Thoughts on visible tattoos.

[katespade]

I'm ready to get my tattoo of my grandpa's birth date, but I can't seem to decide where to put it. Ideally, I would like it on my left forearm, but I'm concerned that I might end up regretting the placement down the road.

I work in human resources, and the company I work for does not have any rules against visible tattoos. I don't currently see myself wanting to leave the company, but I also don't want to assume that I will always be in a situation where a visible tattoo will not cause issues or judgement that might affect me.

The only tattoo I currently have that isn't easily covered up is on my ring finger, under my wedding ring.

I would love something like this:



But I'm wondering if something like this would be easier to keep hidden, if necessary:



Or should I just completely rethink my location?

[estrellita]

I really like the placement in the first pic! I feel like most work places are more lenient on visible tattoos now. I know my work doesn't care about that, piercings (they never even mentioned my nose piercing unlike another job I had that required me to wear a clear one.. which was stupid because I felt like that was more noticeable), hair color, etc. Ultimately it's up to you but I do really like that placement!

[pooh8402]

I agree that policies on visible tattoos are relaxing a lot nowadays. Several nurses I work with have visible tattoos, although officially they're supposed to be covered. I love the placement of the first.

[dragon's breath]

Could you place it on your wrist, but different direction (wraps around instead of going up the arm)? That way, if it did become an issue, you could wear a watch to cover it up.

[katespade]

May 30, 2015 12:54:07 GMT -5 dragon's breath said:

Could you place it on your wrist, but different direction (wraps around instead of going up the arm)? That way, if it did become an issue, you could wear a watch to cover it up.

That's a really good thought, but I feel like I wouldn't like that placement for myself. If I were to rotate to that direction, I would want to put it where the second picture shows. Plus, I almost always wear long sleeves to work (I already have a tattoo on my upper arm) and even when I push my sleeves up it would be covered.

[Deleted]

I think you should go with the placement that you like best. The tattoo is subtle enough that it should be fine if you had it placed like in the first pic.

[mac08]

I like the first pic.  It's subtle and classy, not like an overwhelming and tacky tattoo.  You can always cover it with long sleeves if necessary, but I feel like tattoos are becoming more acceptable/mainstream and it seems unlikely that it would be a problem in a workplace.

[amaranth]

I think either way is fine since it's small and classy. However I prefer the second picture better. It just seems to blend in with the body better.

Will you be doing roman numerals like that? I like that.

[katespade]

amaranth - Yep, it will be roman numerals. Probably with the dots separating the numbers, like the second picture. I agree with you on the first picture not really blending. I would for sure adjust the placement so that it ran along the natural line of my arm better.

[Deleted]

Personally I like the first one. You need to get it where you will be happy with it. Most jobs are now more open to visible tattoos. My next one is going to be on my wrist, I just need to start saving for it.

[Queen Mamadala]

I love both!

I have a shit-ton of visible tattoos with plans for many more. I have my first son's birth date in Roman numerals as part of his main memorial tattoo.



See it better here:

[katespade]

Queen Mamadala - Your tattoo is gorgeous!

[Deleted]

I love the placement in the first picture!

I'm a teacher and have a few tattoos, but only one is visible. I've never had a student or fellow teacher say anything about it. Mine says love in my moms handwriting. She died 6 years ago and I got it on the 5 year anniversary of her death. 

[katespade]

suzv - I love that. Stunning.

I'm still being wishy washy, so I think I'll just ask them to try the stencil in both places to help me make up my mind.

[wanderingenough]

No real opinion on visible tattoos. Mine are easily hidden, but I work in a pretty conservative industry.

I like the placement of the first tattoo best!

[katespade]

I'm getting it now. Going with the first placement. I'll PIP after.

[travelbug]

I agree with the others, when the pics were posted I liked the placement of #1! Can't wait to see pics!