SERIOUS Business question for business people (not totally off topic)

[Cherry 71]

I'll preface this by saying that I have now lost enough weight that I am back in all of my amazing business suits, clothing, and shoes and I am in the beginning stage of returning to work after 4 years. Actually, my suits are getting too big and I have to consider where I'll get the funds to shop for smaller sizes

Here is my question:

In the business world (think county execs, lawyers, legislators, state assembly, CPAs etc) which is MORE "offensive" (err maybe the word should be "which is more of a turn-off"?: a woman with ugly exposed tattoos on her arms, OR a woman with no exposed tattoos but a shirt that is too tight on perfect breasts (yes, I find it a turn off when I see a business woman with a shirt that is too tight)? Now we all know that what matters is the work ethic and ability to do one's job, as well as a great personality. But I really would like your opinions about my questions: Exposed ugly arm tattoos or shirt too tight on large breasts. Keep in mind, the work colleagues are both men and women.

Thanks!

[BBdoodle 483]

My opinion - and I am a business woman who works in the medical field, I wear business attire and scrubs at times. But most of the time I am in business clothes. So to answer your question, the tattoo thing in the business world is kind of a non-no where I come from unless you are in the arts. I work for a very conservative company and also past employers have also frowned upon tattoos. I have a tattoo on my hip and one on my ankle so no one really notices the one on my ankle and the hip one has not see the light of day in years Shirts and button up blouses can be relatively inexpensive, you can even put a t-shirt under a suit jacket or a proper fitting cami. There are so many clothing options out there, I would not expose the tatts - people judge very critically about tatts and are totally wrong in doing so.

[deaddemmama 474]

I think they're both in bad taste in a work setting....I have lots of ink, but have been careful to place it where it can be covered by professional attire.

[terry1118 1,274]

I agree - BOTH are bad taste.

That being said, I think tattoos are becoming more acceptable IF tastefully done. I still believe they should be placed somewhere they can be covered completely if necessary. Even artistically pleasing tattoos can limit a career if they are in a place where they can't be covered in certain situations. :-)

Now on to breasts. Tight clothing over breasts (or anywhere) is totally inappropriate in many situations, work being one of them. I know women who would disagree. But I would wonder how a woman can expect to be taken seriously professionally when she draws attention to her breasts. I think she would be liked by men, despised by women, but not respected by either group.

Work ethic is important in the professional world but image is equally important. And a true saying is " You never get a second chance to make a first impression".

[Pr1ncessJulee 116]

Both are conSidered totally unacceptable. Dress the part, become the part.

Preop weight 389 current weight 304...that's 85 lbs lost since RNY 6/11/13

[kidrn72 85]

Being a professional and a woman I think both are frowned on. I am a nurse and wear scrubs most of the time but I have to wear business attire for court and meetings. I would never wear a tight shirt, nor would I show my tattoos and yes I have 3:)

[UrCaliGirl 28]

Tattoos for sure! I hate them they're ghetto.

[winning_by_losing 107]

To answer the original question, I would say the tight shirt would be less offensive as a whole.

Yes, you may have some women seeing it as an attempt to use sexuality for preference with the men, you may even get some of that, however, I'm purely looking at it from an overall perspective.

Now before any ladies turn on me because I'm a guy...

Personally, I love a lady with some ink, so my personal preference would go against my thought above. I'd much rather see your artwork than the skin-tight shirt.

[Quest4TheNewMe 225]

I'm a CPA and I say that it depends on the position. I don't deal with external clients very often, so the only people who would see tattoos are internal (I have a tattoo on the top of my foot). But, I just hired an employee who is going to be dealing with the public and it was stressed that it's important to hide her piercings/tattoos while not at her desk.

Personally, if I was the hiring manager, I would be more turned off by the tight shirt than the tattoos.