"The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who have tattoos, and those who are afraid of people with tattoos." ~Author Unknown

A girl I know turned 18 the other day. What did she want at 18? Her belly button pierced. Since she was 18, she could legally get that done without her parent’s permission, but they made it a family affair. Mom, dad, daughter(s) all went to watch the 18-year old get her belly button pierced.

To each is own, I say. It’s not my thing.

So, I was being told this story by the 18-year-old’s mother, and I must have cringed when she was talking about getting the belly button pierced because she said, “At least it’s not a tattoo”. I’m fairly, almost, 95% positive that she forgot I have tattoos. They’re all pretty much covered up in the winter. So I didn’t take personal offense when she said that, but I thought, “How is a belly-button ring less dramatic, less offensive than a tattoo?” Is it because tattoo’s are permanent? Is it because tattoos are more visible? Is it because tattooed people are stereotyped into “goons, goofs, bikers, tribal warriors, carnival artists, drunker sailor and floozies” (Jon Anderson)?

I don’t get it. I never have. Why tattoos are so evil. Someone explain.