Hey Byron, Thank you for reaching out with information on the new book. I completely understand why you have chosen not to address sexual assault. It’s a very relevant but tough subject. I think it is best communicated by women to women, and there are so many resources available. You’re a good writer, but you’re correct when you confess that you’re not sure what you could add and if in fact it’s appropriate to discuss.
Regarding tattoos, yes, it is an unrecognized epidemic. I have patients come in every month seeking options to have them removed. I refer them elsewhere, but I’m obligated to inform them of the side effects and health issues that can result from the ink they’ve injected into their skin. Most of them are shocked. They were never informed of any health risk prior to getting them, which is a failure on the part of our regulators.
Your section [in the next book] on this is articulate and brief, which I think is best for your audience. Suffice to say, the toxins in many of the inks are going to have a generational impact…Bluntly, a lot of people are going to be very sick as a result of these chemicals entering and remaining in their bodies.
I realize that we’re probably ‘preaching to the choir’ with these warnings to your readers, but hopefully you can reach other people before they make a huge mistake.
I’ll speak with you soon and see you next spring. – Mandy, the MD.
I would no more put a tattoo on my body than I would a bumper sticker on my car…
Perfect comment, Melissa. thank you. I’ll touch base via email about self defense. – Thanks, BGT
I received your email about it, Byron. Thank you!
I know a lot of old money people (I’m an OMG myself). As far as I know, not one of them has a tattoo.
True, Amy. I’ve never come across one. It’s just not done. – BGT
Hate them….just my two cents. I hadn’t thought about the hazards of the ink. I’ll have to read more about that. Always an education here, Byron. Hope you are well.
Thanks, Bev. Yes, nothing more sobering than some medical research. – BGT
Tattoos today are often done by those who want to make themselves appear unique or interesting; maybe to identify with a group or type of people. Better to be an interesting or original person within yourself, I believe, and to stand out because of your actions.
There is also the troubling history of tattooing. It marked prisoners or outcasts of society, which is why, I suppose, it became associated with rebellious behavior. Of course there are those who survived as prisoners of war, and they certainly did not choose to be marked with a number. In some areas of the world, I understand marks of religious or social importance are made on the body, but I am not part of those cultures.
The experience that struck me most personally is when I met the grandmother of my friend, who is Moroccan. She had three small dots tattooed under her eye, and my friend explained to me later that they represented children she had lost.
These things are what I think of when I see tattoos.
Powerful story, Elle. thank you for sharing. – BGT
Dear Mr. Tully,
Always learning here – many thanks!
Research, research, research! Information, planning, and thoughtful decisions are what lead to a good life (rather than impulse-driven choices and following advertising-driven trends).
I do wish men would address sexual assault with other men (regardless of politesse); then, perhaps fewer women would be stuck with the onerous responsibility.
Best wishes and kindest regards,
Rachel
Thanks, Rachel. Yes, a man to man talk is in order, across the country. – BGT
Hmmm…, I thought ink goes well with fountain pen. Eau De Nil, Majestic blue, Midnight blue and Edelstein Tanzanite go well with sterling nib. Well-trained reader will welcome a hand written note with fountain pen and can certainly read a person with a tattoo. I recommend people to go with good fountain pen and ink in the pocket.
Ink…fountain pen. Exactly omgm. Thank you, sir. – BGT
You’re right to warn your readers about the health risks of having a tattoo. The social risk, however, is not so easy to formulate thoughtfully and I’ll probably fail… While I’m not in favour of tattoos, I believe one should be careful before judging. If a tattoo is not displayed ostentatiously, if the size is within reason, and if it represents something personal, then why make a fuss about it?
Would any thoughtful person argue that having a tattoo makes the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury a less noble man? Was the late Sir David Tang less deserving of his knighthood because he had a small black square tattooed on his left wrist (it symbolised his love for crosswords)? Not to mention several European royals.
As you’ve written before, independent thinking is a valuable trait. Instead of superficial judgement, one would be wiser to focus one one’s own improvement.
Good thoughts, JL. I’d never judge another person, just assess the health risks. – BGT
I know, Byron. I just meant that one, in general, can best avoid judgement — not particularly in reference to your words.
The comments on tattoos in particular, are long overdue. And very, very well put. They should be on the front pages of the daily papers. Daily ! Thank you Mandy, the M.D.