Tattoos & etiquette

Tattoos have been a part of human culture for thousands of years.

The Otzi Iceman, discovered near the Italian-Austrian border and carbon-dated at around 5,2000 years old, had tattoos. Mummies show us that Egyptian women (and exclusively women, it appears, possibly believed to safeguard them during pregnancy and childbirth) commonly had tattoos. The Iron Age Scythians, an ancient Iranian people, had tattoos — often of mythological animals, and generally a mark of nobility.

Many, many more cultures across the globe have used tattoos throughout history as protective or therapeutic symbols, a way to mark your status in society, or self-expression. Fighting in a war, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, a religious or inspirational symbol — all of these occasions are often immortalized in tattoos.

These days, you are just as likely to see that permanent body art on a young person: more than a third of young adults who responded to a 2007 Pew Research study have tattoos. Another Pew Study says that 40 percent of Americans between the ages of 26 and 40 have tattoos.

As tattoos become more commonplace — especially among young people, those to whom we teach etiquette the most — the time is ripe to discuss etiquette.

Is it OK to stare at someone’s tattoos? Is it OK to ask a complete stranger about them? Is it OK to share your (often unsolicited) advice about tattoos?

We talked with a lot of young people who have them — from a woman with a single bird on her back to a man whose body is nearly covered with them — and got a variety of answers with several common themes.

In the end, you’ll have to use your judgment. A good friend will likely be more open to discussing body art than a complete stranger, but there are occasions when asking a stranger about his or her tattoo is acceptable. Some people we interviewed welcomed the opportunity to chat with strangers; others said they are not comfortable talking to strangers about their tattoos. Watch for social cues — if someone is giving you signals that they don’t want to talk about it, respect that.

Initiating conversation, asking questions

Say you notice a stranger’s tattoo and find it intriguing. You want to know more. Is it ever appropriate to initiate conversation — and if so, when?

One friend compares her tattoo to a piece of clothing or accessory: if the tattoo is in a visible area, feel free to ask questions about it like you might ask about someone’s earrings or dress. If the tattoo is covered or partially covered, don’t ask about it. Think of it this way: you might see a glimpse of a stranger’s undergarments, but you wouldn’t ask questions about them.

People who view their tattoos as art often want to share them with the larger world. A friend who has extensive visible tattoos welcomes questions from strangers. It’s a conversation icebreaker, he says, and he finds himself talking to people he may not otherwise meet. As a frequent traveler, he has found that strangers in both large cities and rural areas have responded in ways others might find surprising: open, curious, engaged, polite.

Another friend with visible tattoos who works with the public says she’s happy to answer quick questions and has enjoyed some interesting conversations that way.

On the other hand, another friend says that even if her tattoos are visible, she got them for her own benefit, partially as a way of to feel less alienated and more connected to her body. She answers tactful questions, but briefly — she doesn’t want to spend too much time discussing them.

Discussing the meaning behind them

If the tattoo is plainly visible, and if it’s clear that the person is not avoiding having a conversation with you, it’s acceptable to ask a stranger, “Would you mind telling me about your tattoo?” If the answer is no, accept that. If it is yes, than be prepared: some people get tattoos that are quite esoteric and require lengthy explanations. Others get tattoos to commemorate events both happy and tragic.

Refrain from asking why they got a tattoo. If they want to tell you, they’ll include that as they discuss the meaning behind it. If they don’t tell you, that story is meant to stay private.

Don’t read a tattoo made up of text out loud, and then simply wait for the person to respond to you. That’s not an engaging way to start a discussion. Asking, “Could you tell me what your arm tattoo says?” is better.

Never touch or grab someone’s arm, leg, or any other body part in order to examine the tattoo. Similarly, do not try to adjust someone’s clothing in order to get a better look of the tattoo underneath. Respect personal space.

As in any conversation, pay attention to your tone of voice: genuine interest will win out over judgmental disdain every time.

