Hi everyone,
I'm a physician from Mexico planning to move to Germany soon to start my homologation process.
I have a question about two specific tattoos I have. I want to make sure they aren't considered offensive, problematic, or illegal in Germany due to any historical meanings I might not be aware of.
[Attached photos]
(Just a heads up: these photos aren't mine, but the design is exactly the same as my tattoos).
Also, I'm specifically concerned about how patients would perceive a doctor with these tattoos. Would they trust me less or find it weird? I really want to know if it would be a barrier to building a good doctor-patient relationship.
Thanks for the help!
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OrionGoldData
32 comments
hi, no clue about the second symbol (im no expert in this) but nordic runes are sometimes used by and associated with far right groups
edit: added a word
Sorry I am not helpful since I cant answer your specific question but just came to say that these are bad ass. I love tribal tattoos.
What do they mean?
Anyway, it’s probably way more important for your relationship to your patients to speak proper German than what is written on your arms.
Nothing illegal or offensive.
Patients? Depends on the individual. I myself would not care.
Some older folks (80+) might perceive it as unprofessional.
But they do the same with dyed hair with colors outside the norm.
what does it say?
Nothing offense or illegal I can detect.
As for the other part… it is not too common to see an MD with tattoos but it is neither extremely rare.
We usually have a couple of younger ones who have tattoos (albeit smaller designs). I know at least 1 doc who was pretty much covered full sleeves and entire neck area and he never had troubles.
But you might land some comments by some of the older elitists.
You should be pretty ok.
The runes might be an issue. Especially the Odal rune or Wolfsangel symbols have been appropriated by far-right groups. Depending on your overall looks and your personal alignment, you might catch strange looks or make unexpected friends.
A lot of people might find them intriguing and interesting, but some of the more conservative ones will be put off by any tattoo. You will probably be better off settling in a big city than a small village.
Visible tattoos in healthcare personnel has been a public issue for a couple of years. Most patients are cool with it though.
As far as I can tell your tattoos don’t display anything problematic.
Good luck with your new job
In Germany those will definitely raise some eyebrows. Depends on the rest of your appearance. I strongly advise against the HJ haircut.
I cannot think of anything spontaneously that would be offensive.
I had a doc with small tattoos but I mostly never thought about it conscientiously until seeing your post.
I would assume most would just not think much of it. Could actually be positive for the people who have tattoos themselves.
I personally would love to see someone with a Dishonored tattoo!
Hi German here,
Of course those tattoos aren’t bad.
But it could be that some people think you are a Nazi because of them.
Nordic folklore and most Nordic related stuff is used by nazis.
Even brands like Thor steinar used this and makes hardcore Nazi stuff
Couple of months ago i needed medical help. Up til today i couldn’t tell you for my life whether the doctor/staff who treated me had tats or not, i seriously didn’t notice although i’m having some myself, so…nobody cares.
We DO care about your language skills, however, so pls get them sorted before you start working in the medical field, take it from a nurse 😉
Some folks will look at your tats, no matter what they are. They’re not illegal.
Can’t believe to see a outsider tattoo after all this time
I’d clock you as a big gamer who loved the Dishonoured series, but that’s because I’m a big gamer. I think younger generations wouldn’t have an issue, but older generations might feel very unsure about it. In Germany, tattoos aren’t uncommon, but I feel like my personal experience of German doctors has been that I haven’t seen a visible tattoo.
Personally I side-eye people with hand tattoos, but hey, as long as you know what you’re doing professionally, it’s none of my business. The runic tattoos might get you some association with rightwingers, but chances are at work you’ll wear long sleeves anyways.
The second photo is from the video game “Dishonored.” Unless you plan to turn into a swarm of rats, I doubt you will have problems with it. Haha
Older people might be a bit conservative about it, most of the young people (i know of) not.
Tattoos are quite common in Germany, i got a few as well as a psychologist and who cares?
on the account of your tattoos: I love them. especially the Dishonored “outsider mark”. I think about getting it myself!
