A trend is something that somehow becomes popular within mainstream society over a long period of time.
A fad is something that is very popular with a small group of people for a short period of time.
A craze is a product, idea, cultural movement, or model that gains popularity among a small section of the populace then quickly migrates to the mainstream.
Mainstream is, generally, the common current of thought of the majority. It is a term most often applied in the arts. Any confusion here ~ are tattoos the Arts? Add diversity, cultural differences and the median average age of our society and these definitions are anything but easily interpreted. I'd venture to guess there will be a lot of unreadable tattoos on wrinkly old bodies some day. Will the trend, fad and craze be over by then?It's all about free agency - some use this very freely. When you seek to find fault with others you only expose your own. Far be it for me to find fault with anyone wishing to endure the pain, cost and subsequent wrinkly, unreadable tattoo some day. (although I told my kids to never have one a judge could see if you're standing before him.) They even have even gender-specific tattoos now. I can't get a flower on my shoulder, I guess. Several questions come to mind.
1. What is the percentage of Americans with tattoos?
2. How many of us want one but won't get one for whatever reason?
3. When is it considered excessive?
4. Where does this end?
5. Is this example below "art" or poor taste?
P.S. This was in no way, shape or form, meant as forum to slam those who may have a tattoo!!! Honest!!! (hmmm, I still think I may want a miniature US flag on one ear lobe. When I'm 80 yrs old, it will hang nicely and may even flap in the wind like a real flag.)
4 comments:
I can't believe you put that picture of your tattoo on your blog! You know I hate your tattoo and it is soooo tacky.
An extra ear piercing on a girl, the one pierced ear on a guy, long hair on guys--all rebellious acts of the young in the olden days and it drove parents crazy. Now the trend is tattoos, but not only does it drive parents crazy, parents are getting tattoos, too. Though I would love an iguana tattoo, I think when I'm 95, it would look scaly, saggy, and sickly--oh wait, that would just be my own skin making it look that way.
I understand some Australian aborgines, African tribes & American Indians were tatooed. First tatoo I recall seeing was the American Eagle on Snyder's forearm from his Army days. During WWII, the Nazis tattoed the concentration camp prisoners with identifying numbers (kept meticulous records of each), and the hispanic "gangs" in LA crudely tatooed themselves with marks between thumb and index finger, self mutilation to show their gang affiliation. Times have certainly changed!
Ha ha ha ha! Ron, if you do get that U.S. flag tattoo, please send me a picture of it, especially an action shot or two of it flapping in the wind! Hilarious!
If you're familiar with the U.S. Flag Code which outlines the manner in which the flag should be displayed, you might have trouble doing some things like keeping a light on it all night long. Also, everyone who faced you while talking would have to have their hand over their heart (unless they were in uniform).
You're funny.
interesting post and interesting questions. the only one i have an answer to is #5. absolutely, without a doubt...poor taste. ewwwwww!
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