I feel compelled to chime in, being able to chime in from another perspective. I'm a tattoo artist. I've worked in shops since 2004, when the U.S. Economy was doing a-okay as far as most people were concerned. I'm going to add only what I've seen firsthand, and I have definitely found it to be interesting.
Let's take in to consideration a few factors leading to the sudden jump in tattoo culture for America. This was around the time that tattoo reality shows began appearing on television (sorry Beckham, I can't give you the credit for the tattoo boom the U.S. had.) You couldn't turn on the tv wi
I feel compelled to chime in, being able to chime in from another perspective. I'm a tattoo artist. I've worked in shops since 2004, when the U.S. Economy was doing a-okay as far as most people were concerned. I'm going to add only what I've seen firsthand, and I have definitely found it to be interesting.
Let's take in to consideration a few factors leading to the sudden jump in tattoo culture for America. This was around the time that tattoo reality shows began appearing on television (sorry Beckham, I can't give you the credit for the tattoo boom the U.S. had.) You couldn't turn on the tv without hearing about Miami Ink. Also, this was still very early post 9/11, when our military forces saw a very drastic spike in people enlisting. The military is one market that has always helped keep tattoo shops alive and fed. More soldiers, more tattoos. More soldiers, more friends and family or soldiers getting tattooed to support them, etc.
When the housing market crashed around 2007 and the economy was at an extreme low, the tattoo industry never faltered. If anything, we thrived. We continued to grow as an industry. Not because we were seeking people out and coaxing them, but people were losing their homes and their jobs and losing a lot of control in their lives. To many that I met, their tattoo was their treat for themselves. It offered more mental clarity than talking to a counselor, and they got to walk away with a badass tattoo. To many who have tattoos, they can offer a lot more than being anti-anything. If anything, the tattoo shows allowed people to see them as a means to heal and not just a little dolphin on the ankle.
The economy hurt a lot of people and some of them needed a way to reinvent themselves or gain control of at least their own body. For those who were laid off unexpectedly because of the economy, some walked right in to a shop to get the tattoo they always wanted because now they didn't have to worry about it effecting their job. Over a few years, the value of a good employee with a good work ethic took precedence over their body modifications. This is still happening and changing everyday.
Right now, people aren't haggling over price like they once did. They are more informed and willing to spend more to ensure it looks good. I take that as a good sign that people are doing better financially, or maybe they've seen too many bad tattoo reality tv shows.
Just my two cents about the correlation of tattoos to the economy.
I don't know if it says so much about the economy, as it does about society's acceptance and removal of the old world fears and bigotry toward tattoos. Whereas tattoos used to be only for sailors, bikers, thugs, rock stars and prisoners; today I know many professionals that have tattoos. Doctors, lawyers, professors, accountants, architects, government officials. And even some of these wear them completely visible in the work place; unafraid of the taboo that used to accompany their ink. People are becoming less judgemental of a person's appearances and paying more attention to their actua
I don't know if it says so much about the economy, as it does about society's acceptance and removal of the old world fears and bigotry toward tattoos. Whereas tattoos used to be only for sailors, bikers, thugs, rock stars and prisoners; today I know many professionals that have tattoos. Doctors, lawyers, professors, accountants, architects, government officials. And even some of these wear them completely visible in the work place; unafraid of the taboo that used to accompany their ink. People are becoming less judgemental of a person's appearances and paying more attention to their actual work performance and personality. This is a good thing. One of the most competent County Building Permit and Inspections review officials I've dealt with has two full sleeves. He wears polo shirts proudly and no one questions his knowledge or capabilities. My mother-in-law's oncologist has plenty of visible tattoos. She takes no pains to hide them and is one of the best cancer doctors in her field. I have a full back piece, multiple leg pieces and shoulder pieces that I originally placed strategically to hide in the professional workplace during my weekly 8 to 5, but nowadays it doesn't really matter anymore.
These people are very good at their respective jobs and it's nice that they don't have to hide their love of body-art expression. 60 years ago this wouldn't have been considered "acceptable" or "professional". But then again, 60 years ago different ethnicities had to drink from different drinking fountains too. Progress is good.
That being said, tattooing has seen an obvious boom in popularity in the past few decades. Middle-agers and hipsters are all getting tramp stamps and random Asian characters so they can feel "naughty" or as if they've done something rebellious. That's all well and good if it makes them happy, and it makes for more tattoo artists who are making more money and creating more artwork. The only down-side to this is that more people are out there giving and getting bad tattoos. You can't go one day on facebook without seeing some poor 40 something mother of 3 who's just gotten a horrible owl tattoo on her foot and is so proud of it that she has to share it with the world. But again, if it makes them happy, good for them.
As with most counter-cultural phenomena, tattooing has become more popular and accepted by the mainstream; and has therefore lost a certain degree of its purity and bonding nature between those who've been tattooed since before it became so. But oh well. As with anything that gets more popular there's more of the bad, but also much more of the good.
First, let’s consider what we know about tattoos:
- The number of people with tattoos today has nearly doubled over the last 15 years. 40% of households now include someone who has a tattoo, up from just 21% in 1999.
- People who get tattoos tend to be less educated. In 2004, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 40% of people without a high school diploma had a tattoo compared to only 14% of people with at least a college degree.
- Tattoos are much more likely to be found on people who engage in riskier behaviors. The same 2004 study found tattoos were much more common among
First, let’s consider what we know about tattoos:
- The number of people with tattoos today has nearly doubled over the last 15 years. 40% of households now include someone who has a tattoo, up from just 21% in 1999.
- People who get tattoos tend to be less educated. In 2004, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 40% of people without a high school diploma had a tattoo compared to only 14% of people with at least a college degree.
