I was surfing the internet today and happend to come across this post on Jezebel about Gossip Girl star, Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass) showing off some new tats he got recently. Reader response? H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E.

For one, his choice of art is lame. (Naked pin-up? Been there, done that.) Secondly, it’s not even good. The guy probably makes $35K an episode – you’re telling me he can’t afford to hit up L.A. or Miami Ink? I mean, really. He’s an actor. Angelina Jolie can get away with covering her body in scrollwork and dragons, but that’s because she’s A-list. For people like us and Ed, it’s a little tougher to score an interview or get a foot in the door if the first thing they see is your creative expression – not YOU.

I should know – I’ve been haunted by the not-so-smart placement of a half-moon on my upper arm that I got right before high school graduation.  At the time, I thought it was a good choice – high enough that you couldn’t see it wearing short sleeves, but big enough that it made a statement when I was wearing something strapless or sleeveless.

But then I started getting asked to be in weddings, and fashions changed, and I didn’t consider what would happen if I was interviewing for a job in the summertime, or working in an office where the AC emissions were erratic at best. It became this big cat-and-mouse game where I was constantly trying to pull down my sleeve, or reminding myself to slip on a cardigan before meetings.

It was bad choice – almost as bad as all the people I know that got tramp stamps (which looks REALLY unprofessional when you bend over at work or your internship and everyone gets a peek), hip huggers, and ankle and foot artwork. It’s just not a good idea to get a tat until AFTER you get out of college. By then, you know who you are, you know what you want to do, and you know if it’s acceptable in your field to show off a little skin art.

Yes, I know a tattoo is mighty tempting, but considering the ramifications, you’re better off waiting until you snag your first job.  TRUST ME.  I’ve had MANY MOONS to reconsider mine.