When tattoos make you look ridiculous

[MatticusMania]

WORD

My GF really wants me to get some ink - she' thinks it's sexy (god knows why) - But I'm 47 and thinking that getting a tat at my age is like suddenly piecing my ears, ya know? Happily, I'm old enough that if I *do* get ink, by the time it becomes utterly pathetic I won't give a frosty crank!

She was liking the idea of a bass cleff over my heart... I was liking the transcription to Teen Town around my shoulder/arm...

Hell yeah man, as long as its something that YOU want to get. Don't do it because your girl wants you to, thats the wrong reason. Do it because its something YOU want to do for YOURSELF. And no way are you too old. Like I said in my last post, my dad is 59, I believe he still wants to get another tat, but at least the last 4 he's had done have all been in the last 5-15 years.

The one tat I have now is simply 2 words, it reads Dharma Bum on my right shoulder, marking the signifigance of the Kerouac book that changed my mentality. The one I'm still currently designing is a pair of angel wings with my son's name strewn across them that I'll have done over my heart. My son was born 3 months premature and lived only 20 hours on this earth but he will be with me always.

Will there be more to come, yes definitey, though I can't tell you what as of the moment. They'll come to me when the time is right.

 

[Time Consumer]

I think the problem is more with "trendy tattoos" rather than meaningful or well-thought-out tattoos. People who get some Chinese characters because they "look cool" even though they don't even know anyone from China, for example, or people who get Another Generic Flaming Skull that ends up looking ridiculous, even though it's supposed to make you look like a badass.

But that's the same discussion between good art and bad art, or good music & bad music. Some people don't have any taste. I could say that I've seen plenty of tasteless tattoos (and I don't mean offensive, I mean dumb), but there are plenty of people with bad taste in clothing, decorating, and so on.

If you have a tattoo and you got it because you wanted to incorporate something into yourself, awesome, more power to you. I personally dislike the idea of just covering your body with a tattoo for the sake of doing it -- there's a good chunk of people who get a "full sleeve" without really seeming to think about what's actually IN that sleeve. I've seen some large tattoos that are stunningly beautiful, and others that just seem like a person had some space and threw something generic in there.

Ultimately, the worst reason to get one is because of social pressure -- getting one because "everyone else has one." But as someone who is under 30, without tattoos or piercings of any sort, I think the modern "trend" is that "tattoos are cool... as long as it's a good tattoo."

+1
And dont you hate all the rappers and basketball players who have seemingly random tats peppered all over with no obvious prgression or relationship to each other. If I got a sleeve, it would all go together somehow, or follow a theme, or even be one big piece of art, those are the best tats. One rapper I saw on miami inc(forgot his name, one of 50 cents guys) got a great back piece of the big apple.

 

[crow01]

Like John Malkovich said..."What the F@#?" (another spoiler alert)

Those pictures of body carving really...c'mon man, give us a break. nasty!!!

 

[76Dub]

That body carving crap is just plain wrong.

 

[NS2A]

I don't have tattoos...yet.

Listen to me: Don't do it.

I have a small one on my upper arm no one can see. I found the design, it has meaning to me, and I waited ONE YEAR after deciding on the design to go ahead with it.

Now, 12 years later I wish I'd have never gotten it. Not that it's ugly (he actually is a great tattooist), or offensive, it's just kind of silly.

Even though it had "meaning" to me at one point, it now means something different. Kind of reminds me when someone asked Rick Nielsen what the song "Surrender" meant. He said something like 'what it meant when I wrote it? Or what it meant to me 5 years later? Or what it means to me today, are all different.'

Today, it means to me "I did something stupid 12 years ago."

Get something pierced instead. You can take it out later if you don't like it.

No offense to any of you. Just my 2 cents and something to think about if you want.

