As a gen-x’er, I have a tendency to watch social trends in our society. One trend that seems to be increasing in popularity, is Tattoo and body piercing. The most recent Harris Poll (completed in 2003) found that 16% of Americans had at least one tattoo. In 1936, Life Magazine estimated that 6% of Americans had at least one tattoo. Tattoo is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S., with over 15,000 shops operating in the U.S. (I can think of at least 5 shops that operate in Idaho Falls). According to the Documentary “Generation Next,” (airing this month on PBS) 25% of people aged 16-25 have at least one piercing in a place other than the ear. Even ‘legitimate’ television channels like TLC and A&E have shows about tattoo shops in Miami and Las Vegas, respectively.
While some dismiss tattoo as an art form because of disease risks (hepatitis, HIV, etc.) it should be noted that there have been ZERO documented cases of HIV spread from tattoo, and people are 300% more likely to get hepatitis from a visit to the dentist’s office. (Stats for the preceding two paragraphs were found HERE.)
Note that generally speaking, when I think of tattoo’d people, I think of normal, average, everyday people with one or two pieces, not people that are covered from head to foot with skulls, swastikas, and naked ladies. I think that society still places those with multiple body modifications on its fringes, and those people who have chosen multiple body modifications are happy to stay on the fringes (I am friends with several, and that is what makes them happy.)
Given these trends, what is the opinion of local business owners and operators about people with tattoos and piercings? If you are performing a job interview for two equally qualified candidates for a public position, (both are well dressed, in a button-up shirt and pants) will you hire the one who is not tattoo’d, or the one with the bottom of a tattoo (let’s say about 1″ of brightly colored skin, with no discernable pattern) hanging out of his shirt? What if you glimpse a tongue piercing while they are speaking to you?
In your opinion, is the very conservative community of Idaho Falls becoming more accepting of body art in general, or do you think that discrimination against those with tattoos or piercings is a problem in our community? On an even more basic level, is tattoo ART, or is it societal rebellion?
(On a personal note, the author has several tattoos, one of which is slightly visible when wearing a short sleeve shirt. The author has never been discriminated against as a result of these tattoos [to his knowledge]…)
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Gato got runned over by Marcus many moons ago. Be ye daft, 2486? 
Let's have a new poll, alright, Joe?
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Living in South Florida most of my life, I had come to accept seeing body piercings and people with ink on a daily basis. In a tropical enviroment like that, people don’t wear many clothes, so you get to see everyone’s tattoos and piercings alot more then you would here in Idaho Falls. Personally, at 39y/o I’m glad I never succommed to this “fad”. And really….that’s all it is. Why someone would want to put a permanant picture on their body is beyond me, but that’s just my opinion. All I know is…the majority of the people I knew in South Florida that ended up getting tatoos, ended up wishing they didn’t after a few years. Then you see these people that have their arms and legs COVERED with them and you think…WHAT in the world were THEY THINKING??? They’ll never be able to get a decent job and they’ll always be ridiculed behind their backs. All the people I knew in Florida that had their arms and legs covered like that…were blue collar workers and always will be. Most of them did construction or warehouse work because whether you want to believe it or not…it still isn’t acceptable in the white collar world of corporate America and it never will be. (let alone all the face and body piercings) Personally, I don’t care what people do with their bodies….that’s up to the individual and is something THEY have to live with, not me. But MOST people do not think about the long term effect it’s going to have on their lives. Sure, those friends of mine that have a little tattoo hidden away under their clothes will never have a problem, but the majority of them still wished they never went through with it. My ex-wife did the “Henna” tattoo, where they only last for a few months and they look like the real thing. I know that type if growing in popularity around the country, and personally, I think it’s a better alternative to having something so permanant as the real thing. The thing that gets me is, it’s going to be really funny when all these people are in their 70’s & 80’s and their tattoos look more like hideous birthmarks then something cool. It’s one thing to want to be different and show that you don’t conform to the rest of the world….but now a days…it’s those of us that DON’T have tattoos that are the one’s NOT conforming! It seems like everyone these days has a tattoo….but I’m proud to say I don’t…and I never will!
