Become a Patron!This is a collaboration between Social Media Personality @jane_surin and Relationship Counselor and Clinical Sexologist @drmarthalee of @eroscoaching.
Getting a tattoo is like purchasing art, and it could also be an extension of themselves. Also, the type of work or how largely it spans all over the body can also be an attention grabber to some.
Drivers behind the fascination of acquiring a tattoo may fall into four main groups, namely healing, affiliation, art, and fashion.
Why We Shouldn’t Judge People with Tattoos
- Having a tattoo is never a factor of intelligence, worth, or value.
- Tattoos are beautiful and considered art.
- A tattoo shouldn’t stop you from getting a job because it doesn’t stop your performance.
Demystifying Tattoos
Collaboration by:
Jane Surin and Dr Martha Tara Lee
What are Tattoos?
A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on your skin with pigments inserted through pricks into the skin’s top layer. Typically, the tattoo artist uses a hand-held machine that acts much like a sewing machine, with one or more of the various sized needles piercing the skin repeatedly. With every puncture, the needles insert tiny ink droplets.
Why People are Fascinated with Tattoos
Getting a tattoo is like purchasing art, and it could also be an extension of themselves. Also, the type of work or how largely it spans all over the body can also be an attention grabber to some.
Drivers behind the fascination of acquiring a tattoo may fall into four main groups, namely healing, affiliation, art and fashion.
Why We Shouldn’t Judge People with Tattoos
- Having a tattoo is never a factor of intelligence, worth, or value.
- Tattoos are beautiful and considered art.
- A tattoo shouldn’t stop you from getting a job because it doesn’t stop your performance.
More by Jane Surin
“I will be very honest here. Having tattoos myself, I tend to be able to slightly have a grasp on one’s character through their tattoos, as I mentioned earlier that it is partially an extension of themselves. For example, if someone is covered from head to toe with tattoos which are offensive and spread hate then naturally I wouldn’t like to go within a foot of this person. As opposed to another person who might be covered in very general/ neutral type of artwork.
I also agree that tattoos shouldn’t stop us from getting jobs but I believe that with regards to certain workplaces or certain environment settings, it is also ok for us to decide to cover them up to avoid any fallout.”
Don’t Do These Things
1. Don’t Touch Me
Those of us who have any sense of social awareness and bodily autonomy understand that when a stranger on the subway, without even asking, puts a hand on a pregnant person’s growing belly, that’s rude. But those people – the ones who have yet to be educated about personal boundaries or who grew up in such a touchy-feely culture that they can’t shake it – are the same ones that have a tendency to touch tattoos.
Don’t Do These Things
2. Don’t Ask About My Personal Finances
The same thing goes for tattoos. Offer the same courtesy. Or, you know, do your own research on how much tattoos average where I could maybe set you up with a consultation at the studio.
Don’t Do These Things
3. Don’t Hit On Me
By all means, compliment me.
So before you approach someone with tattoos to talk about tattoos, consider your motive: Are you genuinely invested in this conversation, or is it a feeble attempt at finding common ground?t Except that I work in a tattoo studio helping my tattoo artist with managing her appointments so I’m fine with the questions, as hopefully it could lead to them potentially getting some work done with her or any of the artists in the studio.
Where to go?
Jane helps manage the artist behind Potato Parlour. Jade Sparkle.
Potato Parlour IG: https://instagram.com/potato.parlour
Jade Sparkle IG: https://instagram.com/jadesparkletattoos
Jane Surin IG: https://www.instagram.com/jane_surin/
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Enquire about my relationship and sexuality counseling and coaching here.
About Dr. Martha Tara Lee
Surrounded by friends who were sexually inhibited and struck by dire lack of positive conversations around sex and sexuality in Singapore, Dr. Martha Tara Lee set out to make a positive difference in embarking on her doctorate in human sexuality before launching Eros Coaching in 2009. Today, she remains dedicated to working with individuals and couples who wish to lead self-actualised and pleasure-filled lives.
She also holds certificates in counselling, coaching and sex therapy, and her fourth degree – a Masters in Counselling in May 2018. In practice since 2009, she is the only certified sexuality educator and certified sexuality educator supervisor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) in Singapore.
Often cited in the media, Dr. Lee is the appointed Clinical Sexologist for Singapore Cancer Society. She was recognised as one of ‘Top 50 Inspiring Women Under 40′ by Her World in July 2010, and one of ‘Top 100 Inspiring Women’ by CozyCot in March 2011. She has published four books: Love, Sex and Everything In-Between, Orgasmic Yoga, From Princess to Queen and {Un}Inhibited.
Martha works with individuals and couples in private coaching sessions, and conducts her own workshops. She takes prides in making sure all her workshops are also fun, educational, and sex-positive. This comes easily to her because even though she is extremely dedicated and serious about her work, she fundamentally believes that sex is meant to be fun, wonderful, amazing and sacred. As such, this serious light-heartedness has shone through again and again. For her full profile, click here. Email her here.
