Tattoos -- Yay or nay?

I have never found anything I want permanently etched onto my skin. To each their own however.

I got a tramp stamp when I was 19, before I met my husband his deal breaker was a tramp stamp.... as it turns out it wasn't much of a deal breaker after all. lol. I'm in the Yay category, I absolutely adore tats on men. My husband just got his cover ups done last week and we are working on a full sleeve, shoulder/back and chest on him, all navy related with our kids thrown in somewhere. We are both getting anchors with eachothers initials in them, his is considerabley larger than mine because I don't think I have the body to make tattoos look sexy right now. He's also getting both his calves done, one dedicated to him and one to me. We wanted to get our ring fingers done (he can't wear his ring at work and when he deploys I won't let him take it with him) but apparently they don't turn out very good unless you go really big and I don't want that.

Anyone had their wedding rings, or any any finger tattoo?

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.

SEE!!!!! :laugh:

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.

Yeah, actually, I do write in the hopes that others will like my work. I do know not everyone will, but yes, I write not only for myself but for others. I work with plenty of artists and they are putting their work out there for others to see. With the hope that others will like it.

When tattoos first became popular, I'm sorry, but many people got them for attention. I will retract the statement that EVERYONE got them to be different, I'm sure others had other reasons and still do. As they got better in quality many people get them for symbolic reasons, not to get attention, I'm not disputing that.

But it's human nature to want to do something that will make you stand out. Getting tattoos, piercings, gauging.. whatever.

I like tattoos on other people.

*insert standard, "How you doin'?" message*

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.

Yeah, actually, I do write in the hopes that others will like my work. I do know not everyone will, but yes, I write not only for myself but for others. I work with plenty of artists and they are putting their work out there for others to see. With the hope that others will like it.

When tattoos first became popular, I'm sorry, but many people got them for attention. I will retract the statement that EVERYONE got them to be different, I'm sure others had other reasons and still do. As they got better in quality many people get them for symbolic reasons, not to get attention, I'm not disputing that.

But it's human nature to want to do something that will make you stand out. Getting tattoos, piercings, gauging.. whatever.

As a fellow writer... that's freaking bizarre to me. Sure, when I'm done writing, I hope someone likes it. Do I write it so people will like it? Nope. I write it because the story needs to come out. So... nope.

Again, sure, some people get them for attention. I appreciate your retract of "everyone", but I find your take on life strange. Most people I know with tattoos, piercings and gauges... it has never been done because they want the attention. They do it because it makes them feel like it completes them. I gauged my ear (that's right, just one) and now feel like it represents who I am better than commercially made little trinkets called earrings. Just like I don't put on makeup for all the people walking down the street, I put it on because it makes me feel prettier.

People who live their lives to get attention.... I... I just don't get it.

I didn't say people live their lives to get attention. I said it's human nature that people like to be noticed. I'm not writing so others notice me. I want them to notice my work and appreciate it.

And if I were to meet you on the street, the fact that you gauged your ear won't tell me who you are. Only getting to know you would do that.

Now I don't want to keep up an argument that's going to last all day. If I have offended anyone by my initial statement, I apologize and have retracted it (to a degree) and again, I'm not anti tattoo. I don't judge people by what they do to their bodies. Although, being an honest person, I will admit that if the lower lip gauging catches on, well, ew.

I've never been a fan...but if a woman I am interested in had 1 or 2, I could ignore them, but I wouldn't be able to date a woman with a sleeve or a tramp stamp...just not my cup of tea

IF you like tattoos thats great but there is nothing that I can think of that I would want permanently etched on my body.

Absolutely a Ney here. People are free to add graffiti or art to their bodies if that is important to them. I wish they would think about any possible negatives before they start. I am an employer and any visible tattoos mean that you probably are not going to get hired. I have never heard an employer say "I hired the applicant because of the cool tattoos" but I have heard one say the opposite.

Key words being "visible".

I get tattooed every other weekend, yet still manage to hold what most would consider a high paying corporate job

Absolutely a Ney here. People are free to add graffiti or art to their bodies if that is important to them. I wish they would think about any possible negatives before they start. I am an employer and any visible tattoos mean that you probably are not going to get hired. I have never heard an employer say "I hired the applicant because of the cool tattoos" but I have heard one say the opposite.

Key words being "visible".

And it's a lot of BS discrimination that people won't hire folks with a tattoo that's visible. What difference does it make if I have a tattoo or not? Does it make me a bad person? Does it make me an *kitten*? No, no it does not. A tattoo, much like having any color of the rainbow for your hair, does nothing but express yourself in one way or another. It does not automatically mean that this person will steal from you or be lazy or any of that. Discrimination based on tattoos is just as bad as discrimination based on skin color. It's stupid and pointless and stems from ignorance.

Note: There is one exception... If you have a racial slur or some other hate filled rubbish as your tattoo, then I will discriminate against you. But that's because you're an *kitten* if you put some sort of hate filled garbage on your body. But then again, I will discriminate against you if you're against equality in any fashion, so...

Absolutely a Ney here. People are free to add graffiti or art to their bodies if that is important to them. I wish they would think about any possible negatives before they start. I am an employer and any visible tattoos mean that you probably are not going to get hired. I have never heard an employer say "I hired the applicant because of the cool tattoos" but I have heard one say the opposite.

Key words being "visible".

And it's a lot of BS discrimination that people won't hire folks with a tattoo that's visible. What difference does it make if I have a tattoo or not? Does it make me a bad person? Does it make me an *kitten*? No, no it does not. A tattoo, much like having any color of the rainbow for your hair, does nothing but express yourself in one way or another. It does not automatically mean that this person will steal from you or be lazy or any of that. Discrimination based on tattoos is just as bad as discrimination based on skin color. It's stupid and pointless and stems from ignorance.

That said I do kind of understand where he is coming from, there is no way I could be taken seriously if I had neck and hand tattoos.

Yep tats all the way, very sexy on a man!

If you are inked from head to toe, I don't anticipate that we are really going to be compatible as we clearly approach life from different places.

This... is sad to me. I know that was judge people everyday based on looks, but truly, there are wonderful, kind people who are inked from head to toe. Just because someone approaches life differently than you doesn't mean that you won't get along. Anticipating that you won't is really no different than not associating someone based on their religion, their facial hair, their car, or what they watch on TV.

My fiance has 19, they are on the back of his neck, and right under his adams apple down to almost his rib cage, then down his arms. Both arms will be full sleves when finished but he still have empty space, so not there yet. He still has 4 others that I know of he wants. He's got tatts on the back of both hands and on his knuckels one one hand (he counts his knuckels as one). He also is periced up. He works a nice job, 16$ a hour, 60 hours a week with another raise coming soon. When my family first seen him they weren't to sure about him. But after meeting him he gets complements all the time on how well spoken and how polite he is. My 80 year old adoptive grandfather just loved him to death. I'm a stay at home mom because he wants our child to have a parent at home and believes its the mans place to provide (if I wanna work, I do. I just lost a 5yr job not long after our daughter was born. That's when he said just stay home). He has more manners and values then some people who aren't tattooed. The ink on the skin has nothing to do with a persons character. You can have no ink and still be a total jerk.