“Show me a man with a tattoo and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past.” ― Jack London
Tattoos are everywhere – it seems like everyone has one these days. With all this ink, I’ve been wondering what’s behind the rising trend. Maybe people are getting tattoos because they have a need to fit in with the quarter of our population who “get it” the tattooed.
And the hip crowd isn’t stopping at one. A full 70 percent of people with tattoos have added more to go with their original choice. Is it a way for millennials and boomers to celebrate or recapture their youth? After all, it’s certainly cheaper than a sports car or a trip to the plastic surgeon. Even seniors are visiting the parlor to pick out a design, with men over 65 being three times more likely to be needled than their women friends.
So does this ancient tradition have a place in my life? That’s what I’m trying to decide as I think about my choice in getting my first tattoo.
My research has me dividing tattoos into three main camps – decorative, informational, and finally the “why’d I do that?” group.
The ones I like best are of the decorative variety. They’re the true works of art that bring a magical and creative spirit to the adorned. Informational tattoos are good, like the lady with the Do Not Resuscitate ink on her chest.
These marks are the best at displaying their message in a no-nonsense way. But talk to your doctor and lawyer first, the ER may need convincing of our DNR wish.
Then there are all the others, my least favorite, the “why’d I do that?” tattoo. Was it just a flashy pattern tacked to the parlor’s wall that night? Was the guy too drunk to care what the artist was doing? Did the gal only have 25 bucks in her purse? Whatever the reason, some tattoos appear to have absolutely no point at all.
As for getting a tattoo of my own … well, I haven’t fully decided. But when and if the time comes, I’ve found a way of combining the decorative with the informational.
My tattoo will be the Japanese hieroglyph for the word Kindness.
This decorative message will be my reminder for the world I want to live in each day.
I’ll place it on my left wrist – the side closest to my heart. I’ve worn my Wakami earth bracelet on my left wrist for years, but when (and if) I get a tattoo, the new mark will go there.
But what if my tattoo is a mistake and ends us in the “why’d I do that?” group.
My dad and golfer Lee Trevino had one thing in common, they both had tattoos that turned out wrong.
Lee had the name of an ex-wife on his forearm and needed to keep it hidden with tape. My dad had a big heart on his left arm with a space open for a name. He’d gotten the tattoo long before he met mom, yet her name was never added. Maybe those weren’t the best choices for either man.
I want my lifetime tattoo to be about a lifetime of living; to say what I mean and help me be what I say. Maybe I need to give it more thought (not the idea, just the permanent ink).
Do you have any tattoos? What can you tell me about them? Do they have a story behind them?
Then, if you’re as brave as I think you are, you can send me a picture (but remember, this is a G-rated site).
As always the conversation starts here.
“In the ordinary choices of every day we begin to change the direction of our lives.” – Eknath Easwaran
Epilogue
Take a look at what happens when we say, “What can one more hurt?”
Love that you are getting a tattoo. I’m considering.
Deborah –
Thanks, but picking the design, along with the spot on my wrist, are only the first steps.
If you can share, what’s your choice for some ink and where does it go?
Should we have a big tattoo party?
– Bruce
Bruce, don’t do it. !!
They do hurt to get no matter what they tell you. (You bet, those that have a tattoo will always say it didn’t hurt since they don’t want you to know they were so stupid to get one in the first place.)
Yes, remember…you can get infections from the process and complications .too…just ask your doctor,.
As a very smart man you don’t need a “printed sign” on you to know and remind you that you believe in kindness for this world.
Rich
Rich –
Thank’s for your advice and concern for my health. Most of all, thanks for telling me how I don’t need a “printed sign” to be reminded of my belief in kindness for the world.
If it were as simple as posting another sign, our problems would have been solved long ago.
Come back for a visit often, your words are helpful.
– Bruce
My son recently decided to start an upper arm set of tattoos after not getting any ink in his teens and early twenties when there was a lot of pressure to do what his friends were doing. I abhor tattoos and, as his parent, feel especially sad that he has chosen to permanently mark his body. That being said, he really threw us for a loop when the “art” turned out to be all the Boy Scout insignia that meant so much while he was earning his Eagle Scout award. Any comments on the dichotomy?
Vicki – Your son has drafted the outline for his life. When a man is asked, no matter his age, if he was an Eagle Scout, the answer is always the same, “I am an Eagle Scout.” Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. He has now taken the responsibility to a higher level in having it inked to his arm. Bravo! Maybe the only dichotomy is that more of us don’t do the same. Congratulations on being the mother of an Eagle, I know you are proud. – Bruce (Eagle Scout, 1957) P.S. I’m happy that girls will soon be… Read more »