Tatoos - How do you percieve them?

[afterdarkimhandsome]

Dawn / Everybody,

I thought this discussion would have many different views and thats why i decided to ask about it, i have no personal side on this one as i can understand all sides to it, even though i think id be classed as having a few tatoos (sorry bout the spelling) (Good job someone else done those tatoos)

i wanted to respond now as Dawn mentioned having a tatoo in memory of her father. My most visible tatoo is on the inside of my right fore arm with a 3 paragraphed poem on it. It was a poem written by my grandfather and i have words provided by and his name at the bottom - it draws many peoples attention, not because they think im a tatoo freak and a head case, as if they spent 2 minutes in my company they think the complete opposite, but because it intrigues them. I like the fact they ask. Its my last show of love for my grandad . Nobody really cares to read it but understand why its there. Like i said nothing that cant be hidden by a shirt though.

On the same token though, i had a tatoo on my arm which i regretted and had it coverred by another - age was the mistake there - ! Thats why i can understand some peoples reasoning on that - although i managed to stay of the herion and kill myself, although im not 40 yet....?

i also came across a guy back home who had his complete face coverred in tatoos and when people stared at him would beat them senseless whilst asking what they were looking at .... obvious to me like..?

Suppose the real answer is that its the person and not the tatoo...

Darren

[Guess]

I got the impression that the Thai (atleast middle/upper class) very much look down on tattoos and view tattoos as something shameful.

David a very pertinent statement. It was the same in the UK in the sixties/seventies.

No middle class or upwards person would ever condider having a tattoo.

Tattoos were often adopted by servicemen to ensure that everybody knew where they belonged in society during the war stricken 19th century.

No officer would have one as he would generally (escuse the pun) be addressed by his rank in his own circles.

Anybody with tattoo would then automatically be associated with lower classes .

I believe that this phylosophy has been adopted in many parts of Asia, certainly not only Thailand.

As for Perente, I understand that the image of the English, tattooed, skinhead, football supporting thug is not one to be proud of. But remember where the white Ozzies originated.

I think that Dawn has summed it up very well. My upbringing was middle class and when I got two tattoos done when I was fourteen even my mother stopped loving me for a while. I had to spent about two months pocket money and paper round wages in boxes of chocolates and flowers before she would speak to me again. Both my parents were from millitary backgrounds so maybe that had some bearing on opinions.

BTW Dawn, I will not believe you have any tattoos unless you post a photo on the Internet.

As Dawn says tattoos have become mainstram. They have skipped a generation are have now become almost compulsory in many walks of life.

Now as for lagger louts. The correct term I believe is Lager louts. A lagger or an Old Lag is someone who spends most his life in prison.

On that subject a certain tattooless poster should not throw stones in the Hua Hin glasshouse.

As for the haircut thing, sometimes is just plain practical.

[caller]

Hmm - I think maybe I was a bit OTT! It had been a pig of a day and a few beers didn't take the edge of.

I don't like them though. Accept its a personal thing.

I stand by the link to "trouble" for want of a better word and lifestyle with my generation but accept it was pertinent only to the environment where I grew up.

You kind of knew the type of guys that would get them and those you knew as well. They weren't discreet. they were worn loud to send out a message.

Its just always swayed my views on these things.

With the drug thing - please don't ask my views on that - we were 17 when my first friend died. That one made the papers - he had a famous father. He wasn't the last.

Apologies if I offended anyone.

[Hails]

I have two tattoos that I abhore, and am getting them both removed at the moment (will have to suss laser treatment in BKK, I imagine it's not possible in HH).

I don't mind tattoos, but I just think you have to be so sure about what you get and where you get them.

[Hails]

Also in NZ many maori men get their whole faces tattooed, lots of polynesians get their whole bodies tattooed (the old way, not nice needles like we use), and many maori women get a 'moko', a tattoo that covers their chin. It's a cultural thing.

[Jaime]

Hails; at Loi Khratong a few years ago now (Christ it's gone so quickly) near Wat Po I saw a Thai fella getting tattooed all across his back by the banks of the Chao Phrya with the old sharpened bamboo stick & ink etc. Looked nasty!

As for the stigma etc. attached to tattoos - I am of working class stock, tattooed as a working class, 2nd gen immigrant, 17 year old (like everyone else of my peer group), then went to tech college, then university and became an architect. Have letters coming out of my arse now, let alone after my name. It is people that count and as caller himself has posted in another thread, how they perform, rather than what their background is that should matter. I am happy with my blurred 'scum' tattoo - it reminds me of where I came from and that I am just one small part of humanity - no better or worse than anyone else. Oh, and Caller, if I presented for interview through your organisation you should give me a job because I am fucking good - tattoos or no tattoos! (Sorry, my excuse for swearing & aggressive tone :- drunk, Welsh (assimilated immigrant variety), working class & tattooed - chips on both shoulders but with a newniversity edication of course - the most dangerous and subversive branch of the working classes )

Up the tattooed revolution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Hic..!)

