Decristan 1

Nicole Decristan
Robert Arnold
UWRT 1101
7 November 2014

Ethnography: Stage 3
In todays society one of the most controversial topics is the issue of tattoos. People
question whether or not to get tattoos because of the judgments that can be past on them. Many
people think that just because people have tattoos they do not have a good appearance and they
are usually shunned from working opportunities. The work place usually shuns those with tattoos
because they believe it is not professional. Little do some realize masked behind tattoos are
hard workers and those who have deep stories behind their tattoos. Cultures throughout the
world use tattoos as symbols of beauty. For example, Hindus tattoo their foreheads and around
their eyes to enhance their beauty and to distinguish between clans(Isaacs 1051). Although
some individuals frown upon tattoos the meaning behind certain tattoos are fascinating.
After researching the topic of tattoos, I have realized that tattoos have dated back to
thousands of years ago. Although people may think that tattoos are just of way of seeking
attention or just doing something to be a rebel, those of who could have been our ancestors
developed tattoos. For instance, Egyptian mummies from the end of the second millennium BC
have been discovered with tattoos (Isaacs 1051). The Tahitians came up with the word tautau
which was later transformed into the word tattoo. Contrary to what people may think regarding
tattoos and religion, tattoos were used in certain religions and cultures throughout the world. For
example, Northumbled Catholics were praised for receiving religious tattoos such as a cross or
the name or image of a saint (Isaacs 1051). In todays society, tattoos and religion do not

Decristan 2
coincide well with each other but there are people who get tattoos for religion but they are not
praised.
The reasons people get tattoos differ among people. Some get it for a relative or friend
who has passed away, a religious meaning or some kind of hardship endured in their life. Very
rarely do you hear someone getting a tattoo just because they wanted something, the majority of
the time its because it means something dear to the person being tattooed. With that being said, I
have heard people get tattoos for no meaning at all other than the mere fact that they liked it. A
lot of the time when asking someone about his or her tattoo, I am more fascinated with the story
behind it because it gives me a better respect for the tattoo.
After observing people who have tattoos and those who are tattoos it has broadened my
perspective of tattoos. One thing is for sure, it is not about the art itself, its about the person
behind the tattoos that matter. One person I interviewed named Alexis Codisopti enlightened me
on her tattoos and her perspective on people who judge her for her tattoos. She told me that she
has a total of seven tattoos including her half sleeve and she is nowhere near done. She explained
how she does not like how people judge her because they do not know the meaning behind them,
her story or who she is. Once she tells people what her tattoos mean, they respect the tattoos and
they respect her. I also asked her if it was harder to get a job because of her tattoos and she
replied that it was not hard because they respected how I presented myself and saw me as a hard
worker and not hiding them. They found them interesting. Her stories behind her tattoos are
exciting. She has a tattoo for her grandparents and another one to show her artistic side.
I have noticed that the stereotypes of tatters and tattooed people are incorrect. It is
extremely easy to judge a subculture without actually getting to know the people in it. After
talking to the subculture you become less of an illiterate person and it begins to open your eyes

Decristan 3
to what the subculture is really about. It has been said that tattoos are trashy and those who
have tattoos only want attention. I have also heard that having tattoos represents low class
and it demonstrates a lack of education. Contrary to these stereotypes, the people behind the
tattoos tend to be caring, genuine people who get the tattoos for a more sophisticated meaning
than what meets the eye. Most people with tattoos do not do it for the attention either, they
simply do it because it is their body and they can do whatever they want on it. Last, but not least,
having tattoos certainly does not show low class or a lack of education. Tattoos are not cheap! If
you have a tattoo, and if it is a good tattoo, you typically pay top dollar for the artwork. My
brother, who has a half sleeve, paid eight hundred dollars for his tattoo. Also people with tattoos
do not lack education, I met a man who is an anesthesiologist and has a tattoo. Last time I
checked, a doctor certainly does not lack knowledge.
People also do not realize that some tattoo artists are not dummies and people may think.
My tattoo artist was in school to be a lawyer but decided it would be better to follow his dreams
and show how artistic he is. Taylor, my tattoo artist, is also an annotated minister and attends
church every Sunday with his wife and children. Just because people have tattoos and give
tattoos does not mean they are bad people. I also went and interviewed a different tattoo artist so
I would be more literate of the subculture of tattoos. I went to a tattoo shop called Lucky 13 in
Mooresville, North Carolina. I interviewed a tattoo artist named Rob. Rob has been tattooing for
the past fifteen years and he went to the Nashville Auto Diesel College. He decided to start
tattooing instead of using his degree. He strictly does his tattoos by appointments and he widened
my perspective even more on tattoos. I watched him do a photo realistic tattoo of a face for two
hours. I was intrigued by his line work and could not believe that after two and a half hours of

Decristan 4
doing the persons tattoo, he still had to do another session. I gained a new respect for tattoos
because it is not as easy at it may seem and it is extremely time consuming.
The amount of time it takes to draw and produce a tattoo on skin is incredible.
Before the tattoo is started, the tattoo artist draws the tattoo on a stencil that is then placed on the
area you want the tattoo. Some artist create their art work by having you tell them what you want
and then they search an image similar to what it is and most artists put their own twist to it. After
the stencil is placed on the skin the artist will situate you so that the process of the tattoo will be
more comfortable for you and easier for the tattoo artist to produce. The tattoo artist uses a gun
to create the image. It is extremely important that an artist does not go too deep because that can
result in scarring and a longer healing process. Proper aftercare of the tattoo is essential to insure
the best results. What most people do not realize is although tattoos may look trashy and low
class they are expensive and time consuming.
One thing I noticed when sitting in the tattoo shop is not many people show up without
an appointment. Most places have you book an appointment a few weeks out and some do take
walk-ins. One lady arrived without an appointment but she knew exactly what she wanted and
her tattoo took a total of forty-five minutes. The lady who arrived was named April and she was
getting her tattoo for her mother who passed away. She explained to me that she got a butterfly
in memory of her mom and she said it was because her mom loved butterflies. As a child, she
would play with butterflies and her mom would keep a jar in the garage for the ones she caught.
The meaning behind the tattoo gave me more of an appreciation as to why she chose a butterfly.
After observing and researching the subculture of tattoos I have a better understanding of
why people get certain tattoos and how tattoos evolved over the years. It is easier to judge
someone upon appearance but if you really get the chance to know them, masked under the

Decristan 5
tattoos happen to be some amazing people. Getting to know the story behind the tattoos helps in
creating a better understanding as to why a person may get something that may look stupid to us
but has a deeper meaning to them. Next time you think a person may look foolish with their
tattoos, ask them why they got certain ones so maybe you can appreciate their decisions more.