body jewellery and business environments.

[ScatterBrains]

Hey Folks,

I wanted to throw this out there. What is the general consensus on male body piercings around the head? I mean you see all types in today's world. Nose / lips / tongue / eyebrows / ears. My question is in a business environment, (specifically think IT / Web Development / etc)....if you were going for a job or even a promotion. Would say a male with pierced earrings get the failing grade for the position or promotion. I don't think I've ever seen upper management with any sort of piercings, indeed at one time even facial hair was frowned upon. Back in my banking days, things were ultra-conservative, and I doubt much has changed much in that environment, but when you go into other areas of business ideas and opinions maybe different, and it is a very changing world.

What's your thoughts guys?

 

[madhat]

It's definitely less professional looking. I'm not a fan of the aesthetics myself, but I'd not make a comment to someone about it. But, even if it is more accepted in today's society, what's a safer face of the company: a pierced face that some people my feel is inappropriate, a guy with big scraggly beard, or a clean shaven person with a shorter well handled hair cut?

 

[johng70]

It's all about the audience. First impressions are important. So, piercings would be a very risky proposition for a job interview in a professional position. However, if you're talking about a promotion then it may depend. Depend on what? The social norms of the office/company and how well the decision maker knows you. If you are the only person with piercings, it can be a strike. If others have them, then not a big deal. But, let's face it - we all judge other people on various attributes. Two equally qualified people, and the "likeable" person or more physically attractive person gets the promotion. All else being equal, the person that dresses better gets the edge.

 

[ScatterBrains]

yeah...society can be odd, they i've seen odd decision making when hiring for promo's, like the guy who's always in a suit with polished shoes, will go further, even if slightly less qualified than other candidates.

 

[maxalex]

When I lived in Africa the local residents could not understand why Westerners adorn themselves in grotesque facial piercings. To them, such body “art,” which they would call mutilation, is something done by primitive “bush people,” not sophisticated city dwellers. So to each his own.

In the case of office acceptability, I would lean toward the (modern) African view and exercise restraint.