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Breakfast N' Ink

While having breakfast at Wendy’s this morning, I had an awesome chat with a fellow tattoo enthusiast. I’d like to add that the maggi goreng was awesome! For those of you outside Singapore and Malaysia, think of instant noodles fried with tomato sauce, chilli sauce, soy sauce, diced onions and greens. What you get is a plate of red hot noodles served with a sunny side up!

Anyhow…this bloke was asking what I thought the general perception of tattoos was. In all honesty, I reckon he meant “Singaporean” rather than general.

Singaporeans are really an ok bunch. Apart from the occasional stares, most have become accustomed to body art. In fact, I’ve met a good number of people that have remarked that they’ve always wanted to get a tattoo. But because of family, religion or occupation, they’ve not gotten inked. That’s totally cool and I respect that.

Tattoos however are taboo for most jobs here. Unlike Australia, you’d never see a uniformed police officer with tattoos. I have never seen a tattooed customer service officer nor have I seen a teacher with worthy art. Reason? There’s no chance in hell my KIND will get that job. You’ll see it written all over their faces the moment the job interview starts. Take my job for instance. I’m working for a world renowned nightspot. I have to be in long sleeves everyday and if I were to roll my sleeves up, I’ll be barking up the wrong tree!

A part of me misses India. It was one of those rare moments in life where you feel like you’re a celebrity. I crave to be famous. Heh! Imagine walking into a train station and hundreds turn to stare at you.. Or getting stopped at the airport customs. Not to check your bags but just so they can have a closer look at your art. This happened throughout India and not once did this irritate me (I get irritated real easy). I carry my tattoos with pride and I love talking and educating people about this art.

Back in Singapore, I sometimes opt for a quiet day out. Great World City is my favourite mall for a couple of reasons. Mainly because it’s quiet and you get a good amount of foreigners that frequent the place. I’ve stopped going to places like Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio for obvious reasons.

To summarize my conversation, I think Singaporeans are ok with tattoos. Tattoos are not part of our traditions but it’s slowly becoming a culture. A culture that your children may like one day. The question is…Would you stop your kid from getting ink? Would you throw a fit if he or she would to come home with a tattoo?

My parents went ballistic when I came home with a scorpion tattoo at the age of 15. Today, they love my tattoos and they’re huge fans of Miami Ink. How times change….


(This is officially my 200th post. Thank you for reading and inspiring me with your comments. Till the next hundred….)

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