- Tattoos are much more likely to be found on people who engage in riskier behaviors. The same 2004 study found tattoos were much more common among younger adults, those involved in the military, and those who had served jail time or had experience with recreational drugs.
- Having a tattoo does not necessarily cause lower earnings, but visible tattoos do reduce the probability of being hired by 18%.
My sense from all this is that the rise of tattoos reflects an anti-establishmentarianism trend. Getting a tattoo is a painful procedure that closes off potential job opportunities. It’s also closely linked with younger people who engage in riskier behaviors. Those who get tattoos make it apparent that they don’t buy into established norms set by an antiquated elite. You can expect the rise in tattoos to continue as long as Americans feel uncertain about their chances for upward mobility. You can read more about the topic on my Bloomberg View article here: What Tattoos Tell Us About the Economy
The rise in tattoos can indeed reflect some interesting aspects of the economy and societal trends. Here are several points to consider:
1. Disposable Income and Consumer Spending
- Increased Spending Power: As disposable income rises, people often prioritize personal expression and body art, leading to higher spending in sectors like tattooing.
- Luxury vs. Necessity: Tattoos are often viewed as luxury items rather than necessities, suggesting that individuals feel financially secure enough to spend on non-essential services.
2. Cultural Shifts
- Normalization of Tattoos: The increasing acceptance of ta
The rise in tattoos can indeed reflect some interesting aspects of the economy and societal trends. Here are several points to consider:
1. Disposable Income and Consumer Spending
- Increased Spending Power: As disposable income rises, people often prioritize personal expression and body art, leading to higher spending in sectors like tattooing.
- Luxury vs. Necessity: Tattoos are often viewed as luxury items rather than necessities, suggesting that individuals feel financially secure enough to spend on non-essential services.
2. Cultural Shifts
- Normalization of Tattoos: The increasing acceptance of tattoos in mainstream culture indicates a shift in societal values. This can correlate with economic stability, where people feel more freedom to express themselves.
- Influence of Media and Celebrities: The portrayal of tattoos in media and by public figures can drive popularity, reflecting broader economic trends in marketing and consumer culture.
3. Demographics and Workforce Trends
- Youthful Demographics: Younger generations, often with different economic challenges (like student debt), may opt for tattoos as a form of self-expression, which can indicate changing priorities in spending.
- Workplace Acceptance: As more workplaces embrace diversity and personal expression, individuals may feel more empowered to invest in tattoos, impacting labor market dynamics.
4. Economic Indicators
- Tattoo Industry Growth: The growth of the tattoo industry (studios, supplies, conventions) can serve as an economic indicator, suggesting a thriving local economy and increased consumer confidence.
- Correlation with Other Trends: The rise in tattoos may correlate with other economic trends, such as the gig economy, where individuals seek unique identities in a competitive market.
5. Health and Wellness Trends
- Tattoo Aftercare Products: The rise in tattoos has also led to a market for aftercare products, reflecting broader trends in health and wellness spending.
Conclusion
The rise in tattoos can be a multifaceted indicator of economic conditions, cultural shifts, and consumer behavior. It highlights how personal choices and societal values intertwine with economic realities, providing insights into broader trends in spending, identity, and acceptance in various social contexts.
It is an interesting question. There are probably significant implications, from a sociological, psychological and economic perspective.
However, determining whether there is any relationship between the growth in tattoos and the economy reminds me of the Latin phrase post hoc ergo propter hoc, meaning after this, therefore because of this. I would caution against there being any determinative conclusions to be drawn from it.
If I were hypothesising about any such relationship however, I would say that it is another demonstration of rising worldwide inequality. Not so much that there are more '
It is an interesting question. There are probably significant implications, from a sociological, psychological and economic perspective.
However, determining whether there is any relationship between the growth in tattoos and the economy reminds me of the Latin phrase post hoc ergo propter hoc, meaning after this, therefore because of this. I would caution against there being any determinative conclusions to be drawn from it.
If I were hypothesising about any such relationship however, I would say that it is another demonstration of rising worldwide inequality. Not so much that there are more 'poor' people and poor people have historically got tattoos. More so, there is a futility about the world and life at the moment. For example, in Australia, if someone works tremendously hard and graduates with a Law degree, or even a Medicine degree, on their graduate salary they are unable to purchase a house and even an apartment is a struggle. Of course, many graduates due to the scarcity of jobs and oversupply of graduates are unable to obtain employment. There is little reward for going to University and achieving exceptional marks, as required in Law and Medicine.
As a result, young people are unfortunately having to face the awkward decision of whether to live a life trying to acquire assets or to live for 'experiences'. Increasingly, as the asset route is so difficult and unrewarding, many are opting for instant gratification and a life full of experience. This is why lots of young people are in debt, travel the world and do not stay in one job consistently. It also may be the reason why more of them are getting tattoos.
I think it says something about workers. A huge percentage of young Americans now want to be artists and musicians. Yet supporting oneself in these fields is very difficult. Tattooing became one way to make one's artistic talent pay.
Tattoos also became a mark of being in what we might call the creative working class. In my city, one neighborhood represents a hub of tattooed musicians, artists, and restaurant workers all struggling to earn a living.
I see that Mr Orszag's answer is a very informed, researched answer that covers almost all aspects, except it is probably more relevant in maybe 2 decades ago. I guess a new answer needed to be voted as the top one now. It will probably take a long time or may never.
Firstly, let's consider some common things we tend to perceive
- Rebels and low income earners are more likely to sport them
- Less educated are more likely to have them.
- People from broken families, also more likely to engage in riskier behaviours and harder to get employment.
There above 3 points are still relevant but not as much as
I see that Mr Orszag's answer is a very informed, researched answer that covers almost all aspects, except it is probably more relevant in maybe 2 decades ago. I guess a new answer needed to be voted as the top one now. It will probably take a long time or may never.
