Jump to content

Why can't people simply appreciate a tattoo for it's artistic quality?

metalmancpa

By metalmancpa,
in General Tattoo Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

metalmancpa Regular

metalmancpa

Posted
Posted

Long before I got my 1st tattoo at the ripe young age of 50, I always admired them. I didn't necessarily look at tattoos longingly, but I admired them as art. Maybe that's because I played piano since I was 5 years old and was already into the arts.

Now here I am two years later with two upper arm tattoos. And in my small "circle" of peopple I know in this vast world, I've already tasted the tattoo stigma. I have no qualms about telling anyone that I have tattoos. So since I do, I get to see lots of reactions. When I tell people, some of them have tattoos of their own and we share, some of them don't have tattoos but like them, and some just haven't put it on their priority list (haven't given the subject much thought).

But then there are "Those" people. It's the people who cringe at you or can't even look at the tattoo for reasons such as "why would you inflict a wound on yourself?", and then there are those people who frown at you and feel uncomfortable because all of the sudden "you aren't the person I thought you were?". Why can't people just simply look at a tattoo from an artistic/quality viewpoint? Regardless if they like the style or not, at least give me your artistic impression. I realize there are people who don't like art, so if those people just said they are not interested in tattoos, that would be fine. But to berate me, or make me try to feel uncomfortable because I have a tattoo - why bother? (I know, it's because in general people suck). Why put a stigma on something as personal as a tattoo? Hey, if it sucks then tell me, but why stigmatize it?

Damn, this tattoo culture sometimes feels like a cult. Geesh. (But my 80+ year old parents really like both of my tattoos :-) )

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Delicious Champion

Delicious

Posted
Posted

Step one, breathe.

Lol it will be ok.

You will never change people's mind about tattoos if they dislike them. They may change on their own, but nothing you can do will change them.

But you are a 50 year old man. You should know by now how people are in this world, and your tattoos were your own choice, you probably knew someone would disagree. Why do you care about those who said you've changed, you werent the person I thought you were? If a mark on your skin changes people's good opinion of you, then their opinion wasn't worth much to begin with.

You ask, why can't people look at a tattoo for its artistic quality? Why do they stigmatize?

Because they can. Why should they be forced to look at something they do not like and then legitimize it for you? Why do you have to force them to recognize something that they simply cannot... that tattoos are beautiful, but only in our skin, they dont change who we are at our core.

but for you to say, why oh why cant they see it the way I do, and not judge me for the choices I made, is just as intolerant as them saying/doing that stuff to you. We cannot control the minds of others, or ask why. If they like it, they like it, if they don't, then don't associate with them. Also, it won't help your cause to go up to someone you know doesn't like tattoos, whip out your arms, and essentially say "APPRECIATE THE ARTISTIC VALUE!!!! APPRECIATE IT!!! WHY CAN'T YOU APPRECIATE SOMETHING YOU FIND ABHORRENT, BASED ON HOW GOOD I THINK IT LOOKS?

btw, comparing tattoo culture to a cult... maybe you're too enthused about being tattooed? How about comparing tattoo culture to a lifestyle... Cult kinda has bad connotations

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TrixieFaux Champion

TrixieFaux

Posted
Posted

I think it's very shallow.

Then there are those that just have some off-ideas about tattoos. Like my mom said one time, "Doesn't that mean you don't respect your skin?"

She has said a lot of negative stuff about tattoos to me and I always just argue with her lightly and laugh. But that one stumped me for a sec. Respect my skin? Sure. I respect it even more now! What the hell?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
metalmancpa Regular

metalmancpa

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Step one, breathe.

Lol it will be ok.

You will never change people's mind about tattoos if they dislike them. They may change on their own, but nothing you can do will change them.

But you are a 50 year old man. You should know by now how people are in this world, and your tattoos were your own choice, you probably knew someone would disagree. Why do you care about those who said you've changed, you werent the person I thought you were? If a mark on your skin changes people's good opinion of you, then their opinion wasn't worth much to begin with.

You ask, why can't people look at a tattoo for its artistic quality? Why do they stigmatize?

