tattoo stuff again

[keryx]

Everyone who sees the tattoo seems to want to know What It Means. Does everyone who gets a tattoo mean something by it?

Mine does, of course, have a bunch of personal and intellectual symbolism wrapped up in it. So when people ask me, I try to tell them. Ideally this would involve a short description of the Eleusinian Mysteries, a quick summary of Noh and Zeami, some speculation about the "apples" of Semitic and Mediterranean myth, and finish off with my thoughts on the politicization of the fat belly. I could write an essay. But people ask and then immediately glaze over.

Does that normally happen? I mean. Why ask, if you don't want to know that much? Is it a polite question that requires no real answer? Should I have a 2-sentence answer prepared? In the past week or so I've taken to saying "oh, it's about change and growth".

Also, everything in the world is connected. My hairstylist (in Richmond) and my tattooist (in Maryland) went to high school together.

Comments

[snidegrrl.livejournal.com]

It's funny - my speech about the one on my leg has gotten shorter and shorter. At first it was a long explanation of the song, my relationship to the music, and my buddhist leanings. Now it's either just "It's from an album cover" or "It means to be glad you're alive". People do always ask. I guess that's alright with me, particularly since it is a tad inscrutable. I began to feel, when I gave the long explanation, that I was boring the person.

Perhaps we should both type up pamphlets and hand them out. :)

[petite-tadpole.livejournal.com]

oooooooo that's a good idea lol

I just got my tattoo last week, and while I know in my head what it means, trying to vocalize it is a little difficult...

hrmm, pamphlet...

[peregrin8.livejournal.com]

Yes, you should have a quickie answer handy. People want "It symbolizes X."

When I was trying to write a novel, everyone asked "What's it about?" They wanted a SOUNDBITE. (I hated them for it.)

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I'm liking snidegrrl's pamphlet idea. I don't really do soundbites.

[elusis.livejournal.com]

Invent a false soundbite to tell to people as an opener. If they look satisfied, feel smug in their lack of clue. If they start questioning further, give them the real story.

I will say: I like to know symbolism and stories, but while I might want a pretty good explanation, I often don't expect a 20 minute story in response to a single question.

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I could probably come up with a 20 minute version, but it's been more like 2. :)

[elusis.livejournal.com]

Just checking. I know some people who can... natter on. And miss the social cues that say "no really, I have ceased to follow your narrative..."

[divinerose.livejournal.com]

where in Maryland did you go?

[keryx.livejournal.com]

Lexington Park (southern MD).

[examorata.livejournal.com]

I kind of start out with a very simple explanation, and am willing to expand on it if the person actually seems interested. The one on my leg, in Elvish, is the one I get asked about the most, since it's most inscrutable (and also highly visible). In short, I say, "It says, 'Not all those who wander are lost.'" If they seem satisfied, I drop it. If they ask what language, I tell them, and then offer more if they want it. I guess it's just part of having tattoos, having to explain them. =)

[keryx.livejournal.com]

I love explaining it. It's just that my explanation is all long and geeky - I haven't yet figured out a short way to talk about it.

[peregrin8.livejournal.com]

ooh, now I'm all curious! (and yet, I have used up my 5 questions)

[belladonnalin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've found that I get the "what does it MEAN?" the most with my Medusa backpiece. With the words on my arms (the most visible), I get a lot of "Why'd you get THAT?" or "Huh?"

I go in cycles. Sometimes, I really want to explain Audre Lorde or the reasoning behind the words on my upper shoulder. Sometimes, it leads to a great conversation.

And sometimes, I don't want to share my struggles and triumphs and failures (all of which are really tied into my tattoos) with total fucking strangers. So I don't.

I did have a guy give me his phone number last night AFTER reading my tattoos. That was odd.

[maryjholliday.livejournal.com]

I sure hope people have SOME semblance of meaning behind their tattoos. Maybe I hope for too much. Eh.

I generally give one-sentence answers about my tattoos, but it feels awkward to be so instantly intimate with strangers. Whatevs...I'm generally an open book!