Tattoo's are Self-Mutilation, don'cha know?

[Sorcha Griannon]

http://www.mcall.com/all-b1_5skin.6461430jun18,0,1633439.column

Disfigured skin points where culture is going

Paul Carpenter June 18, 2008 You can tell where a culture is headed by examining whom its members seek to emulate.

Just a few centuries ago, there was a culture still mired in the Stone Age, with no written language, no science, no math, no architecture, no nothing requiring thought. Its members had not even managed to invent the wheel.

That culture's only contribution to the world was the decorative ''tatu.'' In most other parts of the ancient world, tattoos were disfigurements used only to identify criminals or slaves.

Now that Polynesians can read, use wheels, count and appreciate musical instruments other than drums, they've advanced to a point where most of them have abandoned tattoos.



As one culture ascends, it seems, another declines.



This week, we learned that 36 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 have tattoos. It was just last year The Morning Call reported that 16 percent of all Americans were thusly self-mutilated.

The sight of Mike Tyson (http://www.mcall.com/topic/arts-culture/mike-tyson-PEHST002018.topic)'s gorgeous artwork, no doubt, has persuaded millions to flock to tattoo joints. Or maybe it's the growing popularity of ''mixed martial arts'' bloodfests, which put tattooed subhumans into cages to brutalize each other.

''Proud parents bear tattoos honoring their kids,'' said a headline over Monday's story.

''It's super big right now,'' the story quoted Steve Lemak as saying of the mom and dad tattoo trend. He owns The Quillian joint in Allentown.

''You'll never find a more meaningful tattoo than one for your kids,'' said Kiel Ferrari, described as an ''artist'' at the Minds Eye Tattoo in Emmaus (http://www.mcall.com/topic/us/pennsylvania/lehigh-county/emmaus-PLGEO100101018120000.topic). (I also have seen graffiti vandals described as ''artists.'')

Along with the story, there were photographs of bodies mutilated with hideous ''artwork.'' One was of an arm with a truly unfortunate depiction of a child's face. I am sure the real child is cute; no child could actually be that homely.

On the very same day that our eyes were insulted by those vulgar photos, the paper ran another story elsewhere, plugging the premier showing of a new television program about the joys of prostitution.

The show was imported from England, where, the story said, ''it was aired last September and was blasted in the media for glamorizing prostitution.'' (We have an MTV show glamorizing pimps, so why not glamorize their pathetic puppets?)

I can't say I'm an expert on prostitution. I'm too parsimonious to gain first-hand knowledge. (Stories on Eliot Spitzer (http://www.mcall.com/topic/politics/eliot-spitzer-PEPLT007426.topic)'s $4,300 dalliances nearly gave me apoplexy.) Nonetheless, I've said a lot about both prostitution and tattoos, which, come to think of it, always seem to go together.

No one can deny that the heaviest concentrations of tattoos occur in the lowest segments of society -- prostitutes, pimps, pugs, prison inmates, Ku Klux Klansmen and the members of street and motorcycle gangs.

Now, according to this week's story, 36 percent of young people have decided to emulate such lowlifes.

And some news media want to glamorize them.

Do not glamorize accomplishment. Do not glamorize intelligence, insight or integrity. Don't glamorize courage, generosity, leadership, skill or diligence. Such qualities are for nerds. By all means, glamorize pimps, prostitutes and those who emulate them. That is the future of America's culture.

Aware of how some of these devoted self-mutilators are going to react, I am compelled to emphasize that I do not favor any restrictions on personal behavior. If an idiot wants to get a tattoo, he or she should be free to do so. I just think responsible news media organizations should not glamorize them. What's next? Glamorizing child molesters or kluxers?

In some older cultures, influence traveled from the top down. Early Americans marveled at the intellect of people like Thomas Jefferson (http://www.mcall.com/topic/politics/thomas-jefferson-PEHST002296.topic) and James Madison and decided that education was a good thing, so they developed public school systems.

