Tats Everywhere

I know I am sticking my head on the block by saying this but I just don’t get why everyone is having tattoos and ear stretching. I know I am getting old and its considered fashion but there are tasteful and artful tattoos and then there is the mismatch ugly combination of different styles and themes  that seems to be the rage.

I am not so over the hill that I assume all tattoo covered people are raging yobbos who would rather cause trouble then glance you a smile. I also have seen some genuinely beautiful tattoos that have covered people from just about head to toe. But I don’t think everyone thinks it all through enough.

I read in a recent report somewhere that employers, in certain sectors, don’t view tattoos in the same positive light as the tattooed do.  Yes its tarring all tattooed people with the same brush and I am sure there is some ism that if not out already will soon be to make it against the law not to discriminate against the inked. But nonetheless if your inked and its on show you are narrowing your job prospects and lets face it we hardly have lots to spare.

But what I don’t get is why are people not thinking about their future? Yes I know that must be the boring bit but these tattoos and ear stretching are permanent. I have visions of rooms of elderly people in their care homes all with wrinkly tattoos with people talking about what their tattoos use to look like. They would all be sitting there with stretched ear lobs swinging in the breeze with lack of elasticity. Maybe its a product of the modern world where everything is disposable. Jobs are no longer for life, there is no permanence or security. Long marriages are getting rare, again no permanence and throw away-able.

As more and more people have these ‘meaningful’ tattoos it’s becoming trashy and common. Now if your un-inked or stretched you stand out more . Before people jump into their first tattoo I wish they would stop and think. Understand how permanent permanent actually is. They may not want to be the next prime minister or bank manager but does that tattoo really have to be on view all the time? Wouldn’t it be better to be tattooed within collars and cuffs so that you’re not alienating yourself from any job you want to go for in the future. Its hard enough out there without adding hurdles and then blaming society’s narrow-mindedness.