Are You Judged by the Tattoo You Wear?
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Tattoos Today and Yesterday
It does seem that every generation wants to express their differences from their parents, so they change their style of dress, music, dance, and hairstyles. Anything to prove that they are "different" and separate from their parents' generation. Each generation seemingly trying to outdo the last in outrageous styles and behavior.
Tattoos have been around a long time, but in the past, only certain kinds of people got them (Woops! Was that a judgement?). Today there are no holds barred. Everyone from 12 to 90 are showing off their tattoos: pastors, librarians, motorcyclists, doctors, grannies, people from all walks of life. To some, tattoos say, "prison inmate, gang member, drug addict." To others they are a form of body art and a way to express feelings and beliefs.
I'd love to hear your opinion. Do you judge people with tattoos negatively?
More about the tattoo in this photo later.
Who Me? Judge You? No Way!
Well, Maybe.
Like it or not, it is human nature to make judgments about the things around us. And it seems that often the older generation tends to judge the younger generation more negatively. And come to think of it, the younger generation also tends to judge their elders pretty harshly. And when it comes to tattoos, those of the older generation remember that most tattoos were only seen on undesirable characters back in their day. Well, that's not entirely true. Young military men would often go off to war and get tattoos with their combat buddies, but that was an acceptable exception, not the rule.
How about you? Where do you stand?
What do tattoos say to you? Please share what generation you are from (senior, baby boomer, gen X,etc.)
NEGATIVE: Rebellious, convict, troublemaker.
careergirl says:
I can't stand tattoos. It's like a cry for attention. Too conformist too. I actually have a no-tattoo fetish, if there is such a thing.
gottaloveit says:
I think those overly tattooed (ie, entire arms, backs, neck, etc covered) are a bit out there. I don't like to see all that decoration...
Joan4 says:
I am a senior and I have to be really careful about judging people with tattoos. I just don't like the way they look. I do remember my Daddy correcting me about that when I was young and many vets had come home from WWII with tattoos. Dad reminded me that they had served our country well and that I was to be respectful.
Susan52 says:
I'll admit that my first impression when I see a tattoo on someone leans towards the negative, but the overall appearance and circumstances of the person factors in, too. I'm not ALL negative when it comes to tattoos!
POSITIVE: Body art, self expression, beauty.
Gerry says:
I am almost 70. Grandmother, greatgrandmother. My oldest grandson, 25 yrs old is giving me my first and only tattoo tomorrow. I am very excited. I would not have done it 10 or 20 years ago. We are doing 5 stars, first one is him, next 3 are my other three grandchildren, then there is his daughter, number 5 star, then small shooting stars (10) we are a blended family that is why the 10 stars will be an extension of the five. I think it is okay at this age, why not. I've never done anything wild and crazy, so this is it. I don't judge others for having a tattoo. I am doing it for my grandchildren and great grandchildren too.
dannystaple says:
I'm in my 30's (not sure what that makes me). I think they are pretty much a positive thing - and I'd have perception of being a troublemaker far more on the demeanour than having tat's. Personally I'd not have them, but I know many great people who do.
GrowWear says:
Baby Boomer. It's mostly positive for me, but my overriding thought is always that I can't imagine that folks won't be sorry some day for adding permanent markings on themselves.
Heather426 says:
I'm a boomer. Don't like them. But to each his own. 2 of my kids have them. It's their body.
Tipi says:
I'm a boomer and old hippy, so I see them as body art, self expression and beauty. I don't have any tattoos myself though I enjoy them on others.
We Judge the Outside
Whether we like it or not, the way we present ourselves to the public says something about ourselves. Our clothing, our posture, our expressions, jewelry - they are all clues to who we are. Or maybe not. The Bible tells us that "... man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"(I Sam.16:7).I remember a rather wild teenage boy with long, dyed black, greasy hair, chains hanging off of every part of him, and an earring in his nose, shouting this scripture at me one day. He was saying to me, "You are judging me because of what I choose to wear, but God sees the real me." I should have pointed out that he was also judging me - he saw me as an old fat lady who was trying to ruin his day. We both judged each other that day by what we saw on the outside. I'm thankful that God sees the heart!
