““It’s not as big a stigma as it used to be,? he says. “I take each person at their own merits and see who is the most qualified for the job, but if they have a very prominent tattoo, like on the face, I would not hire them,? he says.
Lawyer Christopher Fitzpatrick, of Jacobi, Sieghardt, Busanti, Piazza and Fitzpatrick law firm in Staten Island, says that while tattoos are a part of the human creative desire, they can’t always be ignored in the office. “It has a direct impact on the employer’s first impression, and may impact how clients view that individual,? he says.
Budzkinski says the reaction to his skin graffiti depends on the audience. “I deal a lot with older people, and my boss and his partner didn’t care that I had them, and even says that if there were dealing with a different clientele that they wouldn’t care [if my tattoos showed]. But they’re dealing with older European people, who would ask them ‘what kind of people do you have working here?
“Would I have preferred to have worn a short sleeve shirt on one hundred degree days? Sure, but part of being tattooed is having to cover it up when you think it is inappropriate,? he says.
Some people have chosen to attempt to cover up their body work with make-up, similar to masking a pimple. “Make up rubs off, and when it rubs off, what am I going to do? I’d still be at work,? Budzkinski says. “And if I really wanted to wear a short sleeve shirt, I would have a job where I could.?
For those that don’t want to worry about sleeves, they can resort to having their artwork removed by laser or traditional needle projects. However, removal can be expensive and painful; it usually requires multiple treatments and isn’t covered by health insurance.
Paul got his fist tattoo a year ago when he turned 18, and he says there’s no chance that he would remove it “I was 16 when I started wanting to get tattooed, and then I saw the design, and I knew that’s what I wanted.? Paul’s first tattoo was a tribal design which was drawn out by a loved one. It now currently resides on his shoulder blade, just below his second: his surname in Hindi.
He says that it had all the more meaning to get his family’s name in that language. His next tattoo will be the crest that appears on Trinidad’s flag—paying tribute to the other side of his family tree.
Reasons for getting tattoos obviously vary, and the white-collar environment will usually sympathize with the meaning behind tattoos, as long as they’re not flashed in the boss’ face. “If you’re planning to get a tattoo, try to put it someplace where it can be concealed while you’re in the office,? Fitzpatrick advises, “and enjoy it on the weekends.?
Robert Tutton contributed to this story.
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