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Tattoos.. yay or nay.
- Thread starter J. Crawford
- Start date
there doesn't seem to be much point to them any more.........the rebellion thing is no longer valid,even mild mannered secretaries got ink now.......being different,hardly......and after a while you find that no one really cares......I am a fan, if they mean something. Family heritage, a moment you will never forget, memorials, a bass clef, etc. But my parents disagree. They say, and dont flame me for this, that tattoos hurt your personaly identity and give a bad example.
I know some of you guys have full body tats, but Im wondering what you opinion is. I would like to get a bass clef when I graduate high school, but its hard with no support and the feeling of being unwanted by family.
My grandpa and his siblings all think they are terrible and if I came home with one they will sand it off with sand paper. My grandpa is my best friend, and I wouldnt live without him. I know he will pass away some day, thats not the point.
Just a random inquiry.
...after the initial oohs and ahhs from people that you probably will not remember in 10 years subside what have you really got.........i'd be hard pressed to remember the last time i paid any attention to mine....
its like most other things that once seemed "out there".......its just another widget by ronco that some bozo on tv is selling you,and like most of those they will add little to your life......
Nay.
Branding and scarrification are where its at now.
Well,at least you can tell your parents that.A couple of years telling them you want to be branded and they will give you no grief about the tat.
Branding and scarrification are where its at now.
Well,at least you can tell your parents that.A couple of years telling them you want to be branded and they will give you no grief about the tat.
That's a sad way to look at it. I could write a novel on the stories behind my ink, the reason for it, the people there when it got done etc.
I don't see them as a rebellion or being different
Unrepresented
Something Borderline Offensive
Definitely agree with others regarding giving it time. You'll have your whole life to look at it, make sure whatever you choose is going to be something you'll always want to see.
I'm in somewhat the same boat. I got my first tattoo about a year ago, and have been wanting to expand, but have reservations because the location will be more visible. I'm usually impressed by people with large, quality pieces, I just am concerned about the potential professional consequences that could accompany one.
I'm in somewhat the same boat. I got my first tattoo about a year ago, and have been wanting to expand, but have reservations because the location will be more visible. I'm usually impressed by people with large, quality pieces, I just am concerned about the potential professional consequences that could accompany one.
Rather than give my personal "yay or nay" I'll tell you what I've noticed about a lot of people I know who have gotten them, especially the younger ones I work with.
They all have said the same thing - I got the tattoo to express myself, to tell the world who I am. Well, in time they all eventually got judged because of their tattoo. Right or wrong, I'm not going to debate, just accept that it WILL happen to you too. But the best part is their reaction because they all say the same thing after that kind of experience - "THAT'S NOT FAIR! I'M MORE THAN THAT TATTOO! THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M ABOUT!!!!!".
Huh?!?! Isn't that EXACTLY that's what you wanted to do? To tell the world who you are and what you're about? Now you were judged on it and you're saying that's NOT who you are and what you're about?! I thought that was the whole reason for getting it!
They all have said the same thing - I got the tattoo to express myself, to tell the world who I am. Well, in time they all eventually got judged because of their tattoo. Right or wrong, I'm not going to debate, just accept that it WILL happen to you too. But the best part is their reaction because they all say the same thing after that kind of experience - "THAT'S NOT FAIR! I'M MORE THAN THAT TATTOO! THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M ABOUT!!!!!".
Huh?!?! Isn't that EXACTLY that's what you wanted to do? To tell the world who you are and what you're about? Now you were judged on it and you're saying that's NOT who you are and what you're about?! I thought that was the whole reason for getting it!
Rather than give my personal "yay or nay" I'll tell you what I've noticed about a lot of people I know who have gotten them, especially the younger ones I work with.
They all have said the same thing - I got the tattoo to express myself, to tell the world who I am. Well, in time they all eventually got judged because of their tattoo. Right or wrong, I'm not going to debate, just accept that it WILL happen to you too. But the best part is their reaction because they all say the same thing after that kind of experience - "THAT'S NOT FAIR! I'M MORE THAN THAT TATTOO! THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M ABOUT!!!!!".
