Thursday, February 2

Tattoos: How do you feel about them?

So I was cruising around the blogosphere this morning on bloglovin' and a particular title caught my eye.

Why Yes, I Will Put a Bumper Sticker on this Ferrari: An Open Letter to Lisa Khoury.

^^^ Danielle from Sometimes Sweet.

 

My first thought: who cares about a bumper sticker on a Ferrari?
I'm not into cars. Sorry.

Then I read a bit further into it and saw a link to this:

Why Put a Bumper Sticker on a Ferrari?

^^^ This is who wrote the article.

I don't know about this mess, friends. Good ol' Lisa has a point, as women we are beautiful. But I have to agree with Danielle and several of the comments I read below the article. What is a temple without a little stained glass? It is beyond true, if you don't want to get a tattoo, don't. There is nothing wrong with that. But there is also nothing wrong with choosing to invest in one. I think one point that Lisa grossly overlooks is how much meaning a tattoo has for someone. Most people don't lightly go into a tattoo appointment. They choose something with significant meaning, by doing that they do experience self growth. They do learn something new about themselves and they do walk away feeling better. 


With that being said, as much as I admire the 50's, I never admired the mindset society held then. A woman is certainly to be held with high respect, seen as beautiful and also classy. But, she does not need to be lumped into one bloody stereotype - one which pulls us back years and years and into an unhealthy way of thinking.

What do you guys think? Do you have a tattoo or two, and if you do how does this article make you feel? If you don't have a tattoo, does this sway your mind on getting one? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

9 comments:

Brandi Pahl said...

I am heavily tattooed so this article is a little offensive. I think that some of the "points" she tried to make are invalid. But, I also feel that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. If I let every person that doesn't like tattoos affect me, then I would be a sad panda every single day. I got tattoos, living in Utah, knowing that they are not widely accepted. I have a very great career, but yes, I have to cover them up for work and probably would not have gotten this career if I interviewed with them showing. So, the article is annoying, but it shouldn't be getting to people the way it is. Some people like tattoos, some people don't, period.

Jenna Rogers said...

I think her use of the word vandalism is pretty severe. I mean really? If something is vandalized someone calls the police and reports it. Is a tattoo THAT serious?? I think not. I don't know why she's so concerned with what other women besides herself are doing. Not to mention...it's completely sexist for her to only think that about women. Is she cool with men doing it? She's nutty. Let me also point out that going to the gym, to keep the "ferrari" in tip top shape, is crazy. Or putting pretty clothes on the "ferrari"...the whole thing about what we as women should be doing is really weird. Yep, she weirds me out, heebie jeebie style. I do have two tattoos, one on either side of my inner wrist, and I am pretty confident this ferrari is doing just fine. :p

Jenna
SewSavoirFaireCreations.blogspot.com

Nicole deHoop said...

Danielle seems to hit on a point that is interesting -- in the original article, Lisa speaks repeatedly about women as being ornamental enough without the added decoration of tattoos. Instead of getting a tattoo, women should "get new clothes, or experiment with different hairstyles if you're craving something new with your body, not a tattoo." Women shouldn't think of themselves as ornamental at all, and it seems that she doesn't understand why many people get tattoos.
There are very few people I know who have tattoos because they want men to notice them. Tattooing is often a very personal experience, and for the person themselves, not for others. I doubt anyone would say that they got a tattoo because they were 'bored' with their appearance and 'craving something new.'
All in all, I think Lisa's article really misses the mark.

Kate Estivill said...

Hi Shannon! I've been an invisible fan of your blog for a while; you and your husband remind me a bit of me and mine - a Spanish/South African version :)

I had to answer to this because that article made my eyes roll. My husband has two whole sleeves; and I have a couple very, very delicate ones. But am planning on more (I have a font obsession and love the look of it on skin).

But it doesn't matter, what bugged me about that article wasn't the pro/con of getting a tattoo - some love it, some hate it. Same as hairstyles, fashion, tastes, etc. It was the patronising, mumsy and superior tone of it.

People are beautiful because they are unique, they express themselves in incredible ways. The Internet humbles me every day because of the amount of talent: photographers, artists, writers, people who create astounding websites that connect to others. And all of them special. That's the beauty. And tattoo's are a way of expressing that. I think one should think carefully about getting one: a drunken decision in Ibiza might result in regret, but they are unique.

