Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo

122 The Tattoo Relationship
blouse off getting a tattoo. I felt that the people there were
interested in seeing what I was getting or seeing how someone
gets a tattoo.
I had anticipated sitting up and I was surprised when the
artist pulled this examining table over. I thought the shape of
my breast would change, but I figured he knew what he was
doing. I remember changing my clothes right there in the
room-just turned my back to the door. It's not that I wasn't
aware that the artist was a male person but Itjust wasn't
threatening. I had my shirt off and he applied the outline. He
was actually going to touch me. He was so close to me when he
was bending over me-you just get a distance there. It's like
when a doctor is examining your breasts or something or a
gynecological exam. His hands were warm and reassuring. He
had to lean against me and, at first, I thought that might be
uncomfortable, but while It was actually gOing on It was
reassuring. I didn't have the feeling that he was looking at me
in any sexual way. I think he said later that he only sees two
Inches of flesh at once. He was also rather matter of fact. He
said that I should be careful not to place the tattoo too near my
nipple. To be explicit and talk about my body-my nipple-was
rather matter of fact and reassuring. 1
The nebulous and largely incorrect information about tattooing
that circulates within conventional social networks contains cautions
about the longer-term physiological risks tattooees may well
encounter. Warnings that one Is apt to contract hepatitis, AIDS,
herpes, or other diseases from tattooing; that Infection is common;
and that people often have negative physical reactions to the
tattoo pigments are typically presented as signtftcant risk factors.
Most tattoo artists are overtly aware of. and take great pains to
aVOid. these potentially negative consequences. The majority of
studios are kept scrupulously clean. eqUipment is autoclaved or
kept in antibacterial solutions, tattoo needles are used on only
one client, unused pigments are discarded, and customers are
given written Instructions on the steps which should be taken in
order to insure that the tattoo heals properly. Most tattooees are
impressed by the apparent cleanliness of the modern tattoo stu-