VIII

low herd- high society

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THE herd motive in tattooing is particularlynoticeable in a socially standardized country like our own.Quite naturally it was in particular evidence throughout thecountry during the last three major wars of the UnitedStates when hordes of men were brought together fromcivilian life into the barracks and told to take example ineverything from the regulars.

But they were tattooed regulars. The tenderfoot thereforealso blossomed forth with fair maidens, ferocious crocodilesand fancy fish. It was in a way an echo of the initiation cere-monial of a primitive Glossar ::: zum Glossareintrag  primitive tribe.

With soldier- tenderfeet, tattooing was also a short cut tobravery, a diploma of manliness,( much the same as withyoung warriors among the Maoris or Samoans), but the herdmotive was always stronger than this allied impulse. A formersoldier who had served in Norfolk, Virginia, told me that ifa man does not get tattooed right after entering the army,it is ten to one he won't get tattooed at all. His fears of notbeing considered a good soldier are allayed quite shortlyafter he begins his service, even if he has no tattooing on

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