Military tattoo?
I know I’m hardly likely to win any sympathy on this one. But since I’ve been shoving my opinions down your throats none too subtly, I might as well continue the trend.
The prime minister has asked the police to reconsider a clause in recruitment conditions which bars applications from people who wear tattoos – see www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120613/local/tattoos-ban-on-police-recruits-being-reconsidered.424142. I wasn’t even aware that this ban is in place; the knowledge that such petty red-tape found its way in the police regulations just makes me see red.
I realize that this cause is hardly up there on the list of things that need fixing in our lives. Compared to, say, the scourge of racism, the problem of homophobia or even the antics of some of our MPs … the statement is hardly likely to merit the high priority tag.
Still, I find that the fact this regulation exists is, to a certain extent, a reflection of the intolerance of the society we live in. And an obvious manifestation of the facile way many of us do not bother to look beyond the stereotypes we have been fed all our lives.
This idea to ban tattoos is wrong on many levels. If we’re after improving the image of the corps, it’s not body ink that we should be looking into. It’s things like police officers drinking on the job. Or maybe taking cuts on the side. Or even officers with anger management issues. None of these problems require the presence of ink in the body.
When I posted the link to the above report online, some of the reactions shocked me. Someone said that police-officers sporting tattoos look unprofessional. A rather subjective word to use, and I don’t think that I’d like our regulations to be based on a subjective interpretation of the word “professional”. After all, corporate workers and public officials in other European countries are not required to hide tattoos and they tend to look professional enough.
Someone else went to the extreme of likening tattoos to “vandalism”. Right. Because adorning my own body in the way I like is exactly the same as defacing public property.
Of course common sense needs to be exercised. I’d hardly be likely to accept someone with visible tattoos that are offensive/obscene/hatred-inducing in any position, public or otherwise. Then again, the same goes for anyone who sports an offensive/obscene/hatred-inducing tee-shirt. It’s really not that difficult to employ some common sense.
The raison d’etre behind the ban remains a mystery. The regulations cover even those tattoos that are normally covered by clothing. So no, it’s not just a question of image – it’s more a question of misplaced morality or even of the powers that be not liking tattoos and deciding to impose this dislike on everyone else.
I realize that not everyone likes tattoos and that is fine. Diversity is what makes the world an interesting place. However, I confess to getting a bit confused when people say they “don’t agree” with them. If you don’t like body ink, you don’t get inked – simple. There is nothing to agree or to disagree about. Unless by “disagreeing” what you actually mean is that you’d like to interfere with other people’s choices for their own bodies.
The problem is that this kind of “disagreement” very often leads to other, more serious forms, of “disagreement”. Such as “disagreement” with same-sex relationships, or with offering migrants a decent quality of life.
After all, one stereotype is as good as another.
Parting shot – the above photo has become quite an online hit. It shows a tattooed police-officer restraining Anders Breivnik. The mass murderer with the virgin skin. As someone else put it online, I know which of them I’d rather lunch with.
What price stereotypes?
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Alex Azzopardi
Jun 22nd 2012, 17:55
And who the hell are you to tell me what to do with my body anyway? Everyone is entitled to his opinion of course but please do not judge others you don't even know. You can call be an aberration all you want because I am tattoed, I really don't give a rat's posterior what you think of me. I am inked and proud of it, I have a respectable job and proud of it...I am Maltese but considering some of your comments, it doesn't make me so proud. Feel free to voice your opinion but do not have the gall to impose it on others. This is discrimination and I am of the opinion that the Prime Minister is talking sense.
Andy Farrugia
Jun 23rd 2012, 13:01
Nobody is really interested in what you do with your body or even to tell you what to do with it...please yourself. The point is that in certain occupations there are regulations and codes concerning appearance and behaviour and you and anyone else are obliged to abide by those...else seek some other post where these conditions of work do not apply. Simple, really!
Andy Farrugia
Jun 21st 2012, 18:40
Just for those who are protesting too much about regulations concerning proper standards of attire and appearance, please read the following:
"BA faces legal action over worker's crucifix ban
Airline defends dress policy after check-in worker refused to conceal cross." The Guardian.
