I was going to post about my best buddy today, but something happened that I just had to write about. This was one of those “I just have to tell someone” stories. He will understand… and I’ll make it up to him later. 😉
Here’s the story. I arrive at the tattoo shop this evening just as the [She Who Shall Not Be Named, At Her Request] started a tattoo on a customer. [She Bitch Who Shall Not Be Named, At Her Request] is our primary tattoo artists. She has been tattooing for 16+ years and knows her stuff.
But this isn’t about her. It’s about the customer: it was a 16-year old BOY getting a tattoo.
I don’t really have a problem with the age thing. We attempt to talk most underage people out of a tattoo. I believe it would not be responsible to not attempt to do so. I typically won’t say “no” as they will just go elsewhere or have it done in an unprofessional/unclean environment. Anyone under 18 years of age must have a parent sign for them, and remain there during the procedure. His mom was there with him, as well as a friend-girl. (After a while I realized it was his “Guuurrl-friend”.)
But this isn’t about his age either. It’s about his tattoo choice.
He was getting a lower back tattoo. Also known as a “tramp stamp”.
I have issues with tramp stamps on both men and women. More so on men. I’m not sure why, and I should be the last one to be judgmental about someone’s tattoo choices. I just have issue with them. I’ll deal with that at some point, I’m sure.
BUT this was not just any tramp stamp. It wasn’t your typical flowery or tribal-type tramp stamp…
This tramp stamp was a word. And not just any word. It was HIS OWN NAME! Read that again. His. Own. Name.
WHY???
Why would anyone have their own name tattooed on themselves? And of all places to have it tattooed, why on this green earth would you have your own name tattooed DIRECTLY above your ass?
What the hell is going to happen when this kid has to take showers in gym glass? (Do they still do that these days?) Worse still, what if he ends up in prison? And what about when he is wearing swim trunks at the lake? How do you explain that? Or is it like a “Hello my name is” sticker so that when he is on the bottom of some orgy pile some daddy can look down and know who he’s fucking?
And what about his mom? Did she not think this was odd? I later found out his mom was the one who drew out his name. And worse, she helped him pick the location of the tattoo. WHAT THE HELL?
I think this one will stick with me for a while….
To make matters more… well… funny (to me): he had a “v” in his name that was centered directly above his ass-crack. It was like a directional pointer saying “Please fuck me here!”.
Until next time...
If the mom helped him pick it out I can see the location if he is a mommas boy and she just wasn’t thinking about the effects of putting a tattoo there on a male. Maybe it is so all his male one night stands have a better chance of remembering his name.
Some people place tattoo artists in such a dilemma. I guess you can’t keep people from enacting dumbness, though.
I do not understand parenting these days.
Maybe it is so his mom can easily identify him in a morgue later.
I hate the long tramp stamps that are horizontal and stretch out over the ass. A small, more vertical design placed in the center of the lower back doesn’t bother me as much.
Love the phrase “Tramp Stamp” So many people have them — and many look silly. I’m just sayin’
“…he had a “v” in his name that was centered directly above his ass-crack. It was like a directional pointer saying “Please fuck me here!”
Maybe that’s EXACTLY what he was going for? Kids these days…they know what they want, unlike some of us who had to go through that whole tortured coming out thing. 🙂
gotta say i’m not a fan of the tramp stamp either. also kinda hate guys w suns around their bellybuttons. or pierced belly buttons on guys. sorry but it’s kinda girly in my mind.
but a 16 year old buy with his name inked above his ass is just ridic. hope mom has saved up for the removal…….
but i also agree w ron a bit. you can’t stop people from doing dumb shit. erik have you ever refused a tat you thought was wrong?
@Ron:
Sadly, no. But one person’s “dumbness” is potentially someone else’s smarts 😉
@Mike:
Me either. Granted, I’m sure people said the same thing in the past…
@Alexander:
Very true. I guess there is a little less closet these days than there was in the before-time.
@me:
Actually, I have refused to do a tattoo before. It was a horrible, horrible, horrible tattoo idea AND placement location. I told them in good conscious that it was not something I would do. He went elsewhere. I’m sure there will be more….
I like tattoos I love them in fact. I have said many times I would love to be covered in them but I guess I mean I would like more that what I have. I only have one so when I can afford more I will get some. My b/f of 9 yrs has my names on his arm. Its small and simple. But I wouldn’t get my own name done just above my crack either. I just don’t see the point.
omg. awesome. tragic. all at the same time.
nice mom.
@kyle:
Definitely. I’m curious to see if he comes back to have it changed in the future.