Heroes: Butch
7 hours ago
Posted by
Hypatia
In:
Human Behavior,
Mormonism
Do you believe in tatoos?
Funny thing happened the other day. Someone at work asked me if I "believed" in tattoos when I was talking about how I discovered my daughter one day after she'd written all over her arm in ink.
I actually thought it was kind of funny. My daughter had a princess tutu over her regular clothes, at least 50 of mommy's colorful hair bands that she'd pilfered from my bathroom cabinet on one arm, and she'd made some kind of design all over the other arm with a pen. When I saw her, I thought she looked like an eclectic little artist and proudly proclaimed she would be an artist just like her daddy someday.
For some reason, the person, who I was telling this story to, looked at me wide eyed and said, "Oh no. That might mean she might want tatoos one day. What would you do if she wanted a tatoo?"
"Er... Well, it wouldn't bother me, depending on the tatoo. I just wouldn't want her to do anything she would later regret. But that's up to her, when she's old enough."
"But you don't believe in tatoos . . . do you?"
Now this was weird. Did I believe tatoos existed? Yes. How could you not? I was starting to feel the word "believe" had not been used by accident. I had never spoke with this particular coworker about my religion before, but I had a feeling. . .
"Well, I'm fine if someone wants to get a tatoo..."
"But aren't you Mormon?"
Boom. There it was. Mormon. How did she know? Well I guess it isn't a secret that I grew up in the church. But really, the only time I've spoken with any of my coworkers about Mormonism, they were fully aware I was no longer active. For some reason, this person knew Mormon and me somehow went together, but didn't know how. And so, naturally, she assumed I didn't "believe" in tatoos.
I ended up explaining that I was "raised mormon," but didn't practice it anymore. My coworker then told me about her Mormon neighbors down the street, and how the son was on a mission while I tried to put on my best oh-really-that-is-something-I-totally-care-about-and-am-interested-in face. She also jokingly called me a "rebel" about the fact that, despite my upbringing, I don't practice my "faith" anymore.
I guess if using my own brain instead of blindly following the worldview and religion that was ingrained in my head from infancy makes me a "rebel," then I guess I am one.
Whatever.
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5 comments:
LOL What strange wording. "Do you believe in tattoos?" Maybe if I were tribal, Maori, and they had cultural and religious meaning...
I like it when people think they're giving you a negative label, and it's actually a compliment!
My favorite was being told by a rape apologist that I have the philosophy of satan in the marrow of my bones!
Party on my rebellious sister!!
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the question. "Do you believe in tattoos?"
LOL!
I guess on the surface that sounds like a strange question but when thinking about it, it seems like a short hand way of asking "do you believe that tattoos are ok?" etc.
I love being a rebel.
Kiley- Yes, very strange wording indeed!
Koda- Your story about a rape apologist intrigues me. I must know more. O_o
TGD- Yes, it probably is a short hand way of saying that. But still, it's a weird way to phrase the question. The funny thing is, I don't feel "rebellious" at all. But others like to put that label on a person because it separates that person from themselves. At least that's what I think. People who come to their own conclusions can be scary because that puts the ball in other people's courts to evaluate their own world views in a more objective manner. But if you call someone a "rebel" you don't have to reevaluate anything because the "rebel" is the one who is at odds with society, and you lose all responsibility for thinking for yourself.
At least that's what I think about that term being used in such a way.
Anarchy!
No. Tattoos do not exist. Do not even try to say that they do. ;-)
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