piercings, tattoos and posh dos...

[nybom]

so far i have one tatto on my abdomen and several piercings in my ears (helix, forward helix, tragus, conch, amongst others). but i'd really really like to get more tattoos...

now, occasionally we escape our middle class exsistence by going to charity balls, upper class weddings, dinners etc. and i mean really posh not just b-celebrities, only very very rich people and some a-listers.

so, could i sport a visible tattoo? i'm thinking old school style tattoo on chest, flower tattoo on back...

i wasn't raised in the uk so i'm not sure about etiquette in this country... this class thing in england... i don't want to come across as a snob but i really need to know what one i should do.

has anybody got any knowledge on this?

thanks.

George V had a Cross of Jerulasalem and a dragon tattoo on his forearm

Queen Victoria allegedly had a small tattoo in a intimate, undisclosed location...

Winston Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill had a tattooo of a snake around her wrist which she covered, when the need arose, with a specially-crafted diamond bracelet
And Winston had an anchor on his forearm.

so it appears to be a bit hit and myth as to whether tattoos are 'common' or not

I personally love tattoos, visible or not. Just not ready for a more in-your-face one myself...

Hattsmum - sorry just back from lengthy bed-time traumas! My existing foot tattoo is a small abstract sorta botanic design on a diagonal above my toes (hence ability to cover it with a flip flop strap). Am going for two quite strong graphic flowers on my other foot (again botanic drawing stylee) to represent my 2 DDs. Stars are cute but lots of them about and can look a bit too tiny IYSWIM. How about a dragonfly? They look lovely in strong blues and black and you need a good outline on feet as they take a lot of wear and tear....

How do you really feel about it nybom? Tattoos are not my personal bag, but if you like them and want one, why would it bother you about it's visibility iykwim?

My personal view is that regardless of class, people view tattoos differently. Either they don't care particularly either way or they judge you on them. I am often surprised by people I know who have them, but I wouldn't normally have seen them if they weren't at the pool or wearing a cocktail dress for example.

You have already said that you don't want one near your bum "the only saggy part of you". Presumably you are pert and lovely everywhere else , but that might not be the case for ever. I am 34 and when I was 18 and perhaps at an age when one might have a tattoo, it was something that old ladies or old men had tbh and looked odd on their wrinkly bodies!!

Not very helpful really! I think what I'm saying is err on the side of surprise and discretion!

ilovethesun

well, not pert , but i will claim that i have maintained my body shape since i my teens...

btw., i'm 31 and have had two kids, i think my body will stay pretty much the same now for the next few decades. i know that is quite a guilable positive thing to say, but even if i was a bag of wrinkles at some point, i would cover my body then. i honestly don't think i'll be wearing a backless skimpy cocktaildress aged 80 chuckle ...

have to dash now, pick DH up from airport. look forward to reading more opinions tomorrow morning.

just realised your name is an anagram of My Nob!! ROFL

I wasn't raised in the UK either but it doesn't take a genius to work out that that kind of pierced look would stand out at a formal dinner.

It's more than just a statement dress. I don't know why YOU have your ear pierced so many times, but it would say to me that the piercee was a bit anti-establishment, very rebellious etc etc... it's like "I'm here, eating your canapés and sipping krug, but really, it's two fingers to you people and your posh dinner." Well... if you're over analysing things.

msmargotbeauregarde

exactly! that's what i think they would think (but then, i really do overanalyse). and because i do respect different societies/cultures/people i'm so hesitant to go ahead, maybe particularly because it is not really my scene and we're lucky to be invited (and genuinly accepted) by "them".

i see piercings and tattoos as an extension of my personality, as means of expression. and as an artist i've always been a bit quirky (but in reality i'm a geek...), and because i'm quite "neat" looking and come across laid back otherwise i don't think i look too rebellious seen as a whole. actually, i do it so i can not be pigeonholed. if that makes sense...