Can any of my nesties read chinese?

lavieboheme73 · June 2011

Well, I don't know about that...see, if you go with Team Jacob, you may be offending Native Americans and all, and if you go with Team Edward, well, clearly you would offend pale sparkly people.

AlwaysABridesmaid... · June 2011

I am actually team Jasper. I know it's horrible but I have met Jackson Rathbone IRL and he is so drool worthy. Otherwise, I am Team Edward/Jacob sandwich!

Dyork · June 2011

AlwaysABridesmaid...:
I am actually team Jasper. I know it's horrible but I have met Jackson Rathbone IRL and he is so drool worthy.

I never realized how horribly hot he was until my friend showed me a non-twilight picture of him. Frankly I woulda been all up on that if I met him IRL, you lucky lucky girl.

Nukke · June 2011

lavieboheme73:
Nukke:
lavieboheme73:
Nukke:
AlwaysABridesmaid...:

It actually is for a tattoo and although the opinion was unsolicited, I am not offended by it. I wouldn't get a tattoo for the benefit of other people and my reasons are my own. Nor do I feel it necessary to explain my decisions to other people. I see tattoos in Italian all the time. It really doesn't offend me. What do I care what someone else has on their body? It doesn't directly effect me.
I think it's important to realise that--while you might not be offended by the Italian written on someone elses body--it's very likely that you could be offending someone else and their heritage by tattooing your body with kanji. Those individual characters have so many different meanings and pronounciations. That kanji you're writing on there could easily be someone's family name. That's exactly what happened to an English teacher from South Africa who had some junk written on her thigh. One of the Japanese parents noticed it and was beyond offended. The calligraphy teacher at one of my junior high schools was disgusted by the idea of people--specifically westerners--disgracing kanji (as an art form) on their bodies. You might not care that you could be offending a culture by writing it on your body, but I think it's important that you be aware that you might. Make your decision as you like, do as you like, but be informed.
So I'm of Irish descent and my maiden last name is Wolfe...does that mean, by your statement, I have reason to become outraged and offended at every piece of Celtic scrollwork, claddaugh ring or shamrock that happens to grace the anatomy of someone from, say, Mexico, who never spent time in Ireland or even read a book about Irish history, or have a coronary every time I see a tattoo of a wolf howling at the moon? For that matter, maybe I should go a vent about how many people have the audacity to wear plaid when they don't know how important tartans are to my heritage. Those patterns have meaning to my culture, you know. You can't just go combining colors willy-nilly and expect me to stand for it in the name of your fashion sense! It's an affront to my dignity, I tell you, and I won't have it!

Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to get that worked up over an unintended slight. I think there are some cases where people could stand to be just a bit less sensitive.
You are completely missing the point. I'm giving you my experience that I've witnessed first hand from Japanese people and how they feel about their Kanji written on westerners. Tattoos are highly frowned upon in modern-day Japan, and it's particularly disrespectful to see a tattoo with kanji. Half the Japanese people who saw kanji written on westerners thought the westerners were completely idiotic, and the other half found it disrespectful. The OP isn't getting a celtic symbol, and I've never heard of anyone getting uppidy about celtic symbols on other peoples bodies who weren't of irish/scotish descent. If you want to get all offended by plaid, go for it. One of those symbols OP is considering writing is commonly used when referring to the emperor of Japan, and--while I don't know kanji that well--I can see how that could be super offensive. You should probably write to the people of Japan and tell them to get over themselves and not take their culture so seriously.
If you can't see the parallel I just drew there, and you honestly think I get my knickers in a twist over people wearing plaid, it's not I who is completely missing the point.
Celtic symbols were often used to represent religious figures in Irish/Scottish culture, and tartans are passed down from generation to generation as the mark of a family's heritage, so it's entirely possible that someone could be unwittingly wearing something offensive to a person who knows a bit about their symbology...just so you know, religious leaders and family identity, to many Irish people, are every bit as important, and I daresay even more so for some, as the emperor of Japan is to Japanese people, and yet one form is commonly accepted...even by someone as cosmopolitan and well-traveled as yourself...over another. One culture doesn't get to pick and choose their offenses as more important than those of another culture.
Personally, I don't think it's up to me to tell someone else what they should or shouldn't use to adorn their bodies, in a permanent fashion or otherwise. I don't think it's up to anyone except the person choosing said adornment. Obviously, the person choosing to use Kanji symbols, celtic symbols, or any other type of symbol, saw something about that work which they honor and hold in esteem, or else they wouldn't have chosen to permanently attach it to their anatomy. There's no need to get all emotional and up in arms over it. I'm simply stating facts.
While we're on the subject, I've been trying to find an inoffensive way to say this for a while, and I'm reasonably certain I'm not the only one who feels this way, but a conversation about unintentional slights is probably as good a time as any...I know you probably don't realize this, but you often come across as incredibly condescending and insulting to the culture of the majority of women on this board. Many times, you've talked of things that we hold dear as crass or boorish, and frankly, it's pretty offensive. We get that you've gotten some wonderful opportunities to travel and experience other cultures, and I, for one, love hearing your stories and value a great deal of what you bring to conversations, but sometimes, your statements when we do the same become more than a little off-putting. Not everyone has been blessed with the opportunities you have had. Perhaps you might want to consider their feelings as well, just as you consider the feelings of those people whose cultures you've had the chance to share?
Please don't take this as a personal attack...I mean it with all my heart when I say you are one of my favorite people on the board, otherwise I wouldn't say this. I'd just roll my eyes and ignore your posts. I just feel like this has been the elephant in this virtual room for a good long while, and I hate to see someone come across in a way they may not have intended.

