Brian, fair enough.

Although, as a paying member helping to deposit into the great tax bucket I would rather have Mr. Tattoo become a functioning economic tax unit depositing into the bucket as well. Rather than withdrawing from it. Just like Michael said above.

Actually, I’d be evaluating with a cold accounting eye to see if it was value for money.

I understand the specifics to this story, that was picked up by The Telegraph, are only in exceptional circumstances when it is the final barrier to take up a specific job offer. Slow news day for The Telegraph? Although I think Michael’s The Telegraph NHS quote is a different story arc from this Jobseeker’s story arc that you’ve mentioned in your original post.

I’m disheartened, though, that you have taken somewhat against the tattoo. Some cultures that I have lived in have beautiful ones. I’ve seen some lovely examples of face work done in the tribes of the Western Pacific. Notably, the facial tattoos of the Maori. (I’ve seen them done on Western faces and they never quite work as well though.)

I understand that tattoos were a common practice amongst Christians, especially for their children, in Europe for hundreds of years to protect them against the conversion to Islam when various invasions were happening.

My family has a whole raft of sailors in it including a Captain of the Royal Australian Navy. There was a long tradition of them getting tattoos done especially when they parked their battleships in Singapore harbour for a bit of R&R. They were beautiful to behold. My Uncle (The Captain) had a lovely sea siren wrapping herself around the HMAS Canberra. Arr, me hearties, I’m sure there is also a seafaring tattoo tradition in these Isles.

I work for a large company (over 200,000 employees worldwide) and have interviewed many candidates for roles and I have never considered a tattoo as something to interfere with performing their role. In fact, even though I don’t have a tattoo myself I find myself gravitating towards those that do and are proud to display it at an interview as someone that potentially has higher self-esteem and confidence.

I noticed at the recent Royal Wedding that the Prime Minister’s wife, Samantha Cameron, has a fetching tattoo on her ankle. I like her a little bit more now.