation seems to be occurring less over the years, so hopefully in the near future it won't even be a thought. If you really want it, I say get it. With that said, it may be wise to wait until you get promoted if possible, in case someone who has to approve that promotion happens to be one of the people I referenced above
I’m a person who is like this - why do I dislike tattoos and judge people who have them? I don’t necessarily want to feel this way but I do
Could never seriously date a girl with tattoos. Tend to think of guys differently once I found out they have them. It’s not a huge deal to me but I seem to be an outlier within my generation
I've always believed in following the footsteps of successful people.
There are many super wealthy people with tattoos... but these people mostly work in non-business-related industries (e.g. adult modeling, music, tattoo artistry, acting, etc).
If you look at the most successful white-collar people (like Mark Cuban, Jeff Bezos, any of the people on Shark Tank, Warren Buffett, fuck, even Tai Lopez), none of them have tattoos.
At the end of the day, you have to think of it this way. Nobody will judge you for not having a tattoo... but some people MAY judge you for having one. Is the tattoo worth the off-chance that someone might see it and judge you?
Also, you have an entire body... why not just get the tattoo in an area that people won't see it? Are you stupid or something?
Agree with a lot of your points, but to be fair Daymond John has some
What a loss for the girls of the world
Only a loss for the uneducated girls that have tats. Which - lets be real - is the majority of girls with tattoos (don’t get too triggered - there can be exceptions). But you’re not seeing a ton of smart, sexy women with tattoos.
I think you'd be surprised by who has tattoos these days
Somebody either doesn't live in NY/LA/SF/Chi or has never gotten laid
LOL if all you have are personal attacks I consider that a win. Having a tattoos is on average more trashy than not having tattoos. I’m sorry your GF has some shitty song lyrics on her ribs but that’s the way it is
Do you even date women bro? What a lost comment hahahah
ROFL
I see your posts everywhere, you're the man
Girls with tattoos are definitely the ones that like anal
This is an underrated comment
You have to weigh how bad you really want the tattoo vs. how comfortable you are with being judged for it. A small wrist tattoo is pretty harmless and the vast majority of people won't care, but it's inevitable that some will. You have to be willing to be ok with that. Otherwise don't get it, or opt for getting it somewhere else on your body that's covered by clothing.
why do you want the tattoo, for his glory or for yours?
-Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade(kinda)
Tattoos are crutches for people who lack personality.(most of the time). If you were in the armed services you get a pass. I don't see a lot of empirically smart people with tattoos.
Lot of 1950's opinions here.
The reality is, if you're good enough, your tattoo won't matter, but you still need to be thoughtful about placement. I know people with full sleeves and you can't tell in a dress shirt.
If you want a small wrist tattoo, what is the rationale for it to between your watch band and your hand (which is like...a centimeter?) instead of literally under your watch band?
Thanks for responding CRE
It would likely fall somewhere around that area between under watch and between watch band and hand. Basically, was just trying to note that it wont be 100% invisible.
dude, if you need to crowdsource if you should get a tattoo. maybe wait 6 months?
And that's what I was referring to - more or less "why does it need to be between the watch band and the wrist?" as opposed to just under the band.
It's real estate - get your shit done and no one cares, this isn't banking and appearance means almost nothing.
And for what it's worth, having an unobtrusive religious symbol on your wrist comes off a lot differently than a tribal band or a full sleeve or whatever. The only people who might judge you for it is anyone from a culture in which tattooing is frowned upon in general.
Honestly, I would never care, if you looked/dressed/acted professional in every other way, if I happen to "notice" a tattoo I really don't think I would have any reaction.
That said, the fact that you are even asking, indicates that you are aware people judge people for all sorts of things these days. So I think you really have two options.
1. Be the kind of person who care what others think, and manage yourself accordingly, with all the stress it takes (call it playing it safe and nervous)
2. Be who you are and want to be, and accept the consequences
Personally, people following number 2 are likely to be more confident and successful at life IMHO. There are 'risks', but do you want to work for or do business with people who would judge you for having a tattoo (clearly if you are considering it, so you in that world somewhat already)?? If you are going to judge me for being me, let's just get this out now (in fairness, I don't have tattoos or really anything to feel judged upon, but if you find something, that's your problem not mine).
Frankly, there are a lot of 'eclectic' people in real estate (more in the real asset/development than banking realm...), some go out of their way to stand out. Whatever you do, just own it.
Well said. Love to see some sort of data or survey. I bet RE folks are more open to tattoos than the banking and old-school finance crowd.
i'm a consultant who works in the RE space (so not a "real" RE guy) and when i see a colleague with a tattoo i tend to like them more for it - gives a more laid back, human vibe
that said, i also want tats so i'm not in the majority probably
I personally would be one of the people to judge. I know that's not a great thing to say, but thought I would throw my honest opinion out there. On the other hand, if I had the chance to work with you and understand that this man gets his shit done and excels at what he does, I wouldn't care at all or even think about it. It's more so the initial judgement more than anything else.
Unpopular opinion but I'm not a huge fan of them....
