Tattoos in China Become Popular (or: Exoticizing Stupid in Any Language)

I’m sure all of my fellow Asian Americans under a certain age have seen this — a non-Asian person with tattoos in different Asian languages like Chinese and Japanese because they’re in an exotic language that they don’t understand.  It’s kinda painful when someone who’s fluent in these languages have to point out that the words in the tattoo can sometimes be completely wrong — and mean something totally different and offensive (like our esteemed leader once wrote).

Turns out Asians in Asia are doing the exact same thing — getting tattoos in European languages because they’re considered exotic, and not caring if the meaning is incorrect.

The McClatchy news website talks about the increasing popularity of tattooing among China’s younger generation, despite many of the cultural taboos that go along with getting tattooed in China.  Many of the taboos are similar to those here in the mainstream US: tattoos only belong on criminals or prostitutes.  Those serving in the military or for the police must have no tattoos.

However, thanks to globalization and the extreme popularity of the NBA in China, tattooing has become more and more popular, especially among women.  And because “the foreign is exotic”, as the author states, many are getting tattoos in different European languages, like Greek and English because they look cool — even if the meaning might be completely off.

Sound familiar?

And while I’m proudly tattooed myself, it is a bit concerning to see that many people on both sides of the ocean are getting tattooed because it’s a fad, not realizing that a tattoo can’t ever be completely removed and lasts forever. I agonized for years before starting to get my tattoos and other body modifications which include a body piercing and a scarification, choosing to get my bodmods in places that can’t be readily seen.  Also, all my tattoos and other bodmods have pretty deep personal meaning for me. I loved getting all of them done and haven’t regretted getting any of them.

Oh, and if you ask me to show them to you, I’ll probably decline.  Unless we’re swimming — or I find you hot.