Once, when I was a kid, someone gave me a T-shirt with the Coca-Cola emblem on it. I always liked Coke; I drink it (the Mexican version) on the rare occasions when I drink soda. So, I thought nothing of wearing that T-shirt until someone--an uncle, I think--told me I should be paid for wearing it. "It's advertising," he explained.
He was right. Still, I sometimes wear T-shirts or other items with the name of some product or business on it--as long as I don't have to pay for it. I try, though, to wear only those products and companies I actually know and like.
But I don't think I'll ever get a tattoo with a business trademark. For one thing, I don't think I'll ever get inked: It's just not my thing. For another, I wouldn't want to be marked more-or-less permanently with a business or product name. At least you can take off the T-shirt or hat or whatever if you don't want to be a billboard for Al's Garage or whatever.
No, I wouldn't get a "tat" even for this esteemed company:
as much as I've always liked their flowing-script logo (especially the one with the "globe" around it).
He was right. Still, I sometimes wear T-shirts or other items with the name of some product or business on it--as long as I don't have to pay for it. I try, though, to wear only those products and companies I actually know and like.
But I don't think I'll ever get a tattoo with a business trademark. For one thing, I don't think I'll ever get inked: It's just not my thing. For another, I wouldn't want to be marked more-or-less permanently with a business or product name. At least you can take off the T-shirt or hat or whatever if you don't want to be a billboard for Al's Garage or whatever.
No, I wouldn't get a "tat" even for this esteemed company:
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| From: Cycling Tattoo Gallery |
as much as I've always liked their flowing-script logo (especially the one with the "globe" around it).
Growing up in my slightly repressed presbyterian family it was generally understood that tattoos were for sailors, bikers and circus ladies. Coming home with a tattoo would have elicited a stern talking to and then some. It's funny because my dad was a sailor. He met a girl named Carolyn while stationed in Long Beach. He hasn't seen Carolyn since the 50's but he still has her name emblazoned on his arm. So there's that whole tattoo remorse thing. I guess people of my generation (54 yo) still see tattoos as sort of trailer park. Please don't flame me for this because I'm totally OK with anyone who wants one (well maybe not toddlers). If I ever did get one what would it be? Maybe a portrait of Frank Zappa with his trademark leer. Nah, the kids would probably just think it was a maniacal looking Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAnd I once toyed with the idea of having little wings tattooed on the outer surfaces of my heels. I had a misspent youth as a long distance runner, 10,000 meters and cross country. In the end I decided to not tresspass into the territory of Ancient Greek Divinity.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather had tattoos on his arms that he never showed anybody. Regretted them very much. He got them when a bicycle messenger as a young teen-ager in NYC around 1900 when they were a sort of badge they all wore.
Leo
Philip--Even though I didn't grow up as a "slightly repressed Presbyterian" (I was a guilt-ridden Catholic!), I was inculcated with similar notions about tatoos. I think I still harbor them, at least on some level.
ReplyDeleteLeo--Wings on your heels. I love it!
That story about your grandfather is very interesting. A while back, I wrote a post about messengers from that day, most of whom were teenaged (or younger) boys.