 

[Jeffrey A-Bomb]

For people stuck in the "prison tat" mentality, checkout some recent work from one of my artists and friends:

 

[MatticusMania]

I totally agree on the body carving, thats something i would never do. I've actually seen that picture before, and true, the end result doesnt look bad at all. However, I am unwilling to carve out chunks of my own flesh for the sake of art. Stabbing myself millions of times with a needle I can manage, but keep the pumpkin carver away from me!

 

[BassXgirl]

There are TWO big problems with tattoos -

1. They are still gererally associated with prisoners, gangs, bikers and other low-lifes. Anyone that has seen a recent porn movie will notice that EVERY porn actor and actress has one or more tats - almost always the "Tramp Stamp" that girls have above their butts, as well as piercings. Is that what you want to be associated with automatically?

2. They are PERMANENT - when the craze is over and people start to realize how the tats make them look, it will be too late and too bad. They also start to look pretty bad as the skin ages and sag. Carlos Mencia has a comic routine about this, and mentions how the "cute butterfly" turns into a Pterodactyl !! Sure - there are some removal techniques - expensive, painful and can leave scarring even if it works.

IT'S A FAD - Fads come and go - You don't embrace any fad that is PERMANENT!!! What's next - removing body parts?

1) This is what people mean when they wonder how, in 2008, can someone STILL believe this OLD FASHIONED idea? Come on...Prisoners and porn stars? LOL That may have been the "general" impression back in the 50s, but it is certainly not the "general" impression in 2008.

2)As I've mentioned before, people have been tattooing themselves for thousands of years. How can you dare call that a "FAD"?

 

[Munjibunga]

1) This is what people mean when they wonder how, in 2008, can someone STILL believe this OLD FASHIONED idea? Come on...Prisoners and porn stars? LOL That may have been the "general" impression back in the 50s, but it is certainly not the "general" impression in 2008.

2)As I've mentioned before, people have been tattooing themselves for thousands of years. How can you dare call that a "FAD"?

I doubt it's a fad. But as I said previously, it still is something you have in common with all prisoners, bikers, gangbangers, and the previously not-mentioned prostitutes and porn stars. Like it or not, that is the truth, everybody knows it, and you cannot disassociate yourself from that fact.

 

[Saetia]

I grew up with tattoos and around body mods of all sorts my entire life as my father was a tattoo artist for over 25 years. That being said, I may only be 24 years old but I've witnessed the social acceptence grow over the years. I myself have 9 tattoos over my body(with plans of many more), some of which show because they are on my wrists while the rest are coverable by clothing if I so choose. I also have stretched ears (2 inches, and before you say "ohh he's one of those kids following that trend, save it. I've a decade into them.) and have not had problems finding employment.

Most of the time I just get questions about my artwork or stretches. It also seems that such close minded views on tattoos are becoming a thing of the past. There was a huge growth in the popularity of body art in the 80's and 90's which has only grown while the baby boomers are now starting to retire. Who is going to take over control once they are gone... I guess those rebels who "desecrated" their bodies. The previous generation never likes the choices of those who are to follow them... Jazz is loose music remember, and rock and roll is that of the devil.

This only lends itself to a shift in the acceptence of body art. It seems that it only really matters to the ignorant anyway, and I'm happy to say that ignorant lot is shifting and becoming smaller as popularity grows. Most of the same conservative notions that perpetuate negativity against tattoos are handed out by the same people who feel that same sex marriages are wrong or that Marijuana is some how worse then consuming alcoholic beverages and driving your car under any amount, a standard .08 blood alcohol content will effect everyone differently. Every civilization in every corner of the world has a history in marking their body with ink. No matter how far we think we've come from our conservative rule, we still hold tight to conservative ideas. It kind of reminds me of a losely based "Aristocrates" joke.

Do we find ourselves that much more civilized in our existence to warrent bias based upon something like this, and hasn't it been shown how fallible we are with such close minded ideas based upon the past? So it only makes sence to keep repeating wrongs of history just substituting different subject matter, right? I guess we have a choice to do it or not, but in essence what really separates excluding someone based upon their choice on adorning their body how they wish from any form of biggotry?

