Submitted by megan on Tue, 04/07/2009 - 09:09
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
The day is finally here. Wait, no. The day is not here, but the day before the day is here.
I'm getting my new tattoo tomorrow. It's the starfish up in the banner, on my shoulder and neck.
I've got mostly the regular day-before-the-day jitters. I'm worried that I'll hate it when it's done. I'm worried that I won't be able to sit for 4 hours.
Another layer of worry is that this is my first all-the-time visible tattoo. I have giant tattoos now, but nobody sees them. In one way, I kind of like that, these hidden presents wrapped around my torso that nobody would guess are there.
Then I see other people's visible tattoos, and I want to be one of the people who has ink right out there.
At any rate, it's booked and the cold feet will warm up once the design is being carved into me.
The main reason that I'm writing this is that it just occurred to me today that my work might not like it. Or, at the very least, might not like being surprised by it. As a little background, I don't work with the public at all. The only time I see anyone besides my immediate co-workers is at conferences, though I go to a few of those a year.
I'm pretty sure they won't care, but then the consequences might be pretty dire if they don't. Plus, maybe it would just be polite to check in. I can't decide. I don't want to talk to my boss about it, because it would be awkward, but I feel like I maybe should. I don't know, I don't know.
What do you think?
Should I tell my bosses about my new tattoo before I get it?
( surveys)/>
Comments
8 comments postedI'm split between #2 and #3. I'm leaning towards telling them, but more because it's a big event and I tend to let my boss know about big events. But I've got a pretty good personal relationship with her, and I think she'd be a little hurt if I didn't share something like that.
They certainly can't fire or reprimand you (I would think). So if there's not a personal level to your work relationships, eh don't worry about it. You make a good point that you already have a facial piercing.
as someone with the same facial piercing that you have who just got a visible tattoo, i didn't worry about it too much. but then again it's pretty easy to wear longer sleeves if i judge it to be necessary for work - how hard will it be to cover your starfish, if you decide you want to cover it for some particular occasion?
No freaking way man... It's your body, and as long as your work attire is professional, they have no place telling what to do with your shoulder/neck.
There are people at my work who hide their tats, and there are those that let them all hang out.
Whenever I get my shoulder tattoo, I will be buying more shirts that cover my arms, simply because that is the easiest way for me to keep looking professional. I'm not asking my work permission to get it - I'm just not going to wave it in their faces when I do. Same with my back tattoo now... I don't wear shirts that have a low-cut back to work, so if you see anything, you only see the very top of the tat. I guess I'm just saying that my work clothes are more modest than what I wear at home, and they usually cover up about 80% of the ink.
Judging by your description of the piece, it doesn't sound like it will be as visible as something on say, your forearm, right?
no way dude. I have many very visible tattoos and I work with a bunch of old fogeys in a very rural and traditional environment and they just had to get used to it. Quite literally, the colours on my body have absolutely nothing to do with my work performance and my level of professionalism. -Now, the fact that they just "accidentally" never show during a job interview is a different story...
I would tell them, because for sure when you come in the next day with the tat, you're going to be jittery wondering how your boss will react. I would find out how your boss will react first and then you don't have to worry later.
the consequences might be pretty Dire? like how dire? Fire you dire? NO. Dislike you dire? I don't think so. What if they disaprove - you going to NOT get it? Phef. hell no.
If he's a reasonable and pragmatic person, I would say, yeah, tell him. Not to get his opinion, but just tell him what you're doing and that you didn't want him to be surprised so you're letting him know in advance. I find that letting people in on stuff, just for the sake of it, is a good way of showing that you like and respect them, and it goes a long way in keeping professional relationships smooth and keeping work environments happy.
If he is likely to react with dark omens of crumbling careers, and you are going to get the tat anyway, then don't tell him. Why risk putting you both through the struggle when it's not going to change the outcome? Especially since he will get over it anyway after five minutes.
Unless, of course, a really negative opinion from him *would* change your mind, at least temporarily. Then you can find out exactly how big a deal this is for him, figure out how you feel about that, and weigh the pros and cons of going through with it.
Keep in mind that this is a person who hired you when you already had your nose ring. I really don't think he's going to care. And it will take a load of your mind to know that before your appointment, so you can enjoy it without any worrying.
That's what I think.
Your C in Wpg.
I think by talking about it beforehand and flagging it as "something-that-needs-to-be-discussed" you risk making it a bigger deal than it would have been in your boss' eyes. I think you should just get it and not worry about it. It's not like it affects your performance and even if it is a shock to your boss or colleagues, they'll get over it quickly and soon forget what it was like PVT (pre visible tattoo).
Good luck! Look forward to seeing it!
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