Sorry, but how am I not supposed to take that as a personal attack? Do you plan on explaining what in the world you mean by me acting condescending to anyone?

And re: the tattoos. You're saying people need to get over themselves and not be so sensitive. I think people aren't sensitve enough about other cultures thinking "I do whatever I want and it's none of your business". They don't think enough about how things might offend other people.

lavieboheme73 · June 2011

Nukke:
lavieboheme73:
Nukke:
lavieboheme73:
Nukke:
AlwaysABridesmaid...:

It actually is for a tattoo and although the opinion was unsolicited, I am not offended by it. I wouldn't get a tattoo for the benefit of other people and my reasons are my own. Nor do I feel it necessary to explain my decisions to other people. I see tattoos in Italian all the time. It really doesn't offend me. What do I care what someone else has on their body? It doesn't directly effect me.
I think it's important to realise that--while you might not be offended by the Italian written on someone elses body--it's very likely that you could be offending someone else and their heritage by tattooing your body with kanji. Those individual characters have so many different meanings and pronounciations. That kanji you're writing on there could easily be someone's family name. That's exactly what happened to an English teacher from South Africa who had some junk written on her thigh. One of the Japanese parents noticed it and was beyond offended. The calligraphy teacher at one of my junior high schools was disgusted by the idea of people--specifically westerners--disgracing kanji (as an art form) on their bodies. You might not care that you could be offending a culture by writing it on your body, but I think it's important that you be aware that you might. Make your decision as you like, do as you like, but be informed.
So I'm of Irish descent and my maiden last name is Wolfe...does that mean, by your statement, I have reason to become outraged and offended at every piece of Celtic scrollwork, claddaugh ring or shamrock that happens to grace the anatomy of someone from, say, Mexico, who never spent time in Ireland or even read a book about Irish history, or have a coronary every time I see a tattoo of a wolf howling at the moon? For that matter, maybe I should go a vent about how many people have the audacity to wear plaid when they don't know how important tartans are to my heritage. Those patterns have meaning to my culture, you know. You can't just go combining colors willy-nilly and expect me to stand for it in the name of your fashion sense! It's an affront to my dignity, I tell you, and I won't have it!

Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to get that worked up over an unintended slight. I think there are some cases where people could stand to be just a bit less sensitive.
You are completely missing the point. I'm giving you my experience that I've witnessed first hand from Japanese people and how they feel about their Kanji written on westerners. Tattoos are highly frowned upon in modern-day Japan, and it's particularly disrespectful to see a tattoo with kanji. Half the Japanese people who saw kanji written on westerners thought the westerners were completely idiotic, and the other half found it disrespectful. The OP isn't getting a celtic symbol, and I've never heard of anyone getting uppidy about celtic symbols on other peoples bodies who weren't of irish/scotish descent. If you want to get all offended by plaid, go for it. One of those symbols OP is considering writing is commonly used when referring to the emperor of Japan, and--while I don't know kanji that well--I can see how that could be super offensive. You should probably write to the people of Japan and tell them to get over themselves and not take their culture so seriously.
If you can't see the parallel I just drew there, and you honestly think I get my knickers in a twist over people wearing plaid, it's not I who is completely missing the point.
Celtic symbols were often used to represent religious figures in Irish/Scottish culture, and tartans are passed down from generation to generation as the mark of a family's heritage, so it's entirely possible that someone could be unwittingly wearing something offensive to a person who knows a bit about their symbology...just so you know, religious leaders and family identity, to many Irish people, are every bit as important, and I daresay even more so for some, as the emperor of Japan is to Japanese people, and yet one form is commonly accepted...even by someone as cosmopolitan and well-traveled as yourself...over another. One culture doesn't get to pick and choose their offenses as more important than those of another culture.
Personally, I don't think it's up to me to tell someone else what they should or shouldn't use to adorn their bodies, in a permanent fashion or otherwise. I don't think it's up to anyone except the person choosing said adornment. Obviously, the person choosing to use Kanji symbols, celtic symbols, or any other type of symbol, saw something about that work which they honor and hold in esteem, or else they wouldn't have chosen to permanently attach it to their anatomy. There's no need to get all emotional and up in arms over it. I'm simply stating facts.
While we're on the subject, I've been trying to find an inoffensive way to say this for a while, and I'm reasonably certain I'm not the only one who feels this way, but a conversation about unintentional slights is probably as good a time as any...I know you probably don't realize this, but you often come across as incredibly condescending and insulting to the culture of the majority of women on this board. Many times, you've talked of things that we hold dear as crass or boorish, and frankly, it's pretty offensive. We get that you've gotten some wonderful opportunities to travel and experience other cultures, and I, for one, love hearing your stories and value a great deal of what you bring to conversations, but sometimes, your statements when we do the same become more than a little off-putting. Not everyone has been blessed with the opportunities you have had. Perhaps you might want to consider their feelings as well, just as you consider the feelings of those people whose cultures you've had the chance to share?
Please don't take this as a personal attack...I mean it with all my heart when I say you are one of my favorite people on the board, otherwise I wouldn't say this. I'd just roll my eyes and ignore your posts. I just feel like this has been the elephant in this virtual room for a good long while, and I hate to see someone come across in a way they may not have intended.
Sorry, but how am I not supposed to take that as a personal attack?
A personal attack would be if I told you that you were worthless as a human being or insinuated that you were being condescending on purpose. I did neither of those. I simply made an attempt to call your attention to something of which I thought you may not be aware. I don't see you as the kind of person who would go out of their way to make someone else feel inadequate, but sometimes, your words accomplish that, even if you don't mean it that way.
Do you plan on explaining what in the world you mean by me acting condescending to anyone?
A few specific examples: your response to Xan about the rhodium plating on her rings just a few days ago. You made it sound like she was an idiot for not knowing what you know about her kind of ring, and also managed to insinuate that the quality of rings in the United States is somehow less than that where you've traveled.
Comments have been made by you on more than one occasion about the quality of American shopping, and Target stores specifically. To some Americans, whether you understand it or not, Target is really good shopping. Your comments came across as though someone who might disagree with you was somehow lacking or less cultured than you. Again, I don't know if you meant to sound that way, it's just how it was perceived by more than one person.
And a third example: Some time ago, Tisha asked about Scentsy tart warmers, which I think are terrible, too, and I gave my reasons for that, but you then went on to intimate that the business with which I make my livelihood, which is making candles, is just filling someone's house with junk, and told Tisha that, if she wanted real happiness, she should go buy a vintage picnic basket. Besides confusing the tar out of several people with the picnic basket comment, you insulted my business...you know, the way I feed my family. I don't make junk, and my product is not a useless item. It does bring happiness to some people. I'm ok with the idea that you may not understand it, but referring to my products as useless and junk without ever having experienced them was somewhat rude, in my opinion.
These are the examples that jump out of my memory right offhand. I can't stress enough that I don't think you personally to be rude or intentionally hurtful, but there's definitely a communication gap that winds up causing hurt feelings.
And re: the tattoos. You're saying people need to get over themselves and not be so sensitive. I think people aren't sensitve enough about other cultures thinking "I do whatever I want and it's none of your business". They don't think enough about how things might offend other people.
I can see your point on this, to a degree. But if we all sat around and worried about how everything we do or say might offend someone, no one would ever get anything accomplished. Sometimes, it's important for the other side to know when to let things go.
That's not to say that someone should go around refusing to see anyone else's point of view and thinking everyone should accommodate their personal behaviors ad infinitum. That would be just as wrong. But who gets to decide, when it comes down to one of two cultures taking offense to something, as many cultures have directly oppositional viewpoints, which is in the right? That's not a choice I'm prepared to make, nor is it a choice I would ask of someone else. I can think of so many things that are more important issues than whether or not someone didn't fully understand the implications of my heritage when they chose their body art, and I have far better things to do with my time than run around trying to right the more trivial wrongs in life.

Xan921 · June 2011

I'm staying out of this little dispute but since my name was mentioned I'll chim in and say I didn't even think twice about the ring post lol...to each their own Smile

Patineuse1124 · June 2011

My two cents: It's the internet, and without tone of voice and other gestures people misinterpret things all the time. Also, we all come from diverse backgrounds and parts of the country/world, so we are bound to have contradictory opinions on things. I personally like a good debate, and am very opinionated and will share that opinion (I sometimes wonder how many people have blocked me on TN because of my strong opinions hehe).

lavieboheme73 · June 2011

Patineuse1124:
My two cents: It's the internet, and without tone of voice and other gestures people misinterpret things all the time. Also, we all come from diverse backgrounds and parts of the country/world, so we are bound to have contradictory opinions on things. I personally like a good debate, and am very opinionated and will share that opinion (I sometimes wonder how many people have blocked me on TN because of my strong opinions hehe).

