Ink Marks the Spot

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

We can try and deny it, but the truth is that as humans we are at least initially judged on appearance. Our personality, education, economic status and standard of morals can all be determined by how we physically present ourselves. Perhaps, no trait is any more defining than whether or not we have a tattoo.

It happens all the time, we see someone and are drawn in by their looks and then notice they have a tattoo. Is that a positive or a negative? The answer may depend on the generation. Another determining factor is the size and image of the tattoo itself. Is it just a little symbol or an artistic masterpiece?

Tattoo’s have come a long way through the years, gone are just the green colored ones from about 50 years ago. I think eagles were the only design available. Now all colors can be used and there are no limits to the images that can be created.

I really don’t know what some people are thinking with their choices of tattoo’s. First of all, I don’t have any and probably never will as I have a rather low tolerance of pain and try to avoid needles. Plus, I wouldn’t know what to get. What would I want to be on my body for the rest of my life? Sometimes I wonder if it’s realized that tattoo’s are permanent. I may think Sponge Bob is cute now, but what about when I’m 80?

My feelings about tattoo’s on others, particularly women, are mixed. Much like with make-up, I believe in moderation. A little dolphin, flower, or any little emblem is fine, but becoming a walking artistic billboard is overkill and takes away from their natural beauty. It provides them with a whole different image that may not truly define them. While I know what they are commonly referred too in slang, I have a slight fondness for tattoos on the small of a woman’s back, in certain instances. It’s a turn-off when they wear the belly type shirts that always reveal it because that blares, ‘Hey, look at me.’ In my opinion it demeans their self worth. However, it’s like finding a hidden treasure when a woman whose dressed conservatively leans over and the tattoo is secretly revealed. It marks a hidden wild side.

A victim of their generation, many of the elders are widely not in favor of tattoo’s, especially on women. As stated earlier, it is a defining mark, the question is, what are they trying to define? Yes, I know it’s a form of self expression, but does anyone listen to whatever message is trying to be expressed? Most likely their ears are muted by the tattoo.

I’ve been a witness many times to older adults meeting a woman with a most kind personality, is well educated with a good paying job and is of strong moral character but they are left just saying, ‘Did you see her tattoo?’ in a degrading manner.

Is it why Crystal Bowersox didn’t win American Idol? As certain clothes she wore revealed a large tattoo on her upper back. The negative image that tattoo’s bring is why they are tried to be covered up for job interviews. The majority of the public doesn’t want to be waited on by someone covered in tattoo’s. Whether that’s wrong or right, I’m not here to decide.

Personally, I know that if I were to dating someone with tattoo’s she would have to work to gain full acceptance from some of my relatives, including my parents. Then again, they would probably be so glad that I had a woman to bring around that it wouldn’t matter. It’s not that my family is hateful, they are really anything but, they are just a product of their generation.

I have good friends, and a very dear relative, who have several tattoo’s and I respect them and their choices. I see them for who they are inside, not for their body art. Others in society have trouble doing that.

The freedom exists for us to do whatever we choose with our bodies, just know that the ink of the tattoo’s leaves a defining mark in the eyes of others.