Firstly, let's consider some common things we tend to perceive
- Rebels and low income earners are more likely to sport them
- Less educated are more likely to have them.
- People from broken families, also more likely to engage in riskier behaviours and harder to get employment.
There above 3 points are still relevant but not as much as in the past. With the coming rise of the upper-middle class and the faux upper class, famous personalities (David Beckham...etc) having them, this trend is likely to continue as many parts of the world gets slightly more educated and wealthier, will influence more people to get them.
However, there are certain other new reasons to get them now.
- To make oneself more appealing and attractive (cool) Imagine you are David Beckham (I apologise for using him again) and your status and good-lookingness is a total worth of 3. An average man is 1 for example. You find a highly-sought after tattooist to concept and design a few tattoos worth 5 digit figures, and pay another undisclosed figure to jump the queue by half a year if you are impatient. Now let's assume the tattoo is a very good-looking artistic one which has a point of 2. So in total 2+3=5, which means he is 5 times more appealing than the average man on the street. However, it does not work that way. Due to synegy, it would means that 2+3 = 6, or maybe 7 depend how one judges his appeal.
- But on the other hand, if someone is less than attractive, not in good shape, received average education and not having a decent income, Joe's appeal is a 0.5 score, he gets the same tattoo as Beckham, it doesn't mean 0.5 + 3 = 3.5 or even 5. It may have no effect or even minimal effect. Like 0.7, or even 0.4.
- Another big factor is due to famous personalities having them. Imagine, sorry Beckham or Johnny Depp. The educated, higher wage earner, Johnny decides to follow them, or be somehow like them but smartly gets a different tattoo and find a perhaps cheaper tattooist but still cost up to the thousands for a good tattoo. Bear in mind, tattoos are still available for under a hundred bucks but the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Some industries might even prefer if you have a tattoo, especially if you are a tattooist yourself, a famous personality, a popular rock band vocalist, preferably with 6-pack abs if you are a guy, neither too skinny nor overweight, sorry but there is no pleasant way to describe it.
Certain traditions or tribes had them for generations, so this whole essay is not applicable to them.
So, if you want to have a tattoo and still look good and appealing, it would be ideal if you are educated, smart, hardworking, lazy but smart, having a decent income and likable by others. Obviously you need to be in good shape too.
In the end, it will be yourself who is enhancing the tattoo and less the other way.
Lastly, tattoos may hold significant meanings only the person himself knows, probably children's names or symbols like religious cross and etc.
I doubt it.
Studies suggest that upwards of 40-50% of millennials have tattoos. I see tattoos on recruiters, hiring managers, even executives. The trend, such as it is, means that as millennials continue to grow into the workplace, people with tattoos will occupy an increasing percentage of the population.
Stop for a moment and ask yourself: in a world where tattoo artists charge $300 to $500 an hour for their services, what does the client list look like to afford such things?
A sleeve from a moderately successful artist can run $3,000 to $5,000 fairly easily. Dropping tens of thousands of dolla
I doubt it.
Studies suggest that upwards of 40-50% of millennials have tattoos. I see tattoos on recruiters, hiring managers, even executives. The trend, such as it is, means that as millennials continue to grow into the workplace, people with tattoos will occupy an increasing percentage of the population.
Stop for a moment and ask yourself: in a world where tattoo artists charge $300 to $500 an hour for their services, what does the client list look like to afford such things?
A sleeve from a moderately successful artist can run $3,000 to $5,000 fairly easily. Dropping tens of thousands of dollars on tattoos is a real thing… so who can afford that? Add to that the expense of traveling to get tattooed. I see people flying internationally to get tattooed by some artists.
The people doing this are in positions to hire, fire, start and stop projects with budgets of millions of dollars… they're doctors, engineers, business owners.
The world is changing. Tattoos aren't going anywhere. The prevailing wisdom of previous generations is becoming increasingly dated.
Right now, the older generations still hold enough of the reins of power to make life rough for tattooed folks in some sectors. But the simple passage of time will change that.
And then? What will the world be like for future generations when half of them will be raised by parents with tattoos?
Welcome to a very different world.
It tells us that we are an increasingly permissive society and I would argue that this was a lagging trend. For every 2-3 high-school educated welders and construction workers, you have a guy like me that works in the engineering field with a barbed-wire armband around my left biceps strategically hidden from view.
If not for my Christian faith, I would probably consider more. I will not judge any individual that has tattoos or continues to get them after becoming a believer. I just feel that I should not get another on a personal level.
It is important to remember that one's education and int
It tells us that we are an increasingly permissive society and I would argue that this was a lagging trend. For every 2-3 high-school educated welders and construction workers, you have a guy like me that works in the engineering field with a barbed-wire armband around my left biceps strategically hidden from view.
If not for my Christian faith, I would probably consider more. I will not judge any individual that has tattoos or continues to get them after becoming a believer. I just feel that I should not get another on a personal level.
It is important to remember that one's education and intellect has little or nothing to do with appearance.
It's a sign of increased discretionary income.
Tattoos are expensive.
I doubt it, and this question is spam for a Bloomberg View column written by a guy who appears to know very little about tattoo culture.
I don't think so. To me, they just seem to have become something that's more accepted in society. Celebrities and other famous personalities sport tattoos, and so more people started getting them. I've got 9 tattoos now. I'm a visual person and love art, so I put art on my body. It hasn't hindered my employment opportunities, and I have a college degree, so I don't think I'm uneducated either.
My tattoos have never held me back. I'm both heavily tattooed and I have 8 university degrees. But then again, I don’t have tattoos in visible areas (hands, neck or face).
