A few months ago I was having a discussion with someone who had recently dealt with a lot of negative comments regarding her tattoos. The usual.. “You’re going to look terrible when you’re older,” and “You’re not going to find a job because you’re tattooed.” It struck a chord with me because I’ve heard those very same comments firsthand about my own artwork. First off… can we all agree that no one is going to look all that great when they’re 70?! Well, except for Martha Stewart.. she looks pretty damn good at 72, but tattooed or not, we ALL get old and gravity can be cruel! Secondly, it’s 2013! It’s much easier to find employers that are now more accepting of tattoos and other body modifications. To say that it’s impossible to find a job because you’re a tattooed individual is just an antiquated way of thinking.
Many people will also make assumptions that we’re drug abusers, degenerates, criminals, or if you’re a girl, tattoos mean you’re promiscuous. I’ve had all kinds of names and accusations slung at me because I’m a tattooed female. Someone even once implied that I exchanged favors for free tattoo work.. Sorry to disappoint you sweetheart, but the only currency exchanged was CASH.
Unfortunately, we will always have these stereotypes, but how do we overcome it or at least deal with it without losing our temper every time?
My initial reaction to coworkers, acquaintances, strangers, and even some family was to tell them EXACTLY where they could stick their negative comments, but then I realized, getting angry every time would just be playing into the stereotype of a classless, brash, foul-mouthed, tattooed miscreant. Instead I use those comments as coal to my fire to work hard, become successful, and ultimately overcome and surpass the people that doubted me. We can get upset at these disapproving human beings or we can just smile and agree to disagree.
Also, remember that staring doesn’t always imply a bad thing. I know it’s uncomfortable when you’re gawked at like a zoo animal, but they may not even realize they’re doing it! Despite us living in the twenty-first century, where it seems uncommon to meet someone WITHOUT tattoos, there are still quite a few people that have NOT been exposed to seeing heavily tattooed individuals. They may just be in awe at the quality, your courage, and your commitment to display your love of art on your body. Now when you get the ‘stink-eye’ from someone.. that’s a different story, but instead of flipping them the bird, just smile! You’ll either make them feel like an asshole for..well.. being an asshole or you’re going to scare them! Win-win!
It’s a total cliché, but remember that it’s not about winning the battle, it’s about winning the war. You may not change someone’s mind about tattoos right away, but by presenting yourself intelligently and respectfully you’ll place yourself above the negative views some might have and maybe.. just maybe they might realize they were wrong about you and come to accept the way you live your life.
How have you overcome negative comments about your tattoos?
Karen says
I don’t have any tattoos, but enjoy your articles about them. My step daughter has some tattoos,(sad to say not fine line art but I know she likes them) – but I live in a tiny town, so not many very tattooed people here. I don’t stare. : )
But I do not drive, and someone took me thrift shopping to Des Moines, and I admit when I saw a cute young man with his pants way down, and undies showing, I kind of looked sideways carefully, as you just never see that in small town life. I did smile at him and say hi, and we continued to browse the used items. I will try to remember what you write, as I could use some education in this matter.
I like to buy temporary tattoos, cut them up and make myself a custom body art… I just like temporary. This is considered ‘wild’ in my town! I am 54.
Sasha says
Haha Karen, any man that’s going to wear his pants halfway down his arse DESERVES a sideways look!
laura says
i’m a very tattooed lady and come in contact with a lot of people every day. (i’m a hair stylist) It’s not common to see people around there very tattooed (princeton nj) so i get a lot of questions and comments. someone even said on a survey once “you are in a very nice location but you hire people covered in tattoos” i’ve compensated by being overly polite. people say “you look like you could be my kids kindergarten teacher but then you have the tattoos” or “you look like the girl next door then have the tattoos” which i now reply “i continue to get tattooed to break the tattooed lady stereotype” no one really knows what to say to that!
Sasha says
I love your response to them! It’s always interesting to see how people treat you before and after seeing that you have tattoos!
Jessica says
When I was giving birth to my son (without drugs by the way, all natural baby) my OB came into the room and said, “I can’t believe you’re in this much pain with all those tattoos you have”.
As if getting a tattoo comes any freaking where near what getting a tattoo feels like. If I hadn’t have been in so much pain and needed him to get the lil monster out of me, I would have kicked him in the head while he was down there! Guess I will still just as agro even 13 years ago, LOL!!
Sasha says
Hahaha “I would have kicked him in the head while he was down there!” Amazing.
Abi says
HA! Childbirth and tattoos-two extremely different pains. I tried getting a bikini wax ONCE. I HAVE a tattoo on my pubis, and waxing is the most unholy hurt I have ever experienced in my entire life. I have 13 tattoos so far. I intend to get more. I’m a Stay-at-home mom, a wife, a college student. After my dad passed in 2011, I got a commemorative Bugs Bunny in a NY Mets uniform in his honor, and I showed it to my son’s preschool teacher. It was my 11th tattoo, but all my other tattoos are mostly covered up by clothing. The comment I got was “Wow. That’s a really big tattoo for a first one.” My response, “It would be, but it’s my eleventh.” The looks I got were pretty funny. Yep. Stereotypes are stupid. Thanks for sharing this, Sasha.
Ellie says
Sasha!
You are totally inspiring. I LOVE that mentality. I agree that sometimes it is totally weird getting gawked at…and as a female, we hear and see it all…but smiling and just kind of letting it go is so important. Adding fuel to the fire of those stigmas is not good. We do need to show people that we are professional, reliable, honest…and so on! I work in commercial real estate in Alberta (Canada) which is especially an old school kind of mentality because its still very heavily ruled by men. So this is extremely important to show people that I am all of those things…but I just have some awesome tattoos as a cherry on top! 🙂
Thank you Sasha, you are bad ass and very inspiring!
Sasha says
Thank you Ellie! It’s good to hear that there are others out there trying to put forth their best even in a world that gives them less than that.
Thank you again for your kind words! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!