Tattoos of your organization

[dekeguy]

I am confused as to why women seem to not only want to get tatoos but then vigorously defend their action in getting it or them. I hardly think it is either inaccurate or inappropriate to recognize that women are far more conscious of and concerned with fashion trends and messages sent via appearances. Since tatoos have been around for gazillions of years and since they have traditionally been viewed, in Western culture, as the domain of pond life bottom feeders I find it curious as to why a fad which leaves permanent marking on one's body would hold such appeal. Based on centuries of adverse opinion of and reaction to tatoos I can't understand why women would want to permanently mark themselves considering that the current popularity of tatoos will surely become passe and out of fashion within a few years. Whether one likes it or not tatoos are not viewed with favor in professional circles and in some social settings they are not tolerated. Teen aged rebellion is fine when one is a high school kid but by the time you have become a college woman it seems to run contraty to the the general sense of realistic maturity expected and it doesn't seem to fit within the what your own organizations expect of ladies in their conduct and appearance. Looking like a gang of tatooed biker chicks never struck me as what a sorority woman aspired to (and yes, any tatoo places you more or less in that unfortunate circumstance). Having been out in the world for a while now I have seen just how deeply this prejudice runs. Maybe this is a bit inappropriate, but I always believed that women were far more savvy about the nuances of how one presents oneself.
Now, from the other half of the human species, as an undergrad in my house it was the kiss of death to have a tatoo. We met a few guys from other chapters who had them and it did not sit easy with us. We saw that as the sure sign of a candidate for a bottom tier house or life as a GDI.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

I am confused as to why women seem to not only want to get tatoos but then vigorously defend their action in getting it or them. I hardly think it is either inaccurate or inappropriate to recognize that women are far more conscious of and concerned with fashion trends and messages sent via appearances. Since tatoos have been around for gazillions of years and since they have traditionally been viewed, in Western culture, as the domain of pond life bottom feeders I find it curious as to why a fad which leaves permanent marking on one's body would hold such appeal. Based on centuries of adverse opinion of and reaction to tatoos I can't understand why women would want to permanently mark themselves considering that the current popularity of tatoos will surely become passe and out of fashion within a few years. Whether one likes it or not tatoos are not viewed with favor in professional circles and in some social settings they are not tolerated. Teen aged rebellion is fine when one is a high school kid but by the time you have become a college woman it seems to run contraty to the the general sense of realistic maturity expected and it doesn't seem to fit within the what your own organizations expect of ladies in their conduct and appearance. Looking like a gang of tatooed biker chicks never struck me as what a sorority woman aspired to (and yes, any tatoo places you more or less in that unfortunate circumstance). Having been out in the world for a while now I have seen just how deeply this prejudice runs. Maybe this is a bit inappropriate, but I always believed that women were far more savvy about the nuances of how one presents oneself.
Now, from the other half of the human species, as an undergrad in my house it was the kiss of death to have a tatoo. We met a few guys from other chapters who had them and it did not sit easy with us. We saw that as the sure sign of a candidate for a bottom tier house or life as a GDI.

Exalt

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Exalt

I have to disagree with both of you. ANYTHING can be tasteful or tasteless. Nothing is by definition all good or all bad.

For example, supposedly, being an unwed teenage mother is bad right? What if that mother was legally married (18 or 19 years old) when she got pregnant but is now a widow because her husband was killed in the war in Iraq? Immediately, this person is transformed into a law-abiding, patriotic citizen, right?

Give me a break, holier-than-thou

[dekeguy]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I have to disagree with both of you. ANYTHING can be tasteful or tasteless. Nothing is by definition all good or all bad.

For example, supposedly, being an unwed teenage mother is bad right? What if that mother was legally married (18 or 19 years old) when she got pregnant but is now a widow because her husband was killed in the war in Iraq? Immediately, this person is transformed into a law-abiding, patriotic citizen, right?

Give me a break, holier-than-thou

==============================================

If a young woman was legally married and her husband was killed in Iraq that would make her a widow, NOT an unwed mother.

If a young woman found herself pregnant by a man she loved and he failed to stand by her then I would look down on him, not her.

I would argue that there are some things which are of their very essence good or bad. If you think about it for a moment I am sure you can come up with quite a few. However, this has little or nothing to do with tatoos. My question was about why, not about good or evil. My observations over the past several years lead me to conclude that tatoos add extra baggage to those who have them and send a message that does not play well in professional and other circles.
I don't think pointing out a simple fact of reality is being holier-than-thou. Rather, I think this falls under my original question about the lemming-like following of a transitory fad and then the predictable need to defend this action. Knee jerk defensiveness suggests a need to justify a questionable action. "Methinks the lady doth protest too much"!

I am sorry if you think I am being holier-than-thou. My purpose was to present my observations and experiences, identify the simple fact that tatoos are viewed rather negatively in professional circles, and to ask why their current popularity particularly among women who are arguably much more savvy about appearances and the images they project.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

My question was about why, not about good or evil. My observations over the past several years lead me to conclude that tatoos add extra baggage to those who have them and send a message that does not play well in professional and other circles. I don't think pointing out a simple fact of reality is being holier-than-thou.

It's not being holier-than-thou. It's being realistic.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

==============================================

If a young woman was legally married and her husband was killed in Iraq that would make her a widow, NOT an unwed mother.