Things not to say (that our friends have actually heard)

• “That must have hurt!” Maybe, maybe not. Pain tolerance varies.
• “Tattoo-to-teeth ratio.” That’s a rather classist way of looking at people who get tattoos (remember: good tattoos are expensive). Or are you making an assumption about someone’s personal hygiene?
• “You can handle a tattoo but not (surgery, IV insertion, shots at the doctor’s office, tooth pain, etc.)?” The pain of getting a tattoo is not the same kind of pain experienced during dental work, shots, or even childbirth — there’s no comparison.
• “Do you regret getting it?” If they do, they certainly don’t want to discuss it with a stranger.
• “You’d look better without them.” Would you ever say, “You’d look better without that terrible haircut/outfit/makeup”? (We hope not!)
• “You shouldn’t get anymore.” The number of tattoos a person has is a personal choice.
• “Why would you do something like that?” Remember, they’d tell you if they feel like sharing. Reasons for permanent body art are often very personal.
• “Why don’t you get 666 tattooed on your forehead?” That doesn’t even make sense.
• “So-and-so got Hepatitis C from a tattoo.” Strict health regulations in reputable tattoo businesses make this concern out-of-date.

Expressing your opinion on the tattoo

There is a very simple rule for this: if you dislike someone’s tattoo — just like if you dislike someone’s personal appearance in any way — keep that thought to yourself.

In other words, follow the classic rule: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Training Week!

Once again, it’s training week!



We’ve mentioned that we love our job, right? Because we do!

Through Perfectly Polished: The Etiquette School, we teach around 4,000 children and teenagers a year in 12 area counties. (Not bad considering we started out in 1985 with just 20 students.)



That means we know what we’re talking about when we train others to become certified children’s etiquette experts. Since 2005, when we acquired the children’s training division of the Protocol School of Washington, we’ve trained and certified 350 children’s etiquette consultants.



This week's trainees come from all over the country. One attendee is already a certified etiquette consultant through PSOW’s corporate etiquette branch — but we’re teaching her everything there is to know about children and etiquette. It's a busy, fun week for everyone: we observe and help teach at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta; we learn about props and other ways to reach children; we brush up on dance steps and dining etiquette; we work directly with the young people of Perfectly Polished. And that's just a small taste of our activities! When they leave our training, every single consultant will be armed with teaching materials, a business plan, and our limitless future support.

Want to join us next time? Please do!

Etiquette in time for Flag Day

Flag Day is June 14. It commemorates the day the Second Continental Congress adopted the flag of the United States in 1777.

This is an appropriate time of year to display the American flag, especially with July 4 right around the corner - and there is definitely a proper way to do it.

• If the flag is hanging outside on a staff (from a windowsill, balcony, or front of your house): Make sure the union of the flag is at the peak of the staff, unless the flag is at half-staff (one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff).

• If the flag is hanging outside over a street or sidewalk, suspended from rope, not a staff: Make sure the flag hangs vertically from the rope, with the union to the north or east.

• If you are displaying a flag that is not being flown from a staff, indoors or out: Make sure the flag stays flat, and that the union is uppermost and on the left-hand side (from the observer’s point of view).

Now that you know how to display one...go buy a flag and get ready for Flag Day on Tuesday!

Borrow it? Return it!

How many of these pans need to be returned?

We've all had that moment. Rooting around in the garage, cleaning off the bookshelf, rummaging through a drawer, and then you see it: that thing you borrowed ages ago - a snow shovel, a book, a baking pan. You realize you completely forgot to return it. How long has it been since your friend let you borrow that bracelet? A month? Two months? A year? Two years?

It's never too late to return something borrowed. It might be embarrassing, but we've all forgotten to return things. Call your friends and share the good news that you've retrieved that long-lost item (which, truthfully, they may have forgotten as well). There's no need for a dramatic explanation or extended groveling. In fact, apologize just one time, and that's it. And then make plans to return the item as soon as possible!

