being judged on appearance.

eupnea · Apr 13, 2006

I interviewed at a training school a couple of days ago for a summer job. The person interviewing me was AWESOME and they really seemed to like me. They even invited me to sit in on a staff meeting to see how things go.

I have a couple of piercings in my face and one visible tattoo. The way these people responded to me you would have thought I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. One older woman blatantly stared at me for several minutes. I live in a progessive area of Minneapolis. We're not talking about a conservative town here, and I was offended. I know that with having piercings comes a certain degree of judgement from others, but I've never had a problem before. Many of them had their dogs with them and actually pulled these animals away from me as I passed by, like i was going to eat them if they got too close.

I really need this job, and I really like what I would be doing. I know one person would accept me there (the woman who interviewed me) but I'm not sure if it would be worth it to take the job because everyone else was so rude. In the meantime I am still looking for other jobs.

Basically, my question is, what would you do in this situation? Do you think I should give it a shot and see if they warm up to me? Most of the employees are 40+ women whose whole lives are their dogs. Maybe they just aren't used to seeing someone like me?

MoochNNoodles · Apr 13, 2006

Hmmm...that's a tough call. I guess it depends on how much you are willing to take till they get to know you. I think most people react to something different in some way. I'd say if you really want the job, then give them a chance to get to know you.

fwan · Apr 13, 2006

i am sorry that you are being judged!

I dont know what kind of job it is, but i know that in alot of work places you cant just go with all piercings on your face.

Eg... If you work at the embassy or any other high office place.. no tattoos are visible nor piercings, and DEFINETELY no piercings on your face :S

Good luck though

deb25 · Apr 13, 2006

In all honesty, and I am not sure what job it is you are applying for, I don't think it looks professional. I have had a supervisor ask me not to wear my cartilage piercing at work, and so I didn't.

miss mew · Apr 13, 2006

I think that you are probably right when you said that they probably aren't used to seeing people with piercings and tattoos.

I know that when I met my friend's boyfriend I was a little shocked at first (he has many tattoos and facial piercings) I just wasn't used to seeing that. But now we are great friends and I don't even notice.

If this job is really important to you I'd say stick with it..I'm sure you'll find that once they get to know who you are they will find that are a wonderful person and nothing else will matter

MoochNNoodles · Apr 13, 2006

That is true, even at the casino in my town you can't have visible piercings and tatoos. Did the person who interviewed you mention anything about rules like that?

sharky · Apr 13, 2006

Originally Posted by Deb25

In all honesty, and I am not sure what job it is you are applying for, I don't think it looks professional. I have had a supervisor ask me not to wear my cartilage piercing at work, and so I didn't.

I understand some peircings dont come out but a camoflage would be in order... WHat type of job are you trying to get??

jeanor · Apr 13, 2006

Originally Posted by Miss Mew

If this job is really important to you I'd say stick with it..I'm sure you'll find that once they get to know who you are they will find that are a wonderful person and nothing else will matter

well said

eupnea · Apr 13, 2006

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

That is true, even at the casino in my town you can't have visible piercings and tatoos. Did the person who interviewed you mention anything about rules like that?

She said it wasn't a problem and we had a fun little chat about tattoos because she has a couple herself.

The vet's office where I take the kitties has several people with obvious piercings working there, and the vet program at the college where i will be doing my internship for my CVT certification is headed by a woman with several large tattoos.

I don't know. Maybe I'll wear retainers in them to start out. I'm probably just used to seeing these things myself. I wish it wasn't so taboo though. I like the way I look.

eupnea · Apr 13, 2006

Originally Posted by sharky

I understand some peircings dont come out but a camoflage would be in order... WHat type of job are you trying to get??

I would be assisting the instructor who teaches the puppy preschool class.

jen · Apr 13, 2006

Oh that sounds like a really fun job. I would go for it. I take some stares at work everyday. I dress weird. I do my makeup and clothing and hair differently then all the middle age men and women that I work with. Maybe I look weird to some people but that is how I dress and what I like.

