Guess who’s not getting a job here?
Sure, there is a time for rebellion. You’re young. Grow your hair long, shave it off. I don’t care. Puncture that beautiful mug, get a tatto across your forehead that says “Whore”. It’s your life, screw it up.
But don’t think for a second I have to employ you when you have, as a dear friend of mine describes it, “Sh*t in your face.”
And woe unto the business that doth employ the pinhead. It would be tough to find a better way to say, “We can’t find anyone else to work here… sorry, this is the best we can do.”
You said as well as anyone can. Just those who think they need another hole in their head cuz thier brains can’t easily leak out the ones given at birth. Specially in food service how repulsive are you who have tats and peircings sticking out of your head. Another one is obese people specially in food service (how wise a businessman who uses the obese to turn off his customers from eating his food in ample quanities). There are many employers who require tattoos be covered umm on the face thats hard to do!
Oh and by the way don’t poke your eye out with your cigar!
Mark on September 5th, 2007 at 12:25 pm | Link
Three reasons I don’t shop at Whole Foods.
1. High prices (I understand high quality, but there is a happy medium at a lower price)
2. I can’t find anything ( The layout seems odd to me, but maybe I am freaked out by #3)
3. Facial Piercings
i’m happy to finally fully agree with you on something, Bossman. Facial piercings are dangling silver billboards that read “I make poor life decisions”. Image is incredibly important to a company and the employees create that image. If you stretched out your earlobes wide enough that I can fit my finger through them, you are not a desireable representation of a business. It’s good to be different, but it’s even better to do it without looking like an attention whore.
@Dblock, I’m starting to think you would fit well over in human resources.
I’m pretty much in agreement with this, too. Choices do have consequences, and while I agree with a person’s freedom to pierce his/her face, it doesn’t make it a good career move.
macaddict on September 5th, 2007 at 8:06 pm | Link
I can’t stand having to try and talk to someone at a store who’s got a ring hanging off their lip, or off their eyebrow, or even worse, some hideous tattoo across their neck. Its detracting, if not disgusting.
I think it was Dennis Miller who first brought this up. “Let’s see, what can I possibly do to make myself LESS employable!”
Grendel on September 21st, 2007 at 11:35 am | Link
I don’t use drugs, rarely drink, I have a respectable job, and will be keeping it for a long time to come.
I also have facial piercings.
I’m a locksmith, I travel to customer’s houses and places of business to repair locks and secure their assets. Neither my boss, or my customers, have a problem with my facial piercings.
Why?
Because I’m clean, punctual, friendly and I’m good at my job.
No doubt all of the people who posted above me know plenty of people, male and female, with pierced ears. Some of you probably even employ these people.
You must also consider that people in many cultures have been practicing piercing for centuries for various cultural and religious reasons. nobody here has the right to judge anybody for their reasons for doing such things.
A little concurrence never hurt anybody.
Neither has a facial piercing.
Ickday on September 23rd, 2007 at 3:23 am | Link
Ickday said:
Agreed, nobody should make judgment for someone’s looks; however, the post is not talking about judgment, the post is talking about hiring someone for a job and a judgment of sorts is the right of any employer hiring someone.
Don’t give me the “culture” argument and don’t give me the “religious” argument. I’m thinking 99% of the dudes and dudettes getting their tounges pierced and their eyebrows gouged don’t know sh-it about cultural or religious reasons for doing something like that.
And while we’re at it… what cultures and what religions influenced your decision to pierce your face?
suckerfish on October 2nd, 2007 at 2:12 pm | Link
Wow. I’m shocked at some of the bias and bigotry displayed here. Jewelery is something that humans have used to decorate themselves for thousands of years. We still do it today. Many of us wear bracelets, necklaces, or have our ears, noses, eyebrows, lips, etc pierced. Body decorations can be very classy in my personal opinion. I like my many body piercings, and consider them sophisticated. I like this form of decoration. If you don’t want to wear jewelry yourself, that’s fine too. Don’t wear any. However, you shouldn’t attack others for doing so.
And re: Mark, Whole foods does not allow facial piercings other than on the ears and a stud in the nose. All others must be retained.
Please, have a lovely and open-minded day.
x on October 7th, 2007 at 11:33 am | Link
Oops. Make that “Re: DW17″. Sorry, Mark.
x on October 7th, 2007 at 11:34 am | Link
RedneckTech
(I think it was Dennis Miller who first brought this up. “Let’s see, what can I possibly do to make myself LESS employable!”)
You know i find it very interesting that u say that considering i have worked in retail since i was 14 and some of the worst people i have hired have been people who have thought like that in fact most of the people that i have met with facial piercings have been great workers and great with people at the age of 49 i em now i tattoo artist and i have been for 8 years and to say that some one is “”LESS employable”’ is like saying some one who has a elongated neck( being from india) cant be employed
Havoc on October 9th, 2007 at 12:27 pm | Link
also it is discrimanating to make such claims just as u cant say ( im not going to hire u because u smoke or because of the color of there skin how stupid are u to say you are less likely to hire some one because of what u think they should or should not do to there own body’s you as employers should consider every thing but the color of there skin, whether they have tattoos or piercings
Havoc on October 9th, 2007 at 12:31 pm | Link
the ignorance is KILLING me. you all sound like my father. (with the exception of the last few posts, of course)
blouse on October 16th, 2007 at 3:31 pm | Link
Facial piercings are artistic.
I am apalled by the opinions displayed on here.
I understand that piercings are a choice one makes, and that, yes, it is something employers are going to consider. Appearance is very important in making a good first impression.
What I am disgusted by is that you people are willing to make such generalities and stereotypes. You would not accuse all people of [insert race here] stupid. Well, this seems to be precisely what you are doing here. As someone intelligently pointed out, people with pierced ears are widely employed. In fact, ear-piercing is often done to babies. This is something that has become widely accepted in our culture. There is no difference between ear piercings and facial piercings except the fact that facial piercings have not become as culturally accepted.
They will be.
Somehow, I doubt that your repulsion at piercings stems from the appearance of the piercings themselves. Rather, it probably stems from your disgust of something you see as aberrant.
I suggest you people open your minds a little bit.
Appearance is important to a company, but piercings do not change the qualities of the person. If someone is the most qualified for the job, then it should not matter what they decide to do. As an employer, you have the ability to discuss this with them and find a compromise - like removing piercings at work. Yes, you can remove them, you know! They are not welded to the person!
Please, stop living in utter ignorance.
By the way, unpierced people aren’t the only ones who have knowledge of culture and religion. Stop stereotyping.
genevieve on January 27th, 2008 at 9:05 pm | Link
I love my piercing and will never take it out. People are ignorant. I don’t make fun of you because your wearing a shirt that I may not like or you dyed your hair a different colour. That is your personal choice and people should respect that. Why don’t we quit saying “first impressions are everything” and change that to “lets get to know someone for who they really are and look deeper than outer appearances.” I did not get my piercing to be rebellious or to “screw up my life” as your friend called it. I got it cuz it represents an important time in my life. When I look at it in the mirror I smile because it reminds me of where I’ve been and where I’ve come to. I dont refer to it as “s*it on my face” It’s a beautiful piece of me that I would never want to give up. So great, go ahead and say that people with facial piercings and tattoos won’t find jobs but I’ll give you hundreds of people who have found wonderful good paying jobs. Just because your an ignorant close-minded person doesn’t mean everyone else is, so don’t speak on behalf of them. Thank you
Renee on February 10th, 2008 at 5:58 pm | Link
I can not believe how close-minded you people are. I am disgusted at the thoughtless comments that some of the people have made here. You give no solid evidence of how piercings make people “make poor life decisions” as DBlock put it.
