Yes, lady, I understand that these days even women get tattoos, but announcing this to the whole waiting room as you noticed my tattoo when I arrived for my appointment was probably not your best option, as your friend, who quickly changed the subject, silently but effectively pointed out.
Good manners have been popular long before tattoos on women ever were. Lucky for me that I have both and you have neither. —Dame De La Mer
This article appears in Jul 1-7, 2010.
It seems to me that people who get visible tattoos are, in some way, looking for this sort of attention. Human beings are, after all, hardwired to make immediate assessments of other human beings (and pretty much everything) based on physical appearances. Sure, it’s considered polite to ignore the outside and only look for the internal person, but it’s just not realistic to expect it all the time. Especially when you’re crying for attention by getting visible tattoos…which generally look stupid on either gender.
I’m with OL; it’s always sad when cousins marry.
“Especially when you’re crying for attention by getting visible tattoos…which generally look stupid on either gender.”
You’re a tard Pav.
tat’s can be a form of expression, not just a desperate cry for attention.
idiot
lookeee ther ma that purty girl gots some markings on er skin
“Some folk’ll never git tattooed,
and then agin’ some folk’ll.
…It’s Cletus , the slack jawed yokel”
A form of attention getting expression, eh?
You’re a tard if you think that a tramp stamp is a form of expression and not an advertisement of a booty call.
Actually Pav, the tattoo is a tribute to the love of my life who lost his life at 19 years of age in a non-at-fault highway accident. I didn’t get it to be an attention seeker. I got it to honour him and our love. Fifteen years of working in the tattoo/piercing trade has shown me that there are a multitude reasons people get a tattoo and attention seeking is only of interest to some, not all tattoo clients.
It might only be a conscious reason to some, but the result is still the same: get a tattoo and expect some fucking attention about it. Thinking that people will always ignore your tattoo and keep their mouths shut is idiotic.
I have a tattoo on my foot, which I love. I frequently have to explain it to people though. I think it’s something that people should realize when they go to get a tattoo, whether you’re doing it for attention, to express yourself, tribute etc, people are going to ask. Lucky for me, the majority of people who have asked about my tattoo were curious and interested (with the exception of my dad, who just told me I was an idiot lol).
oh does the foot hurt.
especially over the ankle as well as right near the toes….
youch. akin to dragging a lit match across your foot…. in case any others are interested.
It seems to me the gist of OL’s bitch was not about the propriety of wimmin getting body art; but the compulsive need of certain double XX chromosome types to narrate current events in real time for the unsolicited benefit of those around them. People who read the titles of books out loud when browsing in bookshops particularly piss me off. Although I should probably be grateful that they are blessed with the gift of literacy, the very fact of them being in a bookstore should be sufficient proof of that fact. They don’t need to demonstrate it.
Unless they’re there to purchase any of the Twilight series.
A graphic novel, without the pictures. Still, there are worse things for sullen goth tweens to be doing than flicking the bean and dreaming about being spit-roasted by a vampire and a werewolf.
Tattooing is centuries old, not a new phenomenon. Why is having a tattoo such a foreign concept? Being asked to explain the tattoo or the reasons for getting it are the only things I regret about mine. It is considered rude to ask if you don’t even know the tattooed person. It’s even ruder to talk loudly about them as if the tattooed person is not even in the room, as the waiting room lady did.
Pav: I don’t advertise for booty calls simply because I have a tattoo. I don’t need booty calls, nor do I hook up with strangers because I have a tattoo. Get real!!!
It’s unfortunate that there are stigmas attached to certain tatoos. People need to mind their own goddamn business. Just because my friend has a tatoo on her lower back, does not make her a tramp. She’s a beautiful mother of two and just loved the design and location. Personally I think it takes a lot of courage to get a tatoo (which I don’t have) and so I do appreciate them on others, even if I don’t know the signifigance.
OP just because you have a tattoo and were sitting in the same area as myself, would not stop me from talking about them. It’s a general topic. Stop being a snot. Everyone has opinions
Spot on Ivan the Quick-to-spot-the-real-issue-here!
I owed ya for the Hornby Eagles link Oceanlady.
>: )
o.l., is that you, i noticed the word mer, and can think of no other. while tats are cool, well some of them, i would never subject my wonderful body to one. why fuck up perfection, with an inperfect little bit of some rancid typw of ink.
Ivan of The Eagles: Have you seen that adolescent eagle trying out his new wings when his parents are away? He’s figured out that all that flapping will result in levitation and he’s been bouncing up and down over that nest like a madman. Soon the avian voyeuristics will be over:( (Well, until next spring anyway. Hang onto that link!)
