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My boyfriend's tattoos

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Re: My boyfriend's tattoos

  • To be fair... There are some professions where people who change careers honestly don't know that tattoos will be a problem. Or, they believe when they're younger that "they'd never work as such-and-such" and then discover later on they have a passion for something different. 


    Nursing, for example. I work for a nursing school and we have a lot of middle-aged career changers and even in the interview process, people have been told, "Well, to go to clinical, you'll have to wear a turtleneck at all times under your scrubs to cover your neck/arm tattoos." If someone couldn't cover a tattoo, they could actually not get a job as a nurse. 

    Also, when I originally started at this university, the department I was in had plenty of people with visible tattoos, even at director-level. I went to a different department, and the President told a middle-aged new hire to cover her leg tattoo with a bandage. Frankly, if I had a visible tattoo (mine's always covered) or she'd been wearing a skirt during her interview, neither of us would have been hired. Even in the same organization there are different standards. 

    However, this is the guy's body and choice and not the OP's. I hope he realizes that not everyone is open minded, but OP will have to keep her opinion to herself.  
    Maybe this is a regional thing because I know a number of nurses, and have been treated by nurses with visible tattoos and thought nothing of it.  They weren't covered.  Interesting.
  • I'm really surprised by the tone of these responses. I don't think you get to dictate appearance to your partner, but I do think you get to discuss it. How long are you planning on keeping that beard because it's scratching my thighs? Oh you're thinking about Botox- but I'd miss your eyebrow raise?

    I think it's completely acceptable to talk about these things with your partner and share your thoughts about it, and listen to theirs.

    That's a little different than, "If you're going to get all these tattoos, you might not be able to get a job and then you won't be able to support me." 
    Ummm... I'm not asking him to support me - I have a job, thanks. I'm worried he may not be hired to his full potential b/c of how he looks. He is worthy of an amazing job but some companies may be hesitant to give him one. I'm not sure where you got me looking for him to support me from...


    *********etf boxes**********



    Ok.. @OwningAHome1981. I'll ask again... What type of "help" did you expect posting this to a forum of internet strangers? Seriously.

    There are two basic types of responses you could get:

    1) OMG, you should totally talk to him about tattoo removal. Gurl, you gotta thing LONG TERM and if he can't work to his potential, he's not right for you. lol
    2) Um, what? Do you love the guy? Yes? Good. Stay with him and don't worry about it. Or if this bothers you, end the relationship.

    I honestly want to know if you expected to get resolution from this post.



    Well I certainly didn't expect a bunch of rude responses...

    although maybe I should have?



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  • pinkcow13 said:

    littlepep said:

    I'm really surprised by the tone of these responses. I don't think you get to dictate appearance to your partner, but I do think you get to discuss it. How long are you planning on keeping that beard because it's scratching my thighs? Oh you're thinking about Botox- but I'd miss your eyebrow raise?

    I think it's completely acceptable to talk about these things with your partner and share your thoughts about it, and listen to theirs.

    Eh. I don't like when FI has a beard because it itches my face. But the beard isn't on my face, it's on his face. And he can do whatever with his face that he wants. I can't tell him what to do. 
    I agree with Starmoon here. Not necessarily telling the person "Get rid of your beard, it's itchy!" But just sharing your thoughts about it. I mean, that's the kind of relationship FI and I have. For example, FI got his ear pierced when we were in college. When he first became manager he asked me if I thought he should remove his earring. I told him that I know that the culture at his job is not as stuffy as it is in mine, but that in my job upper (male) managers are very clean cut, and do not have any visible piercings. I didn't tell him "Yes! Take off that earring this instant, it is SO unprofessional!" I just expressed my thoughts on what he asked. I think communication is key. I did read what the OP wrote after, though. Thinking about it in those terms "He won't get a good job, and I'll have to support him" is not exactly the best train of thought.
    This is my thinking as well.  If H were to ever bring up in conversation that he was thinking about getting a visible-everyday-regardless-of-what-he-wears tattoo then I would probably tell him that I didn't think it was a good idea.

    I mean, like with everything, if H says something that I don't agree with then I will tell him.  In the end, if what he is doing only affects him, not us as a married couple, then he is free to make his own decisions, but that doesn't mean that I can't have and state my opinion.