You disgust me, all of you who can’t use your puny excuses of brains for one second to actually break free from your tight-ass uniformed, pre-determined, drone like thoughts and “ways of life” to realize that just because someone decides to get a piercing that it does NOT, IN ANY WAY, mean that said person is unintelligent and unable to sustain a functional job.
I also applaud those of you who spoke against this ridiculous post. This type of posting just shows how incongruous (look it up) and, frankly, ignorant you people really are.
And about the random, pointless comment about the obese people working in restaurant….I hope God has mercy on your soul. I don’t understand how people like you can survive in a world like this, you heartless bastard.
Becca on February 18th, 2008 at 3:06 am | Link
I believe that the biases being passed here are very childish. It is of equivalence to being racist, or sexist. Just because somebody enjoys expressing themselves in a different way then you may, does not mean that they are any less qualified for doing the job than you are. I have twenty man made holes in my body. No, my brain is not “leaking” out of them, and though I have had some trouble being hired, my bosses have always felt badly about judging me before giving me a chance to show them my above average abilities.
You ignorant assholes.
Ashley on February 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am | Link
First lets get something straightened out here! Some of you are saying this is like discriminating against skin color. Well what you stick thru you lip or paint into the skin of your forehead is a choice, sex, race, skin color, national origin etc. are not choices they are facts that you are stuck with. So there is clearly not any similarity in discriminating against one for his choices vs. that which is beyond his control. Some of you go as far as to say if you’re the most qualified for the job then your piercing or tattoos should not matter. Well surprise if your tattooed up one side and down the other and work in a restaurant in the front line service you turn me off eating at that restaurant and therefore are less qualified than someone who has no visible tattoos or piercing. Likewise if your teeth are rotting out.
Now as for wise life choices, let explore this a bit further. Piercing let just take the of the tongue for now. There are many maladies which can occur from a pierced tongue such as gingivitis and broken/chipped teeth. I don’t know about you but I want to keep my chompers fully intact as long as possible tongue piercing not really a wise choice in my book. And how about he waitress who has a tongue piercing and sprays you with saliva as a result as she takes your order. Yeah It has happened even to me! Now for tattoos the ink for these colorful skin designs is made of some pretty nefarious things at times. Some of the brighter colors have a large amount of ground plastic and brighter colors may even be somewhat metallic. Well you say so what. That’s until you have to have an MRI and half your face burns off because of the metallic/magnetic pigments your decided to inject under you skin.
I happen to know one of the best tattoo artists in the world. He is #1 award winning artist at this time. (want to know who he is look it as said by someone else earlier). Well this guy tattoos professionals from all walks of life and from many different countries as I said he is one of the best. He told me if you come to his shop and ask for a tattoo of barbed wire around your arm your grandfather better have invented barbed wire. This fellow has most of his body covered in tattoos and says he regrets most of them. He turns away many people every day who want to get tattoos for silly or foolish reasons and this fellow does not want to be a part of the regret. He once told me those spinner you know the rims that keep spinning they are pretty cool well at least you may think so in your youth or right now but years from know you may think how stupid you were to have spent all this money on this stupid fad that everybody thinks is really stupid now. Then he pulls up his shirt sleeve and say says what if that spinner were right here for the rest of your life? Kinda makes ya think huh?
As for you Becca with what you think are big words incongruous you really think we all have to look it up? If you yourself had a clue what the word means then you would certainly feel embarrassed about using it in the context you have used it. As those who step outside the norm those who stray from what is commonly accepted practices are those who are incongruous. And today in almost every jurisdiction in the USA employers have the right to terminate or refuse employment to those who do not behave in a manner consistent with the work environment they are seeking employment or are employed. For example do you really think any tattoo shop would hire a tattoo artist who has no tattoos himself no matter how good an artist he is? Some goes with the machine shop not hiring he who has huge chains dangling from his chin which may get caught in the machinery, Or he/she who has a hideous image painted under the skin of his face is unlikely to be hired to work where he greets the public unless there is specific reasons for that such as front gate at a haunted house.
Bottom line here is the life choices you make dictates who you will be and dictates how you will be perceived by the outside world. There is a time and a place for everything If you don’t want to be rejected from most customer service jobs don’t do things to limit your chances ie getting a tattoo on your face.
As for obese people serving me my food, I may be alone on this one but I certainly I am less interested when my server is fat! (also a choice)
mark on February 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm | Link
Well, Mark. You may have made some good points. I don’t know. Why? Because I don’t listen to people who can’t form grammatically sound sentences. You just make yourself look like an idiot, especially when trying to argue the linguistic abilities of those before you - oh yeah, and if you had looked it up you would have found incongruous to mean “out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming” which actually does make sense in the context Becca used it in. Go back to school.
genevieve on March 1st, 2008 at 9:05 am | Link
ok my bad so I have a little more of a life than you and don’t really have the time to go back and proof my postings on a site with people who cannot intelligently argue a point. Oh well, believe what my must, I will not be hiring you anytime soon I’m sure.
And yeah, looks like you almost got the definition of incongruous correct. Those who are out of place, ie tattoos on the face of a customer service rep are indeed incongruous and yes Becca’s use of this word is out of place and in itself incongruous!
Oh and Genevieve how pray tell do you listen to the written word? If you really want to pick apart at petty specifics we can all do it right?
Perhaps you should have paid more attention in class today instead of texting your friends all day!
mark on March 2nd, 2008 at 2:38 pm | Link
Yes, actually. If one person decides to start “picking apart at petty specifics” then it opens it up to everyone. I believe you’ll find that you began this in correcting Becca’s use of the word incongruous.
As for your hiring me, which is rather irrelevant, I highly doubt that you would find anything disagreeable about employing me if you ever met me. I don’t have piercings or tattoos, I dress conservatively, and I respect my employers. If you jumped to conclusions that are not in accordance with these facts, that is not my problem.
Now, as for that part that really matters, your original post did make some good points. You will find that I acknowledged in my original post that tattoos and piercings are personal decisions and that the individual should make them with the consequences in mind. However, employers should be looking at the personal qualities of the individual first, and appearance second. If the person is truly the best for the position, then the employer should address the issue of appearance at that point.
As for your points regarding health concerns, while they are valid points, they are rather irrelevant to the issue at hand. If people want to put their health at risk (and people do - take smoking, as another example) then that is their choice, and not the concern of the employer.
Lastly, you seem to make the assumption that the positions being discussed are solely customer service or positions in which the employee is highly in contact with the clients. What is your opinion on hiring people with tattoos or piercings for positions in which the employee is not as visible to the clientele?
(As a final note, although it’s completely unimportant, I don’t “text” my friends. I don’t own a cellphone and when I am in class I don’t have a computer at hand.)
genevieve on March 3rd, 2008 at 12:22 pm | Link
@Genevieve, first I must say thanks for somewhat intelligible discussion. As for Becca’s use of the word incongruous it certainly should not be interpreted as picking at petty specifics. She directed the word as a descriptor for those posting. In so doing she made a huge mistake or at least a huge metaphor in her word choice while making it a valid discussion. A petty specific such as “listening to the written word” has no bearing on the topic of discussion.
