Tatoos bad?

[cindchan]

Lately, I've begun to feel like a freak for NOT having a tattoo. It does seem like everyone and their mother has one these days. But, if I were to get one, it would definitely have to be something extremely meaningful. Something that I would be happy with for a lifetime, and not just the name of the tv show that I like this week. It's my skin. It's my body. It's with me for as long as I live. Not a scrap of paper to doodle on and then toss in the trash. Get a tattoo and it's permanent.

You aren't the only one. I never got tattoos, because, well they aren't me. I have no use for them, and I don't think there is any design I'd be satisfied with. I have had my ears pierced only once. I'm just not into doing things like that to my body.

My sister has two tattoos. the Tasmanian Devil (from looney tunes) on her ankle, and a bracelet with her kids' names on her wrist. I don't think any less of her (and after having two kids, what's the pain of a tattoo??), and they are both tastefully done.

I also had a co-worker once (who works in the back office of a bank), who had a large tattoo on her shoulder. It was a large image of Quan Yin, and it was a beautiful tattoo!! You rarely saw it peeking out from under her sleeve, and I only know what it looks like, by the pictures in her cubicle of the tattoo. While I think that tattoo was awesome, I still have no desire to get one. But that's just me.

A word to the wise for the original poster. Just be aware of where you have the tattoo. Think long and hard about whether it can end up turning against you when you get out into the working world. As the old saying goes. Location, Location, Location. ^_^

[SteveL]

Having heard what they cost, I just think it is a terrific waste of hard earned money. I know of people who have spents thousands on tats.

[J9]

I wonder if maybe you're asking this question because you're having doubts and want to be reassured? I could be wrong, but I get the feeling you wouldn't have asked strangers who don't know you otherwise.

With that said, I really can't stand tattoos. I will never date a guy with tattoos because I can't stand to look at them. I guess maybe I'm a straight-laced yuppie, but they really just gross me out. But really what I think doesn't matter - it's all about you! :-D

Actually, have any of you guys ever heard of the Disney tattoo guy? I saw him in Epcot back in November on the last day of Food & Wine (he must have been visiting with his family or something, but there was no way it wasn't him.) It was....interesting...

[crazypoohbear]

I disagree with you- but as it is your personal feeling, you have the right to feel as you want.
I do hope that if your children grow up & decide to get a tatoo that it would not change your relationship with them.

Just wanted to clarify that I have always told me kids that they came into the world owing me the cost of the hospital/delivery/etc. AND these conversations have always been tongue in cheek!
Kind of a I brought you into this world and I'll take you out.

I can't see changing my relationship with my boy's we get along great, can talk about anything and even when the oldest brought home a girl with a mohawk!
I did ask him, "look honey, how long have you known me? And you thought you were going to bring a girl with a mohawk into the house and not get a rashin'? HE has moved on from this girl and now has a different girl, when the new girls father asked what type of music he listened to and she said heavy metal/hard core mosh pit, stage diving music.
the dad's next question was "how many tat's and piercings does this schmuck have" He was surprised when he met my son, with regular hair, no tats and no piercings.

SO people do have preconcieved notions about most everything, not just visible tattoo's.

[Ian]

Actually, have any of you guys ever heard of the Disney tattoo guy? I saw him in Epcot back in November on the last day of Food & Wine (he must have been visiting with his family or something, but there was no way it wasn't him.) It was....interesting...

Yeah, George Reiger. He lives not far from me, actually. Although ironically I had to travel all the way to WDW to meet him. I ran into him on Main Street one day.

I agree ... interesting ...

[thrillme]

Nah you're not a "bad" person for having a tattoo at all. You are who you are beneath the skin. I know of plenty of people with tattoos (my DH included and he is a WONDERFUL hard-working gentleman). I never got one because I just am not the type to be satisfied with one design for a "lifetime" I'd give myself about 2 weeks before I'll be tired of it. Although I admit a small dragon has been tempting I just don't know where I'd put it.

HOWEVER I would "avoid" getting stuff on your hands, face and neck. Everything can be covered and uncovered at will...that gives you CONTROL of the image you want to display. I'm in no means saying you have to cover them but...there may be some situations in your distant future where they're just not business like (you never know if you're gonna be the next president of the united states).

Tattoos change in time (I always say I'm going to get a couple of race car tattos and find out which one makes it to the belly button first)...Where you put it can make a big difference taking into account your skin changes when you get older. A "sun" around your belly button can turn into a "super nova" when you get pregnant. I've also noticed a lot of "colorful" tattoos fade to that greenish-blue shade later on.

[diz_girl]

Where you put it can make a big difference taking into account your skin changes when you get older. A "sun" around your belly button can turn into a "super nova" when you get pregnant.

No, I don't have one. I have a c-section scar and that's enough pain for me. Anyway, I would only consider getting one that wouldn't be in a place that's either too visible or would significantly sag or stretch with age. I once saw a girl on an exercise video who had yin-yang tattoos on the insides of her wrists. I considered getting the same thing.

We'll I'm glad that I didn't because about three or four years ago I got pulled over by the local police whom I noticed had gathered near me in a shopping center while I was picking up Chinese food. They pulled me over as I was about to go over a bridge that goes back into my town. I, of course, gave them my license and registration. After the officer checked out my IDs, he brought them back to me and apologized for pulling me over. He said that I very closely matched the description of a wanted person. The only way that they knew that I wasn't the wanted person was because she had tattoos on the insides of her wrists and I didn't.

And I told the officer not to apologize because it was going to make a great story. And it did. And yes, it really happened.

