Assumptions based on our own likes and dislikes are dubious and even potentially harmful

True that, on the other hand, trusting people with swastika tats is almost always a bad idea, and if you are - like Cindy is - in a position of responsibility it's never going to be worth the risk.  And hey, me too on that.  I work in show biz.  You know how many Jewish people work in show biz?  I could never hire the person.

Most people seem to NEVER think of the fact that tattoos fade with age. That gorgeous flowy spirally flower you have on your shoulder will be a blurry, odd shape. People who use intricate fonts when tattooing stuff... well, that's just stupid.



If I'll ever tattoo myself, which I doubt, I'll tattoo the Bauhaus logotype, mostly because it's crisp, clear and un-cluttered.

Quote from: PixieBoy on March 04, 2011, 08:36:09 AM
Most people seem to NEVER think of the fact that tattoos fade with age. That gorgeous flowy spirally flower you have on your shoulder will be a blurry, odd shape.

That's why you need to get them re-inked every so often.

That gorgeous flowy spirally flower you have on your shoulder will be a blurry, odd shape.

Yeah, and the cute little butterfly you have put on your butt at 19 looks like Mothra when you're 40.

Quote from: tekla on March 04, 2011, 08:41:07 AM
That gorgeous flowy spirally flower you have on your shoulder will be a blurry, odd shape.

Yeah, and the cute little butterfly you have put on your butt at 19 looks like Mothra when you're 40.

True, but it makes for an oh so fun conversation when your kid asks you what a tramp stamp is.  OT but I wonder how kids "accidentally" see a Girls Gone Wild commerical and say "Mommie, that looks like you!" or how many parents found out just what their daughter was doing on spring break the same way.  I suppose its all one in the same.

One of them very old, and super crusty biker dudes told me when I was a teenager "Look kid, don't be stupid and do anything that make it easier for the man to identify you." 

Quote from: tekla on March 04, 2011, 08:41:07 AM
Yeah, and the cute little butterfly you have put on your butt at 19 looks like Mothra when you're 40.

ROFLMAO   

I like tattoos, piercings and body modification in general. They don't define me, but they are an important part of my identity and to be honest I like having visible piercings and tattoos, it's like a litmus test for people I'd rather avoid...i.e. if you're so bloody shallow that you'll judge me on my appearence than bye bye *waves*

and for the record I have 3 and will be getting a 4th later this month and they are all visible 90% of the time. And I don't regret any of them.

Quote from: Shades O'Grey on March 04, 2011, 10:20:16 AM
ROFLMAO   

Lol, good god the one on my ass is going to look weird someday. And the one on my hip, well, that one already IS weird.

Quote from: Helena on March 04, 2011, 10:42:36 AM
I like tattoos, piercings and body modification in general. They don't define me, but they are an important part of my identity and to be honest I like having visible piercings and tattoos, it's like a litmus test for people I'd rather avoid...i.e. if you're so bloody shallow that you'll judge me on my appearence than bye bye *waves*

Exactly. I also take offense at having my personal expressions labeled as a "fad" and resent the fact that they would limit my employment opportunities (even more) if I were to get as many as I wanted to. Surely it sounds a little familiar to have a negative preconception applied to you based on your appearance? Doesn't ring any bells?

I have only one thing that is visible most of the time - I scarred the word "Love" into my forearm as a joke about To Write Love On Her Arms for the Sydney Fringe Festival. I work in sales and very rarely will a customer notice and if they do it's great conversation fodder. I was very lucky to find the employer I did because every other job I have been interviewed for has been lost as soon as I met them in person no matter how overqualified I was and that was before the scar. Some of my heavily tattooed friends experience just as much prejudice for the way they look as I do and it saddens me to see some trans people having the same prejudices when they should know better.

Oh and I have four tattoos other than the carving so far, they're all jokes and anybody who says I will regret them when I get older doesn't know me very well.

My tattoo artist has quite a lot of swastikas (patterns made up of them) on his neck and elsewhere and I was asking him about them, he's most definitely not any sort of Nazi or racist in any way. Like a lot of other people he is interested in them for the pre-Nazi meanings (it was a symbol for good luck) and there is a movement to educate people about this, though I don't think they will have a lot of success unfortunately. Here's a link for anyone interested: http://reclaimtheswastika.com/

Quote from: Imadique on March 04, 2011, 11:21:59 PMSurely it sounds a little familiar to have a negative preconception applied to you based on your appearance? Doesn't ring any bells?

Nope.  No bells.  It sounds more like the noise you get when you knock on wood.

Soooo I'm gonna guess that you arn't into tatts? lol

I have two huge tatts on my arms. I wear long sleeves to interviews and its never kept me from getting a job. Everyone always says it will but so far it hasn't effected me in the least.

I think tattoos are a wonderful way to express yourself. Every single one of my tatts has a lot of meaning and a lot of thought was put into them. They all are a tribute to my family or my own life so I can't really speak for the drunk girl that goes and gets a dolphin tramp stamp but heck if a someone really wants to get one of those then who am I to say "that's stupid?"

just my two cents, spend it where you wish.