Ok so on to the real meat of the discussion here. You said “However, employers should be looking at the personal qualities of the individual first”. It is just like, if you walk into a job interview stinking to high heaven wearing rags for cloths, you had better bring with you some real wit to overcome. Same goes with the piercing and tattoos, wear them but you had better compensate. My point with the medical issues associated with tattoos and piercing was illustrative to the fact these are poor life choices. Being poor life choices the employer judges your judgment and does not hire you! They are poor life choices for many other reasons medical and otherwise and yes the fact that some see these acts as “aberrant” is another. Take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of tattoos where, when and how. Military yes respectable yes, akin to the drunken sailor brings a bad connotation. The prevalence of tattooing in the prison system is overwhelming perhaps where much of the aberrations come from. Perhaps the general stereotype of a tattooed person is that of blue collar, dirty and otherwise of lower social economic standing. Today this is hardly a truism but on the same token you do not see too many professionals with tattoos and piercing visible to their clients, patients or customers.
Now as for piercing of the ear vs. facial piercing, there is a huge and dramatic difference. The ear is composed mostly of cartilage and has a very low supply of blood. This makes this area very innocuous when conducting an invasive procedure upon it, such as peircing. The tongue, lip, cheek, eyebrow belly button and other commonly selected areas for piercing is soft tissue highly profuse with blood. The healing time for ears can be a few days where some of these other parts can take up 6 months or even a year to heal properly and exposes the recipient to much pain, swelling and infection risk.
Yes I agree people take risks with their health all the time. Smoking is another one where employers can and do terminate people as a result. There was even a recent case where an employer terminated in mass people who smoke even when not at work. Yes they fired people who never ever smoked at work but smoked on their own time away from work. Stated reason to lower the health care benefits package cost. I believe this one was fought in court and I’m unsure of who prevailed. They can also argue smokers cause more lost work time due to sick leave. The point here is it can and has been done.
Good for you and another example of a petty specific.
“(As a final note, although it’s completely unimportant, I don’t “text” my friends. I don’t own a cellphone[sic] and when I am in class I don’t have a computer at hand.)”
“And woe unto the business that doth employ the pinhead. It would be tough to find a better way to say, “We can’t find anyone else to work here… sorry, this is the best we can do.””
Customer service or not the original post as quoted above is about employment of those with tattoos and piercing.
mark on March 3rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm | Link
I got a piercing myself a few weeks ago, and it did nothing to help me. First of all i get this disgusting hole in my nose - and for like a week-and-a-half it looked great, but it soon got like really infected. Also, like the day after i got it, some lady complained about it to my employer, and they let me go, because i was still on my 90-day probation! Is that fair? Then some jocks at school kicked my ass for being “emo” as they call it, and of course my mom flips out. I mean, i got in one little fight, and my mom gets scared; tells me i’m moving in with my auntie and uncle in bel-air! So i whistled for a cab, and when it came near, the license plate said fresh, and there was dice in the mirror. Well, if i could see anything, it’s that this cab was rare, but i thought “Oh, man, forget it - Yo-ho! The Bel-air!”.
RickAnon on March 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm | Link
Thanks for the testimonial RickAnon. Just goes to show this post has credibility wheather or not right or wrong. The mainstream of people still at this day do not like this abberant behavoir and you are reducing your chances at success in life unless you have the extreme talant of the rock stars and sports stars who get thier body art. In most juristictions performing body art on a minor (assuming you are as your moms reaction) is illegal without parental consent.
(and yes genevieve this little post has grotesque mispellings and poor gramer kudos to you!)
mark on March 3rd, 2008 at 4:55 pm | Link
I hope you realize you just got bel-aired, Mark. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just go here: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/w/w.....46970.html
That post wasn’t serious at all.
genevieve on March 3rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm | Link
So genevieve? Are you saying you have personal knowledge that the above post is “untrue”. Many kids talk in riddles and lyrics of song. Guess they can’t think for themsleves owell. The testimonial given above true or not for he who gave it certainly it is true for many many people. An example my dental hygenist told me her husband went and got a tattoo on his arm. The next day at work his employer told him he just made the choice to wear long sleeve shirts for the rest of his career. Ok in the winter but the hot hot summers here not so good. My tattoo artist friend tells me stories of all the nose peircings he has to litterally dig out of puss filled infections for those who went to a low quality shop without proper knowledge.
And yes genevieve, I am quite aware of the theme song for the show fresh prince of Bell air. So I guess this is where I cry sobing uncontrollably whimpering and sighing at the stupidity I have shown in not knowing a dupe…. Well like I said its not a dupe even if the author is lying he speeks for the many who have the same experience.
so yes it was serious
oh no
cry
cry
cry
sob
sob
cry
cry
Ive been duped
oh what shall I do now?
mark on March 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am | Link
Wow. Of all the immature comments that have been made on this thread (including my own), that takes the cake. Bravo, Mark. Bravo.
And on that note, I’m going to end this discussion. Nice ‘conversing’ with you, Mark. Goodbye.
genevieve on March 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm | Link
Oh yummy cake I love cake (actually I don’t) but since I have it might as well make the most of it. I guess you show your age and lack of hummor. Yeah and I really like your validation technique of referencing your own immaturity almost had me convienced.
its actually called satire not imaturity.
Again perhaps you should have paid attention in class instead of ploting your next mybiggestcomplaint post favoring the incongruous, or what ever you would call them.
mark on March 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm | Link
Actually, Mark, i can and will attest to the fact that the above comment is not only untrue, but that it was made solely to make you look like an idiot - or as those of us well versed in the ways of the internet would put it, to “troll” you; and while this isn’t necessarily the best use of my time, it produced considerable humor at your expense, otherwise known as “lulz”. Basically, Mark, you are one of the most talented foot-in-mouth artists I’ve ever encountered. And your idea of satire is very weak; the entire idea behind satire is to mock something in a witty and lighthearted way, so unless you were attempting to lampoon yourself, you failed miserably (or as the internet prefers, an “Epic Fail”). My advice to you is to stop posting on the internet because you’re simply going to encounter people like genevieve and myself who are far superior to you intellectually, and promptly make an ass of yourself trying to debate us. Consider this a rare moment of kindness from the internet hate machine.
Remember these words, friend and you’ll have a much easier time on the internet:
United as one, divided by zero; we are anonymous, we are legion; we do not forgive, we do not forget - expect us.
Peace.
Anonymous
RickAnon on March 6th, 2008 at 7:13 pm | Link
Wow, the ignorance of the majority of comments on this site is deplorable. It is interesting to me that individuals get so angry about a form of self expression that is essentially harmless, unintrusive and-in my perspective-of artistic inclination: how about all of you ignorant people focus your mental efforts on something legitimately worthy of discussion and, dare I say it, socially relevant? Just a thought. If there is one thing I am positive of, it is that those who are so swift to judge often do so because of heightened personal insecurity. Often, if they were truly happy, these people would be focusing on the virtues of one’s character instead of superficial entities that speak to nothing of one’s personality. Perhaps all of you judgemental people should start to focus on volunteering in the local community, enhancing one’s education, directing one’s voice toward actual global injustice: all of which I do, with-heaven forbid-a facial piercing. The only thing that can be said to you ridiculous people is ‘get a life’.
Kate on March 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm | Link
Wow, Rickannon I’m so impressed by your intrinsic knowledge of the internet, had I only known what a lutz was I might have been able to save my face. You are so thoroughly versed in internet ese you must even know Al Gore personally, after all he did invent the internet. I really do love how you put the anthropomorphic feel on the internet!
Now since you obviously did not pay enough attention in your Jr. High Class today here sir is the definition of satire as given by wikipedia.
“Satire is strictly a literary genre, although it is found in the graphic and performing arts as well as the printed word. In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods, ideally with an intent to bring about improvement.[1] Although satire is usually meant to be funny, the purpose of satire is not primarily humor in itself so much as an often quite angry attack on something the author strongly disapproves, using the weapon of wit.
