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How do you feel about body modification?

#22
I have lots of adult friends with tattoos and piercings so, I try not to be judgmental, but, I DO have a question or two.....

First of all, why does she feel the need to mutilate herself at this young age? Because in truth, there comes a point where it's no longer "art" or "making a statement" and crosses the line to "self mutilation".

Second, where the hell are her parents and what is wrong with them? In this state, you need to be 18 to have ANY of that done without parental consent.........
 
#23
Akami said:
I'm with Munji, Mark & Mark. (Sounds like a company name...)

Anyone that does anything to affect their appearance is trying to fit into a demographic they like the idea of belonging to, and people who do the piercings and tattoos to be different aren't different at all - they're just choosing a different demographic and not unique as much as they like to think they are, which is why they keep shooting for the one-upmanship of going ever further and further, much like any other addiction.

A couple tats, a couple piercings? Maybe it's just something they like, but the ones that go fullbore are out for a reaction so that they can react in return.

Unpopular opinion I'm sure, but true nonetheless.
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I gotta go with this. Call me a vanilla sheeple.
 
#24
oniman7 said:
I wanna ask TB what personal stance they take... those against it, those who want to do it but haven't, those who have made a life out of it, and everywhere in between. Tell me why you made the choices you did regarding it.

Also, people who agree with both my viewpoint or hers, please contribute so maybe we can begin to understand each other a little better, or at least understand some important underlying concepts with the help of other people.
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You are right - and so is she. The issue at hand is moot. You either accept each other for who you are or not.
 
#25
Longhair said:
Today: Tattoos and piercings for shock & awe in our rebelious phase.

Tomorrow: Unable to collect unemployment due to no job history.
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Really?

As long as you don't get them in stupid places it will generally have no impact on you getting a job.

I have friends and family with tattoos, but you would never be able to tell unless they actually showed you them, many working in industry and medicine, Drs (both medical and research), Lawyers and Engineers.
 
#27
i_got_a_mohawk said:
Really?

As long as you don't get them in stupid places it will generally have no impact on you getting a job.

I have friends and family with tattoos, but you would never be able to tell unless they actually showed you them, many working in industry and medicine, Drs (both medical and research), Lawyers and Engineers.
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I have tattoos that are easily covered by a long sleeve shirt (none below the wrists and one on the back of my neck covered by hair). That is not the shock & awe that I am talking about...

When I was in Las Vegas, there were so many people there with their whole hands, fingers and necks tattooed up with more holes in them a voodoo doll owned by Alex Forrest. These people were in their early 20's while on vacation with their parents.

It is hard to talk to a cashier at walmart and look them in the eyes while doing so when they have their cheeks pierced because the 3 loops in their lower lips did not get the reation they were hoping for.

I saw one person who had their ear lobes hanging down half way to their shoulders because he probably took the tea saucers out so he didn't have to have his toast directly on the table.

It's not just limited to Las Vegas either :scowl:
 
#28
I don't mind a little tattoo here or there, but a lot of ink on a chick has always kind of been a turn-off for me, personally.

Same deal with piercings.

IMHO this is one of those things where a little goes a long long way. After a certain point it's just a case of somebody trying way too hard.
 
#29
How do I feel about it? Hey, it's your body. I'll never stand in anyone's way as far as body mods go, just like no one can stop me from saying they look like idiots for having modded themselves. You want to look like a fool, knock yourself out, it's a free country. That's my geezer rant, protected by the First Amendment.
 
#30
No thank you, but when I watch LA Ink, I really want a tattoo. The tramp stamps, tribal bands, and a few other piercings have become so popular recently I think many people do it just to be cool, which I also think is wrong.

-Mike
 
#32
It goes both ways. While tattoos are more acceptable now than they were 20 years ago, a lot of younger people are getting more outrageous artwork like full sleeves, neck tats, etc.