(just my 2 cents)
Great Article. I have nothing against tatoos or tatooed people.. my only advice would be NO NAME TATTOS.. unless you want to put up with a lot of deleting.. I can not call body piercing “body art” but nothing against that either.
Interesting article.
Have a read of these two transcriptions from newspaper articles dated from the 1800’s regarding it being a fad.
http://www.tao-of-tattoos.com/tattoos-old-news.html
http://www.tao-of-tattoos.com/tattoos-newspaper-article.html
Although I’m for freedom of expression (within tasteful limits) – noticeable body piercings and tattoos are still not accepted by many, especially in the business world among others.
Being on a few hiring committees the last 10 years, I just couldn’t take seriously those applicants. Presentation, poise, appearance, etc. are still important in most public jobs. Especially considering there are several generations above us gen-xrs who frankly dress better and have higher standards for what to wear, and how to present themselves. (ie my grandmother would never dream of wearing sweatpants on an airplane)
We must also realize a lot of the power and spending influence in this country comes from the same group of people. I know an older aunt of mine was disgusted when she saw all kinds of new piercings and tattoos on younger stylists at her salon, so she changed to a “classier” place. Right or wrong, it happens.
Maybe it’s only me, but when I see someone with obvious piercings/tattoos, I wonder when they’re going to grow out of the (16-25 year olds usually) bracket of “I’m trying to find/express myself” line of reasoning.
To quote a favorite Maxine cartoon, my response would be the same as hers- “Trying to find yourself? Try looking in the mirror, dummy. That would be you!”
I have a few tattoos planned, but since I work in a place that bans visible ink, I’m rethinking where and what I want done. I will probably get my first done in the near future, though.
I have always wanted one, but I knew it had to be extremely special because of the permanence.
I have an awesome picture of me and wife and kids all hugging together, and I thought that might be a great tattoo, but then I realized I have the photo.
I’d rather take millions of digital photos than a single tattoo.
Pretty amusing comments, and very predicable comments from this “sheltered area†of the US. I’ve got 5 tatoo’s, I’ve held a professional/WHITE coller job at the same place for over 10 years. Before then, I was in the US Navy, first as an Air Intercept Controller, then shifted into Naval Special Warfare. I moved to Idaho Falls 11 years ago and WHAT A CULTURE SHOCK!!!
Most of the people I’ve met here have the same sheltered view as some of these comments. Being a “traveling†professional, I see more and more white collar business professionals with tattoo’s, some with piercings. Its great to see people express themselves without being looked at strangely, like in Idaho Falls. Like I said, I have 5 tat’s, my wife has 5… no piercings on either of us. But, you wouldn’t believe the looks we get sometimes. All these judgmental, hillbilly mentality morons making comments before they even know a person.
Couldn’t help but to laugh at some of the above comments regarding not hiring people because they have tat’s. I hope your company fails because of that. Times are changing people, in with the new, out with the old. Sure, there are some bad apples out there with tats, but there are plenty of non-working, lazy people without tats… I’m sure you can agree. This area judges people by their cover, such a shame.
I live for the day where I’ll be in the elevator and hear a little Ozzy playing instead of the normal elevator music ? GREAT article Joe, it just shows the narrow-minded people in this area passing judgment on others without even speaking a word to them.
Our company, passing it’s tenth year, has out-worked, out-minded, and has overtaken many in the software business… we all have tattoo’s, we all work hard, we all have families and are good parents. We’ve also had quite a few come and GO without having tat’s.
Have a good one!
I think that’s a great point that times are changing. I want to clarify that while I have not gotten a tattoo, I have always wanted one, but now I find filling my tattoo desire with digital photos instead. Maybe times are changing in that way also?
I remember the guy Lex on Survivor a few years ago, he was tattoo’d to the hilt, up to his wrists and all. I thought he was one of the smartest guys ever on Survivor, both street and book smart.