In some modern cultures, influences travel from the septic bottom up. In no time at all, we'll catch up to the Stone Age cannibals of the South Pacific.

paul.carpenter@mcall.com 610-820-6176

I want to laugh. Seriously. As much as I think this guy's a backwards-thinking troll, he's seriously reaching with his "glamorizing child molesters or kluxers" comment.

I want to go and get a tat now:)



Sorcha

[Sorcha Griannon]

http://www.mcall.com/all-b1_5tiff-1r.6480133jun27,0,2552149.column

His follow-up article...I'm not wasting the space to repost it though.


Sorcha

[Jayde]

I can honestly say, having gotten my first tat 3 weeks ago, that I did not do it because of anyone but myself. Mine is of a fairy cat, done up to look just like my Sonia because she is the first cat I have ever really had, and the fairy wings befit her personality.
I'd love to know where he gets his statistics from. I mean I do know quite a few guys who are tattooed with fulls sleeves, full body, who happen to be bikers, but they're not in any kind of "Motorcycle Gang"..unless of course a group of friends on Bikes who gather at dunks to shoot the shit and have a coffee are considered to be a (OMG) Gang.

I mean I'm all for people expressing their individual opinion, but in his article (both of them) he seriously does sound like he is insinuating that everyone who gets one either is, or is trying to emulate, a scummy person.
And as far as his comment about Tattoo Shop operators being scummy people...The girl who did mine and my rogue's tattoos is one of our own local registered wenches. She is one of the single nicest people I have ever met. She did my rogue's for free as a b-day present, and mine is half b-day present, half bartered (I'm making her bloomers lol).

And as far as his comment about the "F" word. Umm...I know plenty of people who use it in practically EVERY sentence, and they don't have a single tattoo.

All that being said...Do I regret mine? No way in the hot hinges of hades. Would I get more? You bet, I already even know what my next 2 are going to be, my butterfly and my American McGee's Alice Cheshire cat ('cause I am just that twisted, it's my personality)

[Phoenix McHeit]

No one can deny that the heaviest concentrations of tattoos occur in the lowest segments of society -- prostitutes, pimps, pugs, prison inmates, Ku Klux Klansmen and the members of street and motorcycle gangs.

Hmmm - wonder which category I fall into? Anybody have a thought? Help a girl out here?

I have two - and neither one has anything to do with my boys! *shock, gasp*

And 'pugs'? Huh? D'you think he meant to say 'thugs'? Or is he really condemning lil snub-nosed doggies?

[Buxom Wench]

Hmm....I have 5 and like Phee, none of them have anyting to do with my kids.
(I must be going to hell for THAT)

Most of you have seen mine either in person or here on the boards.
Goodness, I'm trying to figure out who I'm emulating.
Um...uh...gee...Mother Nature?!?!

It's too earlier to be articulate.
This guy needs to learn to stop his generalizations of ANY group.
Yes, I am wholly offended by his articles and no, I will not waste my time in telling such a closed minded individual.

Please note: not one vulgar word spoken. ::whistle::

[UnicornBee]

My brother has 3 tattoos. He would like to be a tattoo artist one day. I would like to get a tattoo someday.

I was watching Miami Ink one day and in the episode this elderly lady (70s maybe) came in to get a small A tattoo on her shoulder. Her reason (besides A being her first initial), if something happens to her, the tattoo will make it easier to identify her.

[Lady Anisette]

Since when did the Polynesians stop their body art? Last time I saw a Naori dance troup, they were are covered in the traditional tattoos. Now, very few do the face paint, but the rest of the bodies ~ and very nices ones at that ~ were indeed decorated.

[Guinevere]

*shrug* The basis of the article is hardly scientific.

"I called tattoos ''skin uglification'' and said the heaviest concentrations are found on the dregs of society, such as prostitutes, pimps, prison inmates and gang members. Obviously, all of that is undeniably true..."

Undeniable by what standards? Is there an actual number by a reputable source that backs this claim up? The answer is no. The only fact here is that he's talking out of his arse.

