This thread started a while back, but I just thought I'd add my 2 cents.
I've heard this mentioned a few times when I read through the replies.
The schools do want you to uphold a certain level of professionalism inside and outside of school. During school (well at mine anyways) you get to do an internship - doing so you are still a student of said school and dressing inappropriately to offend clientele means the school is not teaching appropriate grooming/hygiene applied to the culinary profession. Because of that the school will develop a poor reputation and when employers learn that their interviewee is from said school they will not be looked upon very highly
I have a tattoo... about a 5" lotus on my right forearm. I got it a year ago during my first semester of school. No one even knew I had it until I rolled up my sleeves when washing dishes one day at school. For me... most people absolutely love my tattoo that have had the chance to catch a glimpse of it. I spent a nice deal on the little piece because I knew it would be there for a while and I wanted to enjoy it. But even still I keep it covered up, all of the time. It also really depends on what sort of tattoo it is.... If I am washing dishes I don't have to worry about it being covered up. When I am outside of the kitchen it is covered up though. But when students with grotesque images, nude images or swear words on them are admitted they are admitted based on the fact that they usually agree to cover it up 24/7 with make-up or whatever.
The one thing I did not agree with was the person that said tattoos are gotten to attract attention. I would totally disagree with that line due to the fact I got mine solely as a personal remembrance of a choice I made. If it were meant to attract attention I'd wear my sleeves rolled up 24/7 and everyone would know I have it.
But to get back to the tattoo schpiel in school.
They want you to look "professional". When you wear your uniform you represent your school... and I would think when you graudate later on you would expect the incoming new students to do the same. You don't want to interview with an employer that finds out you come from a school with a huge disregard to personal hygiene and appearance do you? That is just going to make you look bad. When you get out of school they want you to be marketable - as far as being able to go out and find a job.
They are also preparing you and helping you establish good hygiene and appearance habits so you are not thrown into some sort of shock when you start working.
Someone mentioned that when hiring a banker employers don't look at whether or not they wore a suit through school. But, hey! If you look at it this way - wouldn't you rather hire someone that takes their career seriously enough to prepare themselves and develop good person hygiene and appearance skills over someone that did not really care going through school? If you ask me... the people going through other careers where they have no dressing requirements are missing out on developing real life working habits.
Take it or leave it... that is my opinion and hopefully it makes sense.