It's not a question of (not) looking or (not) judging Ms Baldacchino; it's a question of regulations.
kirsten baldacchino
Jun 19th 2012, 12:19
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM ... DON'T LOOK! who are you to judge!!!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 20th 2012, 00:24
@ kirsten baldacchino.
When a policeman confronts a citizen in his line of duty, that citizen does not enjoy the luxury of not looking at a provocative tattoo where it shows.
kirsten baldacchino
Jun 20th 2012, 14:34
@ Francis Saliba M. D.
You're still judging people by how they look... If you do not have any that's fine, but what is it to you if somebody else does... It shouldn't bother you, keep opinions to yourselves. If tattoos were such an issue they wouldn't be so popular and still growing in popularity.
Get over it.
Live and let live.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 20th 2012, 23:32
I am not judging anybody and the regulations controlling tattooing are not being proposed by me - so please do not ask me to "get over it" or to "live and let live".
I am trying to make you understand that members of a disciplined force are expected to conform to a recognisable standard appearance including an official uniform that is not left to the discretion of the member of the force. It is the competent authority that finds prominent tattoos or beards etc just as objectionable as individual alterations to the uniform.
The popularity of tattoos among a section of the public is no argument in favour of their desirability in the police force. To me as a doctor the presence of tattoos is a reminder to keep in mind the possibility of syphilis or some other STD.
Mr John Montague
Jun 16th 2012, 18:38
What a waste of time. Tattoos, skin color, freckles - get a life!
Emma Calleja
Jun 20th 2012, 17:24
or go abroad !
Rose Grima
Jun 16th 2012, 14:17
I hope that tattoos would not be allowed. I am horrified to see nurses, ECG technicians, doctors, with tattoos! Call me old fashioned, but I don't feel that I have been given the outmost professional care!
Franco Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 08:42
You are not old-fashioned. you are merely sensible.
Imagine a nurse turning up for work with a multi-coloured hair-style? But even then, that would be something temporary - quite unlike having a tattoo.
Jonathan Camilleri
Jun 15th 2012, 21:14
"The prime minister has asked the police to reconsider a clause in recruitment conditions which bars applications from people who wear tattoos"
Another reason not to confirm my vote for Dr. Gonzi if he contests the next election.
Emma Calleja
Jun 15th 2012, 15:41
Censorship, Homophobia, political and religious brainwash and now, let's also label people who have tattoos as well ! When I read these posts, I feel ashamed of calling myself Maltese and I truly understand the reasons behind my leaving the rock in the first place.
Mr John Montague
Jun 16th 2012, 22:10
Haha, good to read your comment - mine appears to have been censored
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 17th 2012, 05:48
I feel ashamed that there are supposedly intelligent human beings who are concerned only with their supposed "rights" but who admit no obligations to the rest of the society that surrounds them.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 08:40
@ Emma Calleja: Don't equate tattoos with censorship and homophobia. If you do, you show how shallow you are.
Emma Calleja
Jun 20th 2012, 17:22
@Francis - We've come to the extent where people don't even have the right to control their private space. It all boils down to what Cikku l-poplu thinks what's right to do.
@Franco - They are, as you say, different issues but there's one determening factor that unifies them all and that's intolerance.. An aspect, which, much to my shame, is featuring even more prominently in the decisions our policy-makers take.
@John - Cheers haha ! We certainly don't face issues of the sort, up here on mainland Europe ;)
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 21st 2012, 21:05
@ Emma Calleja.
In a civilised society, man, who is supposed to be a social animal, is expected to exercise control over himself when that "private space" overlaps the space of others.
Emma Calleja
Jun 22nd 2012, 21:20
And how does a tattoo, overlap yours? PLEASE enlighten me....
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 23rd 2012, 23:55
@ Emma Calleja yesterday at 21:20.
A tattoed hopeful recruit for enlistment into the police force does not need to worry how his tattoo overlaps my living space. He should worry about how his tattoo infringes on the dress and appearance of members of the force as set out by the competent authority to protect the image of the police corps in the eyes of the community.
Emma Calleja
Jun 26th 2012, 13:46
It’s interesting you mentioned competence… because, as far as my knowledge takes me, competence and image, though mistakenly associated, are not interlinked. The way you look has got nothing to do with how well you execute your job. However, given the extent of frustration this whole situation is exerting on you, you could always refuse service from that tattooed individual, whom you regard as not as cultured or civilised as you are. It’s a win-win situation, for both parties, if you tell me….
