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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumsman says tattoos cost him his kindergarten teaching job. Kids shocked at first sight but get past it
A schoolteacher whose body, face and tongue are covered in tattoos and who has had the whites of his eyes surgically turned black said he was prevented from teaching at a French kindergarten after a parent complained he scared their child.
But the teacher, Sylvain Helaine, 35, still teaches children from the age of six up, and said that, after an initial shock when they see him for the first time, his pupils see past his appearance.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/28/europe/sylvain-helaine-tattoo-teaching-job-scli-intl/index.html
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,270 posts)hlthe2b
(101,714 posts)The Magistrate
(95,237 posts)It seems to be a solid pinkish peach tone.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)How odd!
grantcart
(53,061 posts)cwydro
(51,308 posts)Beakybird
(3,329 posts)greenman3610
(3,947 posts)Because I think it's unreasonable for an adult to expect children
not to be frightened by this, or for employers to take pause.
This extreme level of body modification suggests a bit of a personality
disorder.
SharonClark
(10,005 posts)LisaL
(44,962 posts)NT
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)I think he'd scare the hell out of his co-workers, let alone the customers.
Definitely something wrong with him.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Either he craves attention, hates himself, or god only knows what.
Statistical
(19,264 posts)If this guy was something like a software developer and competent I would hire him for a non-client facing position but I wouldn't even hire him for a position which required interacting with adult clients. He looks unprofessional and that is dealing with adult clients who have the option of walking away.
Forcing children to be around him is way beyond the line.
ProfessorGAC
(64,413 posts)On all points.
Because I had a lot of interaction with science professionals at customers, I didn't even grow my hair long until I retired.
It was potentially off-putting to some people, and when a $250 million relationship is in play, I could tolerate not having my hair exactly as I wished it was.
And, this guy's appearance is way more severe than a ponytail!
If he was a great research chemist, and I could hide him in a lab to do his thing, I'd hire him on merit.
But, ANY chance of customer interaction is in the job description for that gig, he's out.
delisen
(6,039 posts)with facial deformity?
StarryNite
(9,363 posts)This guy chose to look like this.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)SMH
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Dude even has the whites of his eyes altered to be black.
nolabear
(41,915 posts)No, he looks scary as fuck and Im sorry, but he'd have to be introduced to my child very, very carefully before Id let him be near them.
Not to mention take a massive battery of tests to prove he was mentally healthy enough.
TexasTowelie
(111,292 posts)but if I had a child that was placed in that class then I would ask for my child to be reassigned to another teacher. If the school did not cooperate and since kindergarten is not required in most places, I would remove my child from school and let them start in first grade. I did pretty well in school and didn't attend kindergarten.
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)Sorry, it just seems a bit dark and creepy to me. Not sure what he was going for here.
SharonClark
(10,005 posts)Isn't that the purpose of disfiguring himself like that, so people would notice his freakish tats?
Will he have horns implanted next?
LiberalFighter
(50,491 posts)I have problems with people with tattoos on their throat, neck, face.
Squinch
(50,773 posts)you become a kindergarten teacher.
Ya gotta choose, dude. Can't do both.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Which I presume is the reason he was able to find a job as a teacher to begin with-the body art came after he was already employed.
Fullduplexxx
(7,818 posts)Silent3
(15,018 posts)Tommy_Carcetti
(43,080 posts)And this is, well, different?
betsuni
(25,122 posts)"'I usually keep a job about ten days. Then something happens and they fire me.' ... 'Another reason I keep my collar buttoned up,' he said, opening his eyes, 'is the children. They follow me along country roads. Everyone wants to see the pictures, and yet nobody wants to see them.' He took his shirt off and wadded it in his hands. He was covered with Illustrations from the blue tattooed ring about his neck to his belt line."
Judi Lynn
(160,211 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,211 posts)hospital "candy striper", "hunting guide" for rich brats like the Trump boys.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,161 posts)OneBro
(1,159 posts)From the article:
He said he hoped to show his pupils that they should accept people who are different from the norm. "Maybe when they are adults they will be less racist and less homophobic and more open-minded," he said.
The fact that his pupils and their parents got over the initial shock and like him for the person he is on the inside suggests that it was a total over reaction to fire him. Hed sure as hell creep me out initially, but given the state of racism the world over, Id like to have seen an active study of this, um, social experiment.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)Ones race or gender, however fluid, is a norm. He, otoh, is distinctly abnormal, and by choice. He was not born this way, nor did it happen overnight, nor by accident. If he didnt intend to shock people, why go out of his way to be shocking, especially to little kids?
His stated reasoning is bogus. I certainly hope he has or develops other salable skills, because his choices relegate him to the back office or the warehouse, unless he plans to work in a head shop selling bongs.
OneBro
(1,159 posts)Even the slow kids in class know his tats don't constitute race or gender. The point is about appearances. People judged him and were fearful based on his APPEARANCE. And yet, as he explained, once the kids and their parents got to know him, there were no problems. THAT should have been the take-away. I wasn't born with an afro or dreadlocks, but they sure as hell make certain co-workers uneasy.
Yes, his decision to be different is a distinct choice. That doesn't mean he can't perform the essential function of the job. Hell, the guy had already proven that he could perform the duties, he proved that people were able to get over their knee-jerk fears, and he proved that America isn't quite as free as some like to pretend.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)...with at least one of his little kids.
