Tattoos -- Yay or nay?

Nay.

Styles change, personal tastes change. The person you are at 20 is not the same at 40. People think "meaningful art" tatoos will be timeless, but how many people hang the exact same artwork on their wall in the exact same place for 60 years?

I'll say "Yay." I want one, as a reward when I lose forty more pounds.

Nope. People started getting tattoos to be different. Now almost everyone has one, so I'm different because I don't. And I like that. Besides, why give the authorities another way to identify you? :smokin:

How do you know what the behind everyone's tattoos are?

Okay, tell me what other reason there would be? You get a tattoo but never show it off? What's the point of that? It's a decoration. And when it started not many people were doing it so you were different because your body was decorated. You stood out. It got you attention.

Do you do ANYTHING creative? I don't mean this as an insult (okay, well, maybe slightly), but if you do, then you should understand that you don't write, paint, create for anyone other than you. If someone likes it, then great. But if not, then who cares? I got my tattoo to symbolize my change, my growth, my never ending cycle of life. I didn't get it to show off, I didn't care if anyone else liked it.

Your assumption that ALL people get tattoos for attention is ridiculous. Tell me... is that why you get dressed in the morning? Why you put on makeup? All simply to get noticed?

Yes, I am creative. I write. I write not only for myself but to bring pleasure to people who read my work. Artists tend to do the same thing. They want to bring beauty to the world.

I am not anti-tattoo by any means. If people get tattoos to grow as a person that's fine. But tell me that if someone compliments you on your tattoo it doesn't make you feel good?

I just don't think a picture inked into your skin defines who you are as a person. A complete jerk might have an angel tattooed on their skin but that doesn't change the fact that they are a jerk. It's your actions that define that.

Now with that said I do know people with really well done and artistic tatttoos and they show them off all the time. They are proud of them. Which again, is fine. But you can't tell me that deep down they hope that someone will see that tattoo and like it and compliment them on it.

I'm all for tattoos.
I have a pokeball behind my left ear, lightsabers with a quote taking up my whole right calf, a peanuts comic panel on the side of my left lower leg, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy huge pin up style on my left thigh, razor blades above my heart, leaves on my shoulder, and a sleeve full of stuff in the works right now.
I show them off all the time. If you look at them, maybe you just see something geeky. But to me, there's a reason I got each one. I've had this discussion with my mom hundreds of times. *why* and all that. At the end of the day, I like it, and I have the right to do it. I'm not trying to be different, or unique, or whatever. It's like cutting your hair a certain way, or liking a style of clothing, just much more permanent.
If I'm in a professional setting, I cover them, and that doesn't bother me at all. But yes, I show them, and I like getting compliments. Maybe that's part of why I got them? Sure. It's a form of expression for myself and I want to show that side of me so the world looks at me and knows who I am. THere's nothing wrong wtih that.

I have a small one planned...hopefully will be able to get it next summer. It will be my first and only.

This one, right? :devil:

This one exactly! Right across my forehead. :noway:

Nope. People started getting tattoos to be different. Now almost everyone has one, so I'm different because I don't. And I like that. Besides, why give the authorities another way to identify you? :smokin:

How do you know what the behind everyone's tattoos are?

Okay, tell me what other reason there would be? You get a tattoo but never show it off? What's the point of that? It's a decoration. And when it started not many people were doing it so you were different because your body was decorated. You stood out. It got you attention.

Do you do ANYTHING creative? I don't mean this as an insult (okay, well, maybe slightly), but if you do, then you should understand that you don't write, paint, create for anyone other than you. If someone likes it, then great. But if not, then who cares? I got my tattoo to symbolize my change, my growth, my never ending cycle of life. I didn't get it to show off, I didn't care if anyone else liked it.

Your assumption that ALL people get tattoos for attention is ridiculous. Tell me... is that why you get dressed in the morning? Why you put on makeup? All simply to get noticed?

Yes, I am creative. I write. I write not only for myself but to bring pleasure to people who read my work. Artists tend to do the same thing. They want to bring beauty to the world.

I am not anti-tattoo by any means. If people get tattoos to grow as a person that's fine. But tell me that if someone compliments you on your tattoo it doesn't make you feel good?

I just don't think a picture inked into your skin defines who you are as a person. A complete jerk might have an angel tattooed on their skin but that doesn't change the fact that they are a jerk. It's your actions that define that.

Now with that said I do know people with really well done and artistic tatttoos and they show them off all the time. They are proud of them. Which again, is fine. But you can't tell me that deep down they hope that someone will see that tattoo and like it and compliment them on it.

But you didn't start writing because "Oh hey, I want someone to read this." , did you? I'm also assuming that more artists don't put paintbrush to canvas with the thought of "Oh dear, I hope people like this." Sure, that may come afterwards (especially if you're trying to make a living out of such), but rarely does it come before. Most creative writing classes and books straight up tell you NOT to write for an audience.

I AM proud of my tattoo, because it shows off a piece of who I am and what I've been through. Why would I NOT be proud of that? Do I give two-sh1ts what you think of my tattoo? Oh hell no. I normally forget that I have it, so if someone comments on it I go "Tattoo? Oh, uh, yeah. Thanks."

I can't tell you why other people get tattoos, but the blanket statement of "people started getting them to be different" is flat-out ridiculous. Nor does you not having tattoos make you different or standout. Because for all people know, your butt cheeks could be covered.

I have a small one planned...hopefully will be able to get it next summer. It will be my first and only.

This one, right? :devil:

This one exactly! Right across my forehead. :noway:

Sexy.

I have two tattoos. One on my shoulder blade of a butterfly and my son's name on my chest where my heart is. I am a fan of them, but I do think they should be taken seriously. Never get one just because others have one and you want to fit in. A lot of thought should be put into tattoos.

I like tattoos on other people.

Nope. People started getting tattoos to be different. Now almost everyone has one, so I'm different because I don't. And I like that. Besides, why give the authorities another way to identify you? :smokin:

How do you know what the behind everyone's tattoos are?

Okay, tell me what other reason there would be? You get a tattoo but never show it off? What's the point of that? It's a decoration. And when it started not many people were doing it so you were different because your body was decorated. You stood out. It got you attention.

Maybe just because I like them!

I can tell you I never got then stand out from the crowed, I couldn't care a less what the "crowd" does.

I have a full sleeve so showing it off is not a option. it makes kids and adults smile, but more importantly I like it.