I thnkn you should take the job, once the people get to know you they won't mind the body mods as much. At least they wouldn't stare so much maybe.

I don't know, I am used to body mods, I like them, I think they are a wonderful way to express yourself. Too bad people have to judge like that.

dawnofsierra · Apr 13, 2006

I believe if you're offered the position, you should take the job based completely on if it's a place where you'll feel comfortable and be able enjoy yourself, paying no heed to the way others may or may not feel about you.

scamperfarms · Apr 13, 2006

hey fellow minnesotan

I would take it if you think its a job you would like

sharky · Apr 13, 2006

In that enviornment you should have fun and a few peircings shouldnt matter

catsknowme · Apr 13, 2006

I would talk to the manager & get her opinion. After all, it is a business and whatever pleases the clientele (within reason) is just sound business practices. However, a younger person with an alternative style might be just the thing to make the clients feel younger themselves! I find being around people of my daughters' generation (25-30 yrs) can be very refreshing!

momof3rugratz · Apr 13, 2006

Originally Posted by eupnea

I interviewed at a training school a couple of days ago for a summer job. The person interviewing me was AWESOME and they really seemed to like me. They even invited me to sit in on a staff meeting to see how things go.

I have a couple of piercings in my face and one visible tattoo. The way these people responded to me you would have thought I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. One older woman blatantly stared at me for several minutes. I live in a progessive area of Minneapolis. We're not talking about a conservative town here, and I was offended. I know that with having piercings comes a certain degree of judgement from others, but I've never had a problem before. Many of them had their dogs with them and actually pulled these animals away from me as I passed by, like i was going to eat them if they got too close.

I really need this job, and I really like what I would be doing. I know one person would accept me there (the woman who interviewed me) but I'm not sure if it would be worth it to take the job because everyone else was so rude. In the meantime I am still looking for other jobs.

Basically, my question is, what would you do in this situation? Do you think I should give it a shot and see if they warm up to me? Most of the employees are 40+ women whose whole lives are their dogs. Maybe they just aren't used to seeing someone like me?

I can really relate. I lived in CA and was a teacher there preschool and preK and Kinder.. All my kids loved me and the parents too. I have a few tattoos and I have my tongue done. I move her to Utah and alot of people just freak at my tattoos and because they are skulls. I can not teach here so far. They do not say it is the tattoos, but I think it is. I have great credits and education beyound what is needed.

I hate being judged...

timestreason · Apr 13, 2006

First off, I'm sorry those gits treated you like that. That's totally unfair.

Second, I'd say go for it, just for the pleasure of scandalzing them (what can I say...I like scandalizing people, sometimes

) and maybe getting it through their thick skulls that not all people with peircings/tatoos are bad (just like not all people with no peircings/tatoos are good).

I think in time, if you try and gently work your way into their circles, they'll forget differences and opinions and accept you.

Plus, if you like the job you'd be doing, don't let them put you down and dictate what you do or don't do.

Also, do whatever feels comfortable...I know it's hard fitting into circles where people look at you like you're a three headed dog(had it happen to me, before...but this was with a bunch of teenage pricks, so it's kind of different...), but you can do it if you try and if you really and truly love the job.

Good luck!

sar · Apr 14, 2006

Gah, I'm sorry you are experiencing this

I have piercings too and have been very lucky not to be judged on this!

I say take the job and help educate people about those with piercings and tattoos!

They need to see below the piercings and get to know you!

Go fot it!!

phenomsmom · Apr 14, 2006

The oldies will get to know you and you shouldn't have a problem once they realize that jsut because you have some piercings and tattoos that doesn't mean you are going to hurt them or their puppies...

lunasmom · Apr 14, 2006

It is kind of tough in that sort of situation. Usually the older people are, the more conservative they can be.
If you really want the job, keep applying yourself towards it. However if you don't get it, I would take out a couple of the rings on the next interview and ask the potential employer about their policy and acceptence of piercings.

I'm not sure, but it could also be too that there's a policy at this trade school concerning piercings and tattoos. I know many companies do have this (at least in MI)

being judged on appearance.

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