TATTOO : Why Do People Have Tattoos...?

Recently – while surfing TV channels – I saw a show where people who had got botched-up Tattoos – or Tattoos which were embarrassing – these tattooed individuals were ready go under the Tattoo Gun for a second time to undo the damage and get their bad tattoos improved by “Tattoo Cover-Up Artistes”. 

This reminded me of an post I had written long back on “TATTOO” – in which I had asked the moot question:

Why Do People Have Tattoos...?

I have not got the answer to my question so far.

So – let me post my views on TATTOO once more – with the hope that someone will tell us why people have tattoos. 

TATTOO

Why Do People Get Themselves Inked...?

Musings

By
VIKRAM KARVE

Getting permanently “inked” seems to be getting increasingly popular day by day.

Some proudly display visible tattoos on exposed parts of their bodies – while some like to have secret tattoos in various private places of their bodies.

Some get names of their lovers inked on their bodies – maybe as a Public Display of Affection (PDA).

Some people like individuals who have a tattoo – some are indifferent – and some disapprove.

There are organisations that do not approve of tattoos.

A young man told me that he wanted to join the Army – but he could not do so since he had a Tattoo.

I was surprised.

I did not know that the Army does not allow individuals with Tattoos to join up. 

Traditionally – Tattoos were associated with Navy Sailors.

Merchant Seamen and Naval Sailors – who sailed across the high seas to distant lands – came back with exotic tattoos inked on their bodies as a testimony to their travels – and as a permanent memory of the ports they had visited.

So – the tradition of tattooing – or permanently inking your body – soon became associated with sailors – men who sailed the high seas to exotic destinations.

I do not know whether the Indian Navy permits officers and sailors to have tattoos – but – during my long service in the Navy – I did not see any Naval Officer or Sailor with tattoos – except innocuous childhood tattoos inked on forearms as a custom/tradition when they were children.

I do not have a Tattoo – nor did I see any of my shipmates get themselves inked with Tattoos on their bodies – but I have seen a few Merchant Navy Sailors with Tattoos.

Do the Indian Army and Air Force allow Tattoos?

I do not know.

Some employers may frown upon Tattoos.

So – if do not want your Tattoo to come in the way of a career opportunity – especially if you want to join the Armed Forces – you better think twice before you get your body permanently inked with a tattoo.

But – I once saw a stylish Army wife with an intricate tattoo inked on her body – at a most curious place.

I once read a story about a lovey-dovey celebrity couple who got each other’s names tattooed – permanently inked – on their bodies as an expression of mutual love.

A few years later – the lovers had a break up and separated.

Now – after they had a bitter break-up – the “Tattoo of Love” became a “Symbol of Hate” – and they wanted to get their tattoos removed – and in the laborious process they ended up damaging their skin with scars.

Tattoos are painful to get inked – so I really wonder why people are willing to undergo pain just to ink their skin.

I never felt the need to get a tattoo.

I have always wondered why so many people – especially celebrities – like to ink their bodies permanently with tattoos.

Let us try to answer the moot question – and – try to fathom the answer to mysterious question: Why Do People Have Tattoos...?

WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TATTOOS

Whenever I see a person with a Tattoo – I get intrigued.

Why do people have tattoos made on their body...?

Why do some beautiful persons stain and blemish their soft flawless skin...?

Why do they go through the expensive and painful process of inking...?

What is the reason people want to have a tattoo...? 

In order to understand this mystery – I decided to go into the basics of human behaviour.

Tell me: 

“Why do you behave in the way you do...?”

The answer is simple:

You behave in a certain way to satisfy your needs at that point of time.

In fact – all your behaviour is governed by your intrinsic motivation to satisfy your needs.

Yes – your needs influence your behaviour.

HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IN A NUTSHELL 

The process of human behavior can be summarized in four steps:

1. A need is aroused within you

2. You behave in a way to satisfy the need

3. The need is satisfied

4. You relax

So – what do you think are the “needs” that motivate a person to have a Tattoo...?

If you already have a tattoo – ask yourself:

What was the “needs” that motivated you to get a Tattoo...?

Or – if you intend to get a Tattoo – what is motivating you get your body inked...?

WHAT “NEED” MOTIVATED YOU TO HAVE A TATTOO

Do you have a tattoo?

Yes?

Do tell us:

What was the “need” you wanted to satisfy by having a Tattoo...?

Was it the need for Thrill and a sense of Adventure...?

Did you have a Tattoo to satisfy your need to seek Attention...?

Or – is your Tattoo your way of expressing your sense of Rebellion in order to satisfy your needs for freedom or self-expression...?

Did you have a Tattoo due to Peer Pressure – to satisfy your “need to belong” – or for Conformance – or identification with a group...?

Historically – Tattoos were used to brand Slaves – so maybe you wanted to be “branded” as someone’s “slave” – so you got that person’s name tattooed on your body.

Is that the reason you got your lover’s name tattooed on your body – to fulfill your need to show off your love – or to satisfy your need to be dominated...?

Did you want to display to the world that – you “belong” to your lover – and you are his “slave” – and vice versa...?

Is your Tattoo a Public Display of Affection (PDA)...?

What will happen if you break-up with your lover whose name is tattooed on your body...?

Someone once told me that people have “secret tattoos” in hidden places on the body which no one can see – like at the base of the spine on the lower back just above the derriere.

It is a mystery as to why people have such secret hidden Tattoos – but obviously they are satisfying some need.

Maybe – some individuals have a need for secrecy – or a need for sensuality – or a need for exclusivity.

Or – maybe some get Tattoos because they have an inferiority complex – and want to show off that they are “hep” and fashionable.

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO PERMANENTLY INK YOUR BODY WITH A TATTOO ?

They say that Tattoos are expensive, painful and permanent.

I also heard that Tattoo Removal is even more expensive and painful.

I read an article once that in many cases Tattoo Removal may be ineffective.

I do not know whether it is true – but someone told me that it is impossible to actually remove a tattoo – you can lighten it, nothing more

Or – you can get a “cover up” artiste to “fix” your Tattoo and improve its appearance.

However – if you remove a permanent tattoo – you may never get back the flawless skin that you had before you got the tattoo done – and – ugly scars may remain.

If your skin is sensitive – it may get damaged or discoloured forever.

I am sure that before a person decides to have a Tattoo done on their body – they know all these implications.

But their “need” to have a Tattoo creates a desire is so strong and overpowering – that it motivates them to go ahead and satisfy their need by getting a Tattoo.

Like I said earlier – historically – Tattoos were used to brand Slaves and Animals.

If the owner’s name was tattooed on the slave or animal – the Tattoo signified Ownership – and maybe it is the same “need for ownership” which makes lovers tattoo each other’s names on their bodies. 

In ancient times – Tattoos were used as a mode of communication between spies.

Once upon a time – members of some Mafia used to wear Symbolic Tattoos to identify as members of a certain crime syndicate.

Seamen and Sailors came back with Tattoos – a tradition that would soon become associated with men of the sea.

But – all this happened in ancient times.

I wonder why so many people have Tattoos in this modern age.

If you have a tattoo – or intend getting a tattoo inked on your body – maybe you can answer this question – and tell us: “Why do you want to have a Tattoo...?”

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views. Whether to tattoo or not to have a tattoo is your prerogative, but do so with due diligence.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. All examples and tips are illustrative in nature. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Revised and Updated version of my Article on TATTOO First Posted by me Vikram Karve in this blog at 8/26/2013 04:49:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/08/tattoo-why-do-you-have-tattoo.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/03/tattoo-why-do-people-get-themselves.html