Because they can. Why should they be forced to look at something they do not like and then legitimize it for you? Why do you have to force them to recognize something that they simply cannot... that tattoos are beautiful, but only in our skin, they dont change who we are at our core.

but for you to say, why oh why cant they see it the way I do, and not judge me for the choices I made, is just as intolerant as them saying/doing that stuff to you. We cannot control the minds of others, or ask why. If they like it, they like it, if they don't, then don't associate with them. Also, it won't help your cause to go up to someone you know doesn't like tattoos, whip out your arms, and essentially say "APPRECIATE THE ARTISTIC VALUE!!!! APPRECIATE IT!!! WHY CAN'T YOU APPRECIATE SOMETHING YOU FIND ABHORRENT, BASED ON HOW GOOD I THINK IT LOOKS?

btw, comparing tattoo culture to a cult... maybe you're too enthused about being tattooed? How about comparing tattoo culture to a lifestyle... Cult kinda has bad connotations

I only meant cult to be a very small group versus a culture which is larger. And of course it's a lifestyle.

I guess sitting back and reading my own OP, it looks like this really bothers me. Trust me, it doesn't bother me in the least. Just making a 3rd party observation on my own life, and I get a chuckle out of the whole thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Wedge Contributor

Wedge

Posted
Posted
To sum it up.

Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.

Another good line, one I've used many times but I forget where it came from. I did catch the (I believe) Cheech and Chong Sister Mary Elephant (claaass, claaass, shut up!) reference in another thread too. Good stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Reyeslv Champion

Reyeslv

Posted
Posted
Long before I got my 1st tattoo at the ripe young age of 50, I always admired them. I didn't necessarily look at tattoos longingly, but I admired them as art. Maybe that's because I played piano since I was 5 years old and was already into the arts.

Now here I am two years later with two upper arm tattoos. And in my small "circle" of peopple I know in this vast world, I've already tasted the tattoo stigma. I have no qualms about telling anyone that I have tattoos. So since I do, I get to see lots of reactions. When I tell people, some of them have tattoos of their own and we share, some of them don't have tattoos but like them, and some just haven't put it on their priority list (haven't given the subject much thought).

But then there are "Those" people. It's the people who cringe at you or can't even look at the tattoo for reasons such as "why would you inflict a wound on yourself?", and then there are those people who frown at you and feel uncomfortable because all of the sudden "you aren't the person I thought you were?". Why can't people just simply look at a tattoo from an artistic/quality viewpoint? Regardless if they like the style or not, at least give me your artistic impression. I realize there are people who don't like art, so if those people just said they are not interested in tattoos, that would be fine. But to berate me, or make me try to feel uncomfortable because I have a tattoo - why bother? (I know, it's because in general people suck). Why put a stigma on something as personal as a tattoo? Hey, if it sucks then tell me, but why stigmatize it?

Damn, this tattoo culture sometimes feels like a cult. Geesh. (But my 80+ year old parents really like both of my tattoos :-) )

There are "those people" that refuse to understand so they judge as a defense mechanism. To bad for them for being closed minded. I don't think any of us wanted tattoos so that we fit in with the status quo. With that we accept whatever comes our way regarding criticism. I have friends that are shocked to see the work I have done. Most say that it looks cool, but they admit they don't understand why. Haven't received any feedback questioning the person I am.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
slayer9019 Autobot

slayer9019

Posted
Posted

I think @Stewart Robson hit a good point before in the thread charity volunteer told leave store because her tattoos. You have to realize you are doing something that most people are not going to accept, it kinda comes with the whole getting tattooed thing. I know it sounds kinda harsh but that is the way I look at it as well.

I suggest to just let it slide off your back and go on your way. Life's too short to deal with people that you don't want to be around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dennis Contributor

Dennis

Posted
Posted

I always find it strange when people who aren't exposed to/have interest in tattoos have such difficulty determining the image tattooed on a person. If you show them the same image on a piece of paper, they could point out the constituents of the image with no problem, but the second it's on skin they seem to lose all ability to differentiate between the elements comprising the image.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...