Beijing Folk: Tattoo You (Not Me)

When I first met Li Wei a while ago, he said that he had no tattoos because his mom doesn’t let him. But now I think he’s just used to it. He’s simply a guy who likes painting on other people’s skins with a vibrating needle but doesn’t have a hankering to get inked himself. People come to him all the time asking if the tattooing process is painful. “No,” he’ll tell them. But how would he know?

How long have you lived in Beijing?

I came here in 2004. Wow, I’ve been here that long.

What’s been the biggest change?

I have changed the most, I think. I’m less innocent. To be honest, Beijing was pretty much the same back then, but I changed a lot. I used to flush just looking at a girl, but if a girl walked by naked right now I would give just a glance and that’s it.

What’s the strangest experience you’ve had in Beijing?

That I can’t seem to have a long-term relationship. All of my relationships have ended after a year and a few months – it’s like they’re counting the days. I’m just joking. Seriously, though, there’ve been too many strange things.

Do you plan to stay here and buy an apartment?

Yeah, I’m staying – I’m not going anywhere else. It’s such a great city. But I don’t have enough money to buy; I can only rent.

Where does your money go?

It all goes to this (points at his belly.) Haha. Eighty percent is spent on food, drinks and having fun.

Where do you go out at night?

I make friends with people from the bars, and then my friends and I can drop just 200 kuai and get drunk. The bars always charge too much. If you don’t think of a solution, it’s too expensive.

How much alcohol can you drink?

Fifteen bottles of beer and half a kilo of baijiu, maybe. I don’t drink that much anymore.

Li Wei's Five Things That Should Be Considered Art

“Clothing”
“Eating”
“Housing”
“Traveling”
“Being simple”

Fo Shou Tattoo. 145 Andingmennei Dajie, Dongcheng District (139 1177 0299) 东城区安定门内大街145号

Photo: Michelle Dai