I have friends who have tattoos, but in all honesty when I first meet someone I trust and feel more comfortable around people who don't... Maybe thats just me. The one exception I have is if the tattoo has some sort of larger significance or is a mark of membership.. Think collegiate rowing team, olympic tattoo, secret society brand, frat tattoo. I still prefer these tattoos to be hidden and not visible in work attire though
You are right to be afraid of people who have tattoos, as tattooed people are inherently less trustworthy and known scoundrels and swindlers.
Some big black greek letters on the calf though? Immediately puts your mind at ease, as it should.
.
Everyone I've meet professionally in the business who I would consider is worth their weight in gold probably could care less. They are stand up guys who worked HARD and thats how they ended up there. If you are a stand up guy and you want to work hard a tattoo will not hold you back. The cream always rises to the top (tattoo or no tattoo). Just my 2 cents.
Let's flip this. How would you judge a female with a lower back tattoo? Would you wife her up?
Maybe, she is the exception to the rule, but either way her decision makes you think HARD about dating a girl like this.
bruh a tramp stamp is a VERY different story than an actual tasteful tat
Tramp stamp is from the 90s. The modern day version of the tramp stamp are the tattoos that go under your boobs or some silly phrase / song lyrics in thin cursive letters on the ribs. Also curious what kind of tattoos are “tasteful” other than just really small non-invasive ones
Dude you sound Persian. You should be banned from any judgement calls regarding tramp stamps.
I'd say most in the industry probably won't care. Attitudes in RE are a little more down to earth compared to the rest of finance. There are still obviously old-school guys in the industry, and i think some of them will be put off by it, but only when its very much visible and distracting to look at. I've got a coworker who has a pretty big one on his forearm, and the only way he can hide it is wearing long-sleeves. I don't think the older higher-ups are too bothered by it, but I think most of the time he's got himself covered up quite a bit as he's always wearing long-sleeves, even in warmer weather, and when he does roll his sleeves up, its very minimal so as to not reveal it.
i vote get a face tattoo and be the crazy independent leasing broker focused on urban hipster businesses
I know a guy from high school who works in real estate and has a few tattoos. I heard he did quite well (for him) selling single family homes..
No one will care (except a face tat maybe). This industry is filled with all sorts of personalities. It is funny though that all the people saying how they look down on people with tattoos are, according to their username/title, anonymous analysts and interns that have never stepped foot into the real world or at least out from behind their monitor.
Seconding this, my global brokerage hired a director from another global brokerage and this guy has legit arm tattoos that you can see when he wears a polo. Not full sleeves, but not a little wrist tattoo either. I know people at life cos and banks with full sleeves in white collar roles as well. I don’t think anyone really cares as long as you produce.
Again, who cares? If you are obsessed with working for Blackstone or some other uppity firm, then dress like Patrick Bateman and be done with it. I can tell you that I interact with folks from the so called "elite" firms, and the only thing they are good for is using for their corporate AMEX cards and charging up expensive dinners and bar tabs. Spend a week in LA meeting entrepreneurial developers/investors (guys who own $30M homes and collect vintage Ferrari's), and you will find that your definition of success in RE means nothing to them.
And shouldn't that be the goal in real estate? To have your own shit so it doesn't matter whether or not you have tats?
Yeah but people on WSO are more concerned with ranking their REIT or whatever
Don't get a tattoo bro simple as that
I've got a tribal forearm sleeve. When client facing, just keep your sleeves rolled down. I airbrush it with make-up sometimes during the summer, depending on my mood.
This thread is like that old one about, "what does associate driving an old car say about them," particularly in that it makes me want to blow my brains out.
Don't y'all have shit to do...? Let it die
Tattoos r hawt, anyone who disagrees is from the 1950s!!!!1
You're literally the person keeping the thread going (anonymously too, I might add.) You don't like tattoos. Cool. Don't get one.
Such a weird hill to die on.
It just screams insecurity. I’m so confused, no one is throwing MS at pro-tat comments, why are people piling MS onto comments that don’t support tats? It’s an opinion... a person is asking if he should get a tat and people are providing their input.
There is literally no benefit of getting a tat, only potential cons.
Just crush it at life/job and no one will give a s**t. I have tattoos that can be visible sometimes and NOT ONCE has it ever affected my deal flow/progress/success.
The ones that judge you for them, along with the judging ones in this thread, are a dying breed.
I'm kinda considering an ass tat next time I go on a boys trip just for the story.
that's a bit cliche, no?
Get one if you want one. RE is the redheaded stepchild of finance and I find it to be the wild west. I worked with a guy who had a full sleeve when I worked in CRE and he was closing deals like a mf'er. Probably make north of $1m every year for 5 years running.
My $0.02, as long as you perform, no one will care. Tattoos will polarize people naturally (as the comments reflect), but think of the positives - the people that are drawn to you won't care if you have tattoos or not.
I guess you should ask yourself this... would you put a bumper sticker on a ferrari? And at the end of the day your body is much more valuable than a Ferrari
Glad my great grandpa made a WSO account just to post this
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