OneBro
(1,159 posts)struggle4progress
(118,034 posts)MenloParque
(505 posts)I would never discriminate another human being for how they look. I would indeed hire anybody if they possess the qualifications and have the proper Emotional Quotient for the position. Yes, he did choose his body modification, as do any who wear certain clothes, dye hair a certain color, shave their head, etc. Just as any person who is different, children will learn that we humans dont all fit into a cookie cutter mold. It really is sad...thought this site was a bit more progressive leaning.
guessidontbelonghere
(2 posts)"It really is sad...thought this site was a bit more progressive leaning."
Thank you and a few other posters in this thread for not judging people based on their appearance. I totally agree with your last sentence. Any suggestions for left-leaning fora where posters don't sound like the typical prejudiced Trump supporter?
PTWB
(4,131 posts)guessidontbelonghere
(2 posts)But maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Some of the highest quality people I've met look "scary" and I'm ugly as dog's bollocks. I just can't imagine saying some of the things I've read in this thread and not thinking, "I sound like a typical MAGAt."
DU's great for breaking news, been lurking here for 2-3 years. I don't think I'll bother anymore with non-political threads, though.
Really, just wanted to say "thank you" to the fair-minded, considerate posters here. Glad to know there are at least a few decent humans out there.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)Mariana
(14,849 posts)Demovictory9
(32,320 posts)marble falls
(56,358 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)Applied to a guy who by choice has a very extreme appearance. Just how much tolerance is required? Seems then they should tolerate Trumpers.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)You wild kid, you.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)Id wager that none of us was old when this site started 20 years ago. You hang around long enough, though, and you either die or get old, not always your choice. Regardless, weve paid our dues.
PTWB
(4,131 posts)I was merely pointing out the demographic on DU.
Luciferous
(6,067 posts)apparently some people here also need to learn based on the comments in this thread.
uppityperson
(115,674 posts)Older woman here.
nattyice
(331 posts)Be covered up
Hekate
(90,189 posts)...the chest and back on that side, below the collar line. Its really quite a beautiful design, and fully covered by his business shirt when he puts on his suit and tie. Theres earning a living and then theres the other parts of his life.
Seems sensible to me.
mercuryblues
(14,491 posts)He has to be the most law-abiding citizen there is. Can you imagine if he robbed a store, how long it would take the police to find him?
He's only scary because movies that want to show hardened criminals and evil, often typecast a tattooed guy.
Klaralven
(7,510 posts)XanaDUer2
(10,327 posts)Nt
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)LuckyCharms
(17,286 posts)LisaL
(44,962 posts)NT
LuckyCharms
(17,286 posts)In that case, if he's giving kids nightmares, I would probably rescind my statement.
I'll read the article later.
"I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter Mr and Mrs Jones. Have you given any thought about a casket, we have a wide selection of materials and fittings ...."
MizLibby
(289 posts)Seems nice to me.
marble falls
(56,358 posts)peepaw and meemaw.
uncle ray
(3,153 posts)i mean seriously, dated glasses much? 1984 called and wants it's eyewear back.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)TEDDY BOY across his forehead seems to reference some old gang of British skinheads, iirc havent heard of them in awhile.
marble falls
(56,358 posts)JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,282 posts)Luciferous
(6,067 posts)I agree with a previous poster- I know that DU is made up of a lot of older posters, but there are an awful lot of judgemental comments about his appearance. I thought we were more open-minded than this.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)...you tailor your appearance to the job you want. Sylvain missed the kindergarten-teacher slot by a mile. And he chose to do it over a long period of time this didnt happen over a long weekend. His body, his choice. But society and employment opportunities have many layers.
My son has beautiful tattoo art on his upper body, but when he puts on his suit and tie to go to the office, its completely hidden from the judgments of bosses or customers. You know, people who pay him and who want a job well done by a software engineer, not an in-your-face statement of an alternate reality.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,282 posts)I wore a suit and tie to work a few times this century, supporting some sales excursions.
Things have gone more and more casual over the years.
Hekate
(90,189 posts)...but the good slacks & white shirts were the uniform.
Hubby works for a different outfit & is a whole different matter, even before he started working from home 3 years ago. Hes a nonconformist senior citizen, and you can have his Dickies & tieless shirt when you pry them from his cold dead remains. Hes also the best DBA they have between here and India, based on what his immediate boss seems to think.
treestar
(82,383 posts)maybe people judgmental of this aren't judgmental about a lot of other things. Either/or thinking. This guy is extreme.
Renew Deal
(81,801 posts)JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,282 posts)... in charge of nothing, except punishing students.
I hated my "visits" to the Assistant Principal's office.
Meowmee
(5,164 posts)Show differences should be accepted. What he did to his eyes is pure stupidity due to the danger of damage your vision/ eyes. It tells me something is wrong with his mental stability. I have never cared for tattoos that cover large ares of the body or any type of permanent body art. Tattoos fade over time and become blurred and faded, even small area tattoos dont hold up over time.
Rhiannon12866
(202,970 posts)At my first job (at an amusement park), I worked with an older man who had tattoos all over his arms and they'd become quite blurry. He was always very nice to me, but what happened with the tattoos stuck with me, wondered if he regretted them. And I can't help thinking of that when I see younger people covering large areas of their bodies.
Captain Stern
(2,195 posts)The school system didn't discriminate against him when they made their hiring decision.....they hired him.
They didn't fire him because of his appearance. They didn't fire him at all. He still works for them.
All they did was assign him to teach kids that were six years old, or older.
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)With that being said, he is going to have a tough time finding a job outside of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Thats his choice.