Agreed...I have no problem with a good debate, and like I said, I didn't mean to put anyone down as a person or somehow say opinions aren't valid. Sharing opinions is great, too. I just don't see how someone can argue passionately against insulting another culture while doing the same themselves. Apparently, I'm the only one here who sees it that way, so I'll say no more on the subject.

Nukke · June 2011

If you can't see the parallel I just drew there, and you honestly think I get my knickers in a twist over people wearing plaid, it's not I who is completely missing the point.

I didn't say you would get your knickers in a twist, I said you can. If you want to, it's your choice. And no, there is no comparison--they are two completely different cultures. One gets offended by that sort of thing, and the other doesn't! It's that simple. The OP is getting a kanji tattoo, and I'm warning her against the very real possibility that her tattoo could offend someone. I just wanted to give her the heads up. If she still wants to get it, I don't care, but I thought she should know. Maybe she'll be more careful to find out exactly what it means, or if it could be translated to someone's name, or maybe she'll put it in a more discrete location (or even consider how the meaning could change depending on where on her body she is going to put it). I'm not warning her based on my ideas or personal morals, I'm telling her based on what I've witnessed--that many Japanese people (I don't know about Chinese, you'd have to ask them) find kanji tattoos offensive. I can't stop Japanese from being offended, and I think it's weird that anyone would look down on a people for taking offense to something that is precious to them. I'm confused as to why you brought up Celtic symbols at all. If people get offended by Celtic symbols or not--whether they're pagan, or celtic revivalists, or whatever, could have been a great topic of debate if the OP were getting a Celtic tattoo. She isn't, so why are we talking about it? For a culture like Japan that sees tattoos only on the lower class or criminals, and holds their kanji in such high esteem, it's very easy to see why seeing your family name tattoo'd as someone's tramp stamp can be offensive.

.....One culture doesn't get to pick and choose their offenses as more important than those of another culture.

It's not us who is deciding the offense, it's the original culture. That's why I said, if you want to get offended by wolf tattoos and celtic knots and plaid, go for it. Who the hell am I to tell you what you can and can't get offended by in your own culture? I would hope that, if this offense was widespread across the Irish or Scotish people, that others who don't share that culture would be more sensitive to the idea of wearing plaid and tattooing celtic knots on their bodies. Since--as I said--I've never heard such a stink raised about either (quite the opposite in fact. My Scotish friend used to love seeing his tartan around town). So I'm still confused as to why you brought this up. We're talking about kanji. Are you upset at the fact that Japanese people are offended by it? The fact remains that they are offended--whether you think they have the right to be offended or not.

Personally, I don't think it's up to me to tell someone else what they should or shouldn't use to adorn their bodies, in a permanent fashion or otherwise. I don't think it's up to anyone except the person choosing said adornment. Obviously, the person choosing to use Kanji symbols, celtic symbols, or any other type of symbol, saw something about that work which they honor and hold in esteem, or else they wouldn't have chosen to permanently attach it to their anatomy. There's no need to get all emotional and up in arms over it. I'm simply stating facts.

Again, I don't think the Japanese people I talked to are telling someone else they can't do this and that, they're expressing their offense and disgust (and sometimes amusement) over the fact that they do. Lots of younger Japanese kids think kanji is boring and hate going to kanji class, and just look down on tattoos in general. But if some westerner like OP came up to my calligraphy teacher (colleague) and said, "hey, I want to get this tattooed on my body" he'd give her the side eye for sure and tell her that probably wasn't a good idea.

While we're on the subject, I've been trying to find an inoffensive way to say this for a while,

You failed pretty miserably in not making that offensive, but I see now why you have been twisting my word in your mind. You've made some pretty gross assumptions about me. Try your best to give people the benefit of the doubt before jumping to conclusions. You must look at me like I'm some sort of north american hater or something. I live here. I love Canada. I love and hate lots of things about this country and lots of the other places I've travelled. I will continue to share all those likes and dislikes--especially when people ask.

Comments have been made by you on more than one occasion about the quality of American shopping, and Target stores specifically. To some Americans, whether you understand it or not, Target is really good shopping. Your comments came across as though someone who might disagree with you was somehow lacking or less cultured than you. Again, I don't know if you meant to sound that way, it's just how it was perceived by more than one person.

I said I don't like target. Actually, I didn't say "I don't like target", I said "no thanks" to a target store moving into my town. Someone ASKED ME WHY. I answered honestly, and never once compared it to shopping in other countries. I'm beyond confused as to where you got that from. And stores like walmart, zellers and all those other big box stores are rampant in CANADA as well, as I mentioned in that post. I wasn't singling out the US. I wasn't even singling out North America. You are reading way too much into my posts. I live in Canada, and there are these big box stores in every country I've ever lived in. It was worse in Japan. But you never asked me that, did you? You just rolled your eyes and decided I was putting down US culture just because I don't like target, you obviously do, and you took it as some personal offense--god knows why. I know very well that lots of people like target. I love McDonald's breakfast, but wouldn't be offended if someone said it was crap. How can you take something like that personally? Fine, I love something you hate. who cares? Can't we express ourselves on this forum anymore without you rolling your eyes?