  • @owningahome1981 why won't you tell us what line of work your boyfriend is in?

     

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  • edited April 2015

    I'm really surprised by the tone of these responses. I don't think you get to dictate appearance to your partner, but I do think you get to discuss it. How long are you planning on keeping that beard because it's scratching my thighs? Oh you're thinking about Botox- but I'd miss your eyebrow raise?

    I think it's completely acceptable to talk about these things with your partner and share your thoughts about it, and listen to theirs.

    That's a little different than, "If you're going to get all these tattoos, you might not be able to get a job and then you won't be able to support me." 
    Ummm... I'm not asking him to support me - I have a job, thanks. I'm worried he may not be hired to his full potential b/c of how he looks. He is worthy of an amazing job but some companies may be hesitant to give him one. I'm not sure where you got me looking for him to support me from...


    *********etf boxes**********



    Ok.. @OwningAHome1981. I'll ask again... What type of "help" did you expect posting this to a forum of internet strangers? Seriously.

    There are two basic types of responses you could get:

    1) OMG, you should totally talk to him about tattoo removal. Gurl, you gotta thing LONG TERM and if he can't work to his potential, he's not right for you. lol
    2) Um, what? Do you love the guy? Yes? Good. Stay with him and don't worry about it. Or if this bothers you, end the relationship.

    I honestly want to know if you expected to get resolution from this post.



    Well I certainly didn't expect a bunch of rude responses...although maybe I should have?



    ***ETF boxes.. jfc*****



    You aren't a newbie. Even if you were, here's the deal... you basically asked, "my boyfriend has tattoos. What do I do?!"

    It doesn't matter what internet forum you're on. People would be like, Um wat?
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  • To be fair... There are some professions where people who change careers honestly don't know that tattoos will be a problem. Or, they believe when they're younger that "they'd never work as such-and-such" and then discover later on they have a passion for something different. 


    Nursing, for example. I work for a nursing school and we have a lot of middle-aged career changers and even in the interview process, people have been told, "Well, to go to clinical, you'll have to wear a turtleneck at all times under your scrubs to cover your neck/arm tattoos." If someone couldn't cover a tattoo, they could actually not get a job as a nurse. 

    Also, when I originally started at this university, the department I was in had plenty of people with visible tattoos, even at director-level. I went to a different department, and the President told a middle-aged new hire to cover her leg tattoo with a bandage. Frankly, if I had a visible tattoo (mine's always covered) or she'd been wearing a skirt during her interview, neither of us would have been hired. Even in the same organization there are different standards. 

    However, this is the guy's body and choice and not the OP's. I hope he realizes that not everyone is open minded, but OP will have to keep her opinion to herself.  
    This nursing bit is quite interesting to me. I didn't know that. I went to high school with a girl that got a wrist tattoo when she graduated from nursing school and she is now working full time as a nurse. I wonder if she has to wear long sleeves every day? But I find it hard to believe that she would do that knowing she would have to cover it or not get a job, I wonder if it's different in different states?
    Almost every nurse I have ever seen/know is covered in tattoos. They do not need to be covered up.
    I think this kind of thing is dependent on the hospital/clinic.  Each place is free to make their own policies regarding tattoos showing.

    For example I believe the city police department are okay with tattoos showing, but in the county I live in the police department does not allow their officers to show off their tattoos, so if they have a forearm tattoo then they have to wear long sleeves even in the dead of summer.

  • pinkcow13 said:

    littlepep said:

    I'm really surprised by the tone of these responses. I don't think you get to dictate appearance to your partner, but I do think you get to discuss it. How long are you planning on keeping that beard because it's scratching my thighs? Oh you're thinking about Botox- but I'd miss your eyebrow raise?

    I think it's completely acceptable to talk about these things with your partner and share your thoughts about it, and listen to theirs.

