Today on Richard and Judy

[denny]

Discussion of body modifications...

Judy: "Don't you ever stop and think about how you will look when you're, say, 52?"
silveraj: "Well yes, but if I stopped doing what I like because I might not like it when I'm 60 I'd end up looking like you."

*standing ovation from my direction*

Comments

[hamsterine.livejournal.com]

Nice comeback.

Thats such a common question, and a stupid one in my opinion. I'm quite sick of hearing it.

I frequently get asked: haven't I thought about the fact that I'll probably one day have tattoos on skin that is old and wrinkly? As if thats obviously not something I'd want. And as if I might go "oh, I never thought about the fact that they are permanant before! Oh no, what have I done?!"

I don't get it. Its not a trade-off, with me looking how I want now at the expense of looking like a twat later. I may not like having wrinkles when I get older (tho I actually hope I am mature and sensible enough not to care about such things), but why would that make me stop liking my tattoos? If anything it'd be good for my attitude to my skin; My skin may not be as tight as it was, but at least I still have my artwork.

I think it's really disrespectful to older people, this idea that body modification is not something that they are entitled to. This attitude: urgh, older bodies are horrible, you shouldn't draw attention to them with decoration. I think ageism is what it boils down to in the end. I'm glad to say I know a number of older people who continue to decorate and be proud of their bodies, dispite this attitude that a lot of people have.