My former colleagues, in national security / law enforcement (uniformed and non-uniformed), along with those in Government departments wearing suits and ties to work each day, would never know I had tattoos unless they saw me on my day off or unless I told them. And even then, they wouldn't care.
As long as you can blend in with your fellow colleagues during work hours and you’re a capable employee, you’d have no problems. I’v
My tattoos have never held me back. I'm both heavily tattooed and I have 8 university degrees. But then again, I don’t have tattoos in visible areas (hands, neck or face).
My former colleagues, in national security / law enforcement (uniformed and non-uniformed), along with those in Government departments wearing suits and ties to work each day, would never know I had tattoos unless they saw me on my day off or unless I told them. And even then, they wouldn't care.
As long as you can blend in with your fellow colleagues during work hours and you’re a capable employee, you’d have no problems. I’ve never met an employer who would care if someone had tattoos, provided they looked and acted the part during work hours.
I’d also add, I myself hire based on skill and personality. I’ll take a capable employee with the right personalty (you’re stuck with them for 8+ hours) over a pretty face, every single time. But when I see people with facial tattoos it does give me the impression that they’re not forward thinkers - and that’s where I do judge my fellow tattooed people in an employment context.
Recently I was at a private event (cocktail attire, plated dinner service, posh venue) where the topic of tattoos came up.
The gentleman across the table from me said that he'd finally found an artist to do his next piece. He didn't name the artist, just mentioned the process he was going through to get on her books and where she was… he didn't need to name her, I knew exactly who he meant! So the conversation rolled on as we compared the soft color blends of Michelle Haley who's likely doing his next piece to the water color effects in steph hanlon’s work (who did one of my last pieces) and co
Recently I was at a private event (cocktail attire, plated dinner service, posh venue) where the topic of tattoos came up.
The gentleman across the table from me said that he'd finally found an artist to do his next piece. He didn't name the artist, just mentioned the process he was going through to get on her books and where she was… he didn't need to name her, I knew exactly who he meant! So the conversation rolled on as we compared the soft color blends of Michelle Haley who's likely doing his next piece to the water color effects in steph hanlon’s work (who did one of my last pieces) and contrasted both against the geometric work I travel to get from Cassady Bell in Portland.
It was a conversation that, for all the world, could have been about fine art in a gallery. As other people wandered in and out of the conversation, we shifted from artists to trends to…
It was an evening of glitz, glamour, and conversations about tattoos as art and status symbols, with people collecting pieces the way you'd pick up a painting or sculpture.
Elsewhere on Quora, someone recently told me that when people saw their tattoos, they'd say things like ‘you must be really good at your job.’ Good ink is expensive and having visible tattoos from well known artists demonstrates to people who understand tattoos that you have the kind of success / disposable income to afford good ink.
Tattoos are a different thing than they once were. These days, a tattoo from a well known artist can signal just as much status as the car you drive or the watch you wear. And they can cost that much too.
Yes, that there will be a predictable increase in revenues from tattoo removals over the next 30 years.
I see quite a bit of badly-misinformed ignorance in many of these answers.
First: NO. The rise in tattoos, while potentially economically linked, almost certainly cannot provide us any meaningful information about the economy. There are simply too many confounding factors to make a meaningful inference.
Has the number of tattoos gone up? Yes of course, but to claim that this is economic is a very bold statement given the fact that meaningless social mores are being torn down by the day. Acceptance of tattoos are just another aspect of America becoming more progressive.
Calling tattoos "anti-esta
I see quite a bit of badly-misinformed ignorance in many of these answers.
First: NO. The rise in tattoos, while potentially economically linked, almost certainly cannot provide us any meaningful information about the economy. There are simply too many confounding factors to make a meaningful inference.
Has the number of tattoos gone up? Yes of course, but to claim that this is economic is a very bold statement given the fact that meaningless social mores are being torn down by the day. Acceptance of tattoos are just another aspect of America becoming more progressive.
Calling tattoos "anti-establishment" without SOLID supporting evidence is a woefully narrow-minded statement to make. Are SOME tattoos done as a form of social protest? Certainly, but to draw such broad conclusions about all tattoos is completely unfounded. Just as many people get tattoos as a form of artistic self expression.
Disclosure: I have two tattoos. Both are birds, one represents myself, the other my girlfriend of 12 years.
As a final passing comment, I'd like to say to all the responders advising to invest in tattoo removal services: You have no idea what you are talking about.
The entire "but it will look horrible in 40 years!" line of reasoning is absolute bunk anyway. No 70-year-old has ever said "if only for these tats, I'd have such wonderful leathery parchment-skin!". Tattoos age with you, that's part of their beauty if done well.
News Flash: Everyone's skin looks like shit when they're older.
