ARE TATTOOS AND PIERCINGS STILL A TABOO?

Piercing & Tattoo collectors recount their personal stories

London is famous for its freedom, unlike other cities London allows you to express yourself in every form and way. The city is so diverse, you will see different people walk around everyday, with this kind of diversity in account the thought of judging someone by his looks will hardly cross your mind. Tattoos and piercings are a taboo in many cultures, although London allows you more freedom than other cities it's important to note that body modification can still be looked wrongly in certain environments. 

Harry Cole is a 24 year old student from London, he has tattoos on his arms and wears visible ear dilators: "I never really faced problems because of my tattoos, they have never been a problem in my social life. Incredibly they where neither a problem at my workplace, I worked in costumer service and as a barber, the only thing they asked me to do (in costumer service) was to take out my ear dilators because of a dress code issue, but so far I have been lucky, I don't regret getting any of my pieces". 

Asked about his family's reaction to his tattoos and piercings Harry said:" Mum wasn't happy, she doesn't like any of my tattoos but she eventually got used to them. Dad wasn't bothered by my tattoos but he didn't really like the earrings, he also got used to them".

Gabriel Pena, 23, is Dominican and faced issues because of his visible tattoos: " I never had problems with my family because of my tattoos, tattoos are common in Dominican Republic, my mom has piercings, my dad is also tattooed and most of my brothers and sisters have them too. I have got turned down by some jobs because of my tattoos, I had an interview at this restaurant in Enfield and the manager told me he wasn't interested as soon as he noticed the tattoos on my hands. I was a bartender in this bar in Richmond and when the manager changed he started taking out hours from my rota and then left me home, I think it was because of my tattoos because I wasn't the only person with tattoos that got fired during that time. I want  to say that apart from these two I never had any big problems in finding a job in this country, I think London is very tattoo friendly compared to other places, I work in Soho now and I never had problems because of them".

London is mostly tattoo friendly, but some places will not allow tattoos due to their dress code, always get what you want but also put in consideration the fact that some places might turn you down. My personal advice, think about your career first and plan further about body modifications.