I was asked to attend a lecture (followed by Q&A session). by a student who was doing their undergrad in Psychology.

The session was on tattooing and whether people regret it or have had adverse psychological effects from having themselves tattooed.

I thought ok this should be interesting and sat through 45 mins of the worst bullshit I have had to endure…ever.

My biggest pet hate in life is where ppl would rather use excuses and look for research that only backs up their opinion. I would rather somebody stand up and say hey I hate x and my reasons for doing so are this. I have found these points which support my view.

Not ‘I am completely unbiased in my opinion but my research shows without reservation x’. This is utter nonsense when it comes to social or pyschological study our own experiences and prejudices affect how we interpet data.

To sum it up they jumped on the podium and stated that all ppl with tattooes can be fitted into 4 main catergories of personality types;

Rebellious (Only getting inked to challenge society or piss our peers off)

Peer Pressured (Getting tattooed to fit in witha group eg gangs, sports etc – typically male).

Aesthetic and/or emotional driven. (To look good for fashion or memorial type tattoos)

Whilst I am personally against putting ppl in ‘boxes’ I can accept that these maybe valid reasons as to why ppl get tattooed – but there are several other social, religious, cultural and even erotic reasons we do it (BECAUSE WE CAN! :D).

Anyhow shit hit the fan when they said that her study group showed;

Over 85% regretted having their ink done. (Majority I have interviewed have no regrets)

That getting tattooed was a sign of low self esteem. (Everybody has periods of this – inked or not)

People with tattoos are less likely to ‘achieve’ because they had less motivation and self esteem to succeed. (How many millions of ppl are holding down decent careers with ink and/or a decent standard of education?)

This is my favourite 😡

That the bigger the tattoo eg full bodysuit or backpiece is indicative of such low self esteem as to border upon self hate or suicide. (Yes my ambition is to be inked to death I am surely not alone??)

But – People who got tattooed for aesthetic reasons (because it made them feel good) suffer less low-self esteem. (No shit Sherlock – so logically a person feeling suicidal is more likley to try and kill themselves than somebody who is not feeling suicidal?).

Why? Because their research said so! (I am the Global God-Emperor because I wrote it down and said so – does that still count?)

I jumped off my chair in the Q&A and asked who was your study group? How big was the sample? Was it cross-cultural? What was the relgious mix? Also how did you measure low self esteem? etc etc

I was told I was ‘heckling’. I advised their research was bullshit and that they would have to really back up their studies with ‘hard facts’ not some personal crusade against ink.

They admitted their sample was only 20 people all of a similar background and age. (I love diverse opinion)

I was then taunted with ‘What do you know about tattooing and psychology to challenge me!’. 😀

(Gloves came off for an academic arse kicking)

I asked how long they had spent on the study and they said 200 hours.

I advised I had spent nearly 700 hours researching the basics of tattooing, design, concept, and history (I am still a novice) but there is no way in hell I would make a paper of such a crappy sample and obviously flawed case.

Also since they asked I was already in my PhD but I still have the balls to admit I get things wrong and do not know it all – which was sadly lacking in your lecture.

Talking with one of their colleagues it seems they had some crap ink done and had it lasered off – and has held a hatred ever since.

Why not just stand up and say that instead of making some bogus ‘study’ to justify their dislike.

Rant over.

Take Care
Matthew