LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Leather Beach: Everyone is Doing It... Should You Do It, Too? |
During the summer at the Double L, when people were wearing less, I'm sure that you've noticed that if seems like almost everyone has either a tattoo or body piercing of some kind, or both! Tattoo studios and some body piercing salons seem to be popping up all over the Rehoboth Beach area. During the Eastern Shore Bear's contest, the participants were asked if they had tattoos, where they were, and what they meant to them. Consequently tattoos and body piercing seem to be becoming the norm for the leather and bear communities. So since everyone is doing it, should you? Everyone is different. I realize that some people look with disdain on tattooing and piercing in particular; this is a very personal thing and I'm sure not right for everyone. I think that before one has something like this done to their body they need to think long and hard about it. They have to assess whether they really want to have the art and/or jewelry, or if they are doing it just to go along with the crowd. Although jewelry can easily be removed, if you are not willing to properly care for it during the healing stage it can become easily infected and cause problems. Piercing certain parts of your body can affect the function of that organ; a case in point is the Prince Albert piercing. For those of you who are not familiar with what that is, simply stated it is a ring threaded into the opening on your penis and pierced through the bottom of the head. Once you have one of these the extra holes in the bottom it will necessitate that you sit to urinate; otherwise you will wet the floor. Considering a piece of jewelry like this you have to ask yourself if you are willing to urinate sitting down for the rest of your life. Even if you remove the ring the hole may always be there. Tattoos are more or less permanent. You need to carefully consider where it is placed, whether it will be visible to everyone all the time, and whether the subject matter of the artwork could cause problems for you at work or with your family if it is in a visible place. My friend Jergen has virtually his whole torso tattooed, but when he wear's his business suits not a one shows. Tattoos can be removed by laser surgery, but having them taken off is more expensive than having them put on. Again, are you doing this as a way of expressing yourself, or because all your friends have tattoos. Remember, you're the one who will have to look at the thing in the mirror every daybe sure you love it before you have it placed on your skin. That having been said I just got a tattoo and my nipples pierced in October of 1999. I had wanted both for years, but my ex-lover disapproved and forbade me having either done. I personally am mesmerized by tattoos, have been since I was a young man. The bright colored inks, the custom designs, the shiny silver jewelry that seem to accentuate one's more personal assetsit's a regular carnival of individual expression. I really admired the artwork on others, though I didn't always like their personal choices. After my divorce there was no longer anything to hold me back, I had everything done in one night. I got a lovely bear tattooed on my left shoulder with my name under it. The nipple rings are plain silver held shut with beads. Did it hurt? Yes, but that only seemed to add to the excitement of the experience. There is a definite adrenaline rush. The nipple piercing was more painful than the tattoo, but having a nice looking guy do it to me helped ease the pain. The tattoo artist did an excellent job; I have never seen another bear tattoo anywhere like it. If I get the other shoulder done I will have the same man do it so that the artwork is consistent. Do I have any regrets? Not a one. This is because I'm sure that I gave it adequate thought ahead of time. Everything is in a place where people who I don't want to share my art and jewelry with won't have to look at it, yet when I want to show it off I can do so easily. If you decide to take the plunge, here are some helpful hints:
Getting a tattoo and/or piercing can be a rewarding and fun experience, just use common sense. If you aren't certain you want to have it done, don't do it, wait until you are sure. Remember these changes you are making to your body are more or less permanent and not to be taken lightly. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 1, Feb. 4, 2000. |