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Double Bass Will a tattoo be a problem in the classical world?

#61
I am Soma said:
Hey I understand you aren't into tats, but try not to come off like such a judgmental pompous wanker - it just makes you look bad. I would say the majority of us who have body art aren't concerned with how you view us - we do it for ourselves.

I have had no ill effects from having the majority of my body covered (nothing a long sleeve shirt can't cover). It's been worth every cent and every minute of pain. My body is a canvas and I'm happy which is all that matters :)
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You know what? You're right.

The world can be a harsh place, and I communicated that harshly. I hire people with ink, but I would still strongly advise against getting a tattoo anywhere that you are not willing to always cover.

I apologize to those of you with tattoos.
 
#62
Zojo said:
Just stating the facts.

It does make you less employable. Thus demonstrating poor judgement, unless you are okay with under employment. (Please no contrary anecdotes. I know Jesse James on TV is a millionaire). Like a mullet, it is a fashion statement--only permanent.
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Maybe this is like doing a post mortem given your last post, but I'll say it anyway. The judgmental aspect of your post weakens the factual part or your post. Anyone who thinks that visible tattoos will not limit their employment opportunities is kidding themselves. As far as wearing long sleeve shirts, try wearing a long sleeve shirt year round for a year and see if you would want to do that for the rest if your working life.

Where you are wrong is that tattoos are not a fashion statement for everyone. There are many reasons to get a tattoo. As far as poor judgment, if someone has carefully thought through the risks and made an informed decision to get a tattoo, I don't think that shows poor judgement. I am heavily tattooed and make north of $100K, as do some of my tattooed colleagues. We're in the tech field where skill is valued above appearance.

Having said that I would never encourage anyone to get a tattoo. I just wouldn't insult them for wanting one.
 
#63
lfmn16 said:
No, I'm angrily judging them! :D

I guess I don't get why someone feels it is OK to voice an unsolicited negative opinion about someone else based on their appearance. It's a free world, if someone wants to be a d!ck, I won't lose any sleep over it.
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Well, based on the thread title, I can't say it's entirely unsolicited. Personally, I've had a tattoo for 25 years, and wish I hadn't. Mine's on my shoulder, so it's never been a factor for me, career-wise. But I've seen tattoos negatively affect people's career opportunities. I would have guessed it would be somewhat of a factor, though not necessarily a deal-breaker, in the orchestral world as well. But I've only seen one conductor comment in this thread, and he is all for them--so until I see another conductor (or someone with comparable insight) provide a counterpoint (no pun intended), I'll go with what he says.
 
#64
lfmn16 said:
Maybe this is like doing a post mortem given your last post, but I'll say it anyway. The judgmental aspect of your post weakens the factual part or your post. Anyone who thinks that visible tattoos will not limit their employment opportunities is kidding themselves. As far as wearing long sleeve shirts, try wearing a long sleeve shirt year round for a year and see if you would want to do that for the rest if your working life.

Where you are wrong is that tattoos are not a fashion statement for everyone. There are many reasons to get a tattoo. As far as poor judgment, if someone has carefully thought through the risks and made an informed decision to get a tattoo, I don't think that shows poor judgement. I am heavily tattooed and make north of $100K, as do some of my tattooed colleagues. We're in the tech field where skill is valued above appearance.

Having said that I would never encourage anyone to get a tattoo. I just wouldn't insult them for wanting one.
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I'm also in the IS field. Must be a good place for tats. Wearing sleeves all year long hasn't been a biggie for me going on ten years but I live in MN
 
#66
Maybe most orchestras won't be a problem, but it's a bar in certain work areas - not a good move if you ever plan on cruise ships - they hate tattoos and body art, and piercings too. I've got friends who are dancers and I know some lose jobs if they spot them in audition - when the bias is easily hidden and the non-job result put down to something else. When they do get discovered when the costumes don't cover them, part of my job is to get them covered up. Sticky plasters, makeup etc - all look bad. The tats draw the eye, and that is NOT what is wanted. If somebody wants body art of any kind, that's their choice. However, the job offers are somebody else's choice, and you may well never know they are anti - you just don't get the job. If you want them, have them - but accept the fact that other people may be very anti, and there is nothing to say they can't be. Is there something called tattooism? It's a fickle world - I gave a dancer a job once, and was told I was mad - she was at least 30, and for goodness sake - Ginger!!!
 
#69
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
I work at the top of my field, in an office environment, and I have a number of tattoos. Several are visible when I roll up the sleeves of my dress shirts, as I often do.

Sorry, but you're wrong.
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No, he's not. I've personally known of times when people have not been hired even at entry level positions specifically because of their tattoos. You may work at a firm that doesn't care one way or the other, or you may bring enough to the table that people are willing to overlook your tattoos--but it is a simple fact that some potential employment opportunities will be diminished because of tattoos.
 
#71
Some potential job opportunities may be diminished because of some tattoos, but to make the blanket statement that "any visible tattoo diminishes your employability" is so demonstrably false it's laughable.

And I don't work for a firm, I work for The Man. Not many libertines in these halls.
 
#72
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
Some potential job opportunities may be diminished because of some tattoos, but to make the blanket statement that "any visible tattoo diminishes your employability" is so demonstrably false it's laughable.
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No, it's demonstrably true. If he would have said "any visible tattoo diminishes your employability anywhere," then it would obviously be false. But if there a job out there that you are less likely to get because of a tattoo, "any visible tattoo diminishes your employability" is a true statement.
 
#75
The older TAT'S are, the more distorted they become..colors fade,skin pigmentation and density shift, stretching, sagging ect. I guess having them removed in the future is something you can always consider.

IMO, even though they can make a person seem provocative, creative, free and wild, sexy, ect to some...there will always be some people that don't enjoy seeing them.

Yes, it is possible that it could effect your chances for winning an audition. You won't know unless you try.
 
#76
If you audition for an orchestra job, the committee won't care about your tattoo. They want to hear you play well if they were to offer you a double bass position. BUT, if you have the tattoo and don't get the job, you can tell yourself and others that you didn't get the job because someone on the committee doesn't like people with tattoos. What a great excuse, ego protector, and face saver you can keep in your pocket. This is a win-win. Get yourself a tattoo. If you don't get the job, you can just say that the classical world is too uptight for musicians sporting tattoos. What a deal!!!!!!
 
#77
I'd like to see someone go to an audition with one of these...


facetattoobr.jpg



facetattoobr2.jpg


Part of a prize winning photo study...
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http://brianjrogers.tumblr.com/
 
#80
wow, seems like I started quite a discussion. Thank you for all your answers! I am pretty convinced that a tattoo which can be covered up by long sleeves wouldn't be a problem. However, I am not so sure that I am getting one. I probably won't!
 

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