What do you see when you look at this picture? What are the first thoughts that come to your mind? Do you see her as a real live person with feelings, dreams and plans for her life?
Photo courtesy of crest_of_the_wave on flickr via a creative commons license.
Want to Learn More About Tattoos?
Check These Out!
Hidden Tattoos
True Confessions
We look at a person and make certain judgments. Take me, for instance. My friends have probably labeled me: conservative, Christian, opinionated, outspoken, least likely to ever think of getting a tattoo. And they are mostly right. But my husband and maybe a few friends, are aware of that other side of me that likes quirky things like belly button piercings, small diamond nose piercings, and butterfly tattoos. I know, I know. Who'd of thought it to look at me? But it's true. Who would have thought that on my 55th birthday one of my children would have paid for me to get a butterfly tattoo on my left shoulder blade? Yes, that photo at the top of the page is mine! And yes, I put it on my shoulder so only my husband would ever see it. That way I wouldn't have to explain to my conservative Christian friends why I would do such a thing. And no, I don't plan to get my nose or belly button pierced!
Photo courtesy of vectoportal @ flickr.com via a creative commons license.
Tell Us What You Think
Photo courtesy of tattos-nu @ flickr.com via a creative commons license.
Removable Tattoos for Seniors
What Can Be the Use of It?
Conversation Starters, That's What
Tattoos can be used as a great conversation starter. Next time you're standing next to someone with a tattoo, ask them to tell you about it. You'll meet all kinds of people and hear some great stories. At the tattoo parlour I spent quite a bit of time talking to a really scary looking guy with tattoos everywhere and something called implants in his head and arms. These implants made him look like he had horns coming out of his forehead and spiral coils springing out of his hands. Very strange looking and I couldn't understand why anyone would want to do that to themselves. And had I met him on the street I would probably have been too afraid to talk to him. But I learned so much from this guy. He talked to me about tattoos, who gets them, why they get them, the training involved in becoming a tattoo artist, the different "specialties" of people who work at tattoo parlors, such as tattoo artists, implant specialists, and piercing specialists. The artists who work at these tattoo places are talented, hardworking people. And they love their jobs. This scary looking guy made me realize that under all that outward "stuff" is a real live human being, worthy of being seen for who he is, not what he looks like.Photo courtesy of damongman @ flickr.com via a creative commons license.
A New Lens in the Making
Do You Have a Tattoo or a Strong Opinion About Them?
Tell Us About It!
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dannystaple Jul 22, 2011 @ 3:04 pm | delete
- No tattoos, but also no problem with them. I find company Logo and band name tattoos a bit distasteful - and I'm sure that the person will regret those, but those who go for artistic or prose I think can look good.
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GrowWear
Jul 19, 2011 @ 2:00 pm | delete
- Nope. No tattoos. No strong opinion except we are all people living life in our own way, as is our right, and we should expect that if I were you, I'd have a tattoo on my left shoulder. :)
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Heather426
Jul 19, 2011 @ 11:13 am | delete
- I won't ever get one, but have no strong opinion on them either way. But I do know that people who are really old and got theirs when they were really young end up with a mess instead of the original art they were going for.
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Tipi
Jul 16, 2011 @ 3:49 pm | delete
- I'm just thinking that if you don't want to show your conservative Christian friends the butterfly, you might want to bless them by just showing the scripture reference of reconciliation. We all have to stretch and grow some time! Delightfully done!
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Jul 12, 2011 @ 6:54 pm | delete
- Most people are judged by the tattoo they wear, sad but true. I'll make sure to share this lens with my friends. Visit http://www.squidoo.com/treatment-for-a-herniated-disk
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by BalanceByDesign
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