It’s not about being smart or lazy or having a “hillbilly” mentality, it’s about taking pride in your appearance and being happy with the body that you were born with! Sure times are changing, and sure people have been tattoing their bodies for hundreds of years, but white suburbanites are just a little bit different then African or Somoan tribes from where it all originated.
But regarding Franks comments about people in Idaho having “sheltered views”, I think your really showing your ignorance here. I grew up in South Florida where tattooing and body piercing was ALOT more prevalant there then it is here, and those people got the EXACT same looks and stares that you’ll get here. It has nothing to do with what state you live in. But you know what, after moving out of the rat race to come to Idaho 8 months ago, it was nice to move to a nice small town where family values and common courtesy still exist! There were alot more idiots and ignorant people in Florida, than there is here that’s for sure.
The thing is, the majority of the comments that posters made here, stated that although they don’t have tattoo’s themselves, they don’t care what others do to their own bodies. So how can THAT be a “sheltered view”? Personally,I’m glad I moved to Idaho. It was one of the best moves I’ve ever made. Sure it’s a whole different world here and sure you’ve got your hillbilly types and cowboy types, but guess what…you’ve got those types of people EVERYWHERE you go. I’ve been all over this country and a number of other countries as well and their are idiots wherever you go. There have been hillbilly types and ignorant people in every city I’ve lived in, so for you to typecast Idaho in that way show’s that you sir are the “narrow minded” one. NOBODY here was “passing judgement” on anyone with a tattoo.
And all I said was, I would never get one, it’s not for me. But I’ve had plenty of friends with tattoo’s. The tattoo itself doesn’t make a person. All some of us tried to point out was that, it’s not socially acceptable still in the professional world, to be all tattoo’d up. Not to say there are NO professionals out there that have them, we all know there are. I, as well as most other posters here, just think it’s ridicoulus to see these young kids out there putting these crazy tattoo’s all over their arms, legs and necks before considering the true consequences. Whether WE like it or not, it WILL limit their oppourtunities.
The whole point of this board is to get everyone’s point of view. For Frank to say that the other posters are narrow minded with hillbilly views just shows his ignorance. YOUR entitled to your point of view, but it’s not the only one that matters here. And guess what…YOU’RE the one that moved here 11 years ago and are STILL here, so obviously your getting alone quite fine with all these “sheltered folk”.
Personally I agree with Joe….I’d rather take a million digital pictures then tat up my body. And that is whats so great about this country, you CAN have your own opinion AND…. you can cover your whole body in tattoos if you want and nobody really cares!
And not that music has anything to do with tatoos and piercings, but I like Ozzy too! I’ve seen Black Sabbath AND Ozzy in concert a number of times, but it’s not the type of music I wanna hear in an elevator…but then that’s another post for another time.
Have a great day!
One other thing…..could someone please explain to me HOW a tattoo or piercing is a form of “expression”? All it is to me is a form of body mutilation. How are you actually “expressing” yourself? To me, expressing yourself, show’s in the way someone plays an instrument, or the way they sing, or how talented they are in painting a picture or working with a piece of wood to make a beautiful piece of furniture. THAT is expression. You can express yourself in the pride you take in the work that you do, and the way you treat others. The media is what most kids learn how to express themselves…they HAVE to dress a certain way, LOOK a certain way…you MUST express yourself!!! If you don’t….OH NO…you’re not an individual!! With a tattoo, you might be expressing your “feelings”, like with the picture of your mamma on your forearm, ok the guys loves his mamma. or the girl with the tats of animals all over her body…ok, she likes animals. If you want to express yourself…love your mamma more…do more things for her, take her to dinner, buy her some flowers, etc. If you like animals, join greenpeace or some other type of club….make a difference by actually doing something to help the enviroment. And what about all those weird piercings?? How does THAT express ones self? Posts in your eyebrows, nose, various other parts of the body. You must want to be a Zulu warrior? is that what you’re trying to express there? Go hang out with the pigmys in New Guinea, maybe you can learn something from them about “expression”.
