facial tattoos

[katmakenian]

Does anyone know if it is illegal in the UK to have a tattoo on your face? I am sure I read it in a book once saying that it is and yet there are several conflicting views around the interweb saying it isn't illegal!! Ideas anyone please? Ta muchly! Kat x

[Tremendous]

I think that many people say that it is illegal because they hope it will put someone off having it done. Many Tattoo Artists Refuse to Tattoo Hands, Feet ,and Faces. But it is not illegal just ill advised.

[Sir Alec]

Not illegal, but very unwise. It's there for the rest of the wearer's life. Best to draw it on first and get people's reaction before such a drastic move. I knew someone with a dot under one eye. He told me that it denoted he'd been in Borstal. He was very young when he'd had it done, not thinking that when he got older, people might not want to employ him because of it. I'm not judging anyone - it's their life, their decision, but it's something to be given A LOT of thought!

[Ethel]

It isn't illegal.

Interesting point though - if a person with a tattoo'd face cannot got a job, should he be entitled to benefits?

[rnchugg]

I used to work with a guy that had approx 200 covering his body, about 5 on his face. He was VERY clever and had loads of qualifications, when he applied for another job he was turned down, so just to try an experiment I also applied, but had alot less experience or qualifications than him I got the job. Just shows that the image was not what people want. Dont get me wrong I have tats n love them just not visible.

[MangoLicious]

Saw a man yesterday actually face completely covered in tattoos, one word, awful.

[gina32]

i know someone who has his name tattoed on the inside of his lip!

[Ethel]

Ima Pratt?

[gina32]

youre so funny ethel! not

[gina32]

its each to there own and as long as it doesnt affect or hurt anyone why shouldnt they?

[Ethel]

To have a tattoo on the inside of your lip seems a strange thing to do. And to have your own name, even stranger.

I couldn't care less about tattoos, except there is no way I could have employed anyone with a tattoo visible whilst wearing a suit, collar and tie.

I think I am now in the minority, having no piercings or tattoos.

[mrs_overall]

Have a look at this man

http://thescaryguy.com/

He's covered from head to toe in tattooes and looks fierce. He comes to the UK from the US a couple of times a year to give talks to schools on predjudice.
He's lovely.

[gina32]

does it make someone a bad person or unemployable because they have a tattoo, isnt that a form of predjudice

[fenultimate]

There was this guy who had 'Lena' tattooed on his willy. Everyone thought it was the name of his girlfriend, but he revealed that it was his home tow and when circumstances were right it actually read Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

[katmakenian]

Thank you all for your replies. It's very interesting reading so many of you have differing view points on this subject. However, whilst on this subject, I feel it is important to point out that it would be highly discriminatory to NOT employ someone just because of the way they look, for what ever reason. It would be the same as not employing someone just because they have their ears pierced or that they follow a different religion, which is just plain bigotted.

I would be interested to know RNCHUGG if your friend ever went back to your employer to challenge them on their reasons for not employing him!

[Ethel]

Gina - my business was undertaking.

People do not want, as a rule, coffin bearers or funeral arrangers with visible tattoos or body piercing. A certain style and dress code is expected.

It is no way discriminating or prejudicial - I employed people of both sexes, a few homosexuals, atheists and people of different religions and races. If people choose to bar themselves from certain jobs that is their choice.

One funeral I arranged used a motorcycle and sidecar combo as a hearse, but the rockers still wanted the traditional undertaker walking ahead for the first quarter of a mile.

[Goodsoulette]

I think there are some jobs that you just can be facially tattooed or pierced beyond a nose stud and undertaking is the epitome of that. I wouldn't really fancy a lift home after a night out with a taxi driver who has a tattooed face. Suggests prison to me, and one tattoo for each of his victims.

[MangoLicious]

I don't think people with tattoos on their face, are necessarily nasty, i just think it's not very pleasant to look at. But its their decision on what they want to look like...