Leah from Florida got interested in how we adorn our bodies and how these adornments makes us feel when they are on our bodies and other people’s. She decided to find out first hand how others were feeling about tattoos and interviewed several  people in her community. Since I’ve talked about how I feel in my own skin on The GladBook before, she’s responded. She wrote me following:

Of tattoos:

Although tattoos have gained a new respect, some still label and equate the wearer with being a biker, convict, gang member or the likes. Others are regretful of their tattoos and have come; they feel, “full circle” because of religious beliefs…Within the white-collar sect, tattoos are now more often compared, displayed proudly, and the topic of discussion at office water coolers. There are still individuals within the tattoo-society that prefer privacy and secrecy.

I found wearers were very eager to talk about their personal tattoo- journeys. I was pleased with myself in having stepped out of my comfort zone to reach out to those that I would not normally converse with. This was truly a learning experience and a journey within itself, even for someone as open minded as me. As a point of reference, my questions varied from interviewee to interviewee, but I always ended with the same question – what advice would you give someone considering a tattoo? Although said differently, there was a singular message and it was clear — there was one interviewee who seemed to sum it up best — “the selection of a tattoo is a process that even before it’s put on, it’s already a part of you.”