Lazare Kolyang is a journalist. He works at the Daily Mutations Desk. What is his opinion about tattoos ? "Personally, I would never go through with it", answers Lazare. He means that it is matter of taste. Lazare has his doubts and he worries about the customers: "I don't understand what they're looking for when they get tattooed. I don't disapprove because they're free to choose. But are they aware of the hygiene issues ? Do they make sure the instruments won't transmit any diseases ? I wouldn't know". These questions are to be taken seriously. In any case, safety issues do not leave anyone indifferent. But going beyond hygiene, health and personal taste, what intrigues Lazare the most, are the "gangster-type designs". OK, Lazare, we understand your position. Tattoos are not your cup of tea.

He's going to think she's loose

Direction: Akwa. Along the way, we keep asking ourselves why women get tattoos. We meet Bernard, an insurance broker, upon arrival. He is "fully against tattoos". He claims: "There are health risks when it's not done under the right conditions. In any case, if my wife ever chose to get a tattoo, that would seriously affect our relationship". She is not there to hear that but we know he is serious. Mélanie, a hairdresser from the Cité-Sic area adds, "In my opinion, when a man sees a tattoo on a girl, he's going to think she's loose. I would never get a tattoo. Even if my boyfriend wanted me to. Because if we were to break up later, I'd regret it so much". She keeps cutting hair, not missing a beat.

I had my boyfriend's name tattooed on my back

If only Louise knew better ! Louise-Laure had her back tattooed and is now trying as much as possible to hide it. At her home, she explains why: "I had my boyfriend's name tattooed on my back. Now we've broken up and I cannot get rid of it". This is very problematic. She says, "I always have problems when I meet a guy. At the beginning, things go so well. Until he sees my ex-boyfriend's name on my back. When I explain what happened, nobody believes me. So my relationships do not last very long. I don't know how to get it taken off". While Louise would gladly offer up bags of gold to get her troublesome tattoo removed, Nathalie squanders handfuls of CFA francs.

They are very beautiful. Very cool

Nathalie is a student at the University of Douala. She has a butterfly tattoo on her left shoulder. We got a hold of her in the Bonamoussadi area. She cannot stop raving about tattoos: "They are very beautiful. Very cool. I love them and so does my boyfriend. I don't see anything wrong with tattoos. I make sure the tattoo artist does everything it takes to prevent me from catching anything". Nathalie's friend, Juliette, who is also a fellow University of Douala student, agrees: "I have two tattoos. One on my back, the other on a special part of my body which I will not reveal". We do not ask her if we can have a look. As for Juliette's own Romeo, it appears that he "really loves" her tattoos. To mark the back-to-school event, she announces, "I'd really love to get an ankle tattoo". She feels she has really "blossomed" because of the tattoos. As for Joël, he also knows about feeling attractive and about the appeal of tattoos. He knows that "girls turn their heads" when they see him and his tattoos.  All weekend long, this tall handsome boy walks around in a sleeveless shirt. His shoulders are covered with tattoos. "When the girls see my tattoos, I hear oohs and ahhs. They love it", he playfully boasts. "Tattoos look manly. They're cool".

When I leave home, then I'll do it

While Lazare scratches his head, Bernard makes threats, Mélanie stands her ground, Louise feels regret, Nathalie and Juliette make plans, and Joël exults, Rigobertine is exploring the possibility. Rigobertine, a secretary, feels enticed. For now, she is not ready. "I'd really like to get a tattoo. But I can't do it because it's against my religion", she explains. She is Catholic. "Also, I'm worried about what my family would say. My mother said I can put jewelry on but I can't get a tattoo. She says that my sisters copy me. If I get tattooed, so will they". Rigobertine will not argue with her mother. "When I leave home, then I'll do it. I should be able to do what I want", she promises herself.