No, tattoos won't lead to employment issues in the future. In fact, surveys have shown tattoos are becoming more acceptable. The art of tattooing can be traced back thousands of years and found within many cultures across the world, it wasn't until the widespread of religion (mostly Christianity) and colonization into the western world that tattoos started to become more taboo in modern societies. For the longest time, the United States was one of the least tattooed places because of religion and societal norms as we come into the late 19th and early 20th century, tattoos were mostly seen as s
No, tattoos won't lead to employment issues in the future. In fact, surveys have shown tattoos are becoming more acceptable. The art of tattooing can be traced back thousands of years and found within many cultures across the world, it wasn't until the widespread of religion (mostly Christianity) and colonization into the western world that tattoos started to become more taboo in modern societies. For the longest time, the United States was one of the least tattooed places because of religion and societal norms as we come into the late 19th and early 20th century, tattoos were mostly seen as something that “savages" have such as indigenous tribes in the Americas. Moving further into the 20th century, tattoos became a symbol for felons, trouble makers, and rebels. This created a negative stereotype that people with tattoos probably served a prison sentence or overall not a good person. But as we see the rise of “hip culture" throughout the 70s and so on, tattoos started to slowly take on a different meaning. They were thoughtful and expressive, something simple like a heart with your mother's name in it or maybe a peace symbol in an area that could be hidden. Fast forward to the 2000s and you see the rise in grunge, nu metal, and mainstream pop that help set the trend of modern tattoos and being more expressive with ourselves. Fast forward to today and tattoos are now a multi billion dollar industry that requires a lot of work and dedication to master tattooing. People regularly spend thousands of dollars on a sleeve because the work has been refined and turned into an art that takes hours and even weeks to complete a tattoo. Tattoos today and the reasoning behind getting tattoos has drastically changed over the last 100yrs and people in the workforce realize that. And many people who are getting these tattoos are taking positions in management and running businesses, so there won't be any problems with people getting jobs while having tattoos
Most people on here making negative comments most likely don't have any tattoos. It's amazing that they would know why others get tattoos:) I have both arms sleeved as well as tattoos on my chest and back so I feel I can talk about the question as to why. I got my first tattoo at 18 and never received another until after 30 yrs old. I was afraid it may cause me trouble obtaining employment. I moved and lived all over Asia and Latin America for over 15 yrs not returning to the U.S. At 30 yrs old I said hell with it and starting sleaving my arms. I also tatted the rest of my chest., as of 2 yrs
Most people on here making negative comments most likely don't have any tattoos. It's amazing that they would know why others get tattoos:) I have both arms sleeved as well as tattoos on my chest and back so I feel I can talk about the question as to why. I got my first tattoo at 18 and never received another until after 30 yrs old. I was afraid it may cause me trouble obtaining employment. I moved and lived all over Asia and Latin America for over 15 yrs not returning to the U.S. At 30 yrs old I said hell with it and starting sleaving my arms. I also tatted the rest of my chest., as of 2 yrs ago I moved back to the U.S. (Las Vegas). Now that I am here I see more people with tattoos than without them. As humans we are very visual and also everyone has a story to tell. Most people get tattoos of things that have deep meaning. Also I believe America is becoming more open to tattoos so it's not effecting job opportunities like before. I am a consultant for the oil industry and my salary is very high so tattoos has not hindered me in any way. I believe things are changing and in 20 yrs there will be more people with tattoos than without them. I say if you want one get one. Just not on your face:):):)
Depending on the placement and content, having tattoos could have virtually no impact all the way to having a substantial impact.
Although companies are getting better about their acceptance of tattoos in the workplace, it’s just not mainstream enough yet for certain industries and positions. Having tattoos on your head, face, neck, and hands is likely to impact your ability to be hired in many industries.
However, there are plenty of tattooed people with careers in industries like finance, accounting, management, sales, etc. Their tattoos are simply not visible with their professional wardrobe.
Depending on the placement and content, having tattoos could have virtually no impact all the way to having a substantial impact.
Although companies are getting better about their acceptance of tattoos in the workplace, it’s just not mainstream enough yet for certain industries and positions. Having tattoos on your head, face, neck, and hands is likely to impact your ability to be hired in many industries.
However, there are plenty of tattooed people with careers in industries like finance, accounting, management, sales, etc. Their tattoos are simply not visible with their professional wardrobe.
I can use myself as an example here. I have a full sleeve on my arm that cuts off a few inches above my wrist, a full leg sleeve, and several other smaller tattoos. I’m a teacher at an international school and they have a strict tattoos can’t be visible at work policy. With the placement of my tattoos and the clothes I wear to work, no one even knew that I had any until months after I had started teaching here.
I can’t speak to the concept underlying tattoos, as it’s very much an individual decision. I’ve got five tattoos on my body and a different rationale for having each one of them.
However, the increase in people getting tattoos is a little easier to explain because there are some pronounced, generational trends:
Every generation since the Boomers has been more likely to get tattooed than the subseque
I can’t speak to the concept underlying tattoos, as it’s very much an individual decision. I’ve got five tattoos on my body and a different rationale for having each one of them.
However, the increase in people getting tattoos is a little easier to explain because there are some pronounced, generational trends:
Every generation since the Boomers has been more likely to get tattooed than the subsequent generation. Gen Z might initially appear to be an outlier, but a huge number of those folks would have been under eighteen back in 2021. If this poll were conducted right now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that the Gen Z folks had surpassed Millennials in terms of getting tattooed.
As tattoos become more popular and prevalent, the stigma surrounding them becomes less pronounced. When I was growing up, a...
No employer out there is going to come right out and tell you that they don’t hire people with visible tattoos for anything but the lowest of positions, but I have seen this over and over again during my years in the workforce. You almost never see people with visible tattoos (I.e. face, neck, hands) in upper level positions. There are definitely exceptions, but generally speaking, this is how things are in the business world.
In an ideal world, employers would not judge people by their tattoos or lack thereof. However, my advice is don’t get tattoos in places you can’t easily cover them if you
No employer out there is going to come right out and tell you that they don’t hire people with visible tattoos for anything but the lowest of positions, but I have seen this over and over again during my years in the workforce. You almost never see people with visible tattoos (I.e. face, neck, hands) in upper level positions. There are definitely exceptions, but generally speaking, this is how things are in the business world.
In an ideal world, employers would not judge people by their tattoos or lack thereof. However, my advice is don’t get tattoos in places you can’t easily cover them if you want to climb corporate ladders. I’ve known many successful executives and such that had tattoos, but they all had them in places like their upper arm or something where it was easy to cover it up.
Do tattoos affect employment?