Johnathan Cilia
Jun 15th 2012, 15:34
Franco Farrugia, Francis Saliba, and others of the same opinion, please go and get an education. Your bigotry and self-pretension inflames incredulity within people with even a drop of social understanding. Do you understand the diversity of the world you live in? We are not all white clean cut catholic men, as you seem to believe. And thank God we aren't - humanity's diversity is what leads to such creativity and innovation. If we were all the same, we'd never move forward, and instead of progression we'd have conservative stagnation. But I guess you would love that, judging from your closed-minded comments.
You assume to impose your regulations upon others, deciding what is right or wrong. You seem to have missed that the world is not black and white - it is all shades of grey.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 15th 2012, 23:57
@ Jonathan Cilia, today at 15:34.
You give no inkling that you have benefitted from an education as a result of which you are competent to understand my comments, so please just go back and read them again as often as necessary untill the penny drops. You are being irresponsibly judgmental when you presume to "guess" ... " what "I seem to believe" and to condemn me as "close minded".
I have never said that we should all be "white clean cut catholic men", whatever you may mean by that. You are rash, and wrongfully so, to "believe" that I hold that opinion. It is my opinion that everyone is entitled to hold and express an opinion in a civil way.
I spurn your brash judgment that I try to "impose (my) regulations upon others" for the simple reason that I have never issued any regulations at all. I only hold opinions about what is right or wrong and, begging your pardon, I have every right to do so in a civil manner. I would welcome any sensible logical argument from you why I should change that opinion, but, sad to say, I do not detect any civil, persuasive logical arguments in your comment. There are only angry, intemperate personal insults that I shed like water off a swan's back. and that do you no credit.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 08:35
You seem to have a real misunderstanding what 'diversity' is all about. This is not a question of a person being born Caucasian or coloured, but it is a question of YOU deciding to permanently fix on to your body an image. Personally, I don't find it a big deal. But please, stay away from my interview-rooms.
I never said it is 'wrong' to have a tattoo.
By the way, nowadays there seems to be no black or white, but mere grey. Seems to suit the likes of you, doesn't it?
Mr Julian Delia
Jun 15th 2012, 14:45
@ Franco Farrugia what makes you the perfect specimen? seeing you have such strong views on the subject. What makes you so special that you are in a position to look down on others and judge them for what they choose to wear.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 08:38
So, having 'strong views on the subject' = 'a perfect specimen'!
Oh well ... talk about comprehension!
By the way, tattoo does not equal 'choose to wear'! It becomes part of your body, wherever you go, in whatever occasion you turn up, whether it's formal or informal attire you need. But then, only civilised and cultured people would know what I am talking about.
Emma Calleja
Jun 22nd 2012, 21:52
I live and work in one of the most advanced European states... Working with me are talented people who are the movers and shakers of today's global markets. Tattoos has never stopped the company from hiring them, maybe because we value ability more than and arrogance... Civilized and cultured is a trait that comes from within and reflects itself in class; a characteristic that lacks in that condescending remark you just passed there.
Andy Farrugia
Jun 23rd 2012, 14:35
@ Emma Calleja
Oh well done; I'm sure you're impressed with the loads of "talented people who are moving and shaking today's global markets". Goodness, wish they do not shake and move it so much; else we're all out on the streets on our backsides! Don't try to amuse us with "make-believe, pseudo-enlightened , urbane" affectations, Ms Calleja. You don't impress me much!
Emma Calleja
Jun 23rd 2012, 20:48
You're nobody I want to impress.... Also, I'm nobody to judge and neither are you. If you don't like tattoos, then, I'm afraid it's your problem. I, for instance, might not like the color green but I don't go about the streets demanding people not to wear it. In my world, that's called ignorance, I'm not sure what fancy name you've picked to describe it in yours.
S Micallef
Jun 15th 2012, 14:10
Each person I know that has a tattoo is somehow disturbed in one way or another....so i agree with the ban.
Disturbed people should not be allowed into the police force.