A few specific examples: your response to Xan about the rhodium plating on her rings just a few days ago. You made it sound like she was an idiot for not knowing what you know about her kind of ring, and also managed to insinuate that the quality of rings in the United States is somehow less than that where you've traveled.

Oh my word, this is rich. When did I try to tell Xan she was an idiot (even insinuate?)? I think Xan knows her sh!t just as much as the rest of us. And again--I mentioned the US and Canada uses white gold with nickel alloys as an industry standard. Having travelled to Europe has absolutely nothing to do with how I came to find out that in Europe they tend to plate over white gold with palladium. I was taught that in school. What does travelling have anything to do with that gold post? Do you have some sort of inferiority complex that you're relating everything I say to the fact that I'm well travelled? Try not to get upset over the fact that I'm trying to share knowledge (on a subject I'm still learning about in a Canadian post-secondary institution) with people--and I did so in a way that wasn't attacking anyone (save for maybe the jewellery industry). And try not to assume that--just because I think it's a better idea to plate over palladium to avoid the yellowing that comes with wear--that I think the quality isn't as good. I never said that, and you're once again assuming I'm some uppidy a$$ looking down on other people. Gold is gold. As I mentioned, my ring is plated over nickel alloy white gold. Would you like that I just stay quiet from now one whenever someone mentions any sort of material science? I expressed myself in a very straightforward manner in that post.

And a third example: Some time ago, Tisha asked about Scentsy tart warmers, which I think are terrible, too, and I gave my reasons for that, but you then went on to intimate that the business with which I make my livelihood, which is making candles, is just filling someone's house with junk, and told Tisha that, if she wanted real happiness, she should go buy a vintage picnic basket. Besides confusing the tar out of several people with the picnic basket comment, you insulted my business...you know, the way I feed my family. I don't make junk, and my product is not a useless item. It does bring happiness to some people. I'm ok with the idea that you may not understand it, but referring to my products as useless and junk without ever having experienced them was somewhat rude, in my opinion.

Oh, so THAT's where it all started. So you've had a beef with me because I was in a picnic mood that day and called candles useless. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I wanted nothing better than to go have a picnic, and chose the wrong post to share that lovely thought. And, obviously I should be more careful about this--but I often say "junk" and "sh!t" instead of the word "stuff". But yeah, I do think spending crazy money on candles is silly, and obviously chose a bad way of saying that Tish should go out and have a picnic instead with that money. And as some pointed out, picnics are silly. We all like silly things. I didn't care, or take it personally. Though I see why you did, and I'm sorry for calling candles junk. Sorry for insulting your business. How was I supposed to know you were a candlemaker? I wouldn't have said it if i knew there was a freaking candlemaker on the boards. I'm going to ask you to try your best not to take peoples opinions so personally, though.

I'm sorry you're so completely confused by my postings. I hope you can read them from now on without all the assumptions.

and back to the tattoos...

I can see your point on this, to a degree. But if we all sat around and worried about how everything we do or say might offend someone, no one would ever get anything accomplished. Sometimes, it's important for the other side to know when to let things go.

I agree, but with something as permanent and potentially in-your-face as a tattoo, I think it's best to er on the side of caution and just don't write in languages you don't understand--and the same goes for religious and cultural symbols. I can't imagine how hurtful the Ojibwe in my area would be if I tattooed the sacred symbols from their petroglyphs on my arm because I thought it looked cool. They are gorgeous symbols with deep meaning and would make amazing tattoos. But they would most certainly be very hurtful to the Ojibwe if I did that. Tattoos need to be given more serious thought than "oh this looks cool (aesthetic)" and "this is great because no one will be able to read this (cryptic)". Those are the two main reasons westerners go for kanji as apposed to writing their message in plain old English. But that symbol could carry so much more meaning than you ever considered. The "other side" in this case is a living breathing culture. They're not ancient Romans getting offended over dead Latin. To my knowledge no one speaks Latin as a mother-tongue anymore, but lots of people study it. If i studied latin and loved a phrase, I probably wouldn't think twice to get it tattooed on my body. Latin has--in many ways--become the world's language (like in its heavy use in science). The culture in question--the Japanese and Chinese who use kanji--they're potentially your neighbours, and shouldn't be asked to get over something that has been a part of their heritage for thousands of years. And modern-day Celts don't seem to care either. I also belong to paganforum and I've never heard anyone complaining about the use of Celtic symbols on other non-pagan bodies.

That's not to say that someone should go around refusing to see anyone else's point of view and thinking everyone should accommodate their personal behaviors ad infinitum. That would be just as wrong. But who gets to decide, when it comes down to one of two cultures taking offense to something, as many cultures have directly oppositional viewpoints, which is in the right? That's not a choice I'm prepared to make, nor is it a choice I would ask of someone else.