My heavily tattooed husband and heavily tattooed self laugh at his pathetic attempt at "sensationalist media" from the next tax bracket up. If this is being a "low life", sign me up.

[Buxom Wench]

...his pathetic attempt at "sensationalist media" from the next tax bracket up...

Hmm..now that you mention it, I wonder how my doctor and lawyer would feel about being labeled as the 'dregs of society'?
And my older daughter as well, the one working on her PhD. :roll:

[Artos O'Dalriada]

Hmmm - wonder which category I fall into? Anybody have a thought? Help a girl out here?

I have two - and neither one has anything to do with my boys! *shock, gasp*

And 'pugs'? Huh? D'you think he meant to say 'thugs'? Or is he really condemning lil snub-nosed doggies?

eh, he was on a 'p' kick and got stuck? not that i'm defending him though. I may not have any ink myself, but I'm not going to condemn someone else for having or wanting to get tattoos. Heck, I think there's alot of tats out there that look pretty friggin cool.

[voodookatie]

There ARE some really cool tattoos

And some really awful ones too...

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff268/voodoocarmen/Randomness/image013.jpg

*rotfl*

[DangerousCurves]

I was planning on getting my third tat and I have 8 piercings. I'm an abomination. I don't have a portrait of my daughter though so I guess I'm slightly less abominable than those who do...*eyeroll*

[voodookatie]

I was planning on getting my third tat and I have 8 piercings. I'm an abomination. I don't have a portrait of my daughter though so I guess I'm slightly less abominable than those who do...*eyeroll*


I have a tattoo of my daughter! And I don't even have any children.

I have three tattoos actually;a celtic knot on my ankle, a cat on my calf, and an eagle head on my upper back (gonna be a cover-up when I get the $$). I used to have a bunch of piercings, but I lost all my earrings and the holes have mostly closed in. I'm gonna re-do the belly button piercing eventually, and the fourth tattoo is planned out, I just need to find a decent place to do it.

I say, let those who want to horribly "mutilate" themselves alone and the same goes for those who don't want any markings on their body.

[Patsy the Loomer]

Polynesians from the Pacific, Proud Parents, PimPs, Prostitutes, Plugging Premieres, Pugs, and Prisoners! Oh Auntie Em, It's a twister!


Dear Paul,
Which Puritanical PulPit did your Pathetic PaPer Pluck you from?
You PenPal,
Pat

[Guinevere]

Polynesians from the Pacific, Proud Parents, PimPs, Prostitutes, Plugging Premieres, Pugs, and Prisoners! Oh Auntie Em, It's a twister!


Dear Paul,
Which Puritanical PulPit did your Pathetic PaPer Pluck you from?
You PenPal,
Pat

You win at life.

[Patsy the Loomer]

You win at life.

And you may call me V. *bow*
er, nonono. P!
*bow*

[RaevynCait]

What an idiot! Sure, once upon a time, I thought that tattoos were reserved for Hell's Angels (who at the time were a scary bunch to me), sleezy folks, and current or former prisoners. Was I young and naive at the time? You bet. As I've matured, and come to know more people who had some sort of body art, I've realized that in the grand scheme of things, IMHO, the majority of it is harmless, self expression that has less to do with the sort of person the wearer is, and more to do with people, events, or beliefs that are important to the wearer.
And just because I don't care for a particular tattoo doesn't make it sleezy or wrong, it just means it doesn't appeal to me. And the bottom line is that I don't put anything on my body temporarily, or permanently, to please anyone but me. Just this weekend, at the pool, my sister said to me "you know, your grandmother (who, by the way has been gone since '92) would NOT approve of your tattoos" I just looked at her and told her just that.

[UnicornBee]

That reminds me of something my grandma said.. One day when saying goodbye, she asked me if I have any tattoos (remember, my brother has 3). I told her no, not yet. She looked like she wanted to kecture me but thought better of it.

