Help! My workmate flaunts a disturbing tattoo in front of customers

Dear Aunty B,

I’m a waiter at a large restaurant and, probably similar to many restaurants in Melbourne, half our waiting staff have tattoos.  It’s not my thing but it’s pretty standard in our industry. Now that the weather is a bit warmer I’ve noticed one of my colleagues has a really disturbing tattoo of a woman being hacked to pieces. 

It’s on her upper arm so it has been covered up until now but now that I’ve seen it I’m really disturbed by it. I don’t want to seem like a prude but I can’t get the horrible imagery out of my head. I feel that if I approach her about the tattoo it is going to create an issue between us.  What should I do?

Sus

Brunswick

Dear Sus,

If this tattoo is so disturbing to you it’s likely that it’s disturbing to customers as well.  But you’re right that approaching her about this is likely to create a relationship breakdown. 

I’m not usually one to advocate “dobbing” but in this instance the easiest solution is probably to tell your manager about the tattoo.  Tell your manager you don’t have a problem with tattoos but this one is pretty violent and perhaps it is best covered up.

If your manager doesn’t want to do anything about it then leave the issue there. But hopefully your manger can have a quiet word to your fellow waiter and everyone can be spared any hard feelings.

Be Smart,

Aunty B

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