Personally I wouldn't get a chest piece, the same as I wouldn't cut my hair short or I'm not into gothic fasion. But I absolutely love girls who rock out with them. I love women who shine through out-there fashion choices. I admire ladies who shave their hair off.

But the judgement seeping through this article makes me wonder... why hold a grudge like that against tattoos? Do YOU secretally want to be your own person and look different? Are you scared of not fitting in? So sad, really.

Personally I find ink really intersting, yet I thrift clothes and cut my own hair. According to her I should have gone out consuming in a mall. At the end of the day, Lisa love, I'd rather be original and myself. You, clearly, don't.

Tab Carson said...

I totally disagree with the original article for two reasons. The first is that tattoos are absolutely an art form. I've seen gorgeous ink - stuff that has literally made me gasp, it's so beautiful. And, while there are people who get questionable tattoos for questionable reasons, they're on their bodies, and as long as they are happy with the results, who cares?

Like some of the other commenters, I take more of an issue with her repeated insistence that women are put here simply to be "pretty" and attract attention for their looks. Just as there is usually more to tattoos than how they look, there is definitely more to the girls they adorn. Intellect, personality, interests, talents, skills - these are all things I take into account when deciding how attractive someone is, male OR female. Lisa Khoury's opinion is her own, but it seems fairly narrow minded.

call me debbie said...

Well, i don't have any tattoos but i disagree with Lisa's article. Is shopping and yoging a little less shallow than making a tattoo? No i don't think so.
I have many times imagined myself with a tattoo, i even made some drafts and i was really excited about the whole idea. I have some friends with gorgeous sleeves and some other with with little pieces of art. But in the end of the day i always worried about the pain of making a tattoo. Maybe it's me, but i can't put myself in such a thesis. I can't persuade my brain to accept all this pain (in the way i have imagined it) to have a piece on art on my arm. I prefer painting it and hanging it on a wall. It's my mind which tells me, that for the (external) beauty you should not pain so much!
Anyway, i really think that community has made a great leap on accepting people with tattoos, the used to be huge taboos but now things are much better! However, just imagine to be gay and have a whole sleeve and studying in a not-very-big city ( aka be my best friend! :D)
That's all, congrats for your blog, keep it like that! =)

(New blog needing some love and support: http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com)

Mallory said...

I have many tattoos, most of which were done by a close friend that passed away suddenly last year. For awhile, I found it really difficult to look down at my body because they were such a huge reminder of the tragic situation. But now, I cherish these incredible gifts that I get to proudly display.

And a tattoo with thoughtful placement can be a really sexy addition. Jus sayin.
;)

Lariats and Lavender said...

I love body mods of all sorts. I think they only ADD, not subtract. Especially if they're super pretty, creative and well done. And even more if they have special meaning. I definitely plan on getting a tattoo and no article, especially not one like this, will change my mind!!!

Let people be free to be themselves, however they see fit, as long as they aren't harming you or someone else - ya know?

Kristin - My Life as a Teacup said...

I have multiple tattoos and plan on getting more, for various reasons from having personal meaning, to being a lover or such skilled art. I understand and totally respect that tattoos aren't for everyone and different people in different positions have very different views on the subject. As much as I love mine, for instance, I know that with dreams of being a teacher having visible tattoos aren't really an option due to the feelings in the industry. To each his own, and I'll learn how to deal. I think Danielle has always elaborated on these such issues beautifully.

But the part of the original article that gets me most is not her own personal attitudes to tattoos - again, not for everyone - but her attitude towards females. Do we all possess beauty, tattoos aside? You bet. But does that beauty have to stem from going shopping and primping for men? Absolutely not. I'm actually offended that she just generalized the crap out of "what it means to be a pretty girl" and so one-sidedly according to popular standards. Again, Danielle hit this on the head completely: there was no mention of beauty in a woman's brains, and no mention of the view of men and tattoos that it's just hard for me to read the article and not feel like I'm being told I need to get regular manicures to be a "pretty girl".

Post a Comment

How lovely! I love to read your comments and I'll be sure to return the favor! I'm glad you're here! xo, S