Although, if you happen to be returning a long-lost baking pan of some kind, it wouldn't hurt to include some tasty baked goods to sweeten the deal. Just saying.

Let's all go to the movies

When we were in line to buy movie tickets the other night, we were surprised to see a small group of younger teenagers get turned away at the ticket box.

But then we saw a sign prominently posted by the window. At this particular theater, no one 17 and under is allowed to purchase tickets for any movie after 8 p.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

That’s right—any movie, even a G-rated one. Such a ban must have been prompted by repeated bad behavior.

Has it really gotten that bad?

It’s safe to say that now is a good time to go over good manners at the movies.

• Turn off your phone. If you must have it on, silence it. If you are expecting a possible emergency call, put it on vibrate. But keep it in your pocket. That means no random checking of the time, no text messaging, no Facebook updates (as we witnessed at the last movie we attended). And if you actually do get a phone call you absolutely must answer, leave the theater and go to the lobby to do so.

• Find a baby-sitter if the movie is not appropriate for children. If you’re watching an adult movie and bring children, they will likely be bored, scared or disruptive—and who can blame them for crying, sitting in a dark room full of strangers and loud noises? Don’t punish the children for acting their age; just make arrangements for them to stay home. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time at all for children under the age of 2, so your child won’t miss anything anyway. For preschoolers, check to see if your local theater offers special screenings just for children.

• Stop talking. Seriously. The actors on-screen can’t hear you, and other theater goers are less interested in your opinion than you may think. Some epic scenes deserve audible gasps, explosive laughter, or the occasional sobbing, but please refrain from loudly narrating the film (“Oh, she’s opening that door!”) to sharing spoilers (“That guy’s about to get shot!”).

• Be aware of your body. Even if the floor’s sticky, keep your feet on the ground, not on the seat in front of you next to some unfortunate person’s head. If you need to use the restroom, excuse yourself quickly but without trampling other people’s feet. Use the arm rests, but keep your elbows in your own space. Keep your snacks (and any snack-related trash) to yourself.

Enjoy the show!

School's out...now, get a job!

Around here, school’s out for the summer! Teenagers everywhere are searching for summer jobs — which means résumé writing, possibly for the very first time.

A teenager’s first résumé will look different from an experienced applicant’s, but it can still help land a job.

DO include:
• All of your contact information — full name, mailing address (use a street address, not P.O. Box), phone number, and e-mail address.
• Your education experience, which, at this age, usually means just listing your high school.
• Any previous job experience (even if it’s baby-sitting or mowing lawns). If you’re applying for your very first job, you can include volunteering projects and extracurricular activities at school.
• At least three references, and be sure to ask permission before listing them so they won’t be caught off-guard if a prospective employer contacts them.

Do NOT include:
• A link to your blog or other social media (Twitter, Facebook) with your contact information.
• Any unusual fonts — keep things uniform and clean-looking on the page.
• A list of your personal hobbies and interests.
• A photograph of yourself.

If this is your first job, keep the résumé to one page — and good luck!

N.E.W. Day 5: Free Friday!

As National Etiquette Week draws to a close, we celebrate…

FREE FRIDAY!

We understand the importance of living frugally, especially in this economy. People everywhere are learning new ways to save money, and partly for that reason there’s been a resurging interest in the old ways of living: growing your own food and even canning or preserving it; D.I.Y home repairs; making your own clothes; and finding every possible way to reuse items before recycling them.

More and more, we eat meals at home to save money but end up appreciating the extra family time. We play at parks with children in lieu of costly vacations, and realize how good it feels to get exercise. We work in the garden, learning as we go, and find out that homegrown food is the best-tasting kind.

See? Sometimes the best things in life are free!

That includes etiquette. Manners cost nothing at all, but what a return! You make other people feel good, and that makes you happy, too. Even the smallest gesture can make the biggest impact.

National Etiquette Week may be over, but you can keep celebrating it year-round—and remember, it’s absolutely free.