Tattoos and Popular culture in Poland

So I'm kind of curious about that modscene in Poland. Are tattoos common amongst people of all ages? Do they tend to have a stigma attached to them for any reason? I know that it certainly depends on -what- tattoo someone has, what it means, and where--but i think there is usually a popular consensus as to what is OK and what is taboo.

Like in the us there has be an increasing amount of business professionals with full or half sleeves or gauged ears. . Its becoming not necessarily a 'low-brow' thing anymore. Then again, it depends on where you go too...

Do you normally see girls with full sleeves in Poland?

Poland is a pluralistic society and as such different people view different things in different ways. Some view tatoos within the traditional perspective of the convict/seaman/undeclass syndrome or as indicative of weak-minded slaves to fashion ready to uncritically latch on to any passing fad or craze that comes along. Others see it is something cool, trendy, with it, cutting edge, etc. and therefore a badge of what being hip is all about.

Still others see it as a mating signal esp. when worn by tongue-studded and multi-pierced females that someone is a swinger or someone 'on the make' or immoral.

Some people view it in aesthetic terms as either pleasing, cheesy or simply neutral.
And it can also be perceived according to none of the above as yet another example of cheap and tacky commerpop (commercialised media-driven pop culture) out to fleece unsuspecting young people who are the least resistant to MTV and the peer pressures it generates. But no matter how one slcies it, tatoos are a great comemrcial ploy -- you pay dearly to have them applied and even more to later have them removed as many people eventually do. The tatoo guy rakes in a tidy profit, but the customer (victim?) is usually unwittingly exposing himself to an invasive proceudre that is a common cause of deadly type C hepatitis.

There are probably many other takes on all this.

you think? LOL

Just about everyone I meet these days has a tattoo. Not one of these people has ever mentioned hepatitis C. I've never heard of death by tattoo either.

There is an overwhelming sense of negativity in what Polonius has written. Do you think he was paid to write it?

i disagree i think he covered a lot of bases quite accurately with his response and like it or not there are negative attitudes that are associated with tatoos. this is coming from someone who has a piece on his back. anyway i guess we will agree to disagree

Lord knows. It's a well written piece of rubbish. Telling us everything and saying nothing. Also, it is out of date. Not so many people these days wear an excessive amount of studs. And older people are neither shocked nor give a toss.

hahah Polonius' response was pretty funny. I'm sure everyone probably has their own opinions. Why I ask is because I used to be a tattoo artist and would hear a lot of interesting stories of from customers who traveled abroad.

My general consensus though was that most Europeans didn't really care very much and the most judgmental people are probably Midwesterners in the US. .Anyways, Wroclaw thank you for your response--it was pretty informative.

I'd like to know more about how people here feel about it personally, like does it seem trashy or do heavily tattooed people look like 'hoodlums'(etc) to you? Do you see a lot of people/tv personalities with tattoos?

All of mine are usually covered with normal clothes, and i'm a pretty wholesome looking person so I never have any problems. My (Polish)boyfriend seems to be pretty indifferent on the matter, but it will be interesting meeting his family.

I only have one tattoo. I have a small cross on the top of my spine. Before I got it, my (Polish) boyfriend wasn't too fond of tattoos, but once I got it, he seemed to change his mind. He told his mom that I got a tattoo & she wasn't too pleased either, but when she found out it was a cross, she didn't seem to mind too much. Obviously it was because I got a cross and not like a butterfly or heart, no offense to those who have one. It's just more meaningful.

hmm I have a saint Francis quote...maybe i'll start with that one (they're catholic! ha). Yeah so i defiantly don't have a face piece or a tramp stamp... But maybe at first i'll just keep them all well and hidden just to not give the wrong impression.

i have a half sleeve, "socks" or my feet done, and a side/rib piece. they're all my own artwork so, i don't know, i suppose thats meaningful. But like i said before, i was an artist so it seems really normal for me.

Yeah, i agree glamroxx its hard to justify getting a flash tattoo after a few years... so you best make it worth something to you.