What two cultures are taking offense to something now? Maybe you mean the west for having their tattoos scoffed at, and the Japanese for having their kanji desecrated? Only individuals can say what is right. I say the Japanese shouldn't have to get over it if they feel offended by some foreign culture desecrating something precious to them. I think the westerner has plenty of other tattoo options to choose that can be just as meaningful and beautiful to them without resorting to potentially insulting anyone. They also have the right to say, "i don't give a damn who this offends" and get on with it. But I think it's important that they understand that their tattoo could be offensive so they can make that choice.

I can think of so many things that are more important issues than whether or not someone didn't fully understand the implications of my heritage when they chose their body art, and I have far better things to do with my time than run around trying to right the more trivial wrongs in life.

Good, so you're one of the ones who won't get offended. And... because you won't get offended, that means other people aren't allowed to get offended either? And who are you disagreeing with? Me for the fact that I tried to bring attention to the subject, or the fact that Japanese shouldn't be offended by it in the first place? Is your conclusion "ignorance is bliss" (don't tell us how offensive our potential tattoos could be) or is it "get over it Japan, I'll do what I want. It's your culture but my body". I disagree with both.

Sorry to the OP for this enormous post derailment. I think it's great you asked for the meaning of your possible tattoo. If you want your kanji tattoo still and you're worried about it being insulting to anyone you should do a lot more research. I'm one person who has listened to Japanese people express their feelings about kanji tattoos. Take that info and do with it what you like. If you still want the tattoo and want to ensure the meaning of the kanji isn't wrong or won't be misinterpreted, I would suggest emailing a site like http://hanzismatter.blogspot.com/ that highlights the misuse of kanji and other Asian writing in tattoos. They'll be able to tell you if certain characters would be inappropriate, or nonsensical, or have a double entendre, and possibly suggest some alternatives. You might want to mention to them where on your body you're intending on placing the tattoo, since that can change the meaning.

lavieboheme73 · June 2011

I give up...I'm apparently a poorer communicator than I thought, and honestly, the issue wasn't that serious. I was simply thinking I'd want to know if others were perceiving my comments in a certain way, so I spoke up, and maybe it was out of turn. I certainly don't seek you out to make assumptions about you because you once unwittingly insulted my mode of business...that would be petty at best. It made an impression, but not one that colors every single thought I have regarding you. I'm not that kind of person. I had thought I mentioned what I do for a living enough times to border on obnoxious, but apparently, I hadn't done so in anything you ever read. My apologies.

Can we just agree to disagree on this matter, assume for the record that I had some transient attack of text-related Tourette's Syndrome, and move on?

ETA that I most definitely do not have an "inferiority complex"...I quite love my life, in a way that some would say is not even rational. The references to your being well-traveled were never intended to be put-downs or sarcastic. I love your travel stories!!!

Nukke · June 2011

lavieboheme73:

I give up...I'm apparently a poorer communicator than I thought, and honestly, the issue wasn't that serious. I was simply thinking I'd want to know if others were perceiving my comments in a certain way, so I spoke up, and maybe it was out of turn. I certainly don't seek you out to make assumptions about you because you once unwittingly insulted my mode of business...that would be petty at best. It made an impression, but not one that colors every single thought I have regarding you. I'm not that kind of person. I had thought I mentioned what I do for a living enough times to border on obnoxious, but apparently, I hadn't done so in anything you ever read. My apologies.
Can we just agree to disagree on this matter, assume for the record that I had some transient attack of text-related Tourette's Syndrome, and move on?
ETA that I most definitely do not have an "inferiority complex"...I quite love my life, in a way that some would say is not even rational. The references to your being well-traveled were never intended to be put-downs or sarcastic. I love your travel stories!!!

And I guess that's the difference between the breed of people who left these boards and those who stayed. We're capable of working out our differences and getting over it when we've perceived that others have slighted us. *shakes hand* I'm moving on too.

chantico23 · June 2011

Nukke:
I said I don't like target. Actually, I didn't say "I don't like target", I said "no thanks" to a target store moving into my town. Someone ASKED ME WHY. I answered honestly, and never once compared it to shopping in other countries. I'm beyond confused as to where you got that from.

I really don't want to get in the middle of this. You both have some valid points. I agree with you, Eeva, on a few things. And I agree with Erin on a few things. But I did have to point out that you did, in fact, say that you disliked American shopping. Here's your exact quote:

"I don't like US shopping, as I find crossing the border obnoxious. I do like online shopping though! Also, Target is on it's way to Canada. The company bought out 250 or so Zellers stores and will be coming here in 2013 I think. (No thanks.) "

I know that you may have intended that to come across as the borders being the thing in which you dislike. But can you see how it could be taken as Americans / American shopping is what you find disdainful? Especially with the added "no thanks" about Target coming to Canada. It just came across that nothing in America was worth going through the hassle of the boarders. I know that may not have been how you intended it, but that's how I took it.

