People sometimes write to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald and act as if they speak for everyone.
And when someone does that, it's usually quite clear that they're speaking only for themselves. In general, a message of this sort is also a sign of someone who's close-minded enough not to even acknowledge the other side of the issue.
Heald recently fielded a question from someone who acted as if they spoke for an entire demographic.
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"I'm curious about tattoos in Carnival’s employee rule book," the unidentified passenger wrote. "I was surprised that there seemed to be none. Many of the crew, including our head waiter and even the ------, were covered in arm tattoos.
"Is Carnival allowing their crew people to have tattoos that are still visible? People in America are having tattoos removed before applying for jobs because most employers do not want their employees having them. They are intimidating to older people which many of Carnival Cruise Lines customers are."
Image source: John Heald/Facebook
Carnival's tattoo policy is clear
More than 1,500 people responded to the post, and the vast majority of them made clear that the poster did not speak for them.
"The person that wrote that is out of line," DeeDee Dye wrote. They don’t represent people in America. They represent a small older faction that wants to run other people's lives.
"They can pound salt — a phrase they should know. I’m a tattooed professional. How I express myself is my business. How I conduct my business is not affected by my artwork. If people could just mind their own business and enjoy their cruise and stop trying to govern others, they might have more fun."
Others were more understanding but still eager to set the original writer straight.
"I’m guessing that this person probably is a little older and works a corporate job," Holly Edmiston wrote.
"They’ll be surprised to learn that actually most companies are switching to a policy that allows visible tattoos as long as they aren’t offensive. I worked for a very conservative organization several years ago, and they adopted that policy in 2015, I believe."
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Mike Rau posted a similar point.
"I work a government job and have a sleeve full of things important to me (my wife, kids, and hobbies)," he said. "The tattoos don’t mean I’m a scary intimidating monster. If my employer (the government) thinks they are acceptable in the workplace as long as they aren’t offensive, why should Carnival be any different."
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And Heald laid out Carnival's clear policy.
"We do allow the crew to have tattoos, and as long as they are not offensive in any way, they do not have to cover them up," the executive said. "My view is the tattoo does NOT change the service or Fun the crew will bring you, it is that simple."
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