The author discusses the uses of tattoos and fashion to create an identity or what someone might want others to think is true of themselves. Although what we see may not be a reflection of that person, such as their morals, values, beliefs, or personality. Yes, fashion does make a statement about a person, but there are many people who do not choose to wear what they do; sometimes it is forced, and in many cases it is all they can afford. Walk down the street one day and see how much judgement you pass on people about their clothes or the way they are wearing their hair. For instance a guy who has a mohawk, or a girl who has two sleeves, your immediate response may be that these people are dark, trashy, scary, hardcore. In high school yeah it was standard that people dress the same and like the same clothes in fear that they might be victimized if they were not wearing the latest trends, but in the real world lets be real, creating your own personal identity is much better than following the crowds. The guy with the mohawk and the girl with the sleeves may know better than you who they are and what they want in life. Tattoos in many religions are a symbol of maturity, culture, tribes, and faith. Yes, considering that I too have a tattoo I understand the meaning of tattoos and that there should be a significance to them, but I also know that many people have them due to drunken nights and crazy dares. Seeing a person with a cross on their body does not cause my mind to jump to the conclusion that they are a very religious person who has the cross to symbolize their faith. Many people put crosses on their bodies to represent a loved one who has died, or maybe they simply got one because they like the symbol but not necessarily the representation. As for the girl in the parka, she is wearing this because it is a part of her culture, but just because she looks different than I do does not mean that she is any different. I'm sure that if I were to visit her country or any other that I would be a victim of judgement. So, I guess that clothing and tattoos do have a slight affect on the type of person you are, but I believe a lot of what you "see" when you look at a person is what society has made them.