Unable to find work due to self expression

I got my tattoos for me and me only. They have reasons and memories behind them. Plus, if I get old and lose my memory, I'll be able to look at my skin and think "I was an interesting person". It's one thing to appreciate and a totally different thing to blatantly stare like a dead fish.

I have an interview at a smoke shop next week.

I find that I am most unhappy when I choose focus on how I have been "wronged" and my inability to change other people. I am much happier when I work on trying to find the best ways possible to deal with the situation at hand.

It's hard to deal with. It festers in my mind and effects my self esteem and self worth. I apply for jobs all day, every daybut can't seem to make it through the interview process. I've been told directly to my face that I'm wasting my time even interviewing. In no way is that okay. But I keep trying. Someone is bound to hire me eventually. But it's just frustrating. And when people don't understand because they've never experienced such stereotypes, it gets even worse.

you never addressed the hepatitis issue. why not be proactive about it, and tell them you'll get tested every month if you're going to continue to get tattoos? I agree with you that tats are attractive and conversation starters and a good thing to have in a bartender. but infectious diseases are not. if your papers are in order, their butts are covered and you can get hired. maybe you can't provide a clean bill of health, in which case, well, i'm sorry to harp on it. but then that's the city health laws, not "discrimination".

Why are you so dead set on this hepatitis thing? I do not have hepatitis. You cannot get hepatitis after the machines are sunk in the autoclave. It kills everything on them. Then, they put the machines in these things called "sterile packs". Which means they're sterile. No germs. Then, the packs are put in to drawers until they are needed for the tattoo. They do not reuse needles (which also come out of sterile packs). Needles get thrown into biohazard boxes.

Stop talking about hepatitis. It is an invalid argument.

Oh and even though I can prove my "clean bill of health" with the necessary papers from my doctor, does it really make any kind of sense to walk in to a job interview and, when asked about my tattoos, just say "oh don't worry, it's cool, I don't have hepatitis."

Yeah the world doesn't work like that hahaha. Like I said, invalid.

Oh and for the record, since you seem so uneducated in this whole process, any reputable tattoo shop has you sign a paper stating that you do not carry any blood transferable diseases. I would assume your only experience with tattoos is with a kitchen magician. So no, I don't have hepatitis and if that's all you have to contribute, you should probably just leave this thread alone.

that's what i'm asking. don't you have to get papers to work in food or drink prep? checked for tb? i'm saying a resourceful proactive person who really wanted a bartending job would have the necessary documentation ahead of time. why are you arguing with me? I didn't ask for a lesson in autoclaves, I didn't NEED a lesson in autoclaves and dye bags or whatever. Is that how you talk to management? I use my time on PC not to b1tch and moan, but to try to learn how to get along better with people - everybody.

No my state doesn't have any of that. Our health records are our own. There are no TB testing requirements, no one is forced to get any health testing done in my state unless it's a pre employment drug test.

I was not arguing with you. Just informing you of the procedure since you didn't seem to grasp it the first time I told you I didn't have hepatitis.

Argumentative, side out. Hankster serves next.

wow where do you live, arizona?

No.

Just... No.

well, THAT'S something positive, then. i'm sorry, I hope things get better for you. I had to dump my family too. it's not the ideal way to live, but sometimes it's easier to find your true path without their stuff cluttering your way.

To be honest, you seem sort of negative and closed off to new ideas. Perhaps the interviewers are picking up on these traits & it's not all about the tattoos. (Speaking as someone who interviews and hires people.)

What new ideas? I haven't really received any realistic advice, except for the first couple of responses.

You seem hostile and ready to argue with any suggestion anyone makes. You're better than we are, we get it. It doesn't make us want to hire you. I LOVE to hire people that are smarter than me, but only if they're willing to work with others & don't have a chip on their shoulder that they're somehow "better" than mainstream society.

Any chance you can get private bartending jobs, for people having parties or when restaurants have parties and need extra staff? There aren't any biker bars where you live? We have a zillion

Hey, maybe set up a display case of your modified VW parts in tatoo parlors for sale?

People with tatoos are always making this argument. They want to change society and really value their "individualism".

It is a bit boring and "individualism" doesn't always "fit" with business nor is it necessarily the best and most logical choice.

Your applying to jobs that don't require education or experience and almost anyone can do well. Why blame an employer for wanting to hire someone who will fit in rather than someone who has identified themselves as someone who does what she can not to fit in? Someone who goes against the grain?

And why would they want to hire you when you'll probably get bored and leave in 6 months to a year, you're educated right?

Sure, creativity and thinking are a good thing in some positions but your tattoos don't even show that. They show the equalivelant of a 3 year old holding a tantrum "but I don't wanna fit in!!! I wanna be an individual waaaaa!"

That attitude is showing in your posts and likely in your interviews.