[Marilyn Michetti]

I actually DO have tattoo's - stretch marks, and liver spots. I don't want them, but they just started appearing one day.

[garymacd]

My Dad had several, being in the service, every time you crossed the int. date line or the equator, I forget which, you got a tattoo. Well when he was an old man, (like in his 50's ) they looked like blobs and were stretched out, misshapen and ugly!!!

It is/was tradition when you crossed the equator. And thank you SO much for the old man comment. Poor me. Now I need to get out my walking stick and chest-high polyester pants with the suspenders.

BTW. A little trivia. Macy's department store logo is a star. The reason for this is when Mr. Macy was a young man, he was a sailor/seaman/adventurer, crossed the equator and got a tattoo of - you guessed it - a star.

[crazypoohbear]

It is/was tradition when you crossed the equator. And thank you SO much for the old man comment. Poor me. Now I need to get out my walking stick and chest-high polyester pants with the suspenders.

BTW. A little trivia. Macy's department store logo is a star. The reason for this is when Mr. Macy was a young man, he was a sailor/seaman/adventurer, crossed the equator and got a tattoo of - you guessed it - a star.

Just make sure that when you pull on the chest high polyester pants they are lime green! You could add the matching jacket with the fake suede elbow patches. While you are wearing this ensemble, could you sit outside and reve the engine of the Chevy Chevette (with the AM radio and no A/C) so everyone knows you are waiting patiently???!!!!
God, I miss my dad!

[Yvette]

Interesting topic and responses.

While I personally do not have any tattoos, they don't bother me. My father had tattoos on his arms and leg, although I will admit the name "Betty" caused a few problems with my mom (who is not named Betty).

One of my brothers and my sister have a tattoo and many of their firends have them as well (in their 30's).

Now, as a mother to a mid twenty year old daughter, I must admit when she got her first tattoo on her lower back at 18, I wasn't too thrilled until I saw it. It is very tastefully done and has personal meaning to my daughter. She has since acquired several others. The only opinion I have shared with her is: make sure it is not in a visible place if you are wearing a suit. Why? I didn't want her to regret it if she were to interview with a conservative company.

My Son-in-law has a full sleeve and quite a few very artistic tats. Would I get them? No. Do I think they look cool? Yes. BTW, my husband doesn't have any either.

Do I think you are bad having tattoos? Absolutely not. Do I think you should have them put in spots that can be hidden if neccesary, yes.

In closing, and then I will get off my soap box. When my daughter married last year, she wore a classic strapless mermaid gown and my SIL a designer tux. You could not see any tattoos. They looked elegant, beautiful and timeless. Now on the honeymoon in bathing suits........

[garymacd]

Just make sure that when you pull on the chest high polyester pants they are lime green! You could add the matching jacket with the fake suede elbow patches. While you are wearing this ensemble, could you sit outside and reve the engine of the Chevy Chevette (with the AM radio and no A/C) so everyone knows you are waiting patiently???!!!!
God, I miss my dad!

Yeah, I gotta get one of those hats, too! And the 1960's sunglasses that cover most of my face.

Oh. And it wasn't a Chevy Chevette. It was a Vega!

[Boojum]

Tats are a fad--just like Member's Only jackets, mullets, shoulder pads, acid-washed jeans, and all that other 80's stuff that I hope will never return.

I'm not going to knock anybody for getting one, but I'd think looooong and hard about it. What are you going to do when they go out of style? Tat-removing doctors are going to make a fortune.

[NotaGeek]

Tats are a fad--just like Member's Only jackets, mullets, shoulder pads, acid-washed jeans, and all that other 80's stuff that I hope will never return.

I'm not going to knock anybody for getting one, but I'd think looooong and hard about it. What are you going to do when they go out of style? Tat-removing doctors are going to make a fortune.

Tattooing is a fad? It must be the longest lasting fad ever then -- tattoos have been around for centuries. Tattoo removal is more the fad.

[Boojum]

Tattooing is a fad? It must be the longest lasting fad ever then -- tattoos have been around for centuries. Tattoo removal is more the fad.

Yes, I know tatooing is almost as old as mankind. I'm just saying that the recent PREVALENCE of it is a fad. Is that better? Happy now?

[NotaGeek]

Yes, I know tatooing is almost as old as mankind. I'm just saying that the recent PREVALENCE of it is a fad. Is that better? Happy now?

There is no need to be rude, we all have the right to not agree with each other, we don't however have the right to respond with any sort of sarcastic banter.

Why don't we get back on track.

[Boojum]

Sorry for the "sarcastic banter." I get that way sometimes when I read these boards and we have posters who feel the need to pick apart someone's opinion. Especially when opinions were solicited in the first place. But, that's just me.

Have a nice evening.

[Aggie97]

In my opinion, tattoos certainly do not make you a bad person!

As other posters have suggested, I would carefully consider your tattoo placement, though. Unfortunately, in a lot of career fields and for many employers, a tattoo in a visible location is a major issue. I just feel you might not want to do something now that could limit your options in the future.

[DizneyRox]

I can confirm that I've seen many applications get put in the TNT file based on appearance alone (peircings, hair color, tatoos, dress).

TNT = Thanks, No Thanks...

Right or wrong, it DOES happen.

[tinkerbelle75]

If you want to get tats, that's certainly your decision. More importantly than anything, make sure they are something you can live with forever. I think if they are as personal and meaningful as you say, it won't matter if you get them in a place that can be easily covered. I wouldn't, however, get one on my hand. Think about it, have you ever seen a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or other professional covered in visible tats? As far as making you a bad person, no. Actions, not appearance make a bad person- but unfortunately we are judged by our appearance.
Good luck in whatever you decide.