Nah. I’m by no means an average patient (<35 and not even German) but I believe what patients care the most in a doctor is 1) attentiveness and 2) kindness. And of course competence, but that has even less to do with the looks.
Yeah you’ll get some curious looks and the occasional frown from old people, but one can’t really be picky usually, so they’ll get over it. And many younger healthcare workers of all types are tattooed thesr days.
I can’t read it let alone translate it, so I can’t tell if it would sound offensive in that sense. Maybe you want to share?
I’m not aware of any offensive or problematic meanings of these tattoos. But I do want to add, that a Nordic rune tattoo always raises some concern for me, as to what kind of doctor you are: basically if you were treating me, I would wonder if you are far right, spritual/pagan/druidic/etc or a nerd. Because in my experience most people with Nordic runes tattoos fall in one of these categories. But this can easily be resolved with other hints: your clothing, behavior, jewelry etc.
The writing looks a bit like nordic runes, which might indeed lead to false associations and irritated reactions. Also (sorry if this is tasteless and possible hurtful, but I think it should be said) the manlike figure looks like it’s got some sort of flash-erection, which could also irritate some people.
If you wear long sleeves, this leaves the tattoos on the hands. I do not see symbols there which have a specific problematic meaning in German culture, but older generations might associate the simple fact of having them on the hands with prison time, because while average people got tattoos as early as the 1980ies here in Germany, these were usually not placed on the hands.
Since I see no Sig Rune or Black Sun or Wolfsangel (Edit: at least as a single rune) I don’t think there will be any legal problems. Nothing I see seems illegal, even remotely. No limit or warranty, no legal advice of course.
The runes still might raise some questions, but more among superiors in the process of getting hired. Personally I wouldn’t mind a tattooed doctor if I’m getting treated correctly and without problems. And overall tattoos are not frowned upon in Germany, so patients won’t bother for the most part.
Looks like Nazi shit to me. Sorry.
Some people associate runes with the far right,but those are few. If somebody is bothered, just explain what they are, since they are completely unrelated (if you have a Dishonored-inspired tattoo).
You have a good taste in tattoos!
You will get a lot of questions in the best case and will be quietly judged in most cases.
You better look if any of the signs resemble politically loaded ones.
I don’t know if you speak german but I found a helpful [Link](https://www.politische-bildung-brandenburg.de/themen/die-extreme-rechte/symbole-und-kennzeichen/runen)
Ps: These tattoos can’t be covered by a simple long arm shirt, that might be a problem, too. No matter what kind of tattoo that is.
It really depends where you are. I would think in Berlin for example there are loads of medical doctors with tats. Any bigger city in general I wouldn’t worry. I personally would probably feel more comfortable if any doctor of mine had tattoos, it somehow makes them seem more human and down to earth. But I’m an artist, have tattoos and people in my communities tend to have them, and I’m originally not from Germany. I agree with the comment that maybe some old conservative stuffy folks would judge but then let them go to another doctor, they’d probably be difficult patients anyway. Also, yeah, it will be a much bigger problem if your German isn’t excellent.
You will find people who absolutely love it and people who won’t like it at all. Then there are those who don’t care at all.
Tattoos are much more widely accepted than they were 20 years ago. However, they are still mainly associated with creative people and jobs, and are uncommon in more “serious” professions such as doctors and bankers. You may encounter discrimination based on tattoos in job interviews and when dealing with patients. It will be rare, but it can happen. Most people won’t say anything, but some may consciously or unconsciously form an opinion. However, you may also encounter situations where it earns you sympathy points.
I guess the motifs are not relevant. It’s more the fact that they are very prominent on your hands that some people will judge you on.
Focus on the people that enjoy the art on the body and you should be fine 🙂
I would like it! And want to talk about Nordic culture while your stichting my wounds 😀
As others have said, I associate Nordic runes with Nazis at this point. I would personally be weirded out if my doctor had visible Nordic rune tattoos (or Fraktur font tattoos, as another example).
I think its unprofessional