Taboo or not?
Tania Forrest-Smith (54), who is the founder of the Bunny Park Animals 911 Group, has too many tattoos to count.
“I have two full sleeves, chest, back, lower back, legs and hand,” said the Northmead resident.
Although her love for tattoos is accepted by the people who work with her, she has been judged by many others for her many decorations.
“I have been called a tramp-stamp, biker chick and drug addict,” she said.
“But more open-minded people embrace the fact that I am unconventional enough to use my body as a canvass.”
Forrest-Smith’s most visible tattoos are on her arms, chest and hand.
Since her first tattoo when she was 30 years old, she has been asked numerous questions about her hobby.
“When people see me they stop, stare, fall in aisles and ask if it can be washed off,” she explained.
Other questions are: Is it real? Do you know you will go to hell?
“On the flip side, I get asked who my amazing tattoo artist is.”
The 54-year-old considers the stigma around having visible tattoos as prejudice and ignorance.
“Perhaps the fact is that they would really like to do it too, but are too bound by convention,” she said.
Another tattoo lover is Petit resident Leigh Hodgson, who can count the number of tattoos she has using her two hands and a few toes.
“I have more than 13 tattoos and receive a mixed reaction to them,” she said.
“Some people like them and compliment my choice and the work done.
“Other people assume I am irresponsible, jobless, unmarried; all of which is untrue.”
Although Hodgson has received some negative responses to her love for tattoos, she said her work colleagues are accustomed to seeing her.
“They accept it, because they know me and know it doesn’t affect my work,” said Hodgson, who is a journalist.
She has also encountered people who question what her family’s thoughts are on her growing number of tattoos.
“People are also surprised when they meet my husband, who is not tattooed or pierced,” she said.
Although she believes that having a tattoo is becoming more appealing to people, she still tries to be respectful when meeting people for work-related issues.
“With interviews I try to be respectful and cover up, my least favourite reaction is when some people think it is okay to touch my tattoos,” she said.
The City Times posed the question of what people think about tattoos on Facebook, and received several responses.
Carol Allan said: “Never in a million years would I get a tattoo!”
Debra Sharples agreed with Allan, calling the practice disgusting,
But Christie du Preez, who has two tattoos, considers them to be art.
Leilani Kermis agreed, because she loves all of her tattoos.
What are your thoughts? Email to bctletters@caxton.co.za.
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