[Buxom Wench]

That reminds me of something my grandma said.. One day when saying goodbye, she asked me if I have any tattoos (remember, my brother has 3). I told her no, not yet. She looked like she wanted to kecture me but thought better of it.

When I got my first one, my grandmother asked when it would wash off. :roll:

[WenchLadyKate]

When I got my first one, my grandmother asked when it would wash off. :roll:

lol, my grandmother came with me for my first one.

[DangerousCurves]

My grandmother asks me al the time when I'm going to take the barbell out of my tongue. I tell her when she stops asking me to.

[Pansy Faye]

DAGNABIT VoodooKatie!!! Now I'm gonna have nightmares!

I have 4 myself, triquetra (inside right wrist), a heart (left arm), a rose (left breast) and (surprise surprise) a pansy (right rear shoulder). My next tat (left rear shoulder) will represent my kids: may daughter Ginger's butterfly, Daughter #2 Catherine's cat, both encircled by my son Ben's dragon. Then I want a bouquet of daffodils with butterflies on the small of my back and I'm toying with another one (placement could be right calf). 3 of my tats are about 1 inch in diameter, the pansy with a yellow ribbon is about 4 inches long.

They all have meaning for me alone and I was not coerced into getting them nor do I feel like I belong to any gang (unless the IWG counts). This guy is just an idiot who like to see his name in print and should be ignored.

[AllieSutherland]

As the self-righteous idiot sayeth, sarcastically:

"Do not glamorize accomplishment. Do not glamorize intelligence, insight or integrity. Don't glamorize courage, generosity, leadership, skill or diligence. Such qualities are for nerds."

I wish that I could meet him and say, "Well, sir, it just so happens that I know many people who do this very thing THROUGH a tattoo."

Take, for instance, this anectdote: I am honored to have known (and to have been friends with since childhood) a young deputy sheriff named Brandy Winfield (http://www.odmp.org/officer/17467-deputy-sheriff-brandy-lyn-winfield ). He was a third-generation LEO; his brother, father, and he were all serving my home city/county at the time of his death. He was murdered in 2004 by a shot through the back of the head. This was done by an illegal Mexican alien whom he had stopped to help after a phone call was placed by the criminal for vehicular problems.

Now, Brandy, and many, many others like him, are the epitome of intelligence, insight, integrity, courage, generosity, leadership, skill, diligence, and bravery. He gave ALL for our protection and for this country's freedoms.

He is also memorialized through the tattoos of many, including family and friends, and rightfully so. It's a way that he will never be forgotten, and a way for those close to him to feel some small measure of comfort, to feel him with them.

Many people do the same things, and most tattoos have deep meanings for those that have them (mine included). Jerks like this need to stop and realize that they serve a purpose beyond identifying with "thugs" and "prostitutes." I consider it an honor to wear mine, and so do many others.

[Kathryn Blakeley]

I've got 2 and planning on a few more. A chamsa with a star of david on my ankle for my Jewishness (I have a chamsa necklace that I got on my first trip to Israel) and music notes on my wrist because I've been playing flute for 12 years and music has always been part of my life. I got 'em because I wanted them. :-D And I LOVE them! Next is forget-me-nots on my shoulder blade. They're my favorite flower next to tiger lilies (i don't think orange would look so good on my skin) and they mean hope. I'm planning on getting estel (elvish for hope) in tengwar script so it can also be my LotR tattoo. :P

Oh I thought my Grandma would KILL me! She's prim and proper and went to finishing school. My old boss ended up spilling the beans to her. She just asked me to not get any more until she was dead. I said I'd try! :P

[Bronya]

Hmmm...let's see who I emmulate. I have a peace symbol in the shape of a heart on my left breast. i. I have a sunburst for my daughter and my Grandson's name under it on my shoulder. I have a Mickey Mouse silhouette on my left ankle. Perhaps a sunny,peaceful. loving mouse? I have seriously been thinking aobut a half sleeve....