Good job, Frank! At the same time you accuse people from here of being judgmental and intolerant, you show a lot of intolerance and judgment yourself. I think you are the one with the hillbilly mentality. If your company really has been so successful, with the attitude you have it’s probably just dumb luck.
So this area judges people by their cover? Well, you judge us as having a “hillbilly mentality.” You sound like a hypocrite. I like a lot of Ozzy’s music too, but I don’t necessarily want my mother to have to hear it in a public elevator. And tattoos are fine for other people if they want them, I don’t happen to want them on myself.
So you “moved to Idaho Falls 11 years ago and WHAT A CULTURE SHOCK!!!”? If it’s so bad, why do you stay? I guess maybe it’s so you can exploit us dumb hillbillies and make a bunch of money for you and your tattooed friends. You are the one with the sheltered view. People from here are no more hillbillies than tattooed people are losers.
Have a great day!
Ouch ink free… LOL!
Ding Ding….round 3! Lets see if Frank has an intelligent response. I have no idea where he gets off saying “this area judges people by their cover”. I’ve been here a little over 8 months and the majority of the folks I’ve met have been nothing but nice people who have welcomed me with opened arms to their town. Sure I’ve run across a few jerks, but for the most part, the people here are a lot nicer and much more courteous then a lot of other places I’ve lived. The thing is, you’re going to meet closed minded, insincere people who are only out there to take advantage of you, anywhere you go. Their not confined to just one section of the country. And for someone who’s “suppossedly” traveled professionally all over not to know that, then they really didn’t spend much time in one place to figure that out for themselves.
What it all boils down to is…if you’re going to put tattoo’s all over your body…then you have to expect that people are going to stare at you and talk! If you DON’T want people staring at you and turning to their spouse, Mother, Brother or friend and whisper “what’s that a picture of on his arm”?, then you shouldn’t have put it where people are going to see it. It’s THAT simple! YOU’RE the one who wanted to be “different”. And now that your ARE different….you don’t like how people treat you. Awwww…that’s too bad! Be happy with the body you were born with….and if you want to change something, change what’s inside. Because at the end of the day….that’s all that really matters anyway.
I feel a few words that need to be said to those without ink is you don’t see the judgement unless you have tattoos. I have been run out of jobs (blue collar) & neighborhoods which is fine with me because I don’t need my children to be around narrow minded people. I thank them though, now I own my own home where no one can force me out and I own two successful business. I have no regret in my choice to get ink or piercings it helps me find the people in this world that I would want as friends, employees, or anyone else I would want in my life. Close minded people can continue judging me I’m ok with that because when they leave earth they will be judge for their judgements. I’m sure after reading this you’ll say I’m just as bad as the next when it comes to judgement toward the narrow minded fine you say that it’s your choice, just realize that your passing judgement on me for my few words. Where will it end? Someone needs to open their mind and hearts because people with or with out can be good or bad and none of us have the right to place judgement.
Great topic…great discussion. But, I do have to say one thing. People forget that you make a choice to get a tattoo. I have mine and I absolutely LOVE them. I wouldn’t change it for anything. So with that said..most, not all, but most individuals that make the choice to get a tattoo have already accepted anything that comes from it. That includes the criticism that you get from older generations that look down upon our tattooed youth in discust. So let them say what they want…let them think what they want. If they believe that only tattoo artist and farmhands can make a living with art on their bodies…whatev…maybe they should really check out the people that are signing their paycheks…you’d be surprised. And honestly…if you took all the people in the world with tattoos and put them together…one of the few things they would all have in common would be the TATTOO. It shouldnt be this generalization made about a group of people, thats way bigger than you think it is by the way. We’re..the inked ones…just as individual as you…the judgemental hypocrytes that have nothing better to do than speak about something you really can’t relate to. To sum it up…you can have your closed minded opinions about people with tattoos…but until you actually sit down and put that needle on your body…your not allowed to judge us. Cause don’t forget…thats a sin too.So can it. ROCK ON TATTOOS…I’LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.