A very common, almost defining feature of satire is its strong vein of irony or sarcasm, but parody, burlesque, exaggeration, juxtaposition, comparison, analogy, and double entendre are all frequently used in satirical speech and writing. The essential point, however, is that “in satire, irony is militant”[2]. This “militant irony” (or sarcasm) often professes to approve the very things the satirist actually wishes to attack.”
Source wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire
You say “the entire idea behind satire is to mock something in a witty and lighthearted way” Where may I ask is the lighthearted way in the irony, sarcasm, anger, disapproval, and militant attitudes in real satire?
Now sir (umm satire again) who is the foot in mouth artist?
If you really want to sound intelligent instead of sound like a little kid loose the slang (yeah I said slang) and speak intelligently about facts not made up stories. Present yourself with sources and referrals which can be verified don’t just make up definitions to fit what you want the word to mean! Then maybe someone will actually take you seriously.
Remember these words, friend and you’ll have a much easier time in life:
He who laughs last laughs best…………
Thanks for playing !
mark on March 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm | Link
I think that people should not judje someone according his/her appearance!It’s not fair!But well sometimes it’s hard for someone to trust another person who has pearcings on his/her face and a lot of tattoos taht look even discussting,and eassume him/her in his business!!!!!!believe me it’s very complicated!!
sofaki on March 13th, 2008 at 10:47 am | Link
Sofaki, you got it right but when someone chooses to look a certain way then you are not judging their looks you are judging their choices.
mark on March 13th, 2008 at 6:03 pm | Link
Bossman i think that is your own opinion and yes you are intitled to it, but if they want to get a tattoo or a piercing, its not your decision, not your body, not your say, so what if you have to look at it? Do you really think they care? You are the smallest of they’re worries in a fast past world. Our world is growing, and the development of things like facial piercings is aswell, and no matter what you think it is going to progress, and there is nothing that anyone can do, people will do what makes them happy, and you shouldnt bitch about something like that. & another thing, facial piercings arent dangling things on someones face that say “I make poor life decisions”, they make the decisions that make them happy, how is that a bad decision? If it makes you happy with yourself? Look at our world, no one gives a flying **** as to what other people think about them anymore, because in the end, everyone is different, and everyone has different aspects. So enough of this complaining! This thread is pointless, its over the interent for christ sakes. If you have a severe problem with this, go hide in your own home and never leave the house, simple you will never have to look at another human bieng with a facial piercing. Hermit. I myself have facial piercings, #1 i didnt get fired from my job, #2 i have worked there for 2 months now with facial piercings, and no one has complained, #3 its your attitude, not the facial piercing that gets you fired.
& to be honest, i have the one of the supposidly scariest facial piercings. & nothing has changed drastically in my life, exept for the fact that i love my piercings! & im happy with myself.
Emily Jayne on March 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pm | Link
sorry guys! forgot to tell this straight up to you bossman, dont think that just because they want to be employed that they come to you because you are the highest in all career fields, because you arent, your company ( as to what ever it is ) is a minor split in they’re side, so what if you dont hire them? All they have to do, is walk across the street to the next company, no biggy on they’re part.
Emily Jayne on March 14th, 2008 at 1:19 pm | Link
agreed with sofaki
DSasser on March 18th, 2008 at 3:30 am | Link
What cracks me up is the person who says they won’t shop at Whole Foods because they’re worried some of the staff might have facial piercings.
Wow. I’m not one to harp overmuch on being ‘judgmental’ or ‘closed-minded’, but damn.
Regarding the religious/cultural angle. While obviously most whitebread middle American teenagers aren’t getting piercings for religious reasons, nose studs are about equivalent to pierced ears in Indian culture. I went to a predominantly South Asian high school (in the USA), and the administration decided to allow nose studs precisely because, culturally, half the student body (and their parents) didn’t see it as “extreme” but as part of their culture.
Also, regarding employability — I have friends who are CPAs, attorneys, veterinarians, etc. who have nose rings and other conservative facial piercings. My doctor has her nose pierced. Welcome to the 21st century, guys.
the opoponax on March 31st, 2008 at 7:03 am | Link
I think it is amazing that so many of you can sit there and judge people like that. I myself do not have anything pierced and I doubt that will change, but I would never make a decision about someone’s work ethic or character based on something like that. That is absolutely shameful. Imagine if standards of dress never changed. We would all be thought of in a different light. These are modern forms of self expression that should be received as such. Just like choice of music and activity. I feel sorry for you people who waste YOUR time worrying about OTHER PEOPLE’S choice. You all should travel more…
Gary on March 31st, 2008 at 2:27 pm | Link
Hey Gary, I think you hit the point right on with what you said if is a form a self expression, so is pointless vandelism so are many other things. That in fact is why a judgment is passed on people who express oneself no matter what the mode of self expression. Im just saying life is really hard enough without doing things likd poking holes in your face to reduce your chances even more. Kinda like a multimillinoer friend of mine once said and were talking about facial hair here something very changable. He said that very few people look good with facial hair and it is a distraction thats why many attorneys and psychotherapists wear facial hair to take the attention off of themselves. He said some peole may look good with a mustache but if paul bunnion walks in and sits down beside you it will probably be a turnoff. He said he would never let a few onces of hair keep him from the success he desires.
Just some food for thought!
mark on April 1st, 2008 at 9:46 am | Link
Ok ok ok… So people with piercings are devil worshiping and down right evil people! NO I THINK NOT! I am a hair stylist and I have been asked to take my piercings out for a job and I won’t! What some people don’t understand is that when you get them .. Your in a certain state in you life. My piercings remind me of my healing process! I love them and they make me who I am! My friends and family all accept me for who I am, this are my thoughts not yours, all I have is my monroe and my nose. But till this day I won’t take them out for anyone! Have a great day!
AshNic on April 14th, 2008 at 3:52 pm | Link
Well I’m not sure anyone with facial piercings would want to work for someone as stupid as you.
Get documented scientific proof that piercings or tattoos decrease one’s intelligence/ability to preform at a job and then I might consider what you have to say.
I hope you children (or you grandchildren, your opinion makes you sound like a fossil) turn out to be metal heads.
Anonymous on April 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 pm | Link
Whoa now back up a minute Anonymous. Nobody here has really said that people with tattoos and facial piercings are less intelligent or have any reduced ability. It has only been said that this behavoir reduces ones chances in life to gain the most with the least effort. Nobody walks down the street and says hey that guy would look really good with a bar thru his nose! There are however, plenty of people who walk down the street see the guy with a bar thru his nose and say that is not attractive (to be polite with the wording). Quite to the contrary there are many people with tattoos and piercings who are very intelligent and very hard workers. Its only public perception we are talking about here.
It is however, people who pop off with the vile hatred, name calling and ill wishes for his fellow are the ones with the real problems.
mark on April 23rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm | Link
I think this is very immature. I have two piercings on my face; nose and monroe. I don’t think they’re trashy, and I don’t think you should be labeled for it. Its a way to express who you are. It’s cool to have your opinion, but I really don’t think people should be treated differently or looked at differently because unlike some people, we have the guts to show who we really are. (:
bethany on April 25th, 2008 at 1:12 am | Link
Bethany,
Wear a three peice suite walk down the street. Then wear the cloths you would use to paint your house. Treated any differntly between the two outfits? You bet you are. Same thing here. What you wear, wheather its metal in your face or silk ties and 3 peice suites it does not change who you are it may change how you feel about yourself and it definatly changes how people preceive you.