[DawnHRD]

Guess,
Not about to post a photo of my back on the internet. It'll put everyone off their booze!
Next time we meet, I'll show you them if you want. they're both in very respectable, but easily covered places!

[dr dave soul monsta]

I Have one or two small ones (not that small) but for the majority of the time they are covered up not only for the respect of our hosts but to stop fading and having to go through a session of touch ups

unlike the arrogant grungy who was in the post office with the very blurry image on his back , purple fisherman pants and Bob Marley hair cut who to say the least offended me as well I can imagine the rest of the waiting customers and staff at thai post office counters

A message for him TAKE A Bath Cut Your Hair and put a bleeding T shirt on

[DawnHRD]

Think you've hit the nail on the head there, Dr Dave.
It's not the tattoos per se that put people off; it's the overall image the people themselves portray. If your general image is that of a "loser", "deadbeat", whatever - tattoos will only exacerbate that. The tattoos themselves aren't always the problem, it's the general picture!

[Perente]

Guess

. But remember where the white Ozzies originated.

Well, mine were a mixture of Scots, French and English, all by their own choice, all from different social backgrounds - sea captains, high court judges, merchants and fishermen - and I still end up broke and tattoo'd, but out of trouble and ( still ) off the drugs. ( Alcohol doesn't really count, does it... )
However, I'd have to agree that

the image of the English, tattooed, skinhead, football supporting thug is not one to be proud of.

None-the-less, having a tatto does not automatically make one English, skinhead, football supporting nor a thug............Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi......

[david83]

Think you've hit the nail on the head there, Dr Dave.
It's not the tattoos per se that put people off; it's the overall image the people themselves portray. If your general image is that of a "loser", "deadbeat", whatever - tattoos will only exacerbate that. The tattoos themselves aren't always the problem, it's the general picture!

I think you are right, to a certain degree atleast. Of course the general appearance makes quite a difference yet there are alot of people who seem to look down on even "normal" looking people. I for one do, normally, not look like a loser or so I hope but still people do react strangely to my tattooes sometime.

I think it will change though, when I did my tattooes it was not as common as it is today, in 1998 ok it was common but not to the extreme it is today.

Or maybe they reacted that way because I was 14

[Guess]

Guess

. But remember where the white Ozzies originated.

Well, mine were a mixture of Scots, French and English, all by their own choice, all from different social backgrounds - sea captains, high court judges, merchants and fishermen - and I still end up broke and tattoo'd, but out of trouble and ( still ) off the drugs. ( Alcohol doesn't really count, does it... )
However, I'd have to agree that

the image of the English, tattooed, skinhead, football supporting thug is not one to be proud of.

None-the-less, having a tatto does not automatically make one English, skinhead, football supporting nor a thug............Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi......

Perente,

As I know you I fully accept your statement regarding you ancestry. I sincerly appologise and will never again assume that you are the descendant of 18th Century London Street Joeys.

I am joking of course (as usual) and understand that the modern Australia has become a cosmoploitan society. I have even heard there are still some Abos (maybe tattooed) around.

[caller]

chips on both shoulders but with a newniversity edication of course - the most dangerous and subversive branch of the working classes )

Up the tattooed revolution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Hic..!)

Thats okay Jaime. As I've only got a chip on one shoulder, you'll be better balanced than me. But I'll bet ya as to whoze the most working class - despite the 2nd generation immi thing. We all were at some stage!

Even in my seemingly lillywhite skin, rumour has it there is Spanish, Irish and God forbid, Scottish blood. Me, I'm from R'ampton!

Never got to Uni, They wouldn't let me finish Skool.

[Farang]

’
When reading about tattoos, I frequently see terms “not visibleâ€

[Guess]

Me, I'm from R'ampton!

I hope that apostrophe was intentional and that ther should be some letters in it's place.

If you are from Rampton (DSPDU) Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder Unit, then I think that whether or not you have tattoos is of no importance whatsoever.

I hope though it is really the leafy suburb Roehamton, a mere jog from the hallowed turf.

A few "You'll never walk alone" to be seen tomorrow.

For some scousers that is a must have tattoo. Without it you might considered a wussy or even worse, an Everton supporter.