    Eh. I don't like when FI has a beard because it itches my face. But the beard isn't on my face, it's on his face. And he can do whatever with his face that he wants. I can't tell him what to do. 
    I agree with Starmoon here. Not necessarily telling the person "Get rid of your beard, it's itchy!" But just sharing your thoughts about it. I mean, that's the kind of relationship FI and I have. For example, FI got his ear pierced when we were in college. When he first became manager he asked me if I thought he should remove his earring. I told him that I know that the culture at his job is not as stuffy as it is in mine, but that in my job upper (male) managers are very clean cut, and do not have any visible piercings. I didn't tell him "Yes! Take off that earring this instant, it is SO unprofessional!" I just expressed my thoughts on what he asked. I think communication is key. I did read what the OP wrote after, though. Thinking about it in those terms "He won't get a good job, and I'll have to support him" is not exactly the best train of thought.
    This is my thinking as well.  If H were to ever bring up in conversation that he was thinking about getting a visible-everyday-regardless-of-what-he-wears tattoo then I would probably tell him that I didn't think it was a good idea.

    I mean, like with everything, if H says something that I don't agree with then I will tell him.  In the end, if what he is doing only affects him, not us as a married couple, then he is free to make his own decisions, but that doesn't mean that I can't have and state my opinion.
    If my H was considering a PERMANENT change to his body then yes, I would expect to be part of the conversation. But if he wants to grow a beard over Christmas break or I want to cut all my hair off, that's a personal, temporary decision that does not affect our life together. I would not expect him to  run that by me, or try to veto my decision. He might say "you know I don't like short hair" and I'd say "yup, be back in two hours." (OK not really because short hair makes me look like a mushroom, but you get the point.)

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  • MagicInk said:

    KatWAG said:

    @owningahome1981 why won't you tell us what line of work your boyfriend is in?

     

    Stop being RUDE and asking RUDE questions! 

    Does he look at blenders all day? Is that his job? And you're worried about telling us because it seems un-masculine for men to enjoy blenders?
    No Magic. He would never care about blenders or anything received at a shower. ALL men would rather die than attend a shower with a bunch of presents friends/family give.
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  • To be fair... There are some professions where people who change careers honestly don't know that tattoos will be a problem. Or, they believe when they're younger that "they'd never work as such-and-such" and then discover later on they have a passion for something different. 


    Nursing, for example. I work for a nursing school and we have a lot of middle-aged career changers and even in the interview process, people have been told, "Well, to go to clinical, you'll have to wear a turtleneck at all times under your scrubs to cover your neck/arm tattoos." If someone couldn't cover a tattoo, they could actually not get a job as a nurse. 

    Also, when I originally started at this university, the department I was in had plenty of people with visible tattoos, even at director-level. I went to a different department, and the President told a middle-aged new hire to cover her leg tattoo with a bandage. Frankly, if I had a visible tattoo (mine's always covered) or she'd been wearing a skirt during her interview, neither of us would have been hired. Even in the same organization there are different standards. 

    However, this is the guy's body and choice and not the OP's. I hope he realizes that not everyone is open minded, but OP will have to keep her opinion to herself.  
    Where are you located? I know plenty of nurses in hospitals who have never been asked to cover up their tattoos. I've worked in some very conservative environments and no one has ever batted an eye at any of my tattoos.

    I think you need to look at the bigger issue of you being afraid that he will lose his job and you will have to support the two of you. Shit happens. The economy could bottom out again and one of you could be without work for a while. Do you deal and support each other? Or say goodbye?
  • To be fair... There are some professions where people who change careers honestly don't know that tattoos will be a problem. Or, they believe when they're younger that "they'd never work as such-and-such" and then discover later on they have a passion for something different. 


    Nursing, for example. I work for a nursing school and we have a lot of middle-aged career changers and even in the interview process, people have been told, "Well, to go to clinical, you'll have to wear a turtleneck at all times under your scrubs to cover your neck/arm tattoos." If someone couldn't cover a tattoo, they could actually not get a job as a nurse. 

    Also, when I originally started at this university, the department I was in had plenty of people with visible tattoos, even at director-level. I went to a different department, and the President told a middle-aged new hire to cover her leg tattoo with a bandage. Frankly, if I had a visible tattoo (mine's always covered) or she'd been wearing a skirt during her interview, neither of us would have been hired. Even in the same organization there are different standards. 