I hate it when I write a reply and then the internet connection turns off.

My comment was that I personally didn't like tattoos, so I don't have any. I'm totally supportive of people who want them, unless they are minors, and I think society generally wouls support that view. I also live in a part of the world where the Aboriginal people have tattoos as part of their society, the same as Maori's. No issue.

What I seem to be being picked up one is my refusal to employ people who have racist or violent tattoos. I have interviewed hundreds of people over the years, and yes it is an employers market at the moment. If a person turns up for an interview with any sign that they are not a team player, may be irresponsible, may not be committed, have poor hygiene, are uninterested, have not done basic research about the job, I will not employ them. I totally don't care about there gender or sexuality (I mean get real), their religion, their age, their ethnic background etc etc. But if someone displays any sign that they may not be team players, may be disruptive, may be in any way someone I cannot depend upon 100%, I will not employ them.  If a person presents in a three piece Armani suit with knuckle dusters hanging out of their pocket, I will not employ them. Why should I? I have to make choices between people to employ, if there is any reason to suspect that the person will not fit in, that's enough. I don't care if someone comes for interview with their face totally tattooed as a work of art, no problem, I would probably give them extra points for being interesting. I like to employ interesting people.  If someone presents in a potential violent manner, then no way.

Cindy

Quote from: CindyJames on March 05, 2011, 01:29:05 AM


What I seem to be being picked up one is my refusal to employ people who have racist or violent tattoos.

If you're referring to my post about the swastikas I wasn't intending to pick on you (or Tekla), I was merely trying to point out that there are a lot of people who have them for very different reasons than the one most people would suspect. Personally I don't think the Swastika will ever be reclaimed, just felt the point had to be made on behalf of someone I respect very much.

However without intending this as an attack on you personally, but because your words are best representing an attitude I've seen held by others here as well, I feel that this is a terrible hypocrisy:

Quote from: CindyJames
As Tekla pointed out it is a fad. I think maybe coming out of cable shows such as LA Ink etc. While I appreciate the artwork involved, and the pain tolerance  the person has, the large 'arty' tattoos are probably unable to be removed by any laser technology currently available, so if someone wants them removed they would be looking at skin grafts, and big ones at that.

But people do weird stuff without thinking through the consequences.

Surely if an anti trans activist was writing our identities off as a fad and saying that it will be too hard for us to get back to normal once we come to our senses (as we surely will because we are doing something weird without thinking of the consequences) that would raise a little bit of ire with you?

Dear Imadique,

I am very happy to explore this, I'm very happy to improve my life and my attitude to people. If I have been disrespectful, please show me where. Where is the hypocrisy? What part of another person presenting to advertise hurt, torture and abuse of people is acceptable?

Cindy

It's incredibly difficult to find someone in todays youth that does not have a mody modification of some sort. Tattoos are getting increasingly popular.

It has become so mainstream I do not know how you're still linking tattoos with bikers and gangs.

Some people don't like tattoos and that's their opinion, but to judge so harshly based upon a simple choice someone makes about their own body is ridiculous.
Sure some people make silly decisions with their tattoos but that should not be what you judge the majority for.

Plus I don't think anyone except an idiot would remove their tattoo with box cutters.
There is a thing called a tattoo removal lazer - yes the results aren't perfect but it makes a whole lot more sense than trying to cut it off.

Xander I understood the reference was to people wanting to leave a gang having them forcibly removed by the gang members, regardless of their own wishes in the matter.

Removal of a tattoo by laser is dependent upon bleaching the pigment with intense light energy, as produced by a laser (to be simplistic). The effectiveness will depend on how much pigment there is, the depth of the pigment and the colour of the pigment,  I can assure you if you have heavy, large pigmented tattoos you are looking at having your skin burnt off before loosing them. The reference to bikies and gangs etc, there was a case in Australia were they 'removed'  his club colours with acid and paint strippers.

I do not and have not in my posts linked tattoos to gangs etc. Please read the post before replying.

My posts are not anti-tattoo but caution people who think to have them.

Read ten times, post once.

Cindy

Quote from: Imadique on March 04, 2011, 11:36:51 PM
My tattoo artist has quite a lot of swastikas (patterns made up of them) on his neck and elsewhere and I was asking him about them, he's most definitely not any sort of Nazi or racist in any way. Like a lot of other people he is interested in them for the pre-Nazi meanings (it was a symbol for good luck) and there is a movement to educate people about this, though I don't think they will have a lot of success unfortunately. Here's a link for anyone interested: http://reclaimtheswastika.com/

That unfortunately is no different then the Confederate Flag, only becuase of the evil things it was used to represent AFTER the Civil War.  But I've used that reference point many times, the swastika was around long before the Nazis.

Interestingly enough, now that you've reminded me, I was fairly political at one point (who isn't in their early 20s).  I had this idead for a pink triangle on the inside of my wrist, it wasn't as bold as tattooing numbers but I wanted to send the same message.  I never did get that tattoo...