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Your storiesYou are in: Jersey > People > Your stories > It's not just hairy bikers  It's not just hairy bikersBy Claire Peters Previously the reserve of motorcycle gangs, whether it's delicate flowers or the name of your mum, tattoos are increasingly the choice of all sorts of society.
Tattoos have hit the headlines recently after it was discovered a number of islanders have been taking a huge risk in getting them done in unlicensed premises. Julian Hiscock from Skin Scene told ĢƵ Jersey about tattoo habits in the island. He believes that tattooing is more popular now in Jersey than it has been for the past 20 years and that the industry is going “from strength to strength”. Whilst tattoos may conjure up images of big hairy bikers or baggy-trousered emo kids Julian said that all sorts of people are wanting to go under the needle: “It’s a wide range of people that we tattoo – it’s not just really the youngsters or motorcycle gangs. “We tattoo police officers, lawyers, bank workers, reporters…a pretty wide spectrum of people.”  What do you think about tattoos? Pension? Check. New tattoo? Check.He has also noticed a rise in the number of over-60s who come into the shop to get tattooed: “It’s quite amusing but it’s nice to see people that are in a later stage in their life who have drummed up the balls to come in and get a tattoo done. “A lot of the older generations always say that they’ve always wanted a tattoo but because of the stigma surrounding it they haven’t wanted to do it. “Now that the walls about tattooing are sort of coming down they’re happier to get it, which I think it is a good thing.” There is of course also a wide range in the design of tattoos people ask for, although Julian’s favourites are Japanese style or new school (tattoos similar to those popular in the 1940s and 50s which have been revamped into a new style) which he believe produce the “punchiest and best looking of all tattoos”.  Can women handle the pain better than men? Pain? What pain?Whilst the idea of being stabbed with a needle thousands of times is not everyone’s idea of fun, Julian explained that some people positively enjoy the experience: “People always say that tattoos hurt but the more relaxed you are the easier it is and you can actually get quite a pleasant experience from it if you just go with the flow. It’s only if you try to fight the pain that you make it more intense.” And perhaps Julian even has evidence for what us women have always known – we can handle pain better than men! “A lot of women fall asleep when we’re tattooing them, or sort of go into la-la land. Men can’t usually do it. I don’t know - they just don’t seem to relax as well as women.” Men can’t handle the pain then? “No,” said Julian, “no not really”. What do you think?If you've had a tattoo let us know what you think of it. Or does the idea of permanently marking your skin seem abhorrent to you? last updated: 29/04/2008 at 12:27 Have Your Say
Ashley
cw
mercedez
Pete Hall
vikki
rupert francis
Nicolle Grihault. Age 14. from jersey C.I.
Pink Poodle
Kyle SEE ALSOYou are in: Jersey > People > Your stories > It's not just hairy bikers Your storiesWe catch up with five islanders working in the theatre |
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