Now as for your piercings and what they really represent they are
Egocentric (A form of immaturity in which)
You are self-centered and selfish. You have little regard for others and you are preoccupied with your ideas, feelings and symptoms. You deeply believe that you are somehow special. You demand constant attention, respect and sympathy.
mark on April 25th, 2008 at 9:00 am | Link
I find myself drawn to people with tattoos and piercings so as to avoid ignorantly bigoted ones such as the primary poster and subsequent ‘tards.
I’ve no facial piercings myself as it seems a little like adding an extra Achiles heel or set of testicles to your head, but I DO find people with visible markings or shrapnel to be much more trustworthy.
Warren on April 30th, 2008 at 2:42 am | Link
It’s appalling that you cannot see past a facial piercing or two. To some people piercing is much more than just a piece of metal to adorn a face, its a life statement, and not one that says - “I make poor life choices” or “i’ve screwed up my life” You really should open up your minds a little. How can a piece of metal offend you? I am in no doubt that you will employ those with ear piercings, which I feel is overly hypocritical. I have facial piercings and have gotten jobs easily. I’ve even been allowed to keep them in whilst at work, and I received compliments and questions from customers who were genuinely intrigued. By posting this kind of garbage I’m pretty sure you are going to ruin things for those who may potentially employ those with piercings, but may think twice after reading your rant. You shouldn’t be so judgmental of what you clearly do not understand. This piece offends me.
Yaz on May 16th, 2008 at 3:46 am | Link
A facial piercing has not effect on an employee’s ability to perform a task. It is merely there for a spiritual or aesthetic reason. Body modifications become more popular every year, I alone know at least 20 people with piercing, those people probably know 20 more and so on. Companies will eventually be forced to accept it because there are so many people with them, including you.
Pierced chick on May 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am | Link
“Body modifications become more popular every year, I alone know at least 20 people with piercing, those people probably know 20 more and so on. Companies will eventually be forced to accept it because there are so many people with them, including you.”
In the meantime, good luck finding a job. You’ll have a great career after social structure, workplace culture, dress codes, and client expectations, change. In the meantime, many people with facial piercings will be compromising their income, benefits, career potential, and retirement. If you can make that work for you, great, but people who are considering getting (or have) facial piercings should really consider the consequences and how it will impact them.
My biggest problem with the whole facial piercing thing is that people who “want” facial piercings that I talk to can never accept the fact that “I” don’t like them personally and that I think it is unattractive.
The facially pierced want / expect me to accept them with the piercings in their face but yet absolutely refuse to accept my opinion that I DON’T LIKE IT!
Seems like the folks who want it done to their faces have a huge double standard of, “accept me for my choices but screw your opinion on the whole thing”.
I mean seriously, I have LOST friends over the argument because I dont agree with it. This is Foo Bar if you ask me. And now my girlfriend wants a lip ring and I am trying to tell her I don’t like it. Yup! You guessed it, she can’t accept my opinion, yet I have to deal with her attitude on the whole thing.
I love my girlfriend the way she is, a hoop in her lip will make it harder for me to kiss her (she disagrees) and I don’t think it will do a DAMN thing for her future.
Bottom line… I am guessing and rather certain that the facially pierced will never accept ME because I don’t agree with the logic of a CIVILIZED society piercing their faces. I like PEOPLE not jewelry!
I find it extremely frustrating talking to someone who likes facial piercings. It always turns into an argument and they ALWAYS end up claiming I am an asshole because I don’t agree with it.
Since when am I the wierd one for not wanting me or my loved ones and friends to butcher their faces?
If you knew why other civilizations pierced their faces you would see that FOR THE MOST part it was to instill fear in their enemies.
I don’t care if you pierce your face. I never will. I woulnt treat you any differently if you did pierce your face, but for the love of God and all that is holy… I am not a bad person because I don’t agree with you, nor am I closed minded or shallow.
This is so frustrating for me because I feel like I am the odd one out in the whole argument when the other party is just SO GOSH DARN STUBBORN ABOUT THE WHOLE THING!
FFS! Will I lose my girlfriend who I love dearly because I don’t like piercings? Would that be right? I have already lost friends over it so I know how far the argument can go.
I just don’t think I should feel bad for HAVING AN OPINION yet the other party always makes me feel like I have done something wrong for not agreeing with facial piercings.
THIS IS FOO BAR!
Im out’ … lataz’
PHB on May 23rd, 2008 at 6:09 pm | Link
I do not currently have a facial piercing, but I’m trying to convince my mother to let me get one. I do understand that facial piercings will affect the way people look at me, but I do not think they should hold me back from advancing my future. My piercings will say nothing about my character or responsibility so I don’t see why they matter.
And those of you saying that they show poor decision making have no proof. I’m looking very deeply into the effects that a piercing could have on me healty-wise. I’m fully aware of the effects it could have and how to counter them. I understand if you do not like the way they look, but it is our choice to wear them.
I see no difference between facial piercings and make up. Would you base your decision to hire someone on whether or not they wear makeup? I highly doubt it. Facial piercings have the same concept. They are used as decoration.
And I do know about historical and culturaly reasons for facial piercings. I don’t claim to be an expert on it, but I know enough. For example, in India, nose rings were thought to help with child birth because the area is associated with female reproductive organs. So you saying that because I’m only 15, I won’t know about the cultural reasons behind facial piercings have no foundation.
And on another note, Mark, you asked for pro-piercing people to provide credible sources like you did. However, your source was not credible. Wikipedia is easily edited; therefore, cannot be used as a source.
Back to the main topic though. I am still in high school, and I want a facial piercing. I’m the top student in my grade and I’m very active in school. I take part in clubs and academic programs. I don’t see how a facial piercing would hinder that. I’m mature and responsible. I am an officer in the club Youth Activist Coalition, and I have a job as manager of a local band. In no way should a facial piercing affect how people percieve me as a person. I should have the chance to prove my capabilities before being judged due to a hole in my skin.
Facial piercings are not offencive, they are a choice and a form of self-expression. I would never try to get someone to get a piercing just because I like them. And I wouldn’t look at them differently because they don’t have a piercing. I feel that I deserve the same respect.
Amy on May 27th, 2008 at 1:18 pm | Link
I find this taboo about peircings in the workplace laughable, or at least I would if it didn’t mean people losing out on good jobs because they have a nose stud! Not to mention the hassle teenagers get for it in schools (excluding safety issue in sports/DT obviously).
I’m just amazed by so many comments stating it is vomit-inducing and pretentious. It’s a piercing, 5 year old girls have them!
I’m just amazed in the 21st century its not legally protected. In my small business, I have several members of staff with facial peircings, and as long as they keep them clean by H&S standards its none of my business! Its such a small thing and yet its treated like the plague!
As mentioned I know its a choice rather being born with it, but does THAT make a difference? If you hire a post-op Transexual and she gets sexually harassed, is it her fault for choosing to become a woman? You may find that a high convoluted arguement but then the arguement against piercings is hardly based in fact or hard data.
If someone complained about my employees PERSONAL CHOICES I’d call them a bigoted moron and throw them out. I’m amazed that while racial equality, woman’s rights, gay rights all become part of the workplace, something so trivial as a piercing is consider upsetting to a workplace enviroment.
And by the way Im a 47 year old ex-Sergeant who has never had and never wish to have a tatoo or piercing.
Nick Roberts on May 29th, 2008 at 5:57 am | Link
Well, I’m a little late on adding my 2 cents but that’s obviously not going to stop me.
I’m sorry that you’re a middle management yuppie with minimal education and a penchant for whining. I’m sure that the productivity level of a person with a facial piercing is much lower than their less pierced counterpart because the choice to “sow wild oats” is better left to spending money on expensive cars and other status symbols.