To respond to some earlier comments… For me, tattoos are a way of “expressing myself” because I choose images that are an externalization of my internal ideals. Every time someone asks me what my tattoo ‘means’ or what it is, I am able to explain it to them and remind myself why I chose those images, in addition to possibly spreading a little bit of my positive philosophy around.
Yes, it is true that we who get tattoos or piercings have “chosen” to be different, but that doesn’t make it okay to stare or make comments. Would you stare or make comments about someone who is in a wheelchair, or has a cleft pallette, or was of middle eastern descent? The only difference is that those people have not “chosen” to be different. Why is it okay to make comments, or to stare, at someone who has chosen to be different when it is not okay to do so when the choice wasn’t made by that individual?
Blair’s comments are right on, you WOULD be suprised. Besides, wouldn’t the world be boring if everybody was the same?
How tattoos are a form of self-expression:
I have one tattoo planned that would incorporate the Star of David, the Islam Cresent and Star, and a Christian Cross. This concept has a very deep, personal meaning to me, and in putting it on my skin, it cements it as a part of me, but also allows for a conversation-starter with people around me. That is the beauty of tattoos (and art in general) – it allows for an expression of ideas and a realization of vague concepts.
That being said, stop being so damn judgmental. I find it incredibly ignorant to compare people with tattoos to Zulu warriors – first, it shows a very disrespectful attitude toward a people, and second, shows a pretty severe cultural bias.
I never realized how deeply and intimately personal many tattoos are to people until I watched a few episodes of “Inked” at a buddy’s house. Many people get tattoos to remind them of life’s milestones or honor their family members.
I would recommend watching just a half hour of that show and you might have a deeper appreciation for tattoos.
Good responses. Like I’ve said in earlier posts…I have nothing against those that have tattoos it’s just not for me, but I do pose a question or two:
You say the world would be a boring place is everyone were the same? THATS a pretty silly reason to get a tattoo. You don’t need a tattoo to be “different”. Everyone is different in their own unique way without tattoos, so that’s really not a good analogy, because really….nobody looks the same. Also, you CHOSE to look different by putting the tattoos on your body, so obviously you wanted the attention that comes along with it. I can’t imagine you not KNOWING people were going to stare at you before you got your tattoo. Surely you weren’t that naive to think that nobody was going to notice. Just as people will always stare at someone in a wheelchair or on crutches or whatever because they are different. None of you can honestly say that you’ve never been in a store and saw a “little person” or someone in a wheelchair or even a kid with a mohawk and say that you didn’t stare if even for a second. Everyone will because it’s in our nature to look when we see something that’s “different” or something that we basically just don’t see everyday. I’m not saying it’s right, but people are curious by nature, so of course their going to look when they see some colorful artwork on someone’s arm or leg. If you didn’t want that to happen, you should have put the tattoo somewhere on your body that wasn’t so visible. I personally don’t think its fair that employers, and others discriminate against those with tattoos, but unfortunately it happens. And sure they’ve been around thousands of years and people need to “get with the times”. But if you think about it, most people (in our country) back in the 60’s & 70’s that had tattoos were either bikers, outlaws, convicts or guys in the military. So it originally had a bad image here. Then as time went on…rockstars, actors and hollywood started to glamourize it which made it more popular in the mainstream public which in turn caused an explosion of tattoo palors across the nation and everyone and their grandma thought it was “cool” to get a tattoo. What it boils down to is, those people that chose to get tattoos to “be different” should realize everything that comes along with that tattoo….the stares, the gossip, the discrimination and unfortunately, the judgement. Of course it’s not right, but neither is racism. But some things will never change.