Of course they do, at least in some kinds of employment. I’m assuming the question refers to tattoos that would be easily seen by prospective employers and their customers, not ones that will be covered during the normal workday.
A visible tattoo is like a bumper sticker on a car — it’s an in-your-face expression of aspects of your personality directed globally to people who don’t really have any desire or need for that information. But worse — because it is a statement that not only do you feel the need to “overshare” today, but that you have not looked to the futu
Do tattoos affect employment?
Of course they do, at least in some kinds of employment. I’m assuming the question refers to tattoos that would be easily seen by prospective employers and their customers, not ones that will be covered during the normal workday.
A visible tattoo is like a bumper sticker on a car — it’s an in-your-face expression of aspects of your personality directed globally to people who don’t really have any desire or need for that information. But worse — because it is a statement that not only do you feel the need to “overshare” today, but that you have not looked to the future and realized your “sharing” may not suit even you at some point down the road.
Aside from the likelihood that at least some of the people who will see it will not like or will actively dislike the content or the artwork, others who may not object to the content will wonder why you feel the need to overshare this information. It suggests a person who is at least somewhat over-insistent on asserting his or her individuality, often a sign of low self-esteem. Individuality is all fine and good in the right place and some workplaces are the right place, but in most workplaces, employers may be more interested in the individual’s ability to fit in, follow instructions and conform to the rules and procedures of the workplace and may suspect a tattooed individual is more likely to be a needy, demanding or “non-conforming” member of the team.
Which of these women is more likely to have the widest employment prospects?
I believe they’re both actually the same woman, but I can’t imagine that she is as employable after as she was before she had the tattooing done.
Obviously, there’s a world of difference between the employee who sports a small butterfly tattoo on an ankle and one who sports MS-13 gang symbols across his entire face. The former will not weigh heavily if at all in an employer’s consideration, the latter most certainly will.
Most people with tattoos save their money for the next tattoo. Like you may save for the newest tech. Or a pair of expensive shoes. When the tech has been replaced by something new, or the shoes out of fashion, the tattoo will still be there to enjoy.
They may trade for services..haircuts or massage or even auto work for tattoo. My grand daughter trades for all 3. As well as being given a dining room set for her new apartment, a very nice piece I might add.
I spent £150 in Edinburgh last May for my most recent tattoo. It took me 3 years of saving to afford the trip to the UK. I didn’t buy cheap
Most people with tattoos save their money for the next tattoo. Like you may save for the newest tech. Or a pair of expensive shoes. When the tech has been replaced by something new, or the shoes out of fashion, the tattoo will still be there to enjoy.
They may trade for services..haircuts or massage or even auto work for tattoo. My grand daughter trades for all 3. As well as being given a dining room set for her new apartment, a very nice piece I might add.
I spent £150 in Edinburgh last May for my most recent tattoo. It took me 3 years of saving to afford the trip to the UK. I didn’t buy cheap trinkets or t shirts on the trip..I got a tattoo of thistles instead.
I do not have money to burn..I’m on Social Security and this was a bucket list trip.
Try to not make assumptions about other people’s interests - just because they aren’t your interest does not make them any less valuable.
No.
If everyone has a tattoo, what issue will there be?
Tattoos only have a stigma if they’re very rare and/or if the popular belief is that they signify a certain negative image connotation. As more and more people have tattoos, any negative images associated with it will become less and less a factor.
I suppose only in very traditional and industries where the customer is older, could negative asso
No.
If everyone has a tattoo, what issue will there be?
Tattoos only have a stigma if they’re very rare and/or if the popular belief is that they signify a certain negative image connotation. As more and more people have tattoos, any negative images associated with it will become less and less a factor.
I suppose only in very traditional and industries where the customer is older, could negative associations be li...
That it is not an entity with any cohesive desire or direction. While there are separate classes on micro- and macroeconomics at universities, they’re fundamentally the same thing. Macroeconomics - or “the economy” that is constantly discussed in the media - is simply the aggregate of every individual, every family, every firm, every nation in the world. Each with its own desires, objectives and preferences.
There is a species of jellyfish which is actually made up of a colony of a myriad other tiny creatures. Banded together, they drift with the current. Many non-economists seem to believe tha
That it is not an entity with any cohesive desire or direction. While there are separate classes on micro- and macroeconomics at universities, they’re fundamentally the same thing. Macroeconomics - or “the economy” that is constantly discussed in the media - is simply the aggregate of every individual, every family, every firm, every nation in the world. Each with its own desires, objectives and preferences.
There is a species of jellyfish which is actually made up of a colony of a myriad other tiny creatures. Banded together, they drift with the current. Many non-economists seem to believe that if we can just understand and manipulate the current, we can direct the jellyfish-economy where we want.
Thing is, there is no exogenous current. The economy moves where its myriad of smaller components are moving, and when some of them pull in opposite directions, the aggregate movement sometimes tend towards a third direction.
This is why economics is so complicated, but also very interesting.
Several economic factors have contributed to the rise of tattoos as a mainstream trend:
1. **Increased Disposable Income**: With the rise in disposable income, especially among millennials, more people are able to afford tattoos³.
2. **Influence of Celebrities**: The increased influence of celebrities and the visibility of their tattoos have made tattoos more popular⁴. This has led to a surge in demand, especially among the youth².
3. **Low Start-Up Costs**: The relatively low start-up costs for tattoo businesses have made it easier for artists to enter the industry⁴.
4. **Technological Advancemen
Several economic factors have contributed to the rise of tattoos as a mainstream trend:
1. **Increased Disposable Income**: With the rise in disposable income, especially among millennials, more people are able to afford tattoos³.
2. **Influence of Celebrities**: The increased influence of celebrities and the visibility of their tattoos have made tattoos more popular⁴. This has led to a surge in demand, especially among the youth².
