Tattoos and piercings are commonplace and have been for ages. As far back as we can record human history, we can also record body modifications of some sort. Whether as symbols of status or royalty, signifiers of religious ideas or ranks, or simply just for fun or for a sentimental meaning, tattoos and piercings have been at the forefront of human culture from the beginning. With their long histories, they, of course, continue to have a place in society today.

For example, many girls get their ears pierced for the first time when they're very young, and most people, in general, end up with them pierced by the time they reach adulthood.

Beyond that, there are many many other piercings that are incredibly common, some on the face from nostrils and septums to just about every imaginable part of the ear to eyebrows, and some on the body from belly buttons to nipples to dermals. Yet despite this, many workplaces see common piercings as something "unprofessional" and will require you to get rid of them.

While this is justifiable for certain circumstances, such as conforming to kitchen code health standards requiring the removal of nose or lip piercings, there are so many cases where it is nothing more than an "image" issue, where retail shops and the like will assume that patrons will be offended at the mere sight of someone else's piercing or tattoo.

In those cases, I call nonsense. We current generations couldn't honestly care less about what other people choose to do with their bodies, we are much more about their ability to do their jobs well and help us the best they can if we ever need to bother them for their help. We're more likely to start a conversation about said piercing than we are to be disgusted at their having them.

As for tattoos, the art of tattooing has never been more alive or more commonplace in the current century than it is now. So many new styles of tattoos are coming into focus and gaining popularity, and many older ones are experiencing a revival. It's not all American Traditional and Tribal anymore, there is so much more out there.

Due to this era of social media, tattoos have never had more opportunity to be unique and gorgeous.

And even if they weren't, even if everyone were getting absolutely gaudy pieces, so long as what was depicted wasn't offensive images or language, there would still be nothing unprofessional about the concept of having visible tattoos.

So why, in this age of absolute artistry, are tattoos still viewed that way? Why is there a stigma in the workplace about them?

If society and industry as a whole were run by the people actively frequenting said establishments, tattoos and piercings would not at all be stigmatized. They would be appreciated or at the very least just not be a factor in the workplace and the hiring process.

Tattoos and piercings are beautiful expressions by individuals for all sorts of reasons, and they are more common than you might think. It's time for all workplaces to recognize that, so we can collectively quit being forced to change ourselves for the sake of employment. Making your employees conform out of desperation will not a happy and productive workplace makes.

People spend good money on tattoos and piercings because they make those people feel good about themselves, they help with self-expression, and they may hold meaning.

They're as normal as people getting stylized haircuts/colors or as people wearing makeup. If hair and makeup aren't disallowed in a workplace, why should tattoos and piercings be? The younger generations will take over someday, sooner rather than later, so you may as well update your own thoughts and beliefs now, before we all but force you to.