Nice People Have Tattoos Too!

I find it very interesting that no matter where I go, I manage to meet some nice people. Not always “normal” people, but interesting ones, which I like a lot better anyway. And who’s really “normal” anyway? What’s normal to me, may be totally strange or weird to someone else.

For example, I think it’s very normal for someone to have tattoos. Maybe I wouldn’t get one on certain areas of my own body(neck, head, face, etc.), but I do like them. A lot. To me, they are just another form of personal expression, an art form, and some are really outstanding and very intricate.

Recently, I was speaking with my mother, and I happened to mention that I was thinking that I’d like to get another tattoo, and you would have thought that I told her I was growing another head with four eyes and long sharp teeth. What? Do I live in England?

Also recently, I started working for a new company that “happened” to mention in a group orientation that “Although we don’t frown against anyone having tattoos, you must completely have them covered when you’re at work.” Well, lucky for me my tattoos (with the exception of a very, very tiny on one of my hands) are all in places where they can’t be seen. But I ask you……what does having a tattoo have to do with how someone does their job?

I’ve met some of the “sweetest” people, who happen to have tattoos. What if I judged them for it, and didn’t talk to them just because they chose to decorate THEIR own personal body in a way that makes them happy? Does getting the ink make them evil, hateful, mean people? I hope not! My own mother-in law has a small tattoo and she’s one of the prettiest people I know, inside and out!

Sure, it’s important when first meeting someone for a job interview, that the person getting interviewed makes a good, first impression. Wear the proper clothes for the job, take a shower, comb the hair, etc. But say that when it comes time to shake that person’s hand, the interviewer sees a tattoo on their fingers or hand. Should that be a “strike” against that person, before even hearing what they have to offer?

Each of my tattoos (three in total) means something to me. They reflect times in my life that I felt were important enough to put on my body. Key word.. MY body. Not anyone else’s. In fact, my most recent tattoo is in memory of my beloved cat Forest, who I loved so much, and still miss him to this day. It’s my favorite tattoo.

True, some professions are more “corporate” than others. But say the job is just a general “office” job, where the only people that the new hire (with tattoos) will come in contact with will be his/her fellow co-workers. Why does that person need to cover their art if it has absolutely nothing to do with their job responsibilities?

But even my own mother thinks that a woman with “too many” tattoos, looks “improper”, and “cheap”.

Sorry mom, but I’m neither cheap or improper. I’m just “me”. I’m sure that she doesn’t mean to say that that is how she sees me, but that other people may look at me that way.

Do I care? Nope. (love you mom….)

Will I get another tattoo in the future? Probably. I’d say the chances are 8 out of 10 that I will at some point, but when and if I do, it’ll be because I want to, and I’m not going to worry about what anyone thinks of me for getting one. It doesn’t make me a bad person, just one that appreciates the hard work it takes to do a really good tattoo. It’s how I chose to express myself, and just like choosing to wear make-up, dye my hair, and however I dress, it’s how I express myself, my own taste, and it has NOTHING to do with my heart, my belief in God, or how I treat others.

So please, don’t judge me or others for having tattoos. Some of us are really nice people. Are we normal? Probably not. Do we want to be? Probably not. Do I get a slight kick out of people that look at me funny for having tattoos? Well, YEAH!

Makes me smile just thinking about it!

Peace