Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo
Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo
45 Becoming and Being a Tattooed Person R-No, but he says he wants to get some.... Hey, this really doesn't hurt that much. It doesn't go in very deep, does it? It's like picking a splinter out of your skin. I was going to get either a unicorn or a pegasus. I had my sister draw one up because I thought they just drew the picture on you or something. I didn't know they did it this way (with an acetate stencil). I guess this makes a lot more sense. S-You ever been in a tattoo shop before this? R-No, this is my first time. Another guy was going to come in with me, but he chickened out. As will be apparent in later chapters, tattooists, for the most part, are quite patient about answering the questions clients ask with numbing regularity (pain, price, and permanence). This helps to put the recipient more at ease, smooths the service delivery interaction, and increases the chances that a satisfied customer-who will recommend the shop to his or her friends and perhaps return again for additional work-will leave the establishment (see Govenar, 1977; Becker and Clark, 1979; St. Clair and Govenar, 1981). Choosing a Design and Body Location Tattooees commonly described the basic reasons for deciding to become tattooed in very general terms. Wearing a tattoo connected the person to significant others who were similarly marked, made one unique by separating him or her from those who were too convention-bound to so alter their bodies, symbolized freedom or self-control. and satisfied an aesthetic desire to decorate the physical self. 6 The image one chooses, on the other hand, is usually selected for a specific reason. Typically, design choice is related to the person's connection to other people, his or her definition of self or, especially in the case of women, the desire to enhance and beautify the body. One of the most common responses to my question, "How did you go about deciding on this particular tattoo?" was a reference to a personal associate with whom they had a close emotional relationship. Some chose a particular tattoo because it was like that
46 Becoming and Being a Tattooed Person worn by a close friend or a member of their family. Others chose a design that incorporated the name of their boy friend, girl friend, spouse, or child or a design associated with that person (for example, zodiac signs). I had this homemade cross and skull here and I needed a coverup. [The tattooist) couldn't just do anything so I thought to myself, "My daughter was born in May and that's the Bull." I'm leaving the rest of this arm clean because it is just for my daughter. If I ever get married 111 put something here [on the other arm). 111 get a rose or something for my wife. This tattoo is a symbol of friendship. Me and my best friend-I've known him since I could walk-came in together and we both got bluebirds to have a symbol that when we do part we will remember each other by it. The ongoing popularity of "vow tattoos" such as the traditional heart with "MOM" or flowers with a ribbon on which the loved one's name is written attests to the importance of tattooing as a way of symbolically expressing love and commitment (Hardy, 1982a). Similarly, tattoos are used to demonstrate connection and commitment to a group. For example, military personnel pick tattoos that relate to their particular service, motorcycle gang members choose club insignia, and members of sports teams enter a shop en masse and all receive the same design. Tattoos are also employed as symbolic representations of how one conceives of the self, or interests and activities that are key features of self-definition. Tattooees commonly choose their birth sign or have their name or nickname inscribed on their bodies. Others choose more abstract symbols of the self. I put a lot of thought into this tattoo. I'm an English lit major and I thought that the medieval castle had a lot of significance. I'm an idealist and I thought that that was well expressed by a castle with clouds. Plus, I'm blond and I wanted something blue. [Quote from fieldnotesl Two guys in their twenties come in and look at the flash. After looking around for a while one of the guys come over to me and asks if we have any bees. I tell him to look through the book (of small designs) because I have seen
- Page 24 and 25: Preface to the First Edition xxiii
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46 Becoming and Being a <strong>Tattoo</strong>ed Person<br />
worn by a close friend or a member of <strong>the</strong>ir family. O<strong>the</strong>rs chose a<br />
design that incorporated <strong>the</strong> name of <strong>the</strong>ir boy friend, girl friend,<br />
spouse, or child or a design associated with that person (for example,<br />
zodiac signs).<br />
I had this homemade cross and skull here and I needed a<br />
coverup. [The tattooist) couldn't just do anything so I thought<br />
to myself, "<strong>My</strong> daughter was born in May and that's <strong>the</strong> Bull."<br />
I'm leaving <strong>the</strong> rest of this arm clean because it is just for my<br />
daughter. If I ever get married 111 put something here [on <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r arm). 111 get a rose or something for my wife.<br />
This tattoo is a symbol of friendship. Me and my best<br />
friend-I've known him since I could walk-came in toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
and we both got bluebirds to have a symbol that when we do<br />
part we will remember each o<strong>the</strong>r by it.<br />
The ongoing popularity of "vow tattoos" such as <strong>the</strong> traditional<br />
heart with "MOM" or flowers with a ribbon on which <strong>the</strong> loved one's<br />
name is written attests to <strong>the</strong> importance of tattooing as a way of<br />
symbolically expressing love and commitment (Hardy, 1982a).<br />
Similarly, tattoos are used to demonstrate connection and commitment<br />
to a group. For example, military personnel pick tattoos<br />
that relate to <strong>the</strong>ir particular service, motorcycle gang members<br />
choose club insignia, and members of sports teams enter a shop<br />
en masse and all receive <strong>the</strong> same design.<br />
<strong>Tattoo</strong>s are also employed as symbolic representations of how<br />
one conceives of <strong>the</strong> self, or interests and activities that are key<br />
features of self-definition. <strong>Tattoo</strong>ees commonly choose <strong>the</strong>ir birth<br />
sign or have <strong>the</strong>ir name or nickname inscribed on <strong>the</strong>ir bodies.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>rs choose more abstract symbols of <strong>the</strong> self.<br />
I put a lot of thought into this tattoo. I'm an English lit major<br />
and I thought that <strong>the</strong> medieval castle had a lot of significance.<br />
I'm an idealist and I thought that that was well expressed by a<br />
castle with clouds. Plus, I'm blond and I wanted something blue.<br />
[Quote from fieldnotesl Two guys in <strong>the</strong>ir twenties come in and<br />
look at <strong>the</strong> flash. After looking around for a while one of <strong>the</strong><br />
guys come over to me and asks if we have any bees. I tell him<br />
to look through <strong>the</strong> book (of small designs) because I have seen
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