I was at at a get together last night for my supervisor who has left the company. We all met up at a local pub for some drinks and a bit of dinner.
This man is quite a bit younger than me. He was a good supervisor and I learned a lot from him. He was always in a dress shirt at work and very professional. This was my first time seeing him outside of work. He was in a t-shirt. He looked very relaxed and casual. He had tatoos up and down both arms......what......back up the bus. He is inked from wrists to shoulders. I was very surprised.
I was very surprised. Oh sure everybody gets tattoos nowadays. I wouldn't have been surprised to see one or two but full sleeves of tatties? Lets just say I was very surprised.
My father had tattoos up and down his arms too. I never thought anything of it. I don't care if someone is tattooed. Whatever. But you know what? I really think that if this young man wore short sleeved shirts to work he would be perceived very differently. He would be judged by his tatties and not his work ethic and his abilities. I think that is sad.
Granted one makes that choice when they get tattoos but I think that is too bad. They are judged by something that has nothing to do with their capabilities or ethics.
So I wonder how many of your long sleeved acquaintances or coworkers may be hiding a little ink from the world.
Are you? Me? Maybe one of your kids? You just never know.
