Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo

92 The Tattooist
Tattooists also have problems with the organization of their
worklife. especially the time and energy constraints and the boredom
that results from routine maintenance activities and the
clients who request the same few conventional images with
numbing regularity. Finally. tattooists experience a problem that
is central to all service work. They find the dally process of relating
to and exerting control over their cl1entele to be continuously
problematic.
Problems of Occupational Stigma
Tattooing continues to carry the disreputable reputation acqUired
early in its history. As discussed in the first chapter. this
image of disrepute was derived from the low status of the social
segments from which early western tattooists typically drew their
cl1ents. The general publ1c saw. and continues to see. the tattoo
establ1shment as patronized largely by criminals. marginal laborers.
drug abusers. members of motorcycle gangs. prostitutes. and
other disvalued social types (Richie and Buruma. 1980: 11-33;
Scutt and Gotch. 1974: 108-119. 179-184; Sanders. 1987). In
short. tattooing is publ1cly defined as a tarnished occupational
activity involving the creation of a service/product that symbol1zes
the "blemished character" of its cl1entele (Shover. 1975).
The negative image of tattooing also comes from its "dirty work"
features (Hughes. 1971a). The tattooist routinely induces pain.
handles the nude bodies of strangers. and is stained with blood
and other body flUids. He or she is. however. not insulated from
the stigma of unclean work by a medical degree. membership in a
publ1cly legitimated professional association. or the assistance
of a coterie of underl1ngs who perform the most unsavory service
activities.
The establ1shed tattooists interviewed14 did not see themselves
as being responsible for the continued negative publ1c image of
tattOOing. Instead. they focused blame on the most marginal
members of the occupation. Tattooing eqUipment was too cheap
and avallable and any indiViduals. no matter how untalented or
inexperienced. could call themselves tattooists and begin "marking
people up." Driven largely by greed and feel1ng no concern
for the publ1c reputation of tattOOing. these "bootleggers" or