Suckage O’ Life: Yes, it is moi:) Re tats: Each to his own – Each to his zone. For me, my tattoos accentuate my perfection.
I haven’t checked in for a couple of days. Thanks for the heads up.
o.l., yes, ze master race, of perfection.
you should tattoo your big ass bright red so you can flash it about….
stir up all the other ladies with your ‘presenting’ while you beat your chest….
Just look around your office….how many people have obvious tattoos? Close to none in my office. Makes me wonder where these people work? Must be retail and Mcdonalds.
No one in my current or any of my previous office environments either actually, seb. Interesting… Oh, besides a small one on a wrist…
As someone who has worked in the tattoo industry for 15 years, let me assure you both seb and ralm, that tattoo clients came from all walks of life. Doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, IT’s, truck drivers, police officer’s, pilot’s, emergency responders, musicians, business owners, cancer survivors seeking post-surgical cosmetic improvements, stay-at-home mom’s/dad’s and just about everyone else, including office employees, retail and fast food workers. Even had an 84 year old war veteran who always wanted one. The reasons for getting a tattoo are as diverse as the people who get them. The days for stigmatic stereotypical responses to the tattooed are long past.
There’s nothing wrong with looking at someone’s tattoo, but if you’re going to make an ignorant comment then expect the person to get pissed at you.
I have multiple large tattoos prominently displayed on my upper body. I also work in the public service. Most of my designs were chosen purely for aesthetic reasons and when people ask about them (and many do) they almost always seem disappointed when I can offer no more profound an explanation than: I like them. Good enough for me. Yes, big tattoos on a woman will command attention but so what? You didn’t get them to please other people, did you? Take this as an opportunity to send a crazy leer in the direction of the rudeness. Jus’ for kicks.
Just because something has been done hundreds of years doesn’t mean it needs to continue. Talk about the ‘art’ and ‘expression’ all you want but tattoos are ugly and get uglier as your body changes shape and your skin sags with age.
I once watched this show about a guy who has tattoos all over his body including his head and that was because he was in constant debilitating pain from his illness. Tattooing temporarily eases his pain because of the endorphin produced in the brain (or something like that…correct me if you know how this works). I think he chose tattooing because it is far more acceptable (or accepted) socially than most other forms of self-inflicted pain, like cutting himself.
Depends on the context, Pavillion. In societies where traditional tattooing is an important part of their culture, tattoos are as normal as ear piercing is in western countries. Location matters, too. The legs are the last to go, or so I’m told. A great big tattoo of Bugs Bunny on a sagging tit isn’t likely to stand the test of time but I’ve seen some beautiful work on people of all ages. They may not appeal to you though, fair enough.
lol “in the tattoo industry” …. that was worth a laugh. Where’d you find “Tattoology 101” in the university calender? Heck it isn’t in any calender. Some education. Did you start with crayons and staying inside the lines?
I know there are ‘tattooists’ who are self-taught but anyone who takes it and themselves seriously serves a 2 – 4 year (depending on each tattooist’s preference) apprenticeship under a reputable tattoo artist before they are ever allowed to practice their craft upon the public. There is a lot more to it than your trivialization allows. There are a lot of professions that aren’t uni educated. There’s also a service ‘industry’ but waiters and waitresses don’t require a uni degree either. I haven’t ever noticed Waitressing 101 on the uni calendar, have you?
Ocean Lady, I love that you said tattoos accentuate your perfection. That’s a really nice way of putting it.
I myself have 5 tattoos, some highly visible, others hidden, but all small. My tattoos are in no way a cry for attention. They are small reminders of personal things I have been through or private messages of encouragement to myself. I work in a very professional office and have never had any problems with showing my tattoos.
It’s one thing for people to ask me about my tattoos, I don’t mind that at all (although I may not give away their meanings), but it is ignorant and rude to make negative comments, especially when they are not said directly to me, just loud enough for me to hear.
Ocean Lady, are you a tattoo artist? I would love to see some of your work.
I’ll second that. maybe a few days of your profile pic as your portfolio pics….
just suggesting.
Oceanlady (or anyone with experience really)- I’ve been thinking about a couple small tattoos for a long time, but keep holding off on getting them because I don’t know anyone in the industry.
Anyone you can recommend? I’d stick my email address in here, but it’s identifying and I’d rather not use it.