BTW every job I've had has known about my body art... not like I can hide 2 inch holes in my ears anyway. I've held rather high paying positions in public relations for companies who mandate you wear a suit to work. They've not cared, and now I'm apprenticing for a highly accredited company that designs 6 axis robots for almost any application. That being said, the people I work with and for have PhD's and even one of them has body art. A very very large amount of money comes through this place and everyone is also a representative of the company (only 4 employees). Even as an apprentice they have me working with clients of high status for the companies we design these robots for. Yep you heard it, large lobes hanging out and all.

I've found that my character and abilities speak much louder then the art I adorn. One has to be able to present themselves as an asset in the first place, use your mind and your words to depict who you are. I'm an outspoken person who is able to conduct in a manner that transcends the art on my body, and I get what I want out of life. These are my truths and as always YMMV but there are many out there who witness no uphill battle due to our choice in wearing body art.

I accept the fact that it's not for everyone, but stop kidding yourself, it's not just a phad, and it's not going anywhere. Judge based upon character and cradentials not upon things that have nothing to do with their ability to do the work. It's happening now if you choose to allow yourself to see it or not. The world has known it since the begining of man, and the world will know it until man is long vanquished from it's wonderful face.

I don't expect to change anyones mind with this, as I know that change comes from within, not from an outside source. I just hope that one can read with an open mind and be clear to accept what other do and feel for themselves, it in no way effects your life what others do to their body. Remember, we all accept that you choose not to do it.

-Benny

 

[Mastermold]

... I just hope that one can read with an open mind and be clear to accept what other do and feel for themselves, it in no way effects your life what others do to their body. Remember, we all accept that you choose not to do it.

-Benny

Hey Benny, I haven't read all the posts but I don't think anyone's putting you or anyone else down for having tats, they're just saying in our society there are social consequences for being different and sometimes that means you don't get a job because the company doesn't like how you look. If you like your tats, enjoy bro!

 

[Saetia]

Hey Benny, I haven't read all the posts but I don't think anyone's putting you or anyone else down for having tats, they're just saying in our society there are social consequences for being different and sometimes that means you don't get a job because the company doesn't like how you look. If you like your tats, enjoy bro!

The major and reoccuring theme of my post was the fact that times are indeed changing even if one chooses to accept it or not. More and more people are recieving tattoos and were raised by those with tattoos and those with tattoos are raising children with the open mind towards them instilling that the one does indeed have a choice. The mores are changing. There will always be those who object, but at the same time acceptence is gaining. I'll restate the fact that those who generally object that are in power now won't be in power forever. The ones recieving tattoos are now taking over said power, which in turn makes acceptence much greater. Each generation becomes more accepting then it's predecessor, that's what happens.

-Benny

 

[bassistloaded21]

I played at Rothbury this summer and backstage this chick was hammered/trippin and being crazy. She just grabbed my face and challenged me to a stare down in this pic. LOL. Just yesterday i looked at this pic and remembered what the tattoo on her back said. If you cant make it out, it says WHITE TRASH. I thought it was funny. BTW i dont think anything is wrong with tattoos, i have some myself. I think if you like it, you do it, and nobody else should even be worried about it in the slightest bit because its your body, your money, and you can do what you want with both. People are still to judgemental these days. The beatles said it best. "Let it Be"

 

[Geezerman]

As a 45 year old with no tats, I'm oddly relieved I won't be around to see most of the youger generation's body art age along with them; it won't be pretty.

Old people are unattractive anyway, might as well liven up the site with colors.

Working on my full sleeves and ankle to knee, and I work in technical support for one of the biggest companies in the world, cover them up because what people don't know, doesn't hurt them

 

[BassXgirl]

I doubt it's a fad. But as I said previously, it still is something you have in common with all prisoners, bikers, gangbangers, and the previously not-mentioned prostitutes and porn stars. Like it or not, that is the truth, everybody knows it, and you cannot disassociate yourself from that fact.

