By Jim Obert

Business Today

The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian "tatu," which means "to mark something."

It is probable that tattooing has existed since 12,000 years B.C. The purpose of tattooing has varied from culture to culture over the years.

In the United States after World War II, tattoos were frowned upon because of their association with Marlon Brando-type motorcycle hoodlums and juvenile delinquents.

But in the late 1960s, the attitude toward tattooing changed, and today tattooing is more popular and accepted than ever. All classes of people seek the best tattoo artists. This rise in popularity has placed tattooist in the category of "fine artist."

Chris Rose, manager of A Different Drummer, a tattoo and body piercing studio in Cape Girardeau, studied the art of tattooing for several years before entering a business relationship with Don Eaker, a former president of the National Tattoo Association.

Eaker established A Different Drummer tattoo studios in several states, and Rose ran the one in Wichita Falls, Texas, before transferring to the Cape studio more than a year ago.

Rose says there are countless thousands of pre-designed tattoos to choose from, but custom-designed tattoos are also a large part of the business.

"The most popular tattoos for women and girls are butterflies and hearts," said Rose, pointing to the walls of his studio that are covered with colorful tattoo designs. "And the guys like tribal arm bands."

Rose says the price of a tattoo starts at $25, which will buy a small heart, a rose or a name. Large, elaborate tattoos are priced at $100 an hour. Rose says if a tattoo can't be finished in three or four hours, the customer is asked to come back for a few hours every day until the work is finished.

On weekdays, between three and 10 people receive small to medium-size tattoos at A Different Drummer. Saturdays are generally reserved for the larger projects that, Rose says, sometimes cause a person to pass out or become ill.

Rose says there are some requests for tattoos that he won't do.

"I won't tattoo any profanities like the word 'bitch,' or anything racial or hate-inspired, and I won't do anything satanic or neo-Nazi."

Besides needling colorful ink under skin, Rose also does body piercing. He says belly button rings are all the rage for females.

"It's really the big thing with college women. It seems like as soon as they get in school they want to get their belly button pierced. Then, as time goes by, they also decide on tattoos."

Rose says the piercing of the skin takes about one second -- and most people tell him it's less painful than an ear piercing.

"Most people don't even make any facial expressions," he said.

Prior to the piercing, a needle and the ring -- or piece of jewelry -- are placed in an autoclave, a device that heats them to 230 degrees at 70 pounds of pressure to sanitize them.

"There's nothing that can live through an autoclave," said Rose, with a hint of pride in his voice.

Anyone 18 and older can have a body piercing. People under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or documented guardian. Rose won't tattoo anyone under 18 -- coming in with a parent or guardian doesn't help.

"These are just our policies. We try to police ourselves and run a clean shop."