Question though, who goes to a bar to talk to the bar tender? unless you're super drunk and chatty or trying to get him to make your drinks stronger or give free drinks there isn't a need.

I am sorry but the stigma is actually not justified. Why should people live in fear of expressing themselves due to stigma? Better yet why is it ok for their to be stigma against people with tatoos....or people who make other sorts of personal choices that don't hurt anyone else? The stigma should not be there in the first place but since it is, it should be challenged.

It seems our society and capitalistic system is very superficial and shallow.......and people are supposed to strive to succeed in it? well where is the motivation to do that if its all about conforming to some superficial standard of what's proper and normal.

So what your basically saying is society should ostracize and/or abuse those who 'go against the grain'? Well in my opinion that is one of the things that makes this society sick.....the idea that it is ok to mistreat those who 'go against the grain' as you out it.

Also why would one have to be super drunk to talk to the bar-tender? are people supposed to view themselves as superior to those serving the drinks at a bar?

And I think it is more childish that mainstream society is so judgemental towards anyone who doesn't quite fit in with its ridiculous superficial standards.

Because society needs to function and to function, we conform. There are "rules" for a reason. Questioning these things is good, free thinking great but branding yourself as such is not the smart way to go about it.

Refusing to hire someone who has chosen to tattoo themselves, mark themselves the fool, isn't abusive.

Why would someone talk to a bartender? It has nothing to do with being better than them. I go out to be with friends not the guy serving me drinks. That would be so sad and lonely, no? Besides, he should be working not socializing. Bartenders can socialize on their own time.

I can imagine going into an interview and stating the tattoos are such a great way to have conversations and the interviewer thinking, "just how hard is this person going to work when conversation is that important?" And "how damn boring is this person that she has to mark herself up with permanent conversation pieces" unique, really now. Hahaha.

[QUOTE=cocoabeans;2538874]Ok then what is the smart way to go about it? Also as much as society needs to function it should also make room for some diversity...not everyone can live up to some ridiculous standard so we should have a society that reflects more of a varied population instead of trying to ostracize or beat down anything that's different. I mean what is the big deal about art work on ones body?

I did not really mean literal abuse, but rather the practice of looking down on those who don't fit in, though literal abuse would be wrong as well. Also there is nothing all that foolish about getting a tattoo. Its more foolish that mainstream society and those who strive to be a part of it care about such petty things.

Because they are there and especially if its not very busy a conversation might start up in which the bar tender is involved. I mean I am not going to go to the bar to talk to the bar tender but if I am at a bar I am certainly open to conversing with the bar tender should a discussion come up.

Also I thought PC was a place for people with mental illnesses to come together and offer support....and your here essentially making fun of anyone who has a tatoo with your 'jokes' about what mean things you think the interviewer might think of someone with tattoos, so I am confused.

I can't believe this thread! Some people can be so rude and insensitive just because they have different values. Sorry sadpeanut. I wish you the best with your job search, something will come along I am sure. I found a job just recently. Sincerely your friend from Arizona with Hep C.

Just because you may have a "mental illness" doesn't mean you're not wrong.

I also wonder, if the tattoos are being looked at as a sign of mental illness and thus a reason not to hire someone.

Personally, if I was choosing between two equal candidates, and let's face it, the type of jobs OP is applying for require no special skills or talent, anyone who can fill out an application can mix a drink or put up a display, I wouldn't be choosing a person with signs of mental illness.

Now I know tattoos, perhaps even in excessive amounts, are not necessarily markers of mental illness but, out OP is marked up and mentally ill, so assumptions woud be correct. Is she the most desirable applicant? Doubt it.

To answer a question, being smart about social change is working within the system, gain trust to spread thoughts, rather than being an extremist.

Alright, this is a site for people with mental illnesses to come for support, not to have people go on and on about how wrong someone here is after they've been told enough is enough.

It is not 'wrong' to get tattoos and it is not 'wrong' to be offended by people looking down on you for having a tattoo. Also I personally do not appreciate the indication that someone having a mental illness is a reason not to hire them...that kind of discrimination actually is not allowed in the work place, and if anything it is wrong that it goes on. Trying to tell the OP they are wrong and then arguing that its because tattoos are supposedly a sign of mental illness and therefore appropriate to not hire someone based on the idea that their tattoo is the sign of a mental illness really only indicates you're wrong.

I'm sorry but that sort of bigotry should not be tolerated here so I suggest you maybe think about what you're saying here and if it is appropriate for a place like this. No one here cares that you wouldn't hire a mentally ill person.....alright.

First off getting a job these days is hard tattoos or not.

I pray to god cocoa beans never interviews me because apparently he can detect mental illness telepathically.

I am detecting that cocoa beans is a jerk

Based on what your saying most jobs require no skills or talent. You're pretty condescending and I don't see how you think this is at all helpful to the poster.