Why do so many people think we get tattooed/pierced to "follow the crowd" ?

Question

Alright..So I'm kind of ranting but, asking a question at the same time (its a technicality really but, I still dont think I'm breaking any yahoo rules). My entire family, and some of my (prude) friends like to throw out the arguement that Im so into tattoos and piercings because I'm "following the crowd" ..A- Im from a crappy little city where you stand out like a sore thumb if you have anything other than your ears pierced, B- when I was in school,(24 now) I was homeschooled..so its not like my peers influenced me any.. and C- none of my friends are into tattoos and piercings..how exactly am I following the crowd? I've always been interested in tattoos and piercings, because I like them, not because other people do.

So why is it that so many people think we're "following the crowd" by our body modifcation choices? Why cant we be into them, simply because we enjoy them?

Also-why are they still considered so taboo, when body modification has been around for hundreds of years?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot..people also assume that we "do it for attention" ....Uh...no? You cant see half of my piercings or tattoos unless I specifically show you. Thats definitely not for attention. Infact Im kind of a wallflower, Im not into attention. I basically like to be left alone. I've tried to explain that I get piercings and tattoos because I like them, theyre not to impress anyone, and theyre not to draw attention, but people who dont have ANYTHING pierced or tattooed, insist that I'm wrong, and really, I did do it for attention. (which I find annoying)

Hey I've got no problem if people have an opinion different than mine, infact, I encourage it. But I dont constantly rant and rave to people because they DONT have any piercings or tattoos, so why do they feel the need to rant at me because I do have them?

so, I dont get them because I like them, or even because a tattoo might hold a personal meaning for me..I get them, because I'm a baboon and want to show off how tough I am? ...Did you think about that before you typed it ?


I just said that people dont know about half of my piercings or my tattoos...so how exactly does that apply? I get them because I like them, not because people think theyre cool.

Answer 1

people say these things out of sheer ignorance. they honestly don't know any better and they believe that the only reason anybody would ever ruin their body is to get attention.

they are of course wrong but there is no convincing them.

i have always been fascinated with tattoos as well and got one the minute i turned 18. i look at my tattoos as art, so i just tell people that i am an art collector and my tattoos are a part of that art. and if nothing else i just ignore them.

some people that i work with are convinced that i am "into pain" and "like that kind of stuff" which is ridiculous. the pain lasts for the duration of the application. that's like saying women who give birth naturally are into pain and that's why they do it. never mind the end result.

Answer 2

I don't have a serious answer for your question, but I feel the same way you do. My Dad is always bitchin' about how ugly my piercings are and he won't let me get a tattoo. He thinks I'm doing so I can fit in and get attention at school in stuff. But I'm a good kid, and NO ONE at my school has any piercings other than their ears. And it wasn't until after I got mine that others started getting their eyebrows and tongues pierced. I don't know why I got them, but I just like them. I guess my answer. I think that piercings look nice, and so do tats.And I don't know why they're so taboo, its been around for a long time like u said.

Answer 3

Technically, since tats and piercings are so popular, we are "following the crowd" when we get them, but only technically:D I got mine because I like body art, and while I enjoy the attention I get from having them, that isn't the reason I got them. They are a form of personality expression, just like the type of clothes we wear, the way we apply make up, our hairstyles, the type of vehicle and house we own/rent, our pets, and there is nothing wrong with visually expressing your personality. Just ignore them, and enjoy the art you wear:D

Also, expressing exasperation and frustration about the way people are treating her does not mean she is saying "I can't handle it". It just means she has to let off some steam. Why keep it bottled up? They felt the need to express their displeasure at her choice of body modification, so she has the right to express her displeasure at their choice to complain about it.

Answer 4

Maybe in utilitarian versions of classical architecture, but art has no such obligation or restriction. Indeed "form may create function" in both art and some artistic architectural philosophies. It's a beginning to start there with that idea. But architecture supported by advances in understanding, building techniques and building materials has opened the the door to more imaginative and creative visions. I see lots of good A's to your Q. I think there is such a thing as transcendental architecture as there is transcendental art and transcendental thought. I would think of "form follows function" as a thumb rule in mechanical and civil engineering design specifically and all engineering in general. It also reminds me of Leonardo Davinci's studies of forms (eg human body, horses in motion & birds in flight to name a few) and his many engineering designs.

Answer 5

Lol....I effin agree! That's like saying...OMG...I GOT A TATTOO OF MY DAUGHTERS NAME BECAUSE A GROUP OF MY FRIENDS HAVE A DAUGHTER WITH THE SAME NAME AS WELL! *sighs* You want a tattoo or peircing thats your business...my family warned me that if I get tattoos they would be forever disappointed....So I got one the same day. Wow...big deal. Then I realized that I wanted to get my daughters name tatted...I got that done the same day. I didnt care how people looked at me or thought of me...Its how I look at me...theyre just jealous because tats and peircings wouldn't look good on THEM...lol...

Dont worry...do your thing and you wont be an outcast over something that millions of other people have.

Answer 6

I totally agree with you I have 4 tattoos and a few piercings and I LOVE every single one of them. If we want to tattoo OUR body's we should be allowed to and not worry about what other people say about it they should mind their own business' if they don't like tattoos fine don't get any then but don't criticize the people who do want them . AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION "a girl" WE KNEW ON SOME DEGREE THAT STUPID @$$ PEOPLE LIKE YOU WOULD BE JUDGEING US BUT I PERSONALLY DON'T GIVE A F--K WHAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU HAVE TO SAY IF YOUR LIFE IS SO EMPTY THAT YOU HAVE TO SIT AROUND AND JUDGE EVERYONE FOR WHAT THEY DO WITH THEIR BODYS THEN I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU!!!!

Answer 7

*shrug* They're just jealous that their skin ain't as pretty as ours. ;)
It's also because of people like this.... obviously no thought was put into this predicament.....

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070126230333AA6tFqA&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMhz1dWa9VoZJ.rlGL4mEP7DPdvxtoFfTmODiqxu8pQ5dlHHIrvGjonzl00NndDhI.PQ--&paid=answered#TcR9W2G.UTi9e0gO74fLnvw96eJhJv8a3Bl3.tdDlqqU6CIMc8DD

*shrug* I have mine cuz they mean something to me, other people have their own reasons, I'm sure.

I guess another aspect of the following the crowd thing is the whole tribal tattoo on lower back (I mean, hell, it was unique back in the day, but let's give it a rest already.) and seeing the same tattoo on ten people in one day. Isn't flash -GRAND-?

Answer 8

Look I think tats and piercings can be cool.
But youre kidding yourself if you don't know its a bonding of sorts.
In your mind you are make a declaration.
And it's a not a bad thing per say.
You want to feel a little like a rebel, different, unique, so misunderstood that you must brand yourself. You identify with being an outsider.
Anything we identify with makes us a follower in a sense.

Answer 9

i don't care what people think of me and my tattoos i love them and i am very prod of them.
I am who i am. my tattoos do not change me

Answer 10

And why not? The very same way you strive for your right to make a choice, other people do have a right to have an opinion different from yours...