It's also something I have in common with artists, musicians, doctors, lawyers, judges, and everyone else who happends to appreciate the art and meaning of tattoos.

Why do you feel the need to continue insulting tattooed people by putting them in a pile of your self-described "low lifes"?

To insist that only "low lifes" have tattoos is very closeminded. It's also offensive. To insist that the "majority" of people are as closeminded as you are is simply ignorant. If you've taken the time to read the vast majority of the posts here, you would have learned that tattoos are appreciated and collected by many different types of people including those you may consider honorable .

It's interesting that when a person fails to sway the masses into agreeing with them, they make up this IMAGINARY MAJORITY and say things like "everybody knows it".

 

[lowendgenerator]

Some people get it, others grew up in a time when it was considered outlandish to get tattoos and piercings. Luckily, those people are leaving this mortal plane by the thousands daily.

You gotta remember, there was a time when people tried to outlaw rock n' roll, sock hops and blue jeans. There's always gonna be someone that doesn't like what you're doing. That's why god gave us middle fingers.

 

[Munjibunga]

It's also something I have in common with artists, musicians, doctors, lawyers, judges, and everyone else who happends to appreciate the art and meaning of tattoos.

Why do you feel the need to continue insulting tattooed people by putting them in a pile of your self-described "low lifes"?

To insist that only "low lifes" have tattoos is very closeminded. It's also offensive. To insist that the "majority" of people are as closeminded as you are is simply ignorant. If you've taken the time to read the vast majority of the posts here, you would have learned that tattoos are appreciated and collected by many different types of people including those you may consider honorable .

It's interesting that when a person fails to sway the masses into agreeing with them, they make up this IMAGINARY MAJORITY and say things like "everybody knows it".

What did I say that isn't true? I never called anyone with tattoos a low life. You did. You can kid yourself all you want about the doctors, lawyers and such having all these tattoos, but that happens to be the social circle I run in, and I don't recall ever seeing a single tattoo on any of them. If they have them, they're apparently not that proud of them, because they never show them to me.

Further, you're missing my point. I'm not saying you or anyone else is a low life for wearing tattoos. I am saying that tattoos are practically universal on low lifes. You cannot escape that fact. You can deny it all you want but there is a strong social aversion to tattoos. Go back in the thread and read the posts by all the tattooed folks who talk about their difficulties getting meaningful employment.

My main point is that, while wearing tattoos is a personal choice, it comes at a cost. It's no skin off my nose if people want to get tattoos, but the message is that you will encounter many people who will have an aversion to them. It will be unfortunate if your success or well-being depends on those people in one way or another.

 

[mikeboth]

It's also something I have in common with artists, musicians, doctors, lawyers, judges, and everyone else who happends to appreciate the art and meaning of tattoos.

I really am curious about this - what 'art and meaning' is there behind the superficial choices of many people to have the same barbed wire / tribal band / tramp stamp / Chinese or Thai characters tattoo? When I see tatts like this I think 'this person wants to be different - just like everyone else with the same tattoo'.

It's interesting that when a person fails to sway the masses into agreeing with them, they make up this IMAGINARY MAJORITY and say things like "everybody knows it".

You mean like in post 132 up above?

I happen to think Munji's view is, if not entirely accurate, much more representative of most people's, at least in my experience. But, if we're wrong, you can just sit back and have the last laugh I guess.

If my daughter were old enough and wanted a tattoo, I wouldn't stop her from having a tattoo but would rather just counsel her on people *might* see her in a different light. Would I be wrong to do this?

 

[Munjibunga]

Hey Benny, I haven't read all the posts but I don't think anyone's putting you or anyone else down for having tats, they're just saying in our society there are social consequences for being different and sometimes that means you don't get a job because the company doesn't like how you look. If you like your tats, enjoy bro!

Ladies and gentlemen, WE HAVE A WINNER!

 

[lowendgenerator]

BTW, I'm not getting any huge tattoos until I am again gainfully employed.