The antics of foolish 18-year olds are usually best forgotten. But foolish 18-year olds who blame others for their own short-sighted stupidity should be made an example of. Case in point: Kimberley Vlaminck of Courtrai, Belgium.
Starlet Kimberley Vlaminck. Photo: The Daily News © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd
Kim is more foolish than most and more responsible for decent peace-loving people like me pining for the days when foolish 18-year olds who tried to ruin the lives and reputations of others were not coddled by a mother-like legal system but given a swift boot in the ass by their real parents to induce some truth-telling.
According to The Mail, it all started when Kim walked into Rouslan Toumaniantz tattoo parlor. She asked for 56 stars to be tattooed on her face. There was a witness present who heard her. Rouslan obliged. Kim paid for the 56 stars and left. Then Kim got home. Her dad blew his top. Her boyfriend dumped her. After that, it dawned on Kim that perhaps she was wrong: Perhaps 56 stars etched in black on your face don’t make up for your lack of personality and self-confidence. Perhaps, just maybe, 56 stars etched in black on your face makes you look odd in a Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Baily kind of way.
Kim's too sexy for her face. Photo: The Daily Mail, © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd
At this point the foolish 18-year old had a choice to make. Take responsibility for her actions like an adult or blame someone else like a child. Kim opted for the latter. And the courts will indulge her at the taxpayers expense.
Kim claims that she asked for three stars then fell asleep and awoke to 56 stars. Evidently in Flemish, the words 3 and 56 are practically indistinguishable. What a crock. I have a tattoo. There is no way you fall asleep while someone is repeatedly jabbing an inked needed into your face. This isn’t a day at the spa, its a tattoo parlor. Having three stars etched into the flesh on your face would smart enough to keep a drunk sailor awake. Fifty-six? There is no way she “dozed off”. And, if she did, she must be one hell of a sound sleeper. Are we to assume that when Rouslan realized Kim was asleep he decided to spend 17 times the labor and materials and risk a law suit just for the heck of it? What would motivate him to do that? Nothing would. And that’s the point.
Rouslan Toumaniantz, Kim's tattoo artist. Photo: The Daily Mail. © Associated Newspapers Ltd.
The reason this is important is that every 18-year old screws up. That’s part of being 18. But if everyone one of them did like Kim and found an adult to blame for their stupidity, well, then none of us are safe and life as we know it will come to an end because we will all be in court defending ourselves against the fabrications of 18-year old fools.
Kimberley Vlaminck you made a mistake that you regret. I can see it written all over your face (pun intended). But pursuing this lawsuit is a worse mistake. You are about to make a choice with consequences far uglier and just as indelible as the 56 stars on your face. You are about to demonstrate to the world that you are irresponsible, have no scruples and can not be trusted. That’s a mark that surgery cannot remove. It’s not too late to change your mind, tell the truth, get on with your life and let Rouslan Toumaniantz get on with his. Do that and your tattoo will become a beauty mark.
If, on the other hand, you do pursue this then you will most likely lose your case. After that the two best outcomes I can see is that first Rouslan Toumaniantz becomes rich off the publicity you have created for his tattoo parlor as well as the lawsuit he files against you for defaming his character. And that second, after the dust settles in court, the ridiculous stars strewn across your face serve as fair waring to all other foolish 18-year olds who would follow in your regrettable footsteps.
Read more:
Teen falls asleep during face tattoo
Scene of the crime. Support sanity. Go here for your next tatt. Photo: The Daily Mail. © Associated Newspapers Ltd.
I am so glad you posted this. i have 6 tatts, and though they didn’t feel like death, i could not have fallen asleep. and on your face? give me a break!
Thanks Anon. I probably did stuff more stupid than this when I was her age (although not in a tattoo parlor). So I can’t fault her for screwing up. I just wish she and her parents would deal with her mistake without blaming and hurting others.
Great article… As soon as the story broke this was my exact reaction. Nicely written too. Though I look back at the age of 18 and I did some dumb stuff :-/ I do feel pity for this girl. She’ll always will be remembered for this no matter how much of amends she makes in her life. Doh!