Excellent points, Chris, and I completely agree that getting a tattoo just to “be different” is a silly reason to get a tattoo. For me, getting a new tattoo is a long process of thought and research before I come to the decision, and I firmly believe that it should be that way for everybody. Getting a tattoo is a big deal, and some people take it lightly, hence the reason that 17% of people regret that they got a tattoo in the first place.
I also agree that the judgement and discrimination are not right, but I think that open-minded discussions like this one are what CAN help things like this discrimination, or even something as big and ugly as racism, to CHANGE!
So, Chris, you believe that since it is the way things are, then it is alright? Aren’t you excusing apathy? You seem to be throwing your hands up in apathy, excusing the arrogant judgment of society as “the way it is”. That’s ridiculous and, honestly, depressing.
This is the same kind of logic which excuses violence and hatred toward homosexuals – “Oh, well, they choose to be that way, and it’s not right to hate them, but we do, so whatever.”
God help us all.
No, I don’t believe it’s “alright”, and if you had read any of my posts thouroughly, you’d see that I said, I DON’T think it’s right. All I personally can do though is state my own beliefs or opinions. I know what’s right and what isn’t and that’s how I live my own life. And I certainly don’t try to tell others how to live their lives. I don’t discriminate against others, but unfortunately OTHERS do. (that’s all I was saying) I personally cannot change someone elses views towards racism, politics, religion OR homosexuality. If that’s the way someone feels about a particular issue, then who am I to tell them different? That’s why we all have our own opinions. Just because I’ll never get a tattoo, doesn’t mean I dislike people that DO have them. I’ve got a number of friends that have one or two. Hell, even my girlfriend has a butterfly tattoo’d on her shoulder! (although I hate to admit it) And I DO give her S&*^ about it from time to time, but deep down she knows it doesn’t really bother me. There’s more important things in life to worry about then something as petty as that. That was HER decision, not mine. And it’s who she is INSIDE that I love, not whats on the outside. (Well I do love the outside parts too…but that’s another story!)
I like tattooing other people with permanent marker while they sleep, much more fun.
LOL Anonymous!
Chris says that he knows what’s right and what isn’t. And that he doesn’t discrimate others..except people with tattoos who apply for jobs where he is part of the hiring comittee. A total contradiction in ideals and statements reveals your insecurities with yourself and your views… comparing people with tattoos as Zulu warriors would be the same as calling certain folks Klan members etc. It is a comment based on ignorance. The difference with white folks and samoans are tattoos? no bro.. its culture, with hereditary features. Nothing else. We are all humans. Sure you have no problems with tattoos yet you give your own girlfriend a hard time. Someone you love (I assume)is then ridiculed for a permanent choice she made for herself and her body with no thought that her future partner would poke fun at her because his own biased views. It may not be a big deal to you but don’t assume it isn’t for her or anyone else for that matter. The courage and conviction that it takes to place a permanent image on your body means that you are committed with your self and your decisions and regardless of what people may view you as, this is what you want for yourself and to the people that will truly matter in life, they will love you for you and your choices. It is the sum of these choices in life that makes a person who they are, not just what they look like. I agree, people with tattoos do automatically show others something about themselves but it doesn’t necessarily mean that what they’re showing is anything worse than what you’re hiding from others. People will learn in time and respect a person for who they are…Ignorant views and prejudice will eventually change in time but this change is only slowed down by people like you. You spread the rumors/gossip/lies about these people that you claim they will have hardships against for getting tattoos in the first place. You brag of an open mind but can’t even see what’s in your own mirror.
I DO give my g/f a hardtime about it, but that doesn’t mean I love her any less. She even admits, she got a tattoo to rebel against her dominering parents, and 6 years later she she wishes she never went through with it.
And if you had read ALL of my posts, you would have seen that I could care less what people do with their bodies. It has no effect on me. All I said is people with tattoos all over their bodies, limit themselves in todays world.
But then again…it’s MY opinion and I could care less what you think of it. You have your opinion and probably numereous tattoos, so I’m happy for you.
And I’m not spreading lies and rumors “BRO”….I’m telling MY OPINION!!! There IS a difference!