Up front: I’m musing here. I don’t think tattoos are an important matter of morality, or life and death.
However, I do find myself staring quizzically in moments. Take the lady I saw yesterday, who had a small ice cream cone with a heart next to it, tattoed on her leg. It was a cute small icon, just perfect if you worked at Hallmark and were designing a “Hope you beat the heat” card for someone who lives without AC. But as a permanent addition to your skin? Forever and ever?
I recall another friend who got a massive butterfly tattoed on her back. Again, is this because butterflies are just so pretty, that you ache inside without one permanently etched on your body? Or what about the guy who stayed over at my place, a friend of my then-rommate, who emerged from a night of partying to show off the exact replica of the CD case of his favourite band? He’ll carry that on his shoulder, even when the kids don’t know what CDs are, or that they used to come in cases.
I personally feel that if something is going to be engraved in my skin, I’d think a bit more about what that was going to be. There will be no pixies or leprechauns, no butterflies or ice cream cones or favourite bands. Here ends the rant.
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While I absolutely agree that some people get tattoos for DUMB reasons not realizing that tattos are forever, I think this might be generalizing a bit.
My husband and I both have lots of tattoos. His first, done with a guitar string while at a party when he was 18 is of a Nike swoosh on his collarbone. I hate it…I mean HATE HATE HATE it. I hate the branding, I hate the materialism, elitism, and gross consumption embodied in it. The fact that my husband is literally branded bugs me to no end.
My first tattoo was purple flowers on a stem that covers my right ankle and a bit up my leg. It’s not much to look at, but to me it is a reminder. I drew that flower over and over the morning of my sister’s funeral. I have no talent for drawing, but that wasn’t the point. I wanted that image on me, forever. Very few of my friends know the stories of my tattoos- I’m just the tattooed conservative young-ish mom.
Basically I’m saying that the ice cream cone, the heart, these things may mean more than anyone on the outside imagines. The CD case…well, sometimes people just have to be idiots before they can grow up, and like my husband, you just have to hope you can come up with a good cover-up tattoo!!
Hey Heather,
Again, this was just a light hearted post, done with a smile. The friend with the butterfly tattoo…she remains a friend. Nothing serious about this one. Some things truly are legitimate choices.
On a very different note, I’m sorry about your sister’s passing.
Andrea
I’m with you Andrea. I have considered getting a tattoo many times, but can never come up with something that I would consider suitable for permanence.
No worries Andrea…I always feel a bit defensive when people bring up tattoos…needless to say, my parents aren’t the least bit thrilled to hear that I’m adding 3 more in the very near future (gotta add the 3rd child to my back and all!!)
It’s funny, though, the reactions I get, being a modestly dressed mother and teacher who has tattoos all over the place. It’s becoming more accepted, but some people still look at me like I’ve lost my mind! 🙂