Huh?!?! Isn't that EXACTLY that's what you wanted to do? To tell the world who you are and what you're about? Now you were judged on it and you're saying that's NOT who you are and what you're about?! I thought that was the whole reason for getting it!
You see, that's why I prefer what a lot of people would call just stupid or funny tattoos that hold more of a memory and not a meaning.
I've seen guys get vegan tattoos and eat meat, straight edge guys with X's on them who gave up on it and started drinking again.
I'm not really one for many symbols/beliefs and that in tattoos because your own opinion on those can change easy over time.
I have two tattoos. One on my hip, and one on my ankle. I wanted to get them where they could be covered up by clothing. I think there is a big difference between "tastefully done" tattoos and ones that aren't. I got the ones I have for myself, and to represent something in my life. I really could care less what other people think of them. To me, they're art if done well...and that's the key.
I am a fan, if they mean something. Family heritage, a moment you will never forget, memorials, a bass clef, etc. But my parents disagree. They say, and dont flame me for this, that tattoos hurt your personaly identity and give a bad example.
I know some of you guys have full body tats, but Im wondering what you opinion is. I would like to get a bass clef when I graduate high school, but its hard with no support and the feeling of being unwanted by family.
My grandpa and his siblings all think they are terrible and if I came home with one they will sand it off with sand paper. My grandpa is my best friend, and I wouldnt live without him. I know he will pass away some day, thats not the point.
Just a random inquiry.
I'm a bot older and from a different generation, so I think that since you are under 18 and living at home, what mom and pop say pretty much goes. That said, I'm 54 and have never gotten a tatoo. Nearly did back in 1972, me and five other guys were down town Saigon and were going to get out Unit Insignia tatooed on our left arm. First guy got in the chair, and we were just standing around watching when I spotted a little bar across the street. Hey, says I. Lets wait our turn over there, get a beer. Long story short One guy got a tat that day...I have been thinking about the Bass Cleff lately, mid life crisis I guess, to go along with The Toyota Spyder (totaly impracticle car-not only couldn't you carry your bass in it, it barely has space for a six pack). But a Jimmy Buffett song keeps coming to mind, "A permanent reminder of a temporary feeling."
Work out what you want. Draw it, full colour, on a piece of paper. Put the paper in a drawer somewhere. Take it out in six months ... still want it? Totally your call, but give yourself time to chew on it, there's no "undo" button here.
According to your myspace page you're 16. You have so much time to discover who you are as a person, and that's what tattoos are, extensions of times in your life that for whatever reason you choose to etch into your skin forever because they have obviously left an indelible mark on your life and soul. When the time is right you wont be coming to a online forum to ask opinions, nor will you ask your family what they think. Because when it's time for you to get ink, you will.
Also, there are two kinds of people on this earth, those with tattoos and those without. Do what you want when you want. Its always better to ask for forgiveness then for permission.
Also, there are two kinds of people on this earth, those with tattoos and those without. Do what you want when you want. Its always better to ask for forgiveness then for permission.
I would ask whether you really know who you are. It doesn't matter what age you are (legal age for tats excepted), but it seems to me that if tattoos are supposed to be an outward expression of events in your life or of your personality, then you had better know what the essential part of your personality you want to express actually is; or to have enough insight into any events in your life that you may want to commemorate -sift out the wheat from the chaff.
That's probably why, even having been tempted by getting tats, I've reached 54 without any. As far as I'm concerned I don't need them to express life's events, my memory is good enough for me and it's no business of anyone else. I don't need them to express love for family because that devotion is strong and steadfast enough not to need advertising. As for expressing my personality through ink, well I don't feel mature enough yet to know which aspect to depict - hats off to you if you are.
That's probably why, even having been tempted by getting tats, I've reached 54 without any. As far as I'm concerned I don't need them to express life's events, my memory is good enough for me and it's no business of anyone else. I don't need them to express love for family because that devotion is strong and steadfast enough not to need advertising. As for expressing my personality through ink, well I don't feel mature enough yet to know which aspect to depict - hats off to you if you are.
Life's too short to break the heart of your loved ones.