I knew this band of 19 y/o emo rockers that had FULL sleeves on both arms. All 4 guys had them. It was beautiful artwork, no doubt...and some of them more than others, like neck tats, etc.

Sure, they looked "cool" when they were rocking and posing for band photos, but how about in a few years after their band breaks up (er, I think it already broke up, actually) and they're trying to find jobs outside of the music business.

Also, if you cover up that much of your body that young in your life, what is there to look forward to? Not like the kid with full sleeves can wake up one day and say, Hey, I'm not really into these anymore, lets change them up.

I think the first human who invents semi-permanent tattooing will be A VERY RICH person.
 
#33
I have no tats, and doubt I'll ever get any. It'd have to be something *very* symbolic for me to permanently ink up my body, and not just a bandwagon thing like the VAST majority of wannabees have done / are currently doing.

I had my ears gauged years back. Nothing crazy big. I increased the size incrementally so as not to stretch the bejeesus outta my earlobes. When I took them out, they eventually closed up nicely, and you have to really look now to notice my ears were ever pierced at all.
 
#34
I have a professional job so I can't have any of that stuff visible. I've thought about getting a tat or two but IMO if nobody can see it, it's not as much worth the effort. Some may disagree but again if I'm not close buddy buddy w/ you and it's on your back or something, I'd never even know it existed.

Plus Mom said I'd be out of their will if I get a tat so yeah... not exactly worth! :D
 
#35
tekdiver500ft said:
(Voice of experience, here)
People who mutilate like this have some serious, deep-seated issues. While they can be fun and astoundingly sexy in the short term, you do NOT want to be in a long term relationship with someone like this. Run, don't walk, away from this girl. If you stay with her, she will eventually ruin your life, and mess up all future relationships, too.

Don't misunderstand, I have tattoos, I have my ears pierced. These types of small, tasteful modifications are generally merely self-expression, and may/may not be signs of problems. However, when people start using gauge, or piercing/branding their bodies extensively, or have more than a few tattoos, then it is an issue of which one should be leery.
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Holy judgmental high horse Batman!
 
#37
ugly_bassplayer said:
Ah yes, the infamous talkbass tattoo thread, always tons of fun.....:rollno:
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Really!

tZer said:
You are right - and so is she. The issue at hand is moot. You either accept each other for who you are or not.
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Thats the best way to put it.

If you dont find them attractive, youre probably not going to go out with someone who has them.

Personally, Im in the either or camp. I like them, but Id never ask my wife to get one because I like them. She's not really into them. She doesnt mind my tattoo, and hasnt objected to me getting more, but she doesnt plan on getting any of her own, and thats fine by me.
 
#38
Munjibunga said:
I'm with you 1,000 percent on this. I've gotten in trouble here before for sharing my views on what I think would motivate people to get tattoos and piercings, so I'll save it this time. But imagine what you will.
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Including single earrings on women? Because probably the majority of women I've known over the years have at least a single hole in each ear lobe. Are culturally accepted body modifications somehow not a defilement, but whatever is not part of your cultural expectations are? And do you feel the same about plastic surgery? What about people born with say a harelip? Is surgical correction of that a defilement?

I agree that doing something permanent without much thought is foolish. The fact that there are possible negative consequences to permanent actions is hardly a reason to not do them. Maybe you won't want that tattoo at 60. Maybe you'll get divorced. Maybe your kids will turn into sociopaths and destroy your life. /shrugs

People who make wild assumptions about the motivations of others based on little information but plenty of bias are amusing in a pathetic way. If you saw the large colorful tattoo of a honeybee in medieval armor on my arm, you might conclude it was a foolish choice made for all sorts of terrible reasons. When our son was in utero we nicknamed him Bee. He fought valiantly and lived far longer than the doctors predicted, but he died none the less. If you choose to look down upon me for choosing to celebrate my son's short life by putting a permanent testament to him on my body that is certainly your right. But it speaks of far worse things about you, than it does about me.
 

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