Of Tattooing

Oh My god I'm having a writer's block. This sucks! Can't seem to write anything that make sense... no, make that worth a read. But enuf! i said to myself. Unless I make a effort, i am never going to be able to do it. So here i go on my merry journey down writers' lane. But still convalescing, am starting off simple.

What do I write abt? I think to myself... and i KNOW... Tattoos!!!

In the short period since I graced the earth, I'd like to think that I've been places, not to many, but enough for me to make my point in this post.

The different places am talkin' abt is in terms of mentalities...

All of my teenage years i've lived in a place which i have found claustrophobic. Why? because people are so scared to express themselves, so afraid to JUS FOR ONCE say what they actually think (about themselves, no qualms on gossiping abt others) , what they feel, what they want to do? That's the adults, the kids either feel the same or have been made so hollow skulled that they dont even know that they can think except for studies or judging others, that is. There is fear that one might not fit in and become brunt of "wagging tongues".

There is this place, and then there is the other where people do, say, think what they want. Not that they don't have their inhibitions and hypocrisies, but its jus that they are a much more open minded lot. And it is in this lot that i saw an almost aggravated need to make themselves set out as different from the herd. But the million dollar question here is - Are they Trying too hard?

With these two thoughts in mind, let's look at the question for the month. Why are people with tattoos judged as they are?

To start with a bit of history... Those with Thaasophobia, which to you iilliterates is fear of boredom, can skip this. Anyway, Tattooing has been a practice since the 4th century BC. Their purposes have ranged from jus decorative to spiritual. This is where the picture of the tattoo covered tribals dancing naked around an open flame paints true. Also another use was in the military where soldiers were identified and kept count over with tattoos. Also in India people in villages, etc have been seen to sport green colored tattoos of their loved ones' or spouses' names.

Now I know what thought has crossed all our minds when we see such people. I mean when people, maybe related to us, distant or close, sport tattoos, then why are we forbidden or frowned upon for the same. The answer is simple, today the tattoos are such blatant graphic expressions that they don't actually compare with the miniscule, green, barely visible ones our great great grandparents used to sport.

I think one big reason that tattoos are so controversial is because of their permanency. Oh and of course the discomfort which has been misconstrued by some as pain. Of course, now there are corny variations to the same, called temporary tattoos, which most of the young generation has sported at one point of time or the other. Serous Tattoo enthusiasts, when asked, will tell you that getting a tattoo is a very emotional experience. The tattoo is a depiction of a belief or a thought which is very close to one's heart and therefore the permanency of it also become a statement.

So putting it all in the shell of a nut, one reason could be that, sporting a tattoo is construed as wearing ones heart on the sleeve, which in many orthodox societies has been frowned upon. And lets not forget the leather clad troublemakers, who made tattoos their trademark.

But the main reason for the awkward looks i think is because of a tiny bit of envy floating at the edge which manifests itself as disgust among the so called conservative. And among the so called broad minded, is the feeling of fear that they are not accepted in the society which they cover up by flouting it (society and its rules) more.