I really don't want this "fight" to continue, or to get into any debate over it. I just wanted to point out what your words were and how I took them. I like you just fine, and would prefer that we hug it out and get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

ETA: Oh, darnit! I must have been typing this out while you two were making peace and moving on. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to rehash anything, or continue to stir the pot. I'd just DD this, but if you saw it already then you'd wonder why I DD'd. *sigh* Should have just not responded in the first place.

Nukke · June 2011

erindworley:
Nukke:
I said I don't like target. Actually, I didn't say "I don't like target", I said "no thanks" to a target store moving into my town. Someone ASKED ME WHY. I answered honestly, and never once compared it to shopping in other countries. I'm beyond confused as to where you got that from.

I really don't want to get in the middle of this. You both have some valid points. I agree with you, Eeva, on a few things. And I agree with Erin on a few things. But I did have to point out that you did, in fact, say that you disliked American shopping. Here's your exact quote:
"I don't like US shopping, as I find crossing the border obnoxious. I do like online shopping though! Also, Target is on it's way to Canada. The company bought out 250 or so Zellers stores and will be coming here in 2013 I think. (No thanks.) "
I know that you may have intended that to come across as the borders being the thing in which you dislike. But can you see how it could be taken as Americans / American shopping is what you find disdainful? Especially with the added "no thanks" about Target coming to Canada. It just came across that nothing in America was worth going through the hassle of the boarders. I know that may not have been how you intended it, but that's how I took it.
I really don't want this "fight" to continue, or to get into any debate over it. I just wanted to point out what your words were and how I took them. I like you just fine, and would prefer that we hug it out and get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

ETA: Oh, darnit! I must have been typing this out while you two were making peace and moving on. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to rehash anything, or continue to stir the pot. I'd just DD this, but if you saw it already then you'd wonder why I DD'd. *sigh* Should have just not responded in the first place.

I can totally see now how that could have been read. I guess if you were in Canada you would know what Zellers was--it's basically the exact same thing as target here in Canada (which is why target bought it out or whatever they did). By mentioning Zellers I thought I was pointing out that we have those stores here already, and don't need more. My point about the borders was that--since we have the same stores here, why would I go through the huge hassle of crossing the border just to get a better deal? Not worth it to me--especially as someone who detests big box store shopping and outlet malls where the deals are found. I should have been more clear. The hassle of the border is not worth it because the shopping isn't any better over in the US for someone like me. Plus you could be paying duties on your shopping anyway, negating the whole idea of saving money.

chantico23 · June 2011

Nukke:
erindworley:
Nukke:
I said I don't like target. Actually, I didn't say "I don't like target", I said "no thanks" to a target store moving into my town. Someone ASKED ME WHY. I answered honestly, and never once compared it to shopping in other countries. I'm beyond confused as to where you got that from.

I really don't want to get in the middle of this. You both have some valid points. I agree with you, Eeva, on a few things. And I agree with Erin on a few things. But I did have to point out that you did, in fact, say that you disliked American shopping. Here's your exact quote:
"I don't like US shopping, as I find crossing the border obnoxious. I do like online shopping though! Also, Target is on it's way to Canada. The company bought out 250 or so Zellers stores and will be coming here in 2013 I think. (No thanks.) "
I know that you may have intended that to come across as the borders being the thing in which you dislike. But can you see how it could be taken as Americans / American shopping is what you find disdainful? Especially with the added "no thanks" about Target coming to Canada. It just came across that nothing in America was worth going through the hassle of the boarders. I know that may not have been how you intended it, but that's how I took it.
I really don't want this "fight" to continue, or to get into any debate over it. I just wanted to point out what your words were and how I took them. I like you just fine, and would prefer that we hug it out and get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

ETA: Oh, darnit! I must have been typing this out while you two were making peace and moving on. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to rehash anything, or continue to stir the pot. I'd just DD this, but if you saw it already then you'd wonder why I DD'd. *sigh* Should have just not responded in the first place.
I can totally see now how that could have been read. I guess if you were in Canada you would know what Zellers was--it's basically the exact same thing as target here in Canada (which is why target bought it out or whatever they did). By mentioning Zellers I thought I was pointing out that we have those stores here already, and don't need more. My point about the borders was that--since we have the same stores here, why would I go through the huge hassle of crossing the border just to get a better deal? Not worth it to me--especially as someone who detests big box store shopping and outlet malls where the deals are found. I should have been more clear. The hassle of the border is not worth it because the shopping isn't any better over in the US for someone like me. Plus you could be paying duties on your shopping anyway, negating the whole idea of saving money.