[Peaches O Malley]

Shit, I have 7. Does that mean I am going to hell at faster pace??::whistle::

[Margaret]

Someone should point out to the author of the article that in the lands where tatoos originated - they were a symbol of manhood and maturity. A right of passage.

Granted society has removed that 'honor' from tatooing, but it has transformed into an artform and a method of self expression. While it is true that in the past, the impression was that only bikers, sailors, low lifes and freaks in the side show had tatoos - it is as I said - In. The. Past.

Tatooing has become more 'mainstream'. Sure, for some, there is still something rebelious about getting a tat, and yes - nasty rotten stinkin low lifes have tats as well. However, when you can say "nice ink" to your school's kindergarten teacher - it's become pretty normal.

[Margaret]

Shit, I have 7. Does that mean I am going to hell at faster pace??::whistle::

WHAT!! AND YOU A TEACHER OF CHILDREN!!!!!!

WHAT KIND OF INFLUENCE ARE YOU UPON THOSE POOR LITTLE MINDS WITH YOUR TATOOED SELF!!!!

*rotfl* *rotfl* *rotfl* *rotfl* *rotfl*

I should really add: What kind of influence are you upon those poor little minds with your bad ass, tall and sexy tatooed self!! :wink:

Mags lurves her Peaches!!!

[Ravin' Raven]

Shit, I have 7. Does that mean I am going to hell at faster pace??::whistle::


Well I'm pretty sure you are but I doubt it has to do with the tattoos....you driving the bus this time or am I? ::runfore:

[MaidenFaeSnow]

"Do not glamorize accomplishment. Do not glamorize intelligence, insight or integrity. Don't glamorize courage, generosity, leadership, skill or diligence. Such qualities are for nerds. By all means, glamorize pimps, prostitutes and those who emulate them. That is the future of America's culture."

Courage, leadership, skill, diligence; aren't these all qualities needed to open and successfully run a tattoo shop? Accomplishment; in a variety of forms - intelligence and knowledge for the ability and know-how to run a shop, to be an accomplished artist which is something every tattoo artist is. Generous, many an artist has and does provide tattoo services free or low cost from time to time.

My nephew owns a tattoo shop (http://smoothfx.com/), he gave me my first tattoo (free of charge of course). He's also a Pastor. He has all of those qualities. Do the tatto artists or his customers think he's a nerd? Nope, not at all.

One should really take some time to immerse themself in the tattoo world and actually become educated about it, at least a little, before constipation of the brain and diharrea of the mouth (or keyboard in the articles author's case) sets in.

[Duchess of Wenchester]

Wow- this guy's article was pretty out there. Talk about close minded and um, missing the picture...... Not everyone that has a tattoo is trying to emulate a prostitute or gang member....

I have one- it's well hidden enough- but it's important to me that it's there. So I guess I did it just for me. Like so many others do..... :)

[Peaches O Malley]

:wink:

Mags lurves her Peaches!!!

Back at ya!!!:wink:...well not the tattood part. ;-)

[Jayde]

Well I'm pretty sure you are but I doubt it has to do with the tattoos....you driving the bus this time or am I? ::runfore:




I call shotgun!!!!!! ::runfore:*rotfl*

[LdyJhawk]

http://www.mcall.com/all-b1_5skin.6461430jun18,0,1633439.column



I want to laugh. Seriously. As much as I think this guy's a backwards-thinking troll, he's seriously reaching with his "glamorizing child molesters or kluxers" comment.

I want to go and get a tat now:)



Sorcha

while the guy is a complete prong, by the strictest definition of the word he is correct. Tattoos are a permanent alteration of the natural state of the skin and fall under the word mutilation. That said, if you're down with your tattoos I don't give a damn. I want one. Here's to mutilation!