God knows I’ve only reached a modicum of success by conforming. I have no qualms with the fact that indeed, I must look a certain way in order to be properly received, however I resent the perpetuation of this ridiculous stereotype.
We cannot regulate taste in fashion or any of the other ways to judge a book by its cover so we ought not get a little angry when someone has made the decision to wear a simple piece of jewelry. . .it’s no different than the secretary who shows VPL’s at all times (which is offensive to me) or the unfortunate mop of faux hair that many men seem to be sporting on their heads.
Hey pot, this is kettle. . .stop calling me black!
Well, late for my comments on this, but i just had to butt in it.
I am a female graduate, currently applying for jobs. I have double lip piercings, tongue and my nostril pierced on my face. These however I can quite easily take out for job interviews and during the working hours as I’m one of the few that don’t heal over that fast.
The Op and genevieve really disgusted me on here, and quite frankly genevieve’s lack of knowledge on the health risks of piercings is rather uneducated.
Ear piercings take longer to heal than oral piercings, eh? I have a few (retired) standard lobe piercings, and a couple of cartilidge piercings knocking around in my ears. Well let’s just say, the cartildge piercings took 4x as long to heal than any of the oral piercings. See, the mouth has bacteria which heals wounds efficiently (my tongue and the 4 times total i have had my lip pierced have all healed within 2 weeks). Matched with appropriate oral care and a *proper* professional piercer, the chances of an oral piercing getting infected is incredibly low.
Ears on the other hand…. Oh dear Lord where do I start. Ear Lobe piercings are generally done in a shopping mall with a piercing gun. You do realise that these piercing guns *cannot* be adequately sterlised? You do realise that the studs are blunt and can damage tissue? You do realise that because of the bluntness of the studs this can potenially mean the piercings take longer to heal.
Match that with a facial piercing from a professional piercer, who uses a new needle everytime, I know what I’d rather take. A ‘alcohol’ wipe is not enough to sterlise equipment, I’m incredibly sorry to break this to you.
And while piercings may not be to your taste, why can’t they be to someone elses. The problem in our society is that everyone are sheep and follow a ‘guildline’ of appropriate behaviour.
Same goes with males with long hair. So the male combs his hair neatly into a ponytail/plait for the interview and is still told to get a haircut? Why the hell. It’s like telling a woman with short hair to get hair extentions. But she’s not.
In your post you said how race, sex, etc shouldn’t be judged as it can’t be changed. however in guidelines there is not discrimination allowed for religion either. Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against religion - but surely someone with piercings shouldn’t be discriminated on.
Seriously. Close-minded people do my head in. I have had successful jobs in the past, where i was allowed to wear all my piercings in stud form - and did the best anyone could of done in the job. Just because I have piercings does not mean I am less educated than you, trust me, I did my homework when getting my piercings done, and some of my ear piercings solve for acupunctural point stimulation - meaning that since i had one of them and it healed, I’ve had a lot less migranes. If one starts, I just need to triddle with it and it helps the pain. this was on careful guideance by my acupuncturist.
I also my husband and my 1 year old daughter, and I’m a good mom, or so I’m told.
Piercings didn’t f*** up my life, but they sure did the ops
Clare on June 11th, 2008 at 8:07 pm | Link
Um, genevieve here. That wasn’t me, that was mark who was talking about piercing health.
genevieve on June 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pm | Link
Well whatever, Myabe he should of done some reading then ;). I was fairly tired when i wrote that, it was 2am in the morning where i live, so apologies.
Clare on June 13th, 2008 at 4:54 am | Link
So because I choose to have something you dont have, my skills and education are immediately useless and irrelavent. Let me tell you…if I try to get a job,and I am the most qualified for that job,and dont get it because I have a couple peircings, I am going to sue for discrimination.
I do not choose to get my peircings to be an “attention w*ore.” I do it because I enjoy it, it gives me an avenue to talk to people that others wouldnt.(Like people who are fixated on the ugliness of piercings). This is starting to sound alot like what happened in WW2. We cant hire you because of your faith. Sorry. You are wearing a star on your clothes…your undesirable. See how ridicoulous that is?
Sonshine on June 28th, 2008 at 7:39 pm | Link
I would love to see you sue for not getting a job due to your piercings. Guess what you will loose! Piercings are not a protected status in the USA. That which is a protected status goes something like this, race, religion, sex, marital status (even sexual orientation in some venues) but not peircing status. This is what most peole fail to understand. In the USA most locations are employee at will states. This essentially means I can hire whoever I want not descriminating on those protected classes, and I can fire you whenever I want without even giving you a reason. I could fire you becuase I don’t like the color of shirt you wore yesterday.
@Sonshine, hey refreash me a bit here what really did happen in WWII I thought it was about the germans invading france and killing those without blond hair and blue eyes and jews etc.
Stay tuned more to come.
mark on July 1st, 2008 at 10:43 am | Link
Ok, this is ridiculous! I would love to ask someone why they got their ears pierced. Or, wait, better yet lets have men ask women why they wear makeup or dye their hair. Well, as an educated woman, I have a couple facial piercings, and I have them for the same reason I wear makeup. There was no rebellion or whatever you want to call it. Everyone is different. Some men find my piercings attractive, some don’t. Just like some men prefer blondes over brunettes or blue eyes to brown. When it comes to the workplace, I know when to take the jewelry out and leave it at home. However, I wish I didn’t have to do that. It saddens me that there are people that can’t look past a little diamond on my face and really look at me, but i understand that this is an unfortunate issue in today’s society. I do believe that there are many people out there that get piercings for the wrong reasons (some of which have been mentioned), but I am not one of them.
Lindsay on July 4th, 2008 at 2:37 am | Link
@ Lindsay,
Just like many men wear business suits, you really think they wear them because they are comfortable? Nope sorry they are not comfortable the same reason you can’t wear your piercings at certain jobs and in certain places. Because you are looking out for your own best interest. If I had my choice I would wear baggy shorts flip flops and loose T-shirt all the time. However, our society says you will be more successful in the $4000.00 suit so guess what I wear on those hot summer days?
mark on July 10th, 2008 at 9:38 pm | Link
I have two facial piercings. I have more than one tattoo. I also have my dream job. I graduated from college with a degree in journalism. I then moved to Cleveland and interned with a well known music magazine. After my internship ended, they asked me to stay. I’ve been on the Warped Tour all summer doing exactly what it is I love to do. Guess what? I don’t have to take my piercings out. I don’t have to cover my tattoos. Sure, the majority of people who want to be successful aren’t as fortunate. However, there are some of us who are lucky. Thank goodness my employer isn’t as close minded as most of you. I suppose that I’m lucky enough to have gotten a job where tattoos and piercings are part of the lifestyle.
I will also say that when trying to prove a point, make sure your words are spelled correctly. It makes your opinion more valuable to others.
For example: loose and lose are two completely different words, Mark. The first time I read loose instead of lose, I disregarded it. Then I saw it again. Come on, now.
Jess on July 26th, 2008 at 10:11 am | Link
First I must congratulations to you Jess on your dream job. As you may find out in the future that job may not really be your future dream job. You my do something really silly and confuse the words lose and loose and get fired from you so quote dream job. All I’m really trying to say here is that it is a wise decision to keep your options open to the future. What if rock or music industry suddenly becomes anti-tattoo and anti-piercing. Stranger things have happened. You, jess are lucky to be in a field which accepts if not demands your lifestyle. Again I have no complaint about your lifestyle just continuing the discussion of the common acceptance of such lifestyle.