I used to wear earrings,always wanted piercings but my dad's not ok with that.He just doesn't want it,he didn't say a word to me for months.I finally took them of.
What did I lose?Nothing.
I used to wear earrings,always wanted piercings but my dad's not ok with that.He just doesn't want it,he didn't say a word to me for months.I finally took them of.
What did I lose?Nothing.
Yay.
In my opinion it says a lot about them being so straight up negative about them. Having a tattoo is a personal preference and has no impact on your identity unless you are getting something stupid like a facial tattoo!
Both of my parents are working (well, old man is now retired) proffessionals and just got tattoos they wanted in places that were easy to conceal. You would never think either of them to have any.
I've done the same, anywhere that would be visibile in working clothes won't get tattoo's (at least not yet).
Getting a couple more hours done later this afternoon
In my opinion it says a lot about them being so straight up negative about them. Having a tattoo is a personal preference and has no impact on your identity unless you are getting something stupid like a facial tattoo!
Both of my parents are working (well, old man is now retired) proffessionals and just got tattoos they wanted in places that were easy to conceal. You would never think either of them to have any.
I've done the same, anywhere that would be visibile in working clothes won't get tattoo's (at least not yet).
Getting a couple more hours done later this afternoon
I'd say nay for now. You should wait until gramps passes away and make your 1st piece a tribute to him. Most importantly...if you wait it will keep you from alienating yourself from you best friend.
Waiting gives you the opportunity to research and develop your idea and find a competent artist. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for with tattoos and good ones aren't cheap; which leads to the third reason to wait.
Waiting will allow you the time to establish your identity and achieve some of your career goals. Again a fly by night tattoo is just a mess for future artist to clean up, and a potential health hazard. If you are interested in getting ink, you want to avoid winding up with something you regret. Think of it as a minor form of surgery...would you rather have a licensed professional do it...or some schlub in a Tijuana back alley? I'd take well executed tattoo of a plate of breakfast on top of my head over a poorly done free jailhouse sleeve any day.
For me I attach little meaning to my tattoos. I enjoy them and will get more, but I don't have a whole lot emotionally invested into them. For me it was about the process...finishing what you start, enduring a few hours of pain and being left with a good piece of art on your body that will last a lifetime. I appreciate a well executed tattoo for it's art and for how ink looks on skin. It's vanity I realize, but I'm okay with that. Ultimately I want sleeves because I like how it looks. I couldn't care less about attaching meaning to it, dedicating it to my Lemmiwinks or whomever....it's hogwash. I also hardly care what other people think about it either.
Waiting gives you the opportunity to research and develop your idea and find a competent artist. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for with tattoos and good ones aren't cheap; which leads to the third reason to wait.
Waiting will allow you the time to establish your identity and achieve some of your career goals. Again a fly by night tattoo is just a mess for future artist to clean up, and a potential health hazard. If you are interested in getting ink, you want to avoid winding up with something you regret. Think of it as a minor form of surgery...would you rather have a licensed professional do it...or some schlub in a Tijuana back alley? I'd take well executed tattoo of a plate of breakfast on top of my head over a poorly done free jailhouse sleeve any day.
For me I attach little meaning to my tattoos. I enjoy them and will get more, but I don't have a whole lot emotionally invested into them. For me it was about the process...finishing what you start, enduring a few hours of pain and being left with a good piece of art on your body that will last a lifetime. I appreciate a well executed tattoo for it's art and for how ink looks on skin. It's vanity I realize, but I'm okay with that. Ultimately I want sleeves because I like how it looks. I couldn't care less about attaching meaning to it, dedicating it to my Lemmiwinks or whomever....it's hogwash. I also hardly care what other people think about it either.
Let me also ad that at your age...you can probably expect heavily tattooed people to become less and less of a minority. Maybe this is just a fantasy but older generations that look down upon these things will start to fade and the art form will continue to gain legitimacy. In the future...heavily tattooed people may be in positions of authority...successful business people....etc. etc.
Why not, I am sure it will go well with your pet rock, hula-hoop, rollerblades, earing, hyper-color tshirt, chuck norris jokes, bacon obsession and use of the word fail.