    However, this is the guy's body and choice and not the OP's. I hope he realizes that not everyone is open minded, but OP will have to keep her opinion to herself.  
    This nursing bit is quite interesting to me. I didn't know that. I went to high school with a girl that got a wrist tattoo when she graduated from nursing school and she is now working full time as a nurse. I wonder if she has to wear long sleeves every day? But I find it hard to believe that she would do that knowing she would have to cover it or not get a job, I wonder if it's different in different states?
    I acknowledge it can probably vary by geographic area, but at least around where this school is, the medical professionals are conservative. Somewhat recently I was at an emergency room and noticed a bicep tattoo peeking out from a male nurses' scrubs, but didn't see anything else on anyone else. At least in school, we're preparing them to be as conservative as possible. 
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  • All I got from this thread is that I want to see @ashley8918's tattoos. But then I'd feel weird for asking to see her boobs. Not that I wouldn't enjoy looking at them, mind you, just that I normally only ask that when I have that kind of friendship with someone and not random internet acquaintances.
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  • Plenty of you were not rude to me, but some were... I am a woman whose ex husband just walked away from a marriage so he could drink & party. Yes I am happy with my man now but if you think it doesnt still hurt, well it does. Thank you to everyone who gave me good advice. I was literally left to piece up the pieces of my marriage & i'm scared & confused & dont want to make another mistake. I am not asking for sympathy or pity but i would have hoped we could have at least have had a civil conversation. Sorry ladies, this is my last post in this thread. Goodbye & be well.
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  • Plenty of you were not rude to me, but some were... I am a woman whose ex husband just walked away from a marriage so he could drink & party. Yes I am happy with my man now but if you think it doesnt still hurt, well it does. Thank you to everyone who gave me good advice. I was literally left to piece up the pieces of my marriage & i'm scared & confused & dont want to make another mistake. I am not asking for sympathy or pity but i would have hoped we could have at least have had a civil conversation. Sorry ladies, this is my last post in this thread. Goodbye & be well.

    And now we will never know about his job or his blender tattoo.

    Womp womp. 
    Image result for someecard betting someone half your shit youll love them forever
  • Man, I go out to lunch and miss all the fun.

     

    FWIW, I have a half sleeve and work for a conservative company. I'm an adult and know how to dress myself to cover them up. My H is a banker and has a full sleeve - no one would ever know because again, he knows how to dress himself to be work-appropriate. My inlaws are completely covered in tattoos and own a successful business. Your SO is an adult and can make his own decisions. Let it go.

  • Plenty of you were not rude to me, but some were... I am a woman whose ex husband just walked away from a marriage so he could drink & party. Yes I am happy with my man now but if you think it doesnt still hurt, well it does. Thank you to everyone who gave me good advice. I was literally left to piece up the pieces of my marriage & i'm scared & confused & dont want to make another mistake. I am not asking for sympathy or pity but i would have hoped we could have at least have had a civil conversation. Sorry ladies, this is my last post in this thread. Goodbye & be well.

    Then, like I said before, your problem and your question has nothing to do with his tattoos and everything to do with YOUR insecurities. And as PPs have asked, WTF did you expect coming in here asking a ridiculous question about your BF's body autonomy when really you're anxious about your relationships past and future? How the hell are we supposed to know your mental/emotional state about it?

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  • Geez, the things I miss when I go to lunch!

    OP, I don't know why you were so unwilling to say what your bf does for a living. That might have gotten you some "more helpful" responses, which I put in quotes because the responses you got were helpful. The advice is simple and not at all contrary to what a regular user of this forum should expect: Don't tell people what to do with their bodies. If you felt the responses were harsh, it might be because you kept trying to explain why YOUR situation is so different, which you should also know never goes over well here.

    Now, right now my FI's hair is overgrown and floppy. He's got a weird aversion to getting his hair cut but would still like to go to the barber. I think it would look nice if it was cut, so if he asks me if he should go get it cut I will say yes, and offer to take him on Saturday if that's easier. But I won't force him to get a hair cut, I won't tell him he needs to get a hair cut, and I certainly won't spend my time fretting about whether his mop will hurt his earning potential. He is an adult, and can make that call on his own.
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  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    edited April 2015

    I wonder if he has a tattoo of a blender. If so, OP, leave him imeediately. He's clearly not manly enough or job-oriented enough for you. 




    I'll see your blender tattoo @ShesSoCold and raise you a GASP mixer tattoo! I wonder if he has one on each arm!!! The horror!

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    I'm not a tattoo fan but that one is pretty damn awesome.  I look at the reflection of the room/items in the bowl!

    ETA:  And when I say awesome I mean the artistry, not the fact that he has a mixer on his arm.  But if this person is a baker it kind of makes sense.