3. **Low Start-Up Costs**: The relatively low start-up costs for tattoo businesses have made it easier for artists to enter the industry⁴.
4. **Technological Advancements**: Improvements in tattooing machines and needles have made the process safer and more precise, increasing consumer confidence².
5. **Rising Demand for Natural and Vegan Products**: The rising demand for natural and vegan services/products, such as vegan ink, has fueled market growth¹.
6. **Increased Number of Tattoo Parlors**: The rising number of tattoo parlors, especially in developing economies like India, China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, has made tattoos more accessible².
The global tattoo market size was valued at USD 1.89 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to USD 3.93 billion by 2030¹. This growth in the tattoo industry indicates the increasing acceptance of tattoos as a form of self-expression and art. 😊
Whatever might have happened in the past, I wonder if tattoos are predictive or merely reflective of economic attitudes and behaviors. The one thing they do indicate? The tattoo industry is thriving!
The decision to get a tattoo might indicate someone's attitude and outlook towards the economy. To me, it reads as a short-term, impulsive and perhaps reckless desire for stability and permanence with rarely fully understood ramifications. It's estimated as many as 50% of people who get tattoos want them removed. http://www.ronalfy.com/tattoos-are-for-a-lifetime/
So, I'll make a leap, totally la
Whatever might have happened in the past, I wonder if tattoos are predictive or merely reflective of economic attitudes and behaviors. The one thing they do indicate? The tattoo industry is thriving!
The decision to get a tattoo might indicate someone's attitude and outlook towards the economy. To me, it reads as a short-term, impulsive and perhaps reckless desire for stability and permanence with rarely fully understood ramifications. It's estimated as many as 50% of people who get tattoos want them removed. http://www.ronalfy.com/tattoos-are-for-a-lifetime/
So, I'll make a leap, totally lacking in substantiated evidence: maybe today's youth (most of those who get tattoos) feel uncertain about their futures, and make poor decisions, often not considering the long-term. Maybe they feel frustrated by lack of available sense of opportunity or stability, as evidenced by withering away of the middle class and full-time job opportunities, and suffer from a sort of nihilism. Perhaps the impact on the economy is the development of an economic underclass of 20-something's: low-performing, unstable, underutilized, frustrated, with short attention spans and an attitude demanding immediate gratification. It could be an underclass visibly scarred and marked, wearing its mistakes, with the potential to trend conservative and angry, just like youth in underdeveloped parts of the world, ultimately undermining productivity and economic growth.
Or maybe they're young (mostly) and feeling their rebel oats, and a desire to express and broadcast their individuality without the effort of constant tweeting. And maybe I've been watching all the trailers for Mad Max:Fury Road, so I got apocalypse on the mind.
Are u saying it makes our youth uncivilized Tattoos have been around for thousnds of yrs. yes thier more prominent now than before tattoos are now more advanced then they were b4. the art is better more realistic some people choose art for thier walls i like it on my skin. its a personal choice and we all need to respect each others decisions . lifes to short be happy do what u want while u r here smile love each other tattooed or not
I'm the Founder and now retired CEO of a very large company. The only time that tattoos are a concern is that I insist that tattoos on people in certain positions, like a receptionist, not be visible when wearing a short sleeve blouse/shirt. It simply is more professional. I personally have 12 tattoos, but none is visible in a short sleeve shirt. They're on my chest and back.
Some do and some don't, depending on the person. All ten of mine mean something personal to me. I have noticed that in perhaps 45% of tattooed people. I feel and have told by the others, 55% that there's are typically “ornamental.” For example: I have seen many women with floral tattoos. And I find those beautiful, often more than mine are perceived. But that does not matter to me as far as the type of tattoos I have.
Thanks for asking!
If you're skill level is average to below average in the field you are looking for jobs in then yes. Otherwise maybe slightly harder on the first impression, and not at all afterwards. It also depends on your field, like trying to be a politician might be harder than trying to be a doctor with tattoos. Lastly, if you can cover them up, if you can cover them up I personally would until I get the job atleast then mention it to my employers if I feel the need to.
In my experience no they don’t. As I’ve said in a different answer I’ve worked in schools, nursing homes, retail, and currently in a hospital kitchen. I’ve seen teachers, nurses, doctors, and many others with tattoos and piercings. I also have multiple visible tattoos and a few piercings. It has never been an issue and people are generally just curious about them.
Yes. Sorry if that is a problem. Its that real world thing.
Valuation of Microsoft has also crossed the trillion dollar mark.
The three US companies are now trillion dollar company: Apple, Amazon, Microsoft. So their combined worth is now greater than annual GDP of India.
Steve Jobs failed, came to India, did some assisted आत्ममंथन, went back and transformed Apple. Microsoft has an Indian origin CEO.
We have meditation, but the US has rule of law, and an absolute respect for contracts. And therefore it has trillion dollar companies.
Of course, the Left led unions introduced violence (strike is violence) in the negotiations with management in the US also, a
Valuation of Microsoft has also crossed the trillion dollar mark.
The three US companies are now trillion dollar company: Apple, Amazon, Microsoft. So their combined worth is now greater than annual GDP of India.
Steve Jobs failed, came to India, did some assisted आत्ममंथन, went back and transformed Apple. Microsoft has an Indian origin CEO.
We have meditation, but the US has rule of law, and an absolute respect for contracts. And therefore it has trillion dollar companies.
Of course, the Left led unions introduced violence (strike is violence) in the negotiations with management in the US also, and the courts allowed the violence, so the labour intensive industries fled from the US. Tech companies have no workers of Marx and Lenin.
Safer is wealth, greater is wealth; more respect for the contracts, greater is trade and hence prosperity; absence of violence from the market, greater is trade, industries, and prosperity.
