Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo

98 The Tattooist
above, tattooists, like other artisans, experience considerable tension
as they attempt to control their work activity in the face of
client demands (cf. Becker, 1951; Sanders, 1974; Christopherson,
1974b: 134-138; Sinha, 1979: 16-19; Rosenblum, 1978: 122­
127; Faulkner, 1983: 120-145).
Entrepreneurial or free-lance service deliverers also experience
problems around the issue of independence versus insecurity. For
the tattooist, being free from the conventional, hierarchical work
situation carries significant disadvantages along with its rewards.
Interviewees who were proprietors of their own studios regularly
complained about the problems of feeling responsible and being
"tied to the job." Because tattooing is a service that is, of necessity,
provided during the evenings or on weekends when the clients
are not working, tattooists are troubled by the effect of their
occupational schedule on their family life.
I don't like the hours. Plus, you're tied to your business. It's
not really a business you can leave in someone else's hands. If
you were selling something from behind a counter it wouldn't
really matter who sold it. It would be the same product. But it
would be different if someone came into the shop and you
tattooed them or I tattooed them. They would not be going out
with the same product. If you are a tattooist and you are trying
to build up a good reputation for your shop and you do employ
anybody, it has to be someone who is very skilled also and does
good work on their own. It doesn't necessarily have to be your
style but people will have to be satisfied. If they are dissatisfied
with the work that comes out of the shop your reputation
suffers also. So I don't like the fact that I have to do it all
myself or I have to be there and supervise it. So you don't get
the chance to see your family that most people normally do.
You don't come home at five o'clock and have dinner with the
wife and kids. When you do come home they go to bed shortly
thereafter and you're up by yourself watching the Tv. So you
don't see your family as much as you might want to. But at
least you're feeding them. You aren't haVing dinner with them
but at least there is dinner.