Stereotypically Speaking...

An article that I discovered (Attitudes toward and stereotypes of persons with body art:  implications for marketing management) describes a study that was done about the image that body art (tattoos and piercings - less ear piercings on women) displays.  It was conducted on college students - business majors in marketing classes - around the U.S. in the form of a survey.  They had to tell their thoughts on each question with answers ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree."  The reason behind the study was that many businesses of all kinds are hung up on dress codes.  What is acceptable and what is not in regards to body art.  They wanted to see what the future business world standards might turn into pertaining to tattoos and piercings.

I know as of now - from personal experience - that many types of businesses do not want their employees to have "non-conventional" piercings.  It will portray the wrong image to the customers.  This usually means that men cannot have piercings of any kind, but women are allowed ear piercings.  Tattoos are typically not acceptable for either gender.

I work at a chain grocery store.  I have a nose ring and a few smaller tattoos.  Our policy is no facial jewelry - aside from earrings (on women) - so we either have to cover them or take them out.  I choose to cover mine with a small piece of band-aid.  Every day, at least one or two customers will come up to me and the first line that pours from their mouth is "Really?  They make you cover your nose ring?"  Usually accompanied by, "That's ridiculous, it draws more attention to it that way."  Now these comments are not just from younger people (although a lot are).  I have had all ages - ranging from about eighty years old to probably thirteen - comment in the stated fashion.

So if most people do not care about a facial piercing, then why is it a policy?  What type of customer are they trying to appeal to?  Are the rules in place because the stereotypes associated with piercings and tattoos are not responsible, rebellious or non-professional?  Who actually thinks that way?  In some cultures, piercings and tattoos are religious, sacred and tradition.  So why are they deemed "bad" by some in mine?

Getting back to the article, the majority of the study concluded that body art possesses a negative stereotype in today's society and that you are viewed differently if you have multiple piercings or tattoos.  But the majority did not hold those same perceptions.  In fact, the bulk of the group actually found body art attractive.  And the younger the person questioned, the more they viewed it alluring.

This shows that although body art was at one point considered rebellious, "tough" or non-professional, it is becoming more accepted.  So instead of companies trying to hide body art among their employees, they should look passed it to the actual person.  After all, of the students surveyed, about half had tattoos and nearly 80% had piercings.  Keep in mind those were all business majors...