The art and culture of tattoo is perceived differently wherever you go. Some countries may view small tattoos as a mark of gangsters, thugs and sailors whereas it is completely accepted in other cultures to have large, visible tattoos.
Since I sport a few that are usually visible when I travel, here’s the start to a series of articles around traveling with tattoos and how different cultures react.
At work: Resort inspection in San Pedro, Amergris Caye, Belize. Photo shot by my boss.
Obviously, my views of this will be biased based on what I am used to in Germany. There, I tend to conceal my tats in a work context s well as in a formal or semi-formal social setting. Especially with most people older than 50 the feedback is usually not too good. That comes with the territory and can be ignored in many cases (or it can be fun in others), but there are settings where you need to be able to make a tattoo-free first impression in order to be taken seriously.
Belize loves tats
Belize is different. Tattoos are widely accepted and can be seen everywhere. I haven’t met the Prime Minister yet and only one of his cabinet members (who wasn’t tattoed). But I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them in fact had tattoos. You see them everywhere, from the guys making a living washing people’s cars to managers at banks, waiters, tour guides, hotel managers. Whereas visible tattoos in Germany are still reserved for certain jobs and ways of life, there doesn’t seem to be a limit to what you can be in Belize when you have your forearm or neck tattooed. No prejudice. No judgement.
Haida, Maori and Maya
Belizeans love tats
With very few expections, Belizeans are very open, friendly people. We have commented on this here before: You can not walk down the street without being greeted with a smile and a “Good night” (Belizean for “Good Evening”) by 9 out of 10 people. When I’m wearing shorts, half of those greetings turn to everything from “Sick tats dude” to “Oh, I love your legs”. It’s definately an ice-breaker and a conversation starter. I have had numerous lengthy conversations about the meaning and origin of my art. Remember the old Germans up there? None of that here – I’ve had the most intriguing discussions about tattoos here with people in their sixties and seventies.
A lot of people notice and stare though, especially kids – see the photo below. But that’s always been the case.
Belizeans need good tats
What a handful of Belizeans with tattoos have remarked is the lack of availability of good artists. In 4 months, I have been able to locate two: Belizean Ink in San Ignacio (search for “Belizean Ink – Wimpas Tattoo Shop” on facebook) and Steve Mossiah’s Stinging Scorpio Tatto Studio in Belize City. The latter is featured in an art exhibition at the Image Factory this month (search for Image Factory Art Foundation on facebook) entitled “Body + Art”.
Their work is remarkable – but on the street you can see anything from jaw-dropping sleeves to self-administered swastikas (which seem to be a popular tattoo motif with usually no connection to the German branding of the logo).
Independence day parade in Orange Walk, Belize
Tats as protection when traveling
Being safe as a traveler has a lot to do with not looking like a victim. I never thought tattoos could help with this. Then a friend who got cornered during a trip in Italy told me what a scaring effect his tattoed arms had on his would-be muggers. Granted, his arms are not only tattooed but sculpted with Jean-Claude van Damme in mind (not that short, but that muscular). I still remembered the story. We haven’t had any trouble here in Belize. Ever.
If that is because everyone who sees the tattoos thinks that I am a die-hard mofo with street-fighting cred and a mean roundhouse kick. (Which I am, of course. No, really!)
Bottom line
If you have tats, Belize is a good place to go and show them.
6. Mai 2012
