Let’s face it, there is no defense against these dark (and sexy!) arts. What are we talking about? Magical ink and metal. Still don’t get it? We mean using your body as a journal. Tattoos and piercings have the unique distinction of being ancient as well as modern—admit it, don’t they stir something deep within you? Body art is the first choice of rebels of all kinds. And best of all, it makes you look hot and irresistible.

According to Pew Research, Around 47% of people polled say they got a tattoo to make a statement about what they believe, and 32% say they got at least one to improve their personal appearance.

Who hasn’t suddenly stopped and admired a unique tattoo on a fellow plane passenger, who hasn’t gawked at an eyebrow piercing and wondered, ‘Would I be able to pull that off?’ Body art is liberating: it liberates the one who has it, as well as the one who looks at it. Let us directly hear from the people who are the practitioners of these dark and sexy arts!

Ramona, 33, Queer

I have many small and permanent tattoos now, but the one I am proudest of was a temporary one I got in my second year of Mass Comm. I shaved off a bit of my pubic hair and got a tattoo of a lawnmower right in that area. I can’t tell you what a big hit it was among the five people who saw it. Overnight, I became the coolest person in my group. To this day my friends bring up that tattoo.

(Now that we are in confession mode, I confess that you would love our Lit suction Massager or Flex Vibrator Massager)

Vishal, 41, Straight

I didn’t want to do anything stupid during my mid-life crisis, no expensive cars or a divorce or a change of career— I love my wife and job. But I was also feeling stifled, I was feeling I wasn’t the rebel that I used to be, then a friend suggested I join their running group, I instead got my nipples pierced. Why did I do it? Well, my favorite comedian did the same thing when he was my age and his tattoo guy told him, ‘One less of them (meaning the boring people) and one more of us.’

Varun, 26, Gay 

My tattoo is kinda boring, it is just a small triangle near my collar bone. And it doesn’t even have a good story, ugh! I just got it cause I felt like getting one and that’s the design I liked best. But you know what? Everyday when I see that tattoo it reminds me that I am capable of surprising myself, and it is always a conversation starter. So I guess it isn’t boring, sure it’s simple, but it speaks to me, it is a gateway and one day I am going to get the tattoo I really want!  

Samad, 32, Pansexual

I am one of those people. I have tattoos all over me–all kinds and all sizes! I tell you what is the best part of having a tattoo, it is a screener/filter. People either immediately like you or avoid you, and I like that. I don’t want to talk to people who can’t understand me or judge me for my choices. Plus, because I don’t want my skin to sag or ruin my tattoo, so I work extra hard in the gym.

Rachna, 24, Straight

My mother comes from a culture where everyone got tattoos as a kid but they just didn’t call them tattoos, my mother has the names of all her brothers tattooed on her forearm. When I decided to become a poet my mother was very resistant, when I decided to get a tattoo, again she was very resistant, I got the lines, ‘Miles to go before I sleep’ exactly where she has her brothers’ names. She still doesn’t approve of it but the resistance in her eyes has gone down.

Radhika, 28, Straight

My boyfriend is from South India and because of movies down South, he has an obsession with the belly button, he always wanted me to get my belly button pierced. I said no, but because of him I became, like the, number one fan of Tamil and Malayalam movies and when one of my favorite actresses got her belly button pierced in a movie, then I had to do it.

Arjun, 36, Queer

I am bald and I have the clean bald look and I have been carrying this look for a decade now, so by now I have tried all combinations of beard and mustache and I don’t have the face type to carry a clean shaven look. People say you don’t make new friends in your 30’s, those people have not heard of tattoos. I got two in last two years, one on my neck and one on my ankle, both Japanese style. The number of times people stop me and chat with me about my tattoos is insane. Why didn’t anyone ever tell me this before? Tattoos are not ink on the body— they are honey!

Vishesh, 21, Gay

A tattoo is a permanent compliment. I have one running down the entirety of my spine. You can have bad hair days, you can be bloated on some days or cranky on some nights, but everytime I look at my tattoo in the mirror or my one night stands compliment me on it, it cheers me up.

About the Author

Vidisha is a screenplay writer who also loves writing the occasional blogs. She's smitten by all things funny, sassy, and creative. And has the penchant for cracking the odd joke. She also wrote this bio.