Thanks for clarifying. :-)

nfp147 · June 2011

Nukke:
erindworley:
Nukke:
I said I don't like target. Actually, I didn't say "I don't like target", I said "no thanks" to a target store moving into my town. Someone ASKED ME WHY. I answered honestly, and never once compared it to shopping in other countries. I'm beyond confused as to where you got that from.

I really don't want to get in the middle of this. You both have some valid points. I agree with you, Eeva, on a few things. And I agree with Erin on a few things. But I did have to point out that you did, in fact, say that you disliked American shopping. Here's your exact quote:
"I don't like US shopping, as I find crossing the border obnoxious. I do like online shopping though! Also, Target is on it's way to Canada. The company bought out 250 or so Zellers stores and will be coming here in 2013 I think. (No thanks.) "
I know that you may have intended that to come across as the borders being the thing in which you dislike. But can you see how it could be taken as Americans / American shopping is what you find disdainful? Especially with the added "no thanks" about Target coming to Canada. It just came across that nothing in America was worth going through the hassle of the boarders. I know that may not have been how you intended it, but that's how I took it.
I really don't want this "fight" to continue, or to get into any debate over it. I just wanted to point out what your words were and how I took them. I like you just fine, and would prefer that we hug it out and get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

ETA: Oh, darnit! I must have been typing this out while you two were making peace and moving on. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to rehash anything, or continue to stir the pot. I'd just DD this, but if you saw it already then you'd wonder why I DD'd. *sigh* Should have just not responded in the first place.
I can totally see now how that could have been read. I guess if you were in Canada you would know what Zellers was--it's basically the exact same thing as target here in Canada (which is why target bought it out or whatever they did). By mentioning Zellers I thought I was pointing out that we have those stores here already, and don't need more. My point about the borders was that--since we have the same stores here, why would I go through the huge hassle of crossing the border just to get a better deal? Not worth it to me--especially as someone who detests big box store shopping and outlet malls where the deals are found. I should have been more clear. The hassle of the border is not worth it because the shopping isn't any better over in the US for someone like me. Plus you could be paying duties on your shopping anyway, negating the whole idea of saving money.

I have to step in here and defend Target. Wink Target is nothing like Zellers in Canada. Have you been to a Target? Zellers are generally dirty, disorganized and carry a lot of crap. I think Target is WAY better. And I am looking very forward to having Target in Canada (but I also love big box shopping) Smile

Tisharp · June 2011

nfp147:

I have to step in here and defend Target. Target is nothing like Zellers in Canada. Have you been to a Target? Zellers are generally dirty, disorganized and carry a lot of crap. I think Target is WAY better. And I am looking very forward to having Target in Canada (but I also love big box shopping)

I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE big box shopping, and I know that Target is TECHNICALY big box shopping, but Target rocks SO flipping hard, that I could never ever ever hate it. Target has PRETTY things. It's so pretty and shiny in there, with so many colors. I'm like a 4 year old in the ball pit, when I walk in there! LMAO Target just has better taste than other big box stores, I think. LOL

AlwaysABridesmaid... · June 2011

Thank you Eeva and thank you to everyone else, even if this sparked a debate. Although I do not feel it is necessary to explain myslef, I would like to put this issue to rest. IF I get a tattoo, it would be honor a very good friend of mine who passed away last year. Being that he was Chinese, I thought it would be a nice way to honor him, even though I don't particularly know much about the culture. I understand that this may offend some and I am sensitive to other cultures, but this is important to me. I assure it was not going to be a tramp stamp as I was planning on putting it on my wrist in very small characters.

Thanks again for all the help.

Tisharp · June 2011

Nukke:
And I guess that's the difference between the breed of people who left these boards and those who stayed. We're capable of working out our differences and getting over it when we've perceived that others have slighted us.

lavieboheme73 · June 2011

TishaPayne:
nfp147:

I have to step in here and defend Target. Target is nothing like Zellers in Canada. Have you been to a Target? Zellers are generally dirty, disorganized and carry a lot of crap. I think Target is WAY better. And I am looking very forward to having Target in Canada (but I also love big box shopping)

I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE big box shopping, and I know that Target is TECHNICALY big box shopping, but Target rocks SO flipping hard, that I could never ever ever hate it. Target has PRETTY things. It's so pretty and shiny in there, with so many colors. I'm like a 4 year old in the ball pit, when I walk in there! LMAO Target just has better taste than other big box stores, I think. LOL

Great...now I totally have this picture of you sobbing "I just love Target so much...I want all their stuff in a basket and I want it on a rainbow..."

Patineuse1124 · June 2011

Nukke:
And I guess that's the difference between the breed of people who left these boards and those who stayed. We're capable of working out our differences and getting over it when we've perceived that others have slighted us.

Like!

becca474 · June 2011

TishaPayne:

Nukke:
And I guess that's the difference between the breed of people who left these boards and those who stayed. We're capable of working out our differences and getting over it when we've perceived that others have slighted us.

Agreed 100%. This is why I'm still here.