I also love your take on tattoos. Most people with any sort of mod see them as completing themselves, sort of like whichever body part in question wasn’t “done” until they did whatever to it.
i would steer you towards utility, adept or permanent but make sure you feel comfortable and that the artist understands exactly what you want
DISCLAIMER: i am not affiliated with any said businesses
You could save up some cash for next year’s tattoo fest?
problem is there are so many places around… how to know which are the goodies and which lick the dogs bollocks.
I’ve seen great work from pinski’s palace as well as sin on skin …
have a look around….
I am also in no way affiliated with or get any sort of referral deal or anything with any places.
andy ferrier at utility is amazing: an incredible artist with a light touch, his tats heal great and the colour holds beautifully (he did my phoenix and it’s gorgeous – my mom really dislikes – and doesn’t understand – tattoos and even she likes this one). the other artists there are also excellent, depending on what you want: both lydia k and mike power.
amber at adept and kyle at sin on skin also have some really nice work.
and just to be clear these are my own personal opinions and are no way an endorsement by The Coast. (and I don’t get referral points either).
jason at permanent did my greyhound and crows…no colour but beautiful results
A guy named Steve at Adept did my last two and I thought he did a great job. He also made me feel really comfortable. The atmosphere there is best kind and I will definitely be going back.
Looking forward to getting mine, and am already planning stuff for the Fall/Winter.
Jason at Permanent did some touch up work for me and Lydia K. at Utility did a name tattoo for me recently. I liked both of them – their maturity, attention to detail, and professionalism – and both of their portfolios are really amazing.
Sebastien, you’ve never posted more than a few thick-skulled, ape like comments at a time. If you can’t even contribute anything half-intelligent on LTWWB, how do you expect any of us to think you’re anything more than some inbred forklift driver that gets laughs from running over pigeons and the like??
Thanks kids! The names of people/ places really help. There’s so many tattoo spots around that it’s hard to know where to start, and I don’t have many inked friends. 🙂
(Happy Friday!)
sooo bd, is that your belly?
I’m glad to see suggestions for good tattooists in HRM. As a CFA, I’m not really up on who the good tat artists are. I haven’t pursued my interest in this field lately, so was unsure. My artist expression has expanded from tattoo art. The tat-art prof-pic idea is a good one. I’ll have to have a look through my portfolio over the weekend, to see if there is anything I can choose to display.
As a side thought, to anyone looking for an tattoo artist, besides rubber gloves, sterilization and new needles, the #1 thing to look for in a tattooist is contamination barriers on EVERYTHING that is touched while performing the tattoo to prevent cross-contamination between clients. All surfaces, supplies and equipment need to be properly disinfected between clients. A certificate in sterilization is useful too. The tattoo studio I worked at upheld some of the strictest cleanliness standards I’ve seen, but never once had an infection reported. In a situation where people’s bodily fluids are being exposed only hospital standards will do.
“The tat-art prof-pic idea is a good one”
you’re welcome.
free publicity is good publicity.
PG: nope. 🙂 The very first pic I used, way back in May, was of me (not that I expect or want anyone to keep track). I have two large dragons in blackwork, a blackwork woodcut design, and my son’s name tattooed to my arms. Rob from Don’t Tell Mama’s Tattoos in Kingston, ON. did most of my work. Freehand.
Now I’m having fun searching for creative commons-licensed pics of tattooed moms. 🙂 That one is by t i m i on flickr.
thanks for answering bd, i’m just being a nosey parker…i think it would take some of the mystery out of the bitch/love if we all knew what we look like. excluding zZz of course who is on matchgame 77 and suckulous who allowed us to view his visage for one special day
We’ve also seen martym, paingirl.
..and you’ve seen me. Of all my avatars the one I most resemble is Pope Cartman
shit nooo, sorry martym…thanks nth. two pics in fact, one with donny boy t’other the olympic one…and colonel: much smarter/nicer than cartman or the devil^^ rawk
I think I will have to find a pic of random someone who looks like me, but that will probably be a year-long project.
There, found it.
still chuckling…nice gnome queen
shit nooo martym what? did i miss a post/a clue etc. ? 🙂
We were just discussing how handsome you look on your Olympic ID card.
omg HANDSOME ; well mom always said so (can I quote you in futher ummm negotiations with members of the opposite sex) 🙂
i’ll put my pic on for the weekend, just for fun lol
well aren’t you just the sweetest thang^^
lol thanks paingirl
oh yea and fellow bitchers don’t hate me cause I’m beautiful 🙂