Just wondering in general what are your views on tattoos.

Today at work we were talking about tattoos, one guy said he would like one etc... when he left the office someone said "Oh he doesn't fit the stereotype of someone who would like a tattoo" So I asked her what kind of person would have a tattoo - her answer was someone dirty, rough and trouble. I then told her I have three ( I am her boss and far from any of her descriptions) - her reaction was priceless!!

there is a stereotype that tattoos are for prisoners

I don't think the stereotype that tattoos are for prisoners is really around anymore. Nowadays people don't tend to mind so much.

I've got 2 large forearm tattoos (one on each) and I've never had any negative comments. My Polish other half loves them and when he told his mother she wasn't too bothered either from what he said! She was more worried about the fact that I don't cook him dinner every night...

On the subject of tattoos. This is in the UK's Metro newspaper today. Got to feel a bit sorry for this girl although you can't help but think that you would be awake through at least through some of the session! Having had tattoos myself and knowing that it's not the most pleasant experience, I find it hard to believe that it's something you could sleep through!

metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Tattoo_teenager_left_seeing_stars&in_article_id=686141&in_page_id=2

I really dont think she fell asleep. how could you?? It's far different to having a relaxing massage! It's more likely that she regretted her decision.

Jan 4, 10, 20:57 - Thread attached on merging:
Tattoos?

Just wondering how tattoos are perceived in Poland?

Having a tattoo or two seems to be fashionable in Poland.

:)

Not always and not everywhere.It's quite popular among young ppl.

I love them and I have a few (both sleeves) myself. There's a great artist from Poland called 'Lenu'. My artist is one of his biggest influences. Love his work!

tattooalien.com

The only problem I see with tattoos is----once you mature ,with a family and all the partying is done,it's time to have them removed.I see so many that have done this and the skin has not healed properly. Not a pretty sight.

I agree not everyone should get tattoos. The case you just stated is what happens to people who gets them for all the wrong reasons. Tattoos won't change who you are!

Tattoos are so ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!People please do not get them done!
And you can get hiv,Zoltaczka...and blood possining....and what is the point????
People who have them look like.....well,just came out of prison...........

If you're starting a debate about what Polish people in particular think of tattoos, I think opinions are always going to vary regardless of the country.....but...

...I have a small(ish) tattoo on my lower back, which is not seen in normal circumstances.

One of the Polish teachers I worked with this summer started a conversation about a tattoo he would like to have across his back and I ended up showing mine to everybody...and everybody loved it (believe me, some of them would have told me straight if they didn't!)...and they were all Polish....the general concensus was if you've got a good body and the tattoo is tasteful and drawn well, it can be sexy and interesting.

I agree. My polish boyfriend had a tattoo of 'eminem' on his hip when he was 14, and still living with his family in Poland.
He also has a tribal on his arm which looks lovely, and when I asked him if that was the only one he shook his head and started blushing (later if found out about the eminem tattoo). He said he regrets it now, so I guess its not just people who have settled down (he's only 23 now, still loves Eminem haha).

But otherwise, as Arien said, I think its seen as quite fashionable.

Svastika tattoos are especially liked in Poland.

And it is not a joke, my little beaner, for there is a ridicolous number of neo-nazis ,skinheads, punks and pseudo-metal heads in Poland.

Haha, my friend jokes that he is a mini-hitler and that he is planning something evil. Its pretty worrying...i can never tell whether he's joking ;) lol.

let's hope he is joking. If he is planning something evil, I hope he is planning his suicide or something lOL

Yes, quite. or maybe he's planning to blow up our boss...sometimes I wouldnt blame him... :)

it was seen as fashionable in the 90ties. i know a few people who have tattos and would like to get rid of them. tattoos are ugly...there are exceptions but many young people get tattoed just to have a tattoo and they don't attach any particular meaning to it. i'd never get one

I totally agree. My ex had loads and they were utterly pointless and stupid, he will regret them later.
But i think that if they have a true meaning attached to them then its ok. Having said that i'd never get a partner's name tattooed, you never know whats going to happen ;)