Patrik Larsson
Jun 18th 2012, 10:13
So, because you happen to know disturbed people with a tattoo, that somehow equates all people with tattoos as disturbed people. Great logic.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 08:30
@ S Micallef: Now, I don't agree with your statement. Tattoos have nothing to do with a person being 'disturbed in one way or another'. That's a VERY sweeping statement.
Mr Julian Delia
Jun 15th 2012, 13:51
Judging by the comments below it clearly shows that a large percentage of the population refuses to move on and accept the way society is changing and evolving. Tattoos in general are not a bad thing, they are art!! How many people choose to spend thousands on paintings, to hang up on a wall ? tattoos are a similar concept where the body is the canvas, and the individual chooses to carry their art with them till the end. Tattoo's do not change people, if an individual is good natured and gets some ink it doesn't mean that they become a criminal. Deep down they are still the same person, and this is something that the general public needs to understand and accept, unfortunately two very inconceivable actions. Ramona made a very good point... I think we should be focusing on more serious issues rather than what people choose to carry on THEIR OWN BODY!!!!
Franco Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 08:32
You say that tattoos don't change people but I tell you that tattoos, in fact, LIMIT people. They put something on that they can never, ever take off. Indeed that they are still the same person, as you say ... that's because they change within them took place BEFORE they went to that shop to have that tattoo done on them.
Andy Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 13:04
Eviva Ms Belen Rodriguez and her strategic "butterfly" tattoo! Trend setter!
J Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 12:42
To all those who wrote negative things below.
I hope that one day you need help from a tattood person and see you refuse, i have a freind who has a full sleeve tattoo in the UK, he happens to be an eye specialist, he volunteers all over the world giving his free medical skills where required.
Who cares if he has tattoos piercings pink hair or god know what else.
Don't judge.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 13:13
Write: 'don't judge'. That's the mantra nowadays - nobody has a duty to show what is right or wrong. Nobody wants any preaching, nobody wants any lessons.
And see where it has got us!
Clap! Clap!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 15th 2012, 14:14
@J Farrugia.
Do not write "Don't judge" when you mean "Don't you dare crticise me and don't you dare express any opinion that is contrary to mine!".
Alex Ellul
Jun 15th 2012, 11:33
We are in the degeneration stage. Next phase is barbarism.
Andy Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 13:02
No doubt about it. "Anything goes" and "in yer face" are the ultimate slogans of this "wonderful" post-human age.
Andrew Azzopardi
Jun 15th 2012, 10:44
It is an issue of class more than anything else. In Malta, tattoos are still looked down upon as being typically the preserve of the lower classes. Their association with sailors, a legacy of the days of the Royal Navy, does not help.
Police officers are perceived to be lower-middle class, or at least, should aspire to that status. Hence the ban.
Tony Caruana
Jun 15th 2012, 10:38
Well said, Ramona and judging by some of the comments it needed saying.
Alexander Hili
Jun 15th 2012, 10:37
So you are saying that having a tattoo is a bad thing? think again. It is usually a special meaning to the owner as a cross a pendant or any other memoranda would on other people it would have memories and stories behind it. I understand that some people wear them with out them having any emotional value what so ever but so do we wear random artefacts on our body.
If you are so cultured and so knowledgeable show some respect to others and show tolerance and you will be the better person.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 12:16
One does not show tolerance towards people who willingly vandalise themselves or put themselves in a position that limits them in life!
Robert Louis Fenech
Jun 15th 2012, 09:51
ITT: bigots
Alex Ellul
Jun 15th 2012, 07:28
That policeman seen in the photo ended up working as a ploiceman just because no serious private employer accepted him for employment.
Look at it this way Ramona, if yiou were a CEO of a private firm and you had to choose between two people both having the same attributes and capabilites except that one is covered in ink as the policeman shown above. Who would you choose? The answer is so obvious isn't it?
So, yes, if ink-covered persons were to be accepted as policemen and women, then we would end up with an ink-covered police force which, for political correctness sake, we will have to accept. Next one will be pot-smoking policemen, because you see, once zero tolerance becomes 0.001 tolerance, then the floodgates open up and the 0.001 become a hundred.
There are three phases of human development: barbarism, civilisation, degeneration then back to barbarism.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 10:40
Well said, Mr Ellul. Nowadays, instead of trying to emulate our 'betters' (note the inverted commas, silly!), we do our best to play the true democrats and say that we are all the same and that we are of the same 'class' (again the commas, nitwit!). Needless to say, all this is hogwash. Democracy, indeed!