Now for your comment on the loose. I will fess up here my spelling, grammar etc. is not so great on my posts sorry I haven’t the time to go back and proof read meticulously correcting myself. However, I did indeed use the correct word and correct spelling. I prefer a loose fitting T-shirt as opposed to a tight fitting T-shirt.
the terms are as follows:
The words loose and lose are mixed up in writing; for some reason, many people write loose when they really mean lose. But there’s no reason to lose your mind worrying about this, just lose the extra o!
Loose
Loose is an adjective, the opposite of tight or contained.
My shoes are loose
I have a loose tooth
There’s a dog running loose in the street
Lose
Lose is a verb that means to suffer the loss of, to miss.
I win! You lose!
Don’t lose your keys
I never lose bets
Now as a journalism Major and one working in the writing industry I would think you would have worked this one out by now!
Finally I really don’t think I’m going to change any opinions here on this forum.
mark on August 11th, 2008 at 2:27 pm | Link
mark: “I would love to see you sue for not getting a job due to your piercings. Guess what you will loose!”
You did use it correctly in the post before your last. But not the one before that. You lose jobs, not loose them. I appreciate that you are not bothering to check your writing here because you feel it’s not worth it, but if that’s the case, then don’t incorrectly defend yourself.
jenn on August 11th, 2008 at 8:25 pm | Link
OK jenn, As I said I don’t really have or take the time to correct my spelling/writing on this forum and I fess up to that. Sorry I didn’t realize I had used the loose term in the previous post I didn’t look that far back. Owell, tis (means: this is. Yeah I know its called slang) getting a git off topic.
So back to the topic OK as for piercing and tattoo health. First I must say to Clare my knowledge of pricing health is quite good and you need to do some research before talking. Second I must say to Clare You are correct most ear piercings are done in the mall with no regulation and sterilization and yes alcohol is not enough to sterilize piercing equipment. Why then is this allowed. Mostly it is the large lobby the “ear piercing” industry has. They influence the regulators to avoid regulation this portion of the industry. Why would then the regulators listen to the lobby? Well firstly and foremost the ear piercing gun uses a new stud each time which is virtually sterile. The Ear is composed mostly of cartilage (got that one right Clare) which has an extremely low profusion of blood. Yeah the cartilage will not heal, but we first define healing. The cartilage means no blood so no blood bourne pathogens. Relative safety fair! Would I let my kids get ear pierced in the mall.. NO I wouldn’t. Again kudos to Clare who realizes the quality of a good piercer.
OK now to define healing. You can define it in two ways. 1. a piercing make a wound and in the absence of the jewelry will heal up to replicate the body without that wound. This means the hole for the piercing is sealed up. This is not indeed the healing I am referring to. 2. In the presence of jewelry the wound (or hole) can not heal over to replicate the body as it was before the wound was created. (hence, the term body modification). So the body will close the wound best it can growing new tissue (scar tissue) around the jewelry until it achieves a closed state. This is an unnatural healing process. Kinda like an oyster making a pearl to preclude a foreign body inside it. A healed (or properly healed) piercing will have a very low incidence of hole closure however will eventually close to replicate the original body.
OK now with healing defined we can continue to discuss the topic of piercing health.
Clare “See, the mouth has bacteria which heals wounds efficiently”
Sorry Clare but you are profoundly incorrect here. Bacteria does not heal wounds nor do they promote healing of wounds. Perhaps what you are talking about is the fact that the mouth is very good environment for bacterial growth and therefore consists of high numbers of ‘normal flora’ (natural harmless bacteria) which compete against pathogenic bacteria reducing the chance of infection. Is what heals a wound is directly related to the blood supply pro fused into the wound area. You see the blood brings to the wound the proper nutrients for the cells around the wound to use in creating new cells to be a part of the new tissue generated (scar tissue).
Healing can take up to a year in some peircings with some people. A typical wound will heal in 7 days, a typcall surgery will heal within 30 days. A pericing or body modification due many factors can take up to a year to heal. Now again diferent people respond differnetly to wounds and heal at different rates. Cleanliness and proper care is indeed key to preventing infection. If the pericing was done in a manner which introduces pathogens it could become infected even with proper aftercare and cleaning.
Now as far a studs damaging tissue umm yeah point taken and agreed, However, the hypo needle used by professional piercers also damage tissue they in fact remove tissue volume.
OK and Clare do you realize since we’re on the topic of mall piercing not being good (I agree here) many mall piercers think they can use their gun to Peirce noses and cheaks etc. This creates a whole new set of problems.
OK so you talk about the hair being a deterrent from getting the job, and so is facial piercings. You know if you walk into an interview most people are going to think nice good looking person when visiting with he who has the standard haircut (no facial hair) and no facial piercings. However, he who set off the medal detector on his way in due to the facial piercings or he who wears a hat to cover his long hair or he with the bushy mustache will quickly be noticed. If the interviewer is turned off by it then you have just lost your chance. Again my point is keep yourself in the best possible position for your own personal success. If your boss or interviewer really liked nose piercings you can always get one latter but, once you walk in in with a hog ring in your nose taking it out is not likely to change the opinion of your interviewer.
mark on August 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am | Link
I think you’ll full of it.
My nose, tongue and eyebrow being pierced means I make poor life decisions?
Wow. I’m 21 (newly turned) I own my house, own my car, have my degree and am practicing Financial Advisor (so yea that means I have a few college degrees ^_~)
So you mean to tell me if I showed up and said I wanted to work here, you’d tell me no just because of a little metal in my face?
Wow, didnt your mother ever tell you not to judge the book before you’ve read it?
Hmmm…I smell a law suit. Sounds like descrimination to me!
Hope on August 18th, 2008 at 3:33 pm | Link
Just a heads up.
Body modification is protected and if you do not hire someone because of it, it is ILLEGAL.
It falls under the catagory of RELIGIOUS expression. Which for all of you non-college congraduates means….PROTECTED.
Your dress code can state what kind of JEWELRY is or isnt appropriate but cannot determine whether or not the hole can be there.
Blythe on August 18th, 2008 at 3:45 pm | Link
Nose piercing was first recorded in the Middle East aproximately 4,000 years ago, it is mentioned in The Bible in Genesis 24:22 Abraham requested his oldest servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant found Rebekah, and one of the gifts he gave her was a “golden earring” the original Hebrew word used was Shanf, which also translates as “nose-ring”.
Tongue piercing was practised in a ritual form by the ancient Aztecs, Mayas of Central America and the Haida, Kwakiutul, and Tlinglit tribes of the American Northwest. The tongue was pierced to draw blood to propitiate the gods, and to create an altered state of consciousness so that the priest or shaman could communicate with the gods.
Among the ancient Aztecs and Mayans labret piercing was reserved for male members of the higher castes, they wore beautiful labrets fashioned from pure gold in the shape of serpents, golden labrets with stones inset and ones of jade or obsidion (labret in Aztec “Tentetl”). The Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, and the Inuit peoples of northern Canada and Alaska wore labrets fahioned from walrus ivory, abalone shell, bone, obsidian, and wood.
The piercing of the septum is probably the second most common piercing among primitive peoples after ear piercing, it’s even more common than nostril piercing. It’s probably so popular for the same reasons as nose piercing, with the added attraction that the piercing can be stretched and large pieces of jewellery can be inserted, i.e. pig’s tusks, pieces of bone, feathers, pieces of wood, etc.
The septum piercing is particularly prevalent among warrior cultures, this probably has to do with the fact that large tusks through the septum give the face a fierce appearance. The use of septum tusks is very prevalent in Irian Jaya, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, pig’s tusks being the most popular. Among the Asmat tribe of Irian Jaya the most prestigous septum tusk is the “Otsj” this is a large bone plug, which can be as thick as 25mm. They are usually made of the leg bones of a pig, but occasionally they are made from the Tibia bone of an enemy slain in battle.
