rofl I don't think I'd want to featured in an article, but oh my god -- is there ever discrimination in my work place against people with tattoos and piercings.

We have a very strict policy for our uniformed personnel (we are a federal law enforcement organization). It blatantly states that piercings are prohibited -- to include earings for men, which I find to be gender discrimination. But what I find most disturbing is that the policy as it is written both for uniforms and non-uniformed personnel. Gang-related and obscene tattoos cannot be visible. Ok... that makes sense. But everything else is allowed to be visible. Well, you'd think.

In practice, no tattoos are allowed to be visible. So those of us with inked arms have to wear long sleeves. Ink on the hands? Time to get creative.

I have one tattoo on my forearm, of which about 1" pokes out from time to time, like when I shake hands. In a way, it's good because I can gauge from their reaction immediately how well they'll work with me. But my boss has also held me back from opportunities since he learned of my tattoos.

I often wonder how things will be when I go back to uniform -- which I hope to do soon. Will I be stuck in long sleeves (which is hotter than hades)? It may have to be, in the world of business.