Did This Woman’s Face Tattoos Stop Her From Getting Hired?
put your best foot forward: to do your best when meeting someone or doing something important
When Ash Putnam got rejected from a job at a popular discount clothing store, she wanted to know why. The manager said it was because she didn’t have enough experience. Ash believes it was because of her tattoos, which cover her face, neck, and arms. She shared her story on TikTok, and her video went viral, gaining over 7 million views.
This story started a debate about tattoos and jobs. Some said that personality and skills should be more important than tattoos. However, many employers still have strict rules about appearance, especially in customer-facing jobs. Tiktoker Ivy Johnson also has many tattoos and is a former corporate hiring manager. She believes Ash’s tattoos might be too aggressive, but the real problem might be her attitude. She said, “You have to put your best foot forward in an interviewing circumstance, no matter what you do, what you’re applying for, or what you look like.”
Tattoos have become very common in the US, with 1/3 of workers having one or more tattoos, but Ash complained that this was uniquely American discrimination. She thought it wouldn’t have happened if she lived in Europe.
Listen to both Ash and Ivy’s opinions in the videos below.
Sample sentences
1. When you meet someone for the first time, you should put your best foot forward so they have a good impression of you.
2. If you have a presentation at school, you should put your best foot forward by preparing well and practicing.
3. When you start a new job, putting your best foot forward can help you fit in and make new friends.