ACMESkydiver 0 #1 February 11, 2005 Sheesh I never met so many people that hadn't heard about Ash Wednesday as I did today. The priest last night really shmeared the ashes good on my forehead, so I still have the cross (I do not wash it off. Some Catholics do. Cool if you do, I prefer not to. ) I grew up in a predominantly Catholic area...and by that I'd estimate 1/3-1/2 of the population was Cathoilic, then you had all other religions and non-religious people in the remaining group. So to me, walking around with a smudge mark on your forehead is just what people did this time of year. Kids at school didn't tease us or anything, if they weren't Catholic, they just knew that we did that once a year. ENTER COLLEGE. Today I tied my hair in a pony tail as I nearly always do, and I notice in the reflection of my windows of my truck as I'm heading into class that this cross is pretty large on my forehead. No big deal, I don't cover it up because I don't feel I should need to. As I walk in my room, all students in the class already exclaim, "Whoa!! WTH is that?? You been used for target practice or somethin'??" "Uh, I guess nobody here is Catholic then..." was my (surprisingly) sheepish remark. I'm not afraid of who I am, and when I explained what it was, everyone was very cool...it kinda caught me off guard that I would enter into that awkward of a situation. I went to get a voucher for my tuition for next quarter, and the gal in financial was sweet as pie...I was relieved, I didn't know what to say! I took the voucher over to the cashier, and was discussing class fees with the lady. Again, very nice woman. I noticed a gal wayyyy in the back at a keyboard lean out and kinda smile at me. She had a smudgey forehead too. I joked with people that asked me what it was that we Catholics do that once a year so you can tell who we are in a crowd... Here's the question: I feel kind of uneasy when I'm out and about the day after Ash Wednesday...I mean, if I'm in line at a grocery store, and the checker has ash on her forehead, I know no explanation is needed. But if she doesn't...I really want to allay curiosity and explain it if people are curious, but how do you start that conversation? If I were to say, "They're ashes from last night's mass. I'm Catholic." -Well, what if she's Catholic too and she chooses to wipe her ashes off? I don't want to seem like somebody that is forcing my religion on others by explaining why I have these black marks on my head, but on the other hand, some people are very innocently curious and maybe nobody ever bothered to explain it in a kind way? So what would you do if you were wearing some kind of symbol, or maybe a bracelet with a slogan, or something that would seem out of the ordinary...how would you interact with people? I thought if I just pretended that these marks weren't there and go about my daily life, that might be kind of arrogant to people that might honestly be curious? -and I didn't post this in Speaker's Corner because my question isn't about the symbolism or religion, it's about how you would handle this type of situation in general, to be able to explain to those that are curious, and kind of avoid those that aren't? Edit cuz it's a freakin' long post & I highlighted the point of it...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #2 February 11, 2005 I get that question evey year. Not just Catholics(Untited Methodist,tec.) do this. The ashes of last years palms from Palm Sunday. It's always been a bit funny to get reactions as I totally for get they are there as well. Growing up, in grade school we used to look at each other and laugh about "HEY! you got something on your fore head" to see who would wipe there's off 1st._______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #3 February 11, 2005 QuoteI get that question evey year. Not just Catholics(Untited Methodist,tec.) do this. Wow, I didn't know anyone but Catholics did this! Yeah my class was laughing today, but when we have a MAJOR EXAM tomorrow, if I still have some left on me, I'll let 'em know I have 'extra' power!! I got 100% on my last test, I have to keep it up. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #4 February 11, 2005 I get something a bit like this every once in awhile. I have a Pagan religeous tattoo on my arm. (Not a practicing Pagan by any means but I liked the tat and what it stands for) I have had a couple people ask what it was and a few more that recognized it. I had to learn by trial and error how to explain what it is without freaking the average person out. Had that happen a time or two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #5 February 11, 2005 QuoteI have a Pagan religeous tattoo on my arm. Do you have a picture of it? and....I don't know what the word 'letigious' means in your sig line...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #6 February 11, 2005 QuoteDo you have a picture of it? Yep............ QuoteI don't know what the word 'letigious' means in your sig line.. www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=litigious It's all in the Google sweety! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EyeofHorus 0 #7 February 11, 2005 What tattoo do you have?It's not what you do in life, it's what you do with your life that counts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #8 February 11, 2005 I'm a defected Catholic..born/raised Catholic..defected from the church after high school..I used to wear the ashes on my forehead..but had a tendancy to wipe it off soon after it was put there..but some wear it til it falls off on its own Only symbolism to me was it was the beginning of FISH ON FRIDAYS...Giddyup..I love seafood.. _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #9 February 11, 2005 Awww crap. I knew what 'letigious' meant all along. It didn't look like the same word though...for some reason I thought it was something new and different So....what does the tattoo mean then?! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #10 February 11, 2005 QuoteI'm a defected Catholic..born/raised Catholic..defected from the church after high school..I used to wear the ashes on my forehead..but had a tendancy to wipe it off soon after it was put there..but some wear it til it falls off on its own Only symbolism to me was it was the beginning of FISH ON FRIDAYS...Giddyup..I love seafood.. Smae here. I attended Catholic grade school, high school and college (by choice) took a class in college that tought me how the Socio-economic hierchy worked then and now in the CHURCH. I'm still Catholic but go to a Untied Methodist Church (and yep more ashes on the fore head there too)_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #11 February 11, 2005 QuoteSo....what does the tattoo mean then?! Well......to go into the deeper meaning you would have to know a bit about Pagan religion. Basically........it's a "protection" symbol used to ward off negative energy. Thanks Jenni-fur.......I will now think of you for the rest of my life. Just the really good stuff though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman32 0 #12 February 11, 2005 I think it's funny there were no catholics around. I think I've always been surrounded by Catholics Inveniam Viam aut Faciam I'm back biatches! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheenster303 0 #13 February 11, 2005 Wow.....now I know why my professor had a black mark on his forehead yesterday. I actually just assumed that he had a mishap with some black hair dye. A couple of students asked him if he knew he had a mark on his forehead and all he said was he was aware of it. No explanation of what it was. It was killing me not knowing why it was there. Now I know!I'm so funny I crack my head open! P.M.S. #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ravan 0 #14 February 11, 2005 QuoteI had to learn by trial and error how to explain what it is without freaking the average person out. Had that happen a time or two. I wear a pentacle on my necklace (i'm a wiccan) I have the same problem with curious ppl...it is akward explaining I'm a witch...no I don't have a magic broom and no I don't worship the devil Food, Fornication, Freefall Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jose 0 #15 February 11, 2005 Holy crap dude.....go outside and get some sun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxx 1 #16 February 11, 2005 This tat looks like two runways with a HUUGE landing circle.. SCNR Cya, Max Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #17 February 11, 2005 ...and then there was my dad, as a kid, pouring blue ink into the holly water in the church... Makes for good facial paint though!. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #18 February 11, 2005 Quoteit is akward explaining I'm a witch...no I don't have a magic broom Isn't it great............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #19 February 11, 2005 QuoteQuoteI had to learn by trial and error how to explain what it is without freaking the average person out. Had that happen a time or two. I wear a pentacle on my necklace (i'm a wiccan) I have the same problem with curious ppl...it is akward explaining I'm a witch...no I don't have a magic broom and no I don't worship the devil "Gimme that Old Time Religion..." hehehe mh ."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #20 February 11, 2005 Quote"Gimme that Old Time Religion..." hehehe Yep.........about 3500 years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #21 February 11, 2005 QuoteThis tat looks like two runways with a HUUGE landing circle.. SCNR Cya, Max That would probably be the best way to describe it on a dropzone anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #22 February 11, 2005 Quote This tat looks like two runways with a HUUGE landing circle.. Hmmmmm.............I wonder how many skydivers think it's a skydiving tat? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougiefresh 0 #23 February 11, 2005 Quoteit is akward explaining I'm a witch... Throw her into the pond! Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buried 0 #24 February 11, 2005 QuoteQuoteThis tat looks like two runways with a HUUGE landing circle.. SCNR Cya, Max That would probably be the best way to describe it on a dropzone anyway. maybe its like waterworld and the tat leads us to the forgotten dz Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swedishcelt 0 #25 February 11, 2005 lol- good one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
