Vinn

As has been stated in this thread, many businesses ban visible tattoos. But several allow them. I recently was shopping for a TV and checked many stores. At a major national chain (not sure if allowed to state which one here) the employee who helped me had visible sleeves. He said the company allows it. I bought there based on that. I also shop at a large chain grocery store that allows their employees to have visible tattoos. I do my best to patronize businesses that allow their employees to have visible tattoos. I encourage my friends and family to do the same.

Today was my first day back to work after a 12 day vacation, during which I had my hand tattooed. I wore a Lycra material wrist support thing I found at the drug store. Flesh toned, pretty soft, and no finger holes; completely open at the knuckles. It hid the top of my hand perfectly and after a bit I didn't even feel it. No one noticed. Not one question or comment. Since I always wear long sleeves at work it helps cause the sleeves hang low onto my hands. To be certain though, prior to leaving for my vacation I printed our current personal appearance policy and date stamped it. At the very moment I had my hand tattooed I was within policy (cover it). I know for certain no one has a hand tattoo. So, if they eventually find out, freak, and re-write the policy to ban hand tattoos entirely, I will be grandfathered in and OK. Gotta love being in a union.

First saw my grandfathers tattoos when I was about eight years old. He served in WW2 and had a few from overseas. Fast forward 10 years and I got my first. I managed to hide it from my parents (this was over 20 years ago, tattoos still were taboo) but my grandfather saw it when I reached and my shirt sleeve raised. He smiled, bear hugged me and his eyes welled with years. He was proud and approved! Parents, not so much.....

My employer has written policy basically banning visible tattoos. Out of over 80 employees, the policy only effects two of us. I dress daily in business casual and covering my arms is not an issue. I will be forced to wear a skin toned fingerless glove on my hand once it is tattooed, but I don't mind. I have had nearly all of my tattoos done while working for the same employer, and knew going in that I would have to make adjustments in my dress due to tattoos. I rather enjoy that most people I work with have no idea my arms are covered. I'm not there to stand out or be the topic of conversation; I am there to have them give me more of their money and ironically they paid for the tattoos that they don't want to see.

My sleeves and upcoming tattoos are all by Tim McCarthy at Tsunami Tattoo. With the exception of my cheapo first flash piece and another two that were covered during a sleeve, all of my tattoos are by him. I give him a concept and ideas and he runs with it. I am continually amazed at his talent and trust him completely; he has done freehand tattooing on me before with no stenciling. Part of one sleeve is bio-mechanical style and he free handed quite a bit. For my hand I am having the bottom portion of my Japanese sleeve extended down onto my hand (that lower part is flower design) and then a skull in the center of my hand. He will design it to flow from the sleeve and integrate the skull into it and be consistent in style. I really won't know exactly what it will look like until I get in the chair, but I know from sitting in that same chair for dozens and dozens of hours it will look great. For my leg I am having a coral reef theme. I have two reefs in my house (in tanks) and am rather obsessed with them. Gonna post pics soon but only have camera phone to use. Maybe I'll honor the scratchy first tattoo and make it my 35 dollar avitar.

Just found this forum, wish I found it years ago! I got my first tattoo nearly 25 years ago and within the last ten or so got "serious" about the art. I now have two full sleeves so far, and am planning the concept for my left leg. But before the leg I am having my hand done in three weeks. I have wanted to do this for years, and now 16 years into my career I am comfortable finally doing it, not worried about the "job stopper" aspect of it. And I still have the first tattoo I ever got. It was a 35 dollar flash piece, poorly done and rather unattractive. But I can't have it covered, too sentimental. It was all I could afford and I wanted a tattoo so badly at the time. I know better now but who wouldn't want a green skull with a Mohawk tattooed on them? It is tattoo season here in Washington State, for the next nine months we don't have to worry about sun damaging tattoos; it only rains now.