[Ravin' Raven]

I call shotgun!!!!!! ::runfore:*rotfl*


Just remember, shotgun has to provide the cookies....:-D

[Jayde]

Just remember, shotgun has to provide the cookies....:-D


well I am on the Dark side ::laughingdevil::

[Peaches O Malley]

Just remember, shotgun has to provide the cookies....:-D

Me too!!! I'll bring dark chocolate, strawberries, meade and the rogue. Wooo hooo, road trip!!!;-)

[Molly]

Hmmm... I'm currently in grad school, earning a 4.0 and working towards my MBA. I work for a large university in finance and am in line for a promotion in the next few months. I pay my rent and bills on time and have decent credit.

... and I have three tats (with another planned when my sister comes home for my wedding in October)...

so, really, I'm a giant walking oxymoron?

[Laurensa]

I don't have any tats.

My sister has two, and she's hardly scummy, (unless you consider a woman who works in an office all week long, and then works in a restaurant during the week so she can pay off credit cards to be scum.)

And the tattoo artist I'm friends with? Lovely lady, exquisitely talented. if I ever was to get a tattoo, I'd go to her.

He's talking out his ass. If we ignore him, will he go away?

[daBaroness]

LdyJ is correct with her strict definition of tattoos as body mutilation. Anything that physically alters our bodies could be considered mutilation. And for virtually the beginning of humankind - we've adorned ourselves with "mutilations." It technically includes everything from Victorian ladies piercing their ears for lovely "ear bobs" (Little Women) to traditional tattoos of the Polynesian people to the more extreme scarring and piercings of some African and Amazonian tribal people. These "mutilizations" encompass everything from religious/spiritual rituals to clan identification to fashion statements and self expression to ways of coping with stress (e.g. cutters).

I grew up in an era this author described - where the only people who sported tattoos were former military vets, drunkards, longshoremen and the "dregs" of the "civilized" world. But times have changed - in a world where the traditional rites of passage of society have faded or disappeared, where the decline of the nuclear family and other groups of traditional recognition have left many searching for a sense of belonging, body art and piercing have become extremely popular methods of publically claiming and displaying our sense of self expression.

I currently have one tattoo - the IWG symbol with my number under it on my right shoulder blade. I was once told you should only get a tattoo of something that has a lot of meaning for you - so obviously claiming my being a wench is important to me. Indeed, I think it says a lot about me and for most people who know me - there is 100% agreement.

I have others planned encompassing my heritage (English, Irish, Scottish, German and a wee bit of French), my spiritual beliefs and my children. I'm thinking of a celtic family or mother's knot with the names of my boys on my left shoulder blade. I'm also thinking of a celtic cross surrounded by roses and irises in the middle of my upper back or on one of my calves. I might even have something done respresentative of all the world's major religions to symbolize my personal belief that we all have a piece of the pie and different ways of worshipping, but in the end we're united because of our spiritual selves - no matter how we express it.

Personally - I don't want to have tattoos on my arms or chest. Because of my occupation and perhaps because of some old notions, I just don't want my tattoos to be viewable by the general public. I know there are some things I can't really do because of my occupation - like, I'd love to get my nostral pierced, but being in Kansas City in a high-profile, client-facing job I know its not a good thing to do and I respect that. I'll have plenty of time when I'm a crazy old lady to do whatever I like in that vein.

Apparently the author of the this piece is very conservative, very repressed, highly judgemental and a wee bit behind the times. That's his perogative. It's like any other issue - you don't like tattoos and piercings - don't get any. And yes, it is his right to express his opinions - just as it's my right to disagree, be digusted and miffed about them and think he's a freakin, ignorant asshat!

As for his comment "Do not glamorize accomplishment. Do not glamorize intelligence, insight or integrity. Don't glamorize courage, generosity, leadership, skill or diligence. Such qualities are for nerds."

WELL ... I know plenty of nerds - good and decent people who have equally nerdy tattoos of things like a DNA strand, the formula E=mc2 and the like on them. And I just happen to have a son whose full-sleeve tattoo honors his military vet commrades with battle scene including soldiers, a howitzer, smoke and the saying "All gave some ... and some gave all" surrounding it. Tell me that doesn't honor courage, accomplishment, honor, leadership, integrity and a devotion to country and freedom - and I think you'll have a whole battle group lined up to punch you in the mouth led by ME!

