Unfathomable... Tattooing a Swastika on your Face

guyfawkes5 · 2 Mar 2011 at 17:57

Saw a woman today with a little swastika tatooed on her cheek.

Why would someone, even someone who personally registers with the whole neo-nazi dogma, do this in such a visible place? Does she think job interviews are blasé, and basic relationships with non-Aryan sentient beings are unimportant? Why not do it on a hidden bodypart?

It just confused me no end, like not only someone stupid enough to believe it is either some kind of 'risque' political statement or a suitable symbol of their adherence to a defunct far-right doctrine, but also detatched enough from reality to think it's worth it to basically alienate her from almost every possible interaction with society she could have.

:confused:

Sigh.

Neil79 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:01

The swastika was abused by the hitler regiem, it has another meaning. It was also noticed in Bleach(anime) but nothing to do with nazi's

Steve2000 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:01

People are funny. That's all that needs to be said on the matter.

jakejacob0 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:02

totally distespectull if you ask me

SMN · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:02

Swastika is a well known hindu symbol:

I'm guessing the woman in OP isnt a hindu?

Edit: Quick google shows its relevant to many religions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Dave M · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:02

what was the orientation? Any dots round it?

Craig321 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:04

It represents life, sun, power, strength, and good luck (IIRC)

The women you saw might have been/be a neo nazi.

Or, as above it may have been religious depending on the orientation & dots etc.

Glaucus · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:05

In a relationship, doesn't do a normal job, not a tatoo, is a tattoo but making a point (like the comidian who grew a Butler mustache, brilliant show)
or is a neo Nazi and simply Doesn't care what we think.

Sinny · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:07

Neil79 said:
The swastika was abused by the hitler regiem, it has another meaning. It was also noticed in Bleach(anime) but nothing to do with nazi's

I think though, despite it being abused, anyone looking at it isn't going to associate it with Hinduism.

Rroff · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:08

guyfawkes5 said:
Saw a woman today with a little swastika tatooed on her cheek.

Why would someone, even someone who personally registers with the whole neo-nazi dogma, do this in such a visible place? Does she think job interviews are blasé, and basic relationships with non-Aryan sentient beings are unimportant? Why not do it on a hidden bodypart?

It just confused me no end, like not only someone stupid enough to believe it is either some kind of 'risque' political statement or a suitable symbol of their adherence to a defunct far-right doctrine, but also detatched enough from reality to think it's worth it to basically alienate her from almost every possible interaction with society she could have.

Sigh.

Depends on the context, personally I believe there is no excuse for it from any semi intelligent person brought up in europe/western hemisphere even under the guise of alternative interpretations. I can understand the viewpoint of it from another religion or area of the world where it is distinct to or predates WW2.

guyfawkes5 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:28

Neil79 said:
The swastika was abused by the hitler regiem, it has another meaning. It was also noticed in Bleach(anime) but nothing to do with nazi's

Oh I realise that Hitler wasn't the originator of the symbol, as far as I can recall it was a dark age/medieval symbol of some Teutonic/Germanic tribe.

SMN said:
Swastika is a well known hindu symbol:

I'm guessing the woman in OP isnt a hindu?

Edit: Quick google shows its relevant to many religions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Telescopi said:
what was the orientation? Any dots round it?

Didn't look like a Hindu or similar at least, and it was a straight-out swastika without any special orientation or additions like the dots in your picture. It was probably about an inch or two wide and placed exactly on her left cheekbone.

As a general comment, I'm aware there may be other reasons for having it (which I think are unlikely given her appearance and lack of 'adornment' on the swastika), but surely as a member of Western society she must realise the connotations it has for the vast majority of the population?

Even everything aside about choosing that symbol for a tattoo, why on the one area of your body that people recognise you by, associate you with, and is unusual to hide? Justs hit me as mindlessly fanatical/stupid.

Clum · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:29

While it could have been representative of somethign other than the Nazi party, she was probably just one of these people who are looking for attention. Some just like to provoke reactions, good or bad, from society. While it is shocking to most, we can't all be the same. Just enjoy the fact that you fit into society better than she does, and will enjoy a much easier life because of it.

guyfawkes5 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:35

Clum said:
Just enjoy the fact that you fit into society better than she does, and will enjoy a much easier life because of it.

Yeah that's sort of what I mean, that because of whatever reason she did it, with the vast likelihood of it being a negative one, she now has to carry this around every hour of every day with a huge amount of professional and social avenues in life cut off, surely having the majority of relationships she develops or doesn't develop in her life probably being effected by it.

All that for whatever point she's making? :confused:

Hits me as either exceptionally brave or stupid.

Whackeygrunt · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:40

Just for the lulz, what were other peoples reactions to it?

guyfawkes5 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:41

Don't know, I noticed her turning a corner and watched her for about thirty seconds before she went off.

She had a scumbag Chav boyfriend though.

steve-h · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:41

Stop judging people you know nothing about.

Theophany · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:43

...and people still accept universal suffrage as being a desirable social norm. :rolleyes:

Neil79 · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:43

steve-h said:
Stop judging people you know nothing about.

First impressions make a difference

I'll walk into a job interview with a skinhead, unshaven, scruffy clothes and a beer can. But hey don't judge me

steve-h · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:47

Neil79 said:
First impressions make a difference

I'll walk into a job interview with a skinhead, unshaven, scruffy clothes and a beer can. But hey don't judge me

Having a skinhead, being unshaven and being scruffy means they can't possibly do the job?

Shaving, wearing a suit or smarth clothes and not shaving your hair somehow makes you better?

TheCenturion · 2 Mar 2011 at 18:49

steve-h said:
Having a skinhead, being unshaven and being scruffy means they can't possibly do the job?

Shaving, wearing a suit or smarth clothes and not shaving your hair somehow makes you better?

You might not think so, but it certainly makes a subconcious first impression. The difference between being scruffy and being smart could be that the interviewer thinks that being scruffy is an indication of being messy/disorganised etc. Whereas being smart may repesent being on the ball, being aware, taking pride in your appearance and therefore pride in your work.

It's not necessarily a logical thing, but it's very psychological based