One night I decided I wanted to get my nose pierced, nothing too outrageous just a tiny diamond stud. I assumed this was okay because one of our hostesses had a tongue piercing, among others, and the same uniform policy applied to hostesses as it did servers. So I get my nose pierced and go into work the next day only to be told to take it out right there on the spot. Of course I refused because, one it cost too much to just take out. Two, I literally couldn’t, it was stuck until it healed. And three, why should I be expected to follow your policies if you don’t enforce them on everyone?
Apparently, this restaurant had its favorites and I was forced to quit the next day. However, I walked out with my head held high and a giant middle finger. I would have taken it out it they insisted that hostess took hers out as well, but why would they do that?
A few months later, my friend told me that her father was the store manager at Lowe’s. That’s how I came to work where I do now. He didn’t mind the nose piercing whatsoever. So he gives me an inch and I foolishly take a mile and get another piercing above my lip. Now they have a problem with it and tell me to take both out. Fortunately, I’ve found alternatives to taking them out and it seems to be workings just fine and I’m keeping my job.
I just want to know why facial piercings’ are such a dilemma in places such as Lowe’s, which isn’t very professional. Yet it’s perfectly fine for some of my co-workers to have tattoo arm selves. I understand that piercings present a certain image, but why a bad one? Ear piercings are considered the norm on women, and growingly on men, simply because more and more people started getting it done. Some may say it causes a safety hazard and something could snag on it. However, I am only a cashier. I find it hard to believe something could find a way to snag on my face.
So that brings me to my central question. Why are piercings looked down above in the work business, and tattoos not as much? Piercings can be removed. Tattoos can’t.
Well, you've given me something to think on. The first thing I thought of is, at your old job, your piercing was visible, and the tongue ring wasn't. My old job, Walmart, didn't care if the piercing wasn't visible and explicitly said so. Tongues, fine. On the face? No. When it comes to tattoos, I think its because if they don't like it they can cover it up. The only place you might get a tattoo that can't be covered is right near your hands, or on them. But hair is also an issue. In schools or work, if your hair is any "unnatural" color, something vivid, then you have to change it or quit. I don't know why it is a problem everywhere, especially places like Walmart. Have you SEEN the people who SHOP there? :D
ReplyDeleteI work at the Mellow Mushroom restaurant on Sheldon Road and it seems like it's the exact opposite of any other job in terms of tattoos and piercings. I'm the only person there who does not have either. I guess it depends on the image of the company. Cracker Barrel's customers are mostly elderly and usually elderly people do not approve of the expression of today's youths. Places like that and Lowes are most likely corporate owned so they have to follow strict rules. Your best bet would probably be to work for a franchise that is more laid back. I guess that the atmosphere of a place like Mellow Mushroom (it being a pizza place and bar) attracts younger people and more of the types of people that would have tattoos and piercings or not be disgusted by their server having tattoos and piercings.
ReplyDeletePersonally, it doesn't bother me, but I think people have problems with things that can't be hidden. Tongue rings can be hidden, earrings are considered normal and everyone has them, and tattoos usually pants and long sleeves cover them. I am sure if someone had a tattoo on their face the company would protest. I am not sure why people freak as much as they do, because isn't them who has it and it isn't like it's hurting them, but people are set in their ways and you can't change them.
ReplyDeletei dnt blame you for how you handled the situation at all. it kinda goes back to my blogg s/t/e/r/e/o/t/y/p/e/s. people just can't get use to things being different. seems like businesses only wish they could have robots instead of people. they don't want indiviuals. they want everyone to look and act as similar as possible. they want you to fit in and do what you are told nothin more nothing less.
ReplyDeleteI'll agree with deadandgone here, people are opposed to difference. Remember: our bodies have to fit other people's narratives. Its jarring when we encounter something different--we have to re-work our thoughts on life, the universe, and everything. The last thing Cracker Barrel wants is Aunt Millie working on anything other than what side dish to order.
ReplyDeleteIn a restaurant, you order food, not social expectations.
Personally I think that maybe in 20 years piercings and tattoos will be a lot more acceptable. Back in my parents time facial piercings weren't 'normal' like the way that they are today. While some people had them they were typically not the most respectable people or so I've come to understand. Most management personel are the age of my parents as well, which I think leads to their distaste in piercings. This day and age however many people have them and while they don't promote a professional image most places have come to accomodate them. I agree with brizzleforshizzle in that perhaps it was the kind of people that crackerbarrel attracts that caused them to not be okay with the piercings. However about tounge rings not being visable I beg to differ. I'm pretty sure that everyone I have met with a tounge ring and talked to for about 2 minutes I have not only identified that they probably have a tounge ring but I can also see it when they talk. i think a nose piercing isn't rebellious looking at all compared to the big colorful balls people usually use on their tounge rings. My friend used to work at a seafood restaurant and was fired for having a little bluebird the size of maybe a little bigger than a quarter tattooed on her upper arm. So I think tattoos are pretty widely unacceptable as well.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this post I find it extremely ironic. My girlfriend just applied to work at Cracker Barrel a day ago. After reading this I will be sure to share your experience with her, and may be that will change her mind. I do agree with your point though. It is ridiculous that tatoos are looked at in a different light oppose to piercings. It is also ludacris that other employees at cracker barrel had piercings. Both of these just reflect the society that we live in. Both filled with stereotypes and favoritism.
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