If a young woman found herself pregnant by a man she loved and he failed to stand by her then I would look down on him, not her.

I would argue that there are some things which are of their very essence good or bad. If you think about it for a moment I am sure you can come up with quite a few. However, this has little or nothing to do with tatoos. My question was about why, not about good or evil. My observations over the past several years lead me to conclude that tatoos add extra baggage to those who have them and send a message that does not play well in professional and other circles.
I don't think pointing out a simple fact of reality is being holier-than-thou. Rather, I think this falls under my original question about the lemming-like following of a transitory fad and then the predictable need to defend this action. Knee jerk defensiveness suggests a need to justify a questionable action. "Methinks the lady doth protest too much"!

I am sorry if you think I am being holier-than-thou. My purpose was to present my observations and experiences, identify the simple fact that tatoos are viewed rather negatively in professional circles, and to ask why their current popularity particularly among women who are arguably much more savvy about appearances and the images they project.

Technically, she IS UNWED (death did them part). Maybe it wasn't the best example.

BTW, your observation is an OPINION, not a FACT. I am sure that you know the difference, right?

[Blue_Blood]

First, I don't understand why people keep calling tattooing a "fad"...Tattoos have been around for longer than just about anyone on this site has been alive... Last time I checked, I "fad" was something that came on really fast, was popular for a short time, and then died out really fast...Tattooing has been going on for thousands of years.

Second, a few of the greeks on our campus went to a convention with many other greek organizations and they felt so out of place. Apparently, if you don't like tattoos, don't come to Oklahoma. I believe almost every member of my chapter has a tattoo that refers to Sig Tau in one way or another. My members felt like people were looking down on them or whatever because we all have tattoos.

Third, its ridiculous to outcast someone because of what we have on our skin. Many tattoos today are gorgeous, especially some of the greek ones I've seen. You don't see many naked women on the forearm anymore like you did in the 60's. Many members are doing things like letters, crests, flowers.

In closing, tattoos are just one way that many people use to express pride in what they belong to and have earned. As for myself, I don't care how horrible my tattoos look when I'm 70 years old because I have them because I am proud to be a Sig Tau. When I am old and wrinkly and my tats are the same way, I want to look at my worn out skin and be able to think "no regrets", "mission accomplished." I live by a popular phrase: "Live as if you will die tomorrow, dream as if you will live forever." That's how I want to remember my life. Plus, theres a lot of years to enjoy your letters while they are pretty from age 18 to age 50+.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Blue_Blood

First, I don't understand why people keep calling tattooing a "fad"...Tattoos have been around for longer than just about anyone on this site has been alive... Last time I checked, I "fad" was something that came on really fast, was popular for a short time, and then died out really fast...Tattooing has been going on for thousands of years.

Tattoos as tribal or cultural practices have been around forever.

In the West, tattoos among sailors and the like have been around 100+ years, and in Western culture were traditionally viewed as lower class.

Tattoos on college students and as part of popular Westermn culture is a phenomenon of the last decade or two. How popular they'll stay remains to be seen.

I'm glad you like your tattoos. Enjoy them. No one is "outcasting" you. But I'm always amused when someone is surprised that they just might be judged on appearance.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

I am confused as to why women seem to not only want to get tatoos but then vigorously defend their action in getting it or them. I hardly think it is either inaccurate or inappropriate to recognize that women are far more conscious of and concerned with fashion trends and messages sent via appearances. Since tatoos have been around for gazillions of years and since they have traditionally been viewed, in Western culture, as the domain of pond life bottom feeders I find it curious as to why a fad which leaves permanent marking on one's body would hold such appeal. Based on centuries of adverse opinion of and reaction to tatoos I can't understand why women would want to permanently mark themselves considering that the current popularity of tatoos will surely become passe and out of fashion within a few years. Whether one likes it or not tatoos are not viewed with favor in professional circles and in some social settings they are not tolerated. Teen aged rebellion is fine when one is a high school kid but by the time you have become a college woman it seems to run contraty to the the general sense of realistic maturity expected and it doesn't seem to fit within the what your own organizations expect of ladies in their conduct and appearance. Looking like a gang of tatooed biker chicks never struck me as what a sorority woman aspired to (and yes, any tatoo places you more or less in that unfortunate circumstance). Having been out in the world for a while now I have seen just how deeply this prejudice runs. Maybe this is a bit inappropriate, but I always believed that women were far more savvy about the nuances of how one presents oneself.
Now, from the other half of the human species, as an undergrad in my house it was the kiss of death to have a tatoo. We met a few guys from other chapters who had them and it did not sit easy with us. We saw that as the sure sign of a candidate for a bottom tier house or life as a GDI.

I think the acceptance of tatts by others depends on several factors, including the region you live in and location of the tattoo. I know MANY bankers, lawyers, doctors, professors and teachers, real estate professionals, ad men, corporate and agency PR people, etc. etc. that have tattoos...but you'd never know it until you go out to happy hour with them one night, or they wear shoes that don't-quite-cover the top of their foot. Tattoos aren't for me, and I think young people who get big ones in places not covered up by clothing are crazy, but I don't label everyone who gets one as trashy. I know too many tatted people from all walks of life to be able to do that.

Gauges in the ears, now that's something I think is NUTS!