[Andreadoria]

Since when did the Polynesians stop their body art? Last time I saw a Naori dance troup, they were are covered in the traditional tattoos. Now, very few do the face paint, but the rest of the bodies ~ and very nices ones at that ~ were indeed decorated.

Just for FYI...Most of the Polynesians and Maori were forced my the Christian Missionaries to stop their facial tattoos. Their Tattoos showed what tribe they came from and were for intimidating their enemies (and they were accompanied with a dance The Hakka).

Again Africans Tattoos and body scarification Tribal significance.

Circumcision is also a ritual for some religions and it is practiced here in the good ol USA...and it is scarification!!

Hell put what ever you want on your body!!! Mark it what ever way you want.....if your a bad person the tattoos, piercings, scarification, etc did not make you bad...more than likely you already were not a nice person to begin with.....not every mass murder has tattoos!!

I take great offense to him stating Longshoreman, and Dock workers are bad people, Both my Grandfathers were them....they were not bad people they had no tattoos. Granted when they were younger they both were hellions....always in trouble.

I have lots of friends that are tattooed and pierced I love all of them for their unigueness.

I have toyed with the Idea of a tattoo but I cannot commit to what I want so I haven't gotten one yet. My dear Uncle was from the age of the writer and he was in the Navy way back when and did not get his first tattoo till his 50's....he was trying to get my Dad to get one who was 10 years older than him not my dad's thing. But my Dad had loads of tattooed friends from back then...they were not bad people.

[Peaches O Malley]

Big snip...The Hakka

Tiny thread jack.......This is just cool. :toocool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW6qfEDMXcs&feature=related

[Andreadoria]

Tiny thread jack.......This is just cool. :toocool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW6qfEDMXcs&feature=related


For some reason I just love a good Hakka......Just don't know why??? ::whistle::

[Isabelle Warwicke]

For some reason I just love a good Hakka......Just don't know why??? ::whistle::

Liquid testosterone just oozes from every pore on those men.

[Lady Anisette]

Christian missionaries weren't the only reason the Maori stopped facial tattoos. During the Victorian age, when those regions were being, ahem, civilized (and I use the term with much sarcasm) it was popular to take the heads of the defeated Maori and sell them back in Europe. The English and French were particularly fond of these heads and displayed them as art. The more tattoos the more desirable. Kind of put a crimp in the practice of facial tattoos among the indigenous peoples.

When the Hakka came to the zoo (to celebrate a new Polynesian exhibit), the dance troupe performed all week. Can you guess how many of us needed to take a "break" when these dances were scheduled? I don't know how many were actually visitors or female zoo employees. Hubba hubba, those men were so hot and reeked of masculinity. The ladies were rather nice too.....

[Andreadoria]

Had I known I would have joined the spectators...being not far living in NY...Those Maori are beautiful people...as are all Polynesians.

I love the womens facial tattoo. You are right most stopped tattooing for various reason ....As in Africa some women started their facial and body mutilations to prevent them being taken as slaves and such. That includes the young boys too.

I watch a lot of Nat Geo and the like..to learn about various cultures cause of my in ability to travel....I would love to travel and meet some of these people.

Buy those Maori ooooooooo

[Mandy ReNee]

Wow so nice to know that someone they let mold young minds is emulating the dregs of society. LOL

On the other hand I am waiting to have a battle at work. I have worked in this particular school district for five years and have not gotten any new ink since I started there. I have 4 tattoos only one which is visible on a regular basis because it is on my ankle and I wear skirts a lot to work. There has been a rumor flying around the district the last two years that the administration is going to impose a no tattoos visible at work. I keep waiting for an administrator to walk into my 80+ degree classroom (a good four months out of the year) and tell me I have to wear pants, no capris, no skirts because I have a tattoo of a rose on my ankle. Boy am I going to have fun filing a grievance over that one. :D