Some might call me a prude, but I don’t really like tattoos. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against all tattoos on everyone, but I’m quite picky about the ones I do like, and I would never in a million years get one myself. There are many reasons behind this decision, going deeper than just a simple dislike for them, and I’d like to explain why.
I’m Jewish. I’m not particularly religious, but I consider myself to be reform, and follow a few of the rules and keep kosher on holidays. I, like many, believed until recently (while I was researching for this article in fact), that Jews cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery with a tattoo. This is apparently a common misconception, and is generally not true, except for in a few select cemeteries with their own rules and regulations. However, it is still against Jewish law to mutilate the body, as it is believed that this would be an insult to the gift of life that has been bestowed upon us. This rule is not typically followed by reform Jews, which is what I consider myself to be, but I like the sentiment behind it, and so choose to follow it. There is also the negative connotation of tattoos in the Jewish community since the Holocaust, and I think getting any type of tattoo would remind me of that awful history behind them.
I am also a sustainability major, and care deeply about the environment and overall health of our world and every species on it, including our own. Most tattooing ink contains metals that are harmful to the body and the environment. These include mercury, lead, arsenic and many others. The most eco-friendly part of getting a tattoo is the removal process, which has made advancements in its materials used that are less harmful to the environment, although I doubt they are any less painful. Did I mention I also have a very low pain tolerance?
All the external potential impacts aside, getting a tattoo could also hurt my chances of getting a job in the future. Studies have shown that visible tattoos are still a negative factor during the job interview process, and unless tattoos are well hidden or significantly small, they can contribute to losing a job prospect. If I were to want to get a tattoo, I would at least want to be able to see it, or else what’s the point of getting it at all? But it would never be worth sacrificing the career that I want.
Finally, not getting a tattoo is just as much of a personal choice as getting one. I’ve felt more pressure in recent years to get one by peers and the media than I believe many of my peers experience to not get a tattoo by family and other similar sources of authority. Although it may not be cool or trendy to not have a tattoo these days, I’ve chosen to abstain, and I hope that others can respect that decision, just as I respect the decision to choose to obtain one. Just make sure it’s spelled right, especially if it’s in a foreign language, please.