If we vote for the corrupts, for the looters, for the mafia dons, for the lootians, the tontichor, charachor, chitfundchor, we won't have trade and industry, and prosperity.
If we can not keep promises, we won't earn wealth, and won't keep whatever wealth we have.
Economics is not complicated. It is the simplest of the sciences. But we try to defy economics. Rulers try to defy economics because it limits their powers, and ordinary men try to defy economics because it tells them that without honesty and hard work, they can not become rich.
But economics wins, always.
Yes, tatoos affect job prospects. I am currently contracting in a pretty conservative office. I haven’t noticed anybody with a visible tattoo. Tattoos are not banned here, it’s simply that having one would immediately and visibly mark you as different, which is hard to overcome.
Now you could say that you would not want to work here, that you wouldn’t be a good ‘cultural fit’ etc. That’s probably true, but how certain are you that you won’t want to work here in say ten years time? I think your aversion to working here is more likely to change than their aversion to tattoos.
There are also loads
Yes, tatoos affect job prospects. I am currently contracting in a pretty conservative office. I haven’t noticed anybody with a visible tattoo. Tattoos are not banned here, it’s simply that having one would immediately and visibly mark you as different, which is hard to overcome.
Now you could say that you would not want to work here, that you wouldn’t be a good ‘cultural fit’ etc. That’s probably true, but how certain are you that you won’t want to work here in say ten years time? I think your aversion to working here is more likely to change than their aversion to tattoos.
There are also loads of jobs where having a tattoo is perfectly acceptable. You are not disadvantaging yourself at all workplaces, just the more conservative ones. Over time I think the work impacts of tattoos continue to drop as it becomes more socially acceptable.
It depends on the job, and where the tattoos are located. I have two full sleeves, and I've worked for five Fortune 500 companies. It's never been an issue, because I can cover them up with a long sleeve shirt, and no one even knows. Face, neck, and hand tattoos are a horrible idea unless you're a tattoo artist, rockstar, or millionaire.
I have not done a formal study but I do see more tattoos around the 99cent store than I do around the yacht harbor.
The real question resides with the interpretation of that correlation:
= Does poverty get people to think in terms of investing in body art as opposed to the stock market?
= Do tattoos keep you poor?
= Is the underlying variable something like low conscientiousness that results in both poverty and tattoos?
Absolutely!! Discrimination has become a noticable issue in our country. The morality of America forbids discriminatory behavior on all fronts. But none bigger than the work force.
Personal businesses and corporations have the right to forbid visible tattoos on their employees. However, many are apprehensive to do so so as to avoid talk of Discrimination.
So the answer is definitely YES. Popularity amongst tattoo collecters has increased steadily in recent years and and society has also become more and more tolerant on the issue.
Economic activity goes around in a circle, or cycle. People have money, they buy stuff. Stores get the money, they orders stuff from distributors. Distributors get the money, they order stuff from manufacturers. Manufacturers order parts and supplies. Suppliers get money, they make stuff, or mine it, or buy it. All of those businesses have employees and owners, which get money from all of the selling we have just described. That’s where the people (see 2nd sentence) get the money in the first place.
That’s not the only thing you should know, but it’s basic.
Being a very vague question at best, I can try and give you pointers to read a few important parameters that tell you how any economy functions overall. The first thing that you will be asked to consider are the GDP values, although what is more important here is to understand how it is calculated. GDP is going to show you the productivity of a country in terms of the goods and services produced every fiscal year. What GNP shows you is the national income, when divided by the total population, it gives you the per capita income of the country. Most economies today are categorized as developed,
Being a very vague question at best, I can try and give you pointers to read a few important parameters that tell you how any economy functions overall. The first thing that you will be asked to consider are the GDP values, although what is more important here is to understand how it is calculated. GDP is going to show you the productivity of a country in terms of the goods and services produced every fiscal year. What GNP shows you is the national income, when divided by the total population, it gives you the per capita income of the country. Most economies today are categorized as developed, developing or LDC’s based on slabs of per capita income.
What you can also do apart from this is to read various indices like Ease of Doing business, Economic freedom, where to be born index etc to understand various socio-economic aspects of the country and understand where it stands in comparison to other economies. Poverty and unemployment rates can also show you the disparity of resources and opportunities that exist in any country.
The last thing i would suggest (as a starter’s pack), is to also consider the rupee’s position in terms of other currencies and factors affecting it (like current account deficit/surplus, interest rates etc), because a well performing economy has an appreciating currency in most cases as an indication of economic stability.
I hope you get an idea with this.
Ha! Not as far as I know. I have friends who have tattoos and are very popular where they work and have been there for years. A friend of mine had both tattoos and a Mohican and shades and worked in an SF bookshop. First time I saw him, he was comfortable ensconced in a comfy chair behind the shop desk enjoying a banana custard.
In today’s society and culture I would say, yes. Tattoos are a luxury, and good work isn’t cheap. So before you feed into the taboo of it all when looking at a heavily tattooed person, you may be actually viewing wealth.
Not really.
I go to work in short sleeved clothing, with the tattoos on my left arm clearly visible. But for those professional moments, make sure tattoos are covered with appropriate business clothing.
You can always check with your employer, too. Or read your staff manual.
Not necessarily. But I suppose it will depend on what the job is and who the employer is.
These days it's commonplace to see heavily tattooed people in all sorts of work situations. I was once treated by an ED nurse who had, ‘sleeves,’ of tattoos on both arms and tattoos on either side of his neck.
Once upon a time, tattoos did have associations with the less desirable elements of society. Those days are gone now, thank goodness, because people across the societal strata have tattoos. Indeed, I have four of my own.