The Septum piercing was beloved by the Aztecs, the Mayans, and the Incas. They wore a variety of jewellery, but jade and gold were the most popular because of their religous associations. The modern day Cuna Indians of Panama continue this practice by wearing thick pure gold rings in their septum.
The piercing is also popular in India, Nepal, and Tibet, a pendant “Bulak” is worn, and some examples are so large as to prevent the person being able to eat, the jewellery has to be lifted up during meals. In Rajasthan in Himachal Pradesh these Bulak are particularly elaborate, and extremely large.
Septum piercing was widely practised by many North American Indian tribes, the name of the Nez Perc, tribe of Washington state, stem from their practice of piercing the septum, Nez Perc, is French for Nose Pierced, and was given to the tribe by the French fur traders. Australian aboriginals pierced the septum and passed a long stick or bone through the piercing to flatten the nose, they believed a flat nose to be the most desireable.
(Navel piercing is a modern invention and has never been recorded in primitive cultures, but if your employees are working where that part of the body is visible the person is probably working for tips and most likely has a stage name which means piercings should be the least of your worries)
Hope on August 18th, 2008 at 3:57 pm | Link
Mark -
You stated that one should walk down the street in a three piece suit and then in “normal attire”. Allow me to put this before you.
I’m 21, High School Diploma (no college) I have a back piece of a rose garden which extends into my forearms. I have my tongue pierced, my nose piece and 13 holes in each ear along with my navel. I have purple and blue streaks in my blonde hair and work as the head teller at QC Financial.
My husband is 25 has his law degree, no tattoos, no piercings, and only wears suits. No jeans. No T-shirts, yet he’s been unemployeed for a year.
By your logic, why do I have a job if I make such “poor decisions”, and why does such an upstanding gentleman get pushed to the side?
Nicole on August 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm | Link
OK, Nicole, head teller at a bank? In my book that is the ultimate frustration standing around counting other peoples money all day? Well If you enjoy it that is great! As for your husband I would guess there are some ambition problems there. Perhaps his association with you the body modified is keeping him back. Anyway as we have discussed many times here in this thread there are certainly more than physical (tattoos etc.) that make people attractive to employers.
Blythe, You are correct if (usually not) the tattoo or piercing is of a religious nature. Your employers cannot discriminate on you based on your religion, but they do not necessarily have to allow you to express your religion at work and in fact if he does he could be liable to other workers who are not of the religion being expressed. So no your employer cannot fire you based on the religion you choose to practice or for that matter refuse to hire (impossible to prove) based on your religion. However, They can and often times do force you to cover tattoos or remove piercings. They may also forbid eccentric styles such are purple hair. Wright or wrong thats the way it is. Employers have an excessive amount of control over their employees often times even dictating what they can and cannot do in off time.
“Wow. I’m 21 (newly turned) I own my house, own my car, have my degree and am practicing Financial Advisor (so yea that means I have a few college degrees ^_~)”
WOW! Hope I am highly impressed. Does this mean you have mortgage or is your mortgage paid? You till own your house even if you have a mortgage. OK so let break it down a bit. assuming your not some kind of prodigy your graduated high school at 18 this means you began matriculation at college at 18 and graduated in 3 years with what you say are multiple degrees? College education + living expenses about 50K conservative estimate, house in most cities about 150K (of course depends on the house), and a car assuming a new car thats 20K….so this is 220k you have acquired in 3 years of young life? So you would have us beleiving you are making on average $73,000 to $100,000 right out of high school? So no that does not mean I would not hire you, on the contrary upon providing proof of what you say I would even consider you as my financial advisor. However, I sincerely doubt what you say is true. Your house is more likely a 20K house or one you obtained for pennies on the dollar, at tax or foreclosure sale and your car is a $200 bomb. And the degrees your speak of is a an associate degree from a community college and a few certificate courses provided by one your employers.. So in this case is no I would not hire you. In other words what you say has little or no value in judging you as a financial adviser! My philosophy about financial advisers is they must have already done what I want them to show me how to do. Guess What? I have found no financial adviser who meets these qualifications.
Oh and Hope, thank you so much for your history of piercings, it is very informative. It also illustrates that fact that I do not want to be any of the people you discuss in your article.
Anyway if you have your “visible” pericings and tattoos and have your dream job and never want to progress any further or have your progression all lined out and know your choices will not affect your progression, I say great, fantastic, wonderful. I am very happy for you, and your profound abilities. As for the rest of us I’m just saying we must make the most of what we have and do everything in our power to be as successful as possible. Is it impossible to succeed with tattoos and piercings? No! Take Dennis Rodman for example. We are again also talking about profound abilities. I’m just saying for the rest of us keep that tattoos and pericings covered and not eccentric, keep fit and trim, avoid bad habits, avoid public situations which could produce embarrassment, wear nice clean cloths, wear suits when appropriate and overall present the best possible image of yourself as possible. As a good “wealthy” friend of mine once said I may not be the best looking in the group but I’m always looking my best in the group!
mark on August 19th, 2008 at 9:15 am | Link
Ok, did anyone notice that there are more comments defending the allowence of tattoos & piercings than comments against?..I have facial piercings & tattoos myself, & i love them, I’m 17 & I guess as some of you said, I’ve “screwed up my life”…I’m a teenager, that’s kind of what we do. I did not get my piercings for religious reasons, I got them because I like them, they make me who I am, some may not understand that though. My friends who have just recently met me always say ” I could never imagine you without them, they’re a part of you.”
Now with all this talk about how people with piercings or tattoos shouldn’t be allowed work scares me incredibly, I want to get a good job & I want to have a good life, but why do I have to change myself for those things?
I get looks everyday walking on the street minding my own buisness, that’s fine, look at me, take a good look, cause I’m one of the many intelligent & independent people you all are insulting & rejecting..my piercings do not make me incapable of anything, they make me look different..everyone looks different.
Telling someone they can’t work for you because they have piercings is the most judgemental thing anyone can ever say, it doesn’t make someone unable to do the job, it just makes them stand out a bit more..& since when was that a bad thing? Everyone wants to be unique, be their own person, people without piercings have thoughs rights without other judging or ridiculing, so why can’t the people with piercings have the same?
Long ago, the slaves fought for their rights to be accepted, they were black & concidered different,concidered as a lower class of people..is that what we’ve come back to?
Nadine on August 19th, 2008 at 4:30 pm | Link
Hmm, this is a very interesting topic and I have read the answers and the debates amongst a lot of people and I must say that I understand both arguments.
Mark states that comparing getting a piercing or a tattoo to race or sex is not the same because one is a choice and one is not. I must say that I agree totally with that point. You really can’t compare the two concepts. I do agree that mamy jobs will not let a person progress or won’t hire a person for a certain position because of facial piercings or tattoos. It is what it is…
However, I have to disagree with Mark that facial piercings have anything to do with making bad choices or messing up one’s life. First of all, it amazes me at how quick people are to judge others based on something as small as a nosering. What does a person having a stud in their nose have to do with what kind of person they are?
Mark, you mentioned that you went to a resturaunt and a young lady that was serving you with a tongue ring spit on you. Do you REALLY think her tongue ring had something to do with her spitting on you? LOL, tongue rings don’t make people have access spit in their mouths, or cause gingivitis, who told you that? How do I know? I have a tongue ring of course. Mine is clear so others can’t see it because I don’t have mine for decoration. Mine is because playing with it helps me to relieve stress. I don’t smoke, i rarely drink…so its a form of a stress reliever to me. I have beautiful teeth and I don&#