Job Discussion Forums

epluribus · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 5

Kinda related to the discussion on presentation, I�ve been wondering about how piercings are viewed.

I searched this forum, and found one thread indicating that piercings are generally a no-no. I know that Mexico isn't necessarily monolithic in all matters, and would like to hear from any teachers in Mexico who have first-hand (or second-hand) experience in this regard.

I'm a male in my late 30s, with a fairly professional appearance and comportment, yet I do have an eyebrow piercing. I'm hopeful that I'd be given a chance to prove myself, but do you think this is going to be too much of an obstacle? I suspect that in the larger cities, teaching adults or young adults, that it wouldn't be as much of an issue, as compared to teaching young kids, or in rural areas. But I'm prepared to make the compromise and remove it if need be (something I wouldn't even consider doing for an employer in the US).

I'd welcome any experiences others can share.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

In my experience, definitely take it out. That's for Mexico City.

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

They won't even let students have piercings where I work, let alone teachers.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Yes, get rid of it! If you have tatoos cover them too.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Take it out, cover it up... especially here in San Luis--the most close-minded state in Mexico.

cscx · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 41

What about ear piercings? I have two in each lobe and I was thinking about getting a cartilege...

Belmont · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:33 am Post subject:

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Don't be shy, Belmont - tell us what you really think.

Belmont · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:17 am Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

J Sevigny · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 161

This should be a no-brainer. How many of your university professors had piercings? How many tellers at your bank? How many employees of large companies? How many high school, middle school or elementary school teachers? How many police officers, nuns, municipal employees, fire fighters, subway drivers, school directors, etc?

Nothing against piercings here. Nothing against tattoos either. But frankly, a person who is functional enough to land him-herself an adult job ought to be able to figure out what is meant by the words "professional dress," and moreover, ought to know that whether those two words are stated or not, they pretty much always apply in education.

It's true that society can be a classist, discriminatory place that doesn't celebrate each of our personal fashion preferences. It's sad, but it's the real world.

As for Mexico, be on the safe side and always assume that people here are more conservative than they are in the States. Piercings are a no-no in Guadalajara, as they are in Mexico City but that doesn't make Mexico monolithic.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

I don't think an eyebrow piercing is really that much of a problem. Its really more about the whole package isn't it? I work at a place that is known to be strict. Male students with hair below their collars get hassled by the admin to cut it. But we do have a student with an eyebrow piercing, one with a lip piercing and several with nose piercings. But they all wear very small descrete studs in them and they are all always appropriately dressed and groomed per the school's norms. In the part of Mexico where I live, clean, neat, grooming is the most important thing. Grunge has never been in style here. So often we see piercings, especially mulitple ones, accompanied by torn clothes, goth style make up or those hairstlyes that look like you hairsprayed your bedhead. Smile

But a small eyebrow piercing couple with business causual dress and a slick hairstyle would be fine where I work. It's all about grooming and cleanliness.

By the way, I've seen lots of women around with multiple ear piercings.

What are your qualifications, maybe we'd hire you?

samizinha · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 174 Location: Vacalandia

I think it�s a perfectly valid question and really based on culture. I had many Canadian university profs who came into class with blazers, jeans, and piercings. My teller at the bank played in a punk band at night and looked like it. My Catholic priest has a piercing and at one point had green hair. The idea of professionalism can vary place to place and with time.
However, Mexico is Mexico, which I�m sure the OP has figured out by now.

sickbag · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 155 Location: Blighty