Recently, I saw the second most amazing thing I’d seen in a
vending machine. The first most amazing was, of course, the Apple devices being
machine vended at the Indianapolis International Airport. Now, we can agree
that seeing an iPad® available from the same basic device that made Coke® a
national leader in beverages is a fairly noteworthy development in the field of
retail marketing; I’m learning that my number two choice is less universal in
its acceptance.
Among the icons of body art are a few true standalones. Some
are famous for their subject matter. The Marines’ EGA, The Naval Anchor, the
divisional and regimental symbols of the U.S. Army, The “eagle” of the Air
Force, the barb-wired heart, the “Mother” heart, and, of course, random
inspirational words sometimes in a foreign script, spring readily to mind. Others
are famous, not for what, but where they are, the ankle and wrist tattoo, the
one which encircles the biceps, the face tattoo, and the softball pitch of
every snide comment… the lower back tattoo.
The lower back tattoo or “tramp stamp” as it is often and
derisively called, is relentlessly mocked across the gamut of media. And, much
the same way I am heartbroken and happy when I see someone sporting crocs or a
mullet, I was confused and overjoyed when I saw a vending machine dispensing
temporary T. Stamps. And, when a bunch of scenes from How I Met Your Mother popped into my head, I had to tell my wife.
Surely, she would also find it hilarious. The idea that not only does a person
want to represent herself… or himself as a Stampee, but that she, or he will
have to entice a co-conspirator to apply the label, will surely fill Jess’s
heart with mirth. False.
When I told her about my brilliant discovery, her response,
“Eh…I’m pretty sure you think this is way funnier than I do,” left me
crestfallen and confused. Fortunately, that is a state with which I have much
experience and thus, I recovered quickly, and decided that she was the fluke,
and that our peers would find it funny. Chrissy, a friend of ours was joining us
that evening for games, etc. and, I wasted very little time in asking her
thoughts on the matter; sure I would be vindicated in my humor. Alas, I was
shown to be even more ignorant of women, than I already knew myself to be.
Chrissy is finishing up her master’s degree, we share much
of our humorous sense, and much more importantly, we make fun of the same
things. But, not only did she eloquently defend the idea of temporary tramp
stamp, she confessed to having gotten one herself, with a friend of hers. When
she was done talking, getting a temporary tattoo for her lower back, seemed
like a perfectly well reasoned decision.
She explained, people, especially, people who’ve live fairly
restrained lives, are often combating a desire to, let it all hang out; to
experience a different kind of power. Many times when that want boils over,
people have a bad night, or two. If, at the end of that night, you have a
tattoo? That’s a decision with which you’ll live for the rest of your life. Every
time you bend over, wear a white shirt, or hook up with someone, you’ll
reevaluate that decision. If, on the other hand (or back), you have a bit of
delible ephemera after a crazy night, you get a few days of experience, and a
lifetime of, “Do you remember when we…?”
So, It’s a chance to feel the power, and cut loose, without
all the awkward ordeal of… having a tramp stamp forever. So, what do you think?
Temporary Lower Back Tattoos: “Source of haughty humor?” or “Secret weapon in the feminist arsenal?”
Photo Credit: Endless Origami
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