Stefan Vella
Jun 15th 2012, 10:48
What kind of comment is this?? You pick the one who is more qualified as if tattoos affect how you do your job. You use big words but have no idea about life in the real world, you need to leave Malta and get a view of real culture, not the small-mindedness that there is rampant throughout Malta.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 14th 2012, 20:44
I do not think that a Labourite would like to be challenged by a policeman sporting the NP logo tattood on his forearm and conversely a Nationalist would have the same bias against members of the police force with visible MLP logos. At least the semblance of impartiality in carrying out their duties "without fear or favour" would be appreciated by the average citizen. Apart from political affiliation there are other prejudicial tattoos that would be better concealed rather than provocatively flaunted.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 12:19
The ban on tattoos has nothing to do with political affiliations! Do you know how to ever discuss something without turning to things political? Even if tattoos had to sport angels' wings or Sacred Hearts, it would still amount to the same thing: tattoos!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 15th 2012, 14:28
@ Franco Farrugia.
You have deliberately ignored that part of my comment where I stated clearly that non-political tattoos could be just as objectionable. That is why I objected to ALL political emblems.
Because there are certain people (who shall remain nemeless) who lie in ambush to nit-pick my comments I try to be extraordinarily clear and simple in what I write. I am sorry to admit that they still derive some obscure pleasure in pretending not to understand.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 15th 2012, 14:52
@ Franco Farrugia.
Political tattoos have a lot to do with their prohibition on exposed parts of the bodies of the guardians of law and order. I speak from experience as a past Police Medical Officer examining police recruits round about the time of general elections.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 14:34
Francis Saliba: 'Because there are certain people (who shall remain nemeless) who lie in ambush to nit-pick my comments...'
You sure think much of yourself. Do people really have THAT time to waste?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 20th 2012, 00:30
@ Franco Farrugia. yesterday at 14:34.
Of course I do not think that I am important - that is what makes me wonder why these nit-pickers actually waste so much of their time, and my time, pretending to be obtuse.
Christopher Bugeja
Jun 14th 2012, 15:45
Well said :-)
Franco Farrugia
Jun 14th 2012, 15:13
Ms Depares, with all due respect, your concluding paragraph, your 'parting shot', is totally bereft of any basic knowledge of logic. Totally illogical. That policeman is a disgusting specimen - read agan, a 'disgusting specimen'!
Stefan Vella
Jun 15th 2012, 10:52
Who are you to judge? Franco Farrugia doesn't really sound the same as 'God' to me.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 12:15
You also judge from appearance. Please do not continue to defend the indefensible because you will be further digging your own hole, metaphorically speaking.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 14th 2012, 15:10
It appears that our PM has nothing better to do, these days! The summer sun, must be getting at him!
JIMMY ATANASIO
Jun 14th 2012, 14:21
i for one agree to the fact that public servents should hide their tattoo.it does not look very profational.i for one affiliate tattoos with biker gangs and scares a lot of people.they should be more to the people or the people.and as far as gays i'm a very big beleiver that god made adam and eve and not adam and steve'put on an island by themselves is what i like to see
Jade Schembri
Jun 14th 2012, 16:11
Maybe you should go to an island by yourself Mr Atanasio. You will benefit from thinking you are correct in your arguments because there will be no one to tell you otherwise
James Muscat
Jun 15th 2012, 01:10
The only thing that doesn't look very "profational" is your spelling...Your grammar and punctuation too for that matter. Intolerance is indeed the fruit of ignorance.
Stefan Vella
Jun 15th 2012, 10:56
God didn't make anyone, we evolved from monkeys. It's a fact. Glad that's out of the way. Secondly, you know the guy in the picture, the one without the tattoos? Yeah, that's the murderer, so obviously tattoos have NOTHING to do with it.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 15th 2012, 13:11
@ Stefan Vella: 'we evolved from monkeys'. Now I understand you better.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Jun 15th 2012, 14:35
@ Stefan Vella today at 10:56.
And who made the monkeys from which you, and the rest of us have evolved, most of us displaying some considerable improvement?
Please choose the reason of your report below: