Thursday, December 01, 2005

People really don't think this tattoo is real

8:00 AM 10 comments

I've only had this nametag tattoo for a month. (Compliments of Joe Reinke from Iron Age Studio.)

But I've been keeping record of the reactions from people. Interestingly enough, just like the reactions from wearing my regular nametag, the tattooed nametag elicits several types of responses:

Laughter
Most people just start cracking up. They tend to be friends of mine who've heard about the tattoo, known me for years, and aren't surprised (yet still slightly shocked) that I would actually do it.

Commendation
Phrases such as "That's awesome!" "No way!" and "It's about time!" have been commonplace. I usually reply with, "Yep. I did it. Believe it."

Exclamation
I've had approximately 18 people drop their jaws and say "Holy sh*t!"

Disbelief
Funny - a lot of people think it's fake. "Is that a Sharpie?!" they'd say. And I think the reason for this is because, tough as it is to admit, who the hell would tattoo a nametag on their chest? I suppose some people think it's SO ridiculous, that it just couldn't be real. But my response is, "Well, it's about as real as my commitment."

LET ME ASK YA THIS...

How did people react to your tattoo?

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com

10 comments:

I got my tattoo - an ichthus (otherwise known as a Jesus Fish) - on my shoulder blade when I was nineteen. I got the same reaction as you Scott, "Is that thing real?" It's turquoise, so everyone thought I drew it on. Tattoos show the world a huge committment, one that many people just cant comprehend. Rock on Scott - tattoo and all.

The best response for my tattoo was my mom's...
"I hope you know that it is PERMANENT, young lady!" :) Gotta love her.

I commemorated my 40th birthday with a beautiful tattoo on the inside of my left ankle. Almost no one reacts to it, because unless I show it, no one would ever know it's there.

It's white; done purposefully so I could put it where I wanted it, where I could enjoy it, and where it could be a very private--and permanent--reminder of what was, for me, a fairly substantial life event.

BUT... when people *are* shown it, they love it, and tend to say, "I didn't know you could get a white tattoo...that's awesome!"

I love your reply, Scott..about it being as real as your commitment. Some people modify their bodies without thinking. Congrats on both the thought behind it, and the commitment. :)

I admire your passion about your name tag & approachability. Getting that tattoo is both amusing and impressive to me, as it shows your creativity, passion & commitment to your beliefs. WAY TO GO! And oh, I've visited your site over the past few months and have finally decided that today, I will bump you up to my "favorites" folder. ^_^ I think I like you!

I gotta tell you, you've inspired me. I have been wearing a nametag on a lanyard consistently for a few months now (time to go to a sticker). I think I have to keep this up AT LEAST for a year before I feel that I'm qualified to make the tattoo commitment. But that's my goal.

Scott
Sorry no tattoo story to wow you with!
But i just want to know are you gonna keep that little patch hairless forever? Ok so if not, isn't it going to defeat the purpose when those little spikes of testosterone grow back?
or am I being FAR too pragmatic here??
Oh dear I think i've lost the plot!!

The hair is already back. And it looks (and feels) FAB-ulous!

I love the originality of your tatto and like someone else said the fact that you call it a committment. I really hate when people are there clueless and just flipping through the examples until they find something "cute" and then just slap it anywhere without much thought.
Like someone else posted, I too got the Ichthus. Min eis on my lower back and I actually got it tonight. The actual meaning of the ichthus is my real commitment, but the tattoo is now just as committed!

Dear Scott, thanks for another super article, i just love this site, thanks for the hard work.

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