Tattoos and Piercings: Where Mom and Daughter Disagree
Now, here’s an area where Mary Lynn and I don’t exactly see eye to eye: piercings and tattoos.
Mary Lynn is of a generation where multiple piercings were unheard of, and tattoos were just for sailors. In her world, a lady’s skin stayed as unmarked as a freshly ironed linen napkin.
While I never got into extreme piercings, I do have a few tattoos. Both of my ex-husbands loathe tattoos, bless their hearts. So, I demurred and waited until the second one split before I got mine—right on my arms for all to see. Or to cover up with sleeves if need be.
Tattoos: A Canvas of Meaning
I’m all for some gorgeous tattoos that illustrate who you are, what matters to you, and sometimes your cultural roots. My tattoo idol? Justin Theroux! Have you seen him in “The Leftovers”? In season two, there are a couple of wonderful bathtub scenes (and I’m not just talking about the plot). Mr. Theroux’s tattoos are a history on his bod. They’ve got meaning and panache.
Mary Lynn, however, was not just a bit disappointed when I got mine. “How are you going to find a man with those on display?” she asked with wine despair.
Well, let me tell you, I’ve had it with men who think tattoos are stupid. My arms are an efficient way to weed them out. And yet, I may cover them for a first date so as not to scare them off when making a first impression. But that’s just me—a Southern Belle who went to cotillions and had a debutante ball.
A Few Words to the Not-Yet-So-Wise
If you think you might ever need or want to cover up those babies, then put them in places you can easily hide. Grandma just might disown you when she spots them at Thanksgiving dinner.
Triple-check the spelling if you’re getting words permanently etched on your bod. There’s not much more embarrassing than a tattoo that reads “No Regreets.”
Going for Chinese characters or words in a language you can’t read? Hon, that symbol you think reads “Love eternal” just might mean “Your momma is an ass.” Remember, Google might be handy, but it’s definitely not your BFF when it comes to tattoo advice. Even its translations can be wildly off.
Tattoo Die-Hards
Just dismiss all of this advice if you’re a devil-may-care tattoo fan! You do you, darlin’, and forget the naysayers. Judgers are gonna judge.
Piercings: A Poke of Personality
Now, just because I don’t want snot sticking to a nose ring or be worrying that I’ll swallow a tongue stud doesn’t mean you have to give in to my concerns. Well-placed piercings can be a beautiful demonstration of who you are.
You don’t care that people stare, and I love your display of personality and originality. Piercings, just like tattoos, are your way of telling the world who you are without saying a word.
To the Haters
Having tattoos or piercings doesn’t mean someone’s in a gang or that they disrespect themselves. The majority of people who have at least one tattoo never regret it.
Life would be boring if everyone looked the same, acted the same, and dressed the same. Appreciate the beautiful variety of life. And keep your opinions to yourself. My tattoos don’t harm you in any way, and neither do anyone else’s.