  • I think you're projecting a bit, OP. The way you describe your ex, it sounds like you think he's a bum. Now you are hypersensitive to being put back in the same situation. But as people have said, these are a lot of what ifs. Remember, this guy is not your ex. Just let things play out, and if the opportunity arises for you to appropriately voice your concerns, go ahead, but just understand that the choice is ultimately his and the choice you've got to make is whether or not to support him in his choice.

    You still haven't mentioned what line of work he's in. This can make a big difference. Also, do you live in a conservative area? Where I live, counterculture has pretty much become mainstream. Tattoos are no big deal. But that can vary from profession to profession.
  • Man, I go out to lunch and miss all the fun.

     

    FWIW, I have a half sleeve and work for a conservative company. I'm an adult and know how to dress myself to cover them up. My H is a banker and has a full sleeve - no one would ever know because again, he knows how to dress himself to be work-appropriate. My inlaws are completely covered in tattoos and own a successful business. Your SO is an adult and can make his own decisions. Let it go.

    Hey, that's my line!
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  • I'm really surprised by the tone of these responses. I don't think you get to dictate appearance to your partner, but I do think you get to discuss it. How long are you planning on keeping that beard because it's scratching my thighs? Oh you're thinking about Botox- but I'd miss your eyebrow raise?

    I think it's completely acceptable to talk about these things with your partner and share your thoughts about it, and listen to theirs.

    ETA: I think it's also good for him to know what you're thinking. Maybe he's completely offended by your trying to control him. Maybe he thinks it's cute that you're thinking long term. But letting him make life decisions with an honest understanding of what you're thinking seems like generally a good relationship move.

    Pretty sure you can still move your eyebrows after Botox.

    I hate beards- They scratch, they look scraggly and unkempt a lot of the time, and I'm not into the lumbersexual look.  DH likes to grow a small, well kept beard in the winter.  It's not my preference, but it's his face.  We don't discuss him growing a beard any more than we discuss whether or not I'm going to shave my legs or get a Brazilian vs a landing strip vs "a 70's vibe."  He just starts growing his beard.

    I don't discuss my haircuts/dye jobs with him either.

    Major plastic surgery procedures?  Sure I'd discuss with him because there's a risk I might die on the OR Table, not because I want his opinion on getting my boobs done.

    "Love is the one thing we're capable of perceiving that transcends time and space."


  • I'm really surprised by the tone of these responses. I don't think you get to dictate appearance to your partner, but I do think you get to discuss it. How long are you planning on keeping that beard because it's scratching my thighs? Oh you're thinking about Botox- but I'd miss your eyebrow raise?

    I think it's completely acceptable to talk about these things with your partner and share your thoughts about it, and listen to theirs.

    ETA: I think it's also good for him to know what you're thinking. Maybe he's completely offended by your trying to control him. Maybe he thinks it's cute that you're thinking long term. But letting him make life decisions with an honest understanding of what you're thinking seems like generally a good relationship move.


    Pretty sure you can still move your eyebrows after Botox.


    I hate beards- They scratch, they look scraggly and unkempt a lot of the time, and I'm not into the lumbersexual look.  DH likes to grow a small, well kept beard in the winter.  It's not my preference, but it's his face.  We don't discuss him growing a beard any more than we discuss whether or not I'm going to shave my legs or get a Brazilian vs a landing strip vs "a 70's vibe."  He just starts growing his beard.

    I don't discuss my haircuts/dye jobs with him either.

    Major plastic surgery procedures?  Sure I'd discuss with him because there's a risk I might die on the OR Table, not because I want his opinion on getting my boobs done.


    You can't raise them. Trust me, I spent time trying. It changes how your whole face moves. I had botox for my migraines and they put them across my forehead, couldn't give anyone the stinkeye for a year!
  • All I got from this thread is that I want to see @ashley8918's tattoos. But then I'd feel weird for asking to see her boobs. Not that I wouldn't enjoy looking at them, mind you, just that I normally only ask that when I have that kind of friendship with someone and not random internet acquaintances.

    I will so totally show everyone my boobs :)
    BEWBS.

    ETA - I took this picture in the bathroom at work when I worked for a life and health insurance company. YOU CAN SEE THEM.
    Those are SO PRETTY!

    The birds too. 
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