# All about tatoos. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 21, 2014, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804 "2014-12-21T04:59:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/21 "2014-12-21T18:30:14Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > I had to check to see if this was a zombie thread from 2005. Tattoos are mainstream. They are no more unusual today than earrings on men. (Neither my Wife nor I have any art yet but most of our peers seem to have at least one small tat.) When a trend reaches a saturation point that’s about when it’s going to come to an end. People will look at photos of their tattoos in 2014 the same way they look at pictures of their hair in 1985. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/22 "2014-12-21T19:19:42Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > When a trend reaches a saturation point that’s about when it’s going to come to an end. People will look at photos of their tattoos in 2014 the same way they look at pictures of their hair in 1985. While it being a trend that’s about to go out of style is a possibility, it’s not the only one. Take jeans. At first, jeans were simply sturdy pants worn by workers; then, figures like James Dean made them into a symbol of rebellion. In the 50s, jeans were banned in many establishments, being seen as indecent and wrong. Then, in the 60s and 70, they became much less unusual - today, they’re normal casual clothing everyone from toddlers to grandmothers wear. My point is, the rise of jeans wasn’t some quick fad that soon reverted. It was a long-term cultural change that’s still in effect. Now, I don’t know whether tattoos are more like jeans or multi-colored bell bottoms, but just because styles are changing doesn’t mean it’ll inevitably revert. (With all that said, I agree that getting a tattoo to fit in or be cool is a terrible idea - permanent body modifications shouldn’t be made based on what the current fashion is.) ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/23 "2014-12-21T20:00:07Z")
My only tattoo is a crappy rose on my shoulder. Totally biker-chick cliche, and badly done too. But, both my daughters got a rose as their first tattoo so now it’s meaningful to us. I generally like tattoos on other people except for jailhouse neck ones and that under-eye teardrop thing. (I probably move in different circles from most of y’all!) I tend to be in favor of countercultural-looking people in any case. My husband is the most middle-aged-accountant-looking guy ever but he has four tattoos of the antisocial variety under his clothes so he’s secretly badass. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/24 "2014-12-21T21:12:27Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > When a trend reaches a saturation point that’s about when it’s going to come to an end. People will look at photos of their tattoos in 2014 the same way they look at pictures of their hair in 1985. Not necessarily - my first tat is 35 years old and my newest is 19 years old. I’m still fine with them. They weren’t a “trendy” thing for me. The 80’s hair and fashions I used to wear on the other hand…yeah, pretty risible! Poodle perm, monster shoulder pads…:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/25 "2014-12-21T22:20:54Z")
I have [=bisexual%20symbol&filters[primary]=images&filters[secondary]=videos&sort=1&o=21"]this]([Photobucket | Make your memories fun!](http://media.photobucket.com/user/runewlf/media/bi/282px-Bisexual-moon-symbol.svg.png.html?filters)[term) on my right shoulder. I had won a free tattoo in a charity bazaar a few years back and I liked the design and what it stood for. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/26 "2014-12-21T22:35:57Z")
No tattoos. I considered it few times but I don’t like the idea that it’s permanent. Some look good on people, others look ugly and I wonder why people chose to do that, but it’s not my business, do what you want with your own body. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/27 "2014-12-21T23:58:53Z")
No tatoos. Don’t find them visually appealing. Any desire to wear art ends at silk screening. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/28 "2014-12-22T02:12:13Z")
I sometimes see (real life and on the internet) tattoos on a woman that enhance her beauty, (IMHO). That would be about 2% of tattooed women. I think the women I work with all go to the same crappy tattoo artist and ask what’s on sale that week. The guys I work with have equally craptastical tats. When done well the results can be astounding but for the most part I’m left thinking why the hell did you decide to have _that_ inked permanently on your body! ---
**Author:** ![CateAyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@CateAyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CateAyo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/29 "2014-12-22T03:00:06Z")
I have a large Special Forces (for lack of a better designation) tattoo on my left bicep, a medicine wheel on my left shoulder blade, two feathers on my right shoulder blade and a spider on my right bicep. They are all significant to me. I think that tattoos can be overdone and sometimes strike me as a “look at me, look at me” gesture. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/30 "2014-12-22T03:14:18Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I think most chest tattoos on women are absolutely not for me. Whew! Well it’s a good thing you’re a man, right? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/31 "2014-12-22T05:16:53Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > Not necessarily - my first tat is 35 years old and my newest is 19 years old. I’m still fine with them. They weren’t a “trendy” thing for me. > > The 80’s hair and fashions I used to wear on the other hand…yeah, pretty risible! Poodle perm, monster shoulder pads…:eek: Tattoos will always be in to some extent, but I think it’ll return to what it used to be, rather than what it is today, with your kids’ 40-year old English teacher having a back tattoo. That’s when it officially topped being edgy. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/32 "2014-12-22T05:37:56Z")
I’m glad to hear others don’t have them due to what I call “commitment issues”. I wouldn’t mind a tattoo but I have yet to find art that I could live with forever. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/33 "2014-12-22T06:02:42Z")
There was one tattoo I’ve always regretted not getting. It was when I was in the Army as one of the last draftees. Picasso had a sketch called “The Dove of Peace” that was available as a tattoo at a tattoo place in Augusta, Ga. Nowadays I’d probably go for a Krazy Kat tattoo if I was to get one. ---
**Author:** ![owlfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@owlfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlfan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/34 "2014-12-22T07:07:57Z")
I am a 54 year old female. I have one tattoo on my shoulder. It’s a small flower on a vine. I have had it for 15 years. No one sees it but my husband. That’s fine with me because I got it for myself, not really to show to others. When I got it the tattoo artist said, “I’ll see you when you get your next one.” I told him I wasn’t planning on another one. He said, “That’s what everyone says but they always come back for another one”. It seems they are addictive. I think a lot of people don’t know when to quit. I don’t find it attractive when a whole limb is covered. And I have seen some that I personally consider to be in very poor taste, but I realize that’s a matter of opinion. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/35 "2014-12-22T09:47:51Z")
I don’t have any, as I have a problem with the permanence. I generally find that tatoos make women less attractive, as they break up their beautiful skin, and because of that weird grimy look that seems to get on them over time. The exceptions are smaller ones of solid, unfading color in places that won’t stretch. For instance, small ankle tattoos often work. ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/36 "2014-12-22T11:26:55Z")
I just got a piece on my right shoulder blade, an Onna Bugeisha, or female samurai, done by an amazingly talented Japanese artist here in Japan, where I’m stationed. It’s a beautiful piece of unique art, and every time I look at it, it makes me happy. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/37 "2014-12-22T12:18:40Z")
I don’t like them myself. I don’t think they look good at all. I also fully understand that my opinion is completely irrelevant to everyone who gets them, and I’m perfectly fine with that. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/38 "2014-12-22T12:32:50Z")
Female, 53, no tattoos, no desire for one. On other people I don’t much care for them, though I have seen some stunning artwork. Actually I find them distracting, much like giant hoop earrings, crazy piercings, and wacky lipstick or eye makeup. And especially on necks or peeking out of clothing, those are faintly creepy to me, for some reason. Even simple designs in plain blue or black around an ankle or something look to me like a smudge of dirt. And so I tend to see the marking and not the person. Which, well… maybe that’s what they want? At any rate, if the owner of the skin they’re on is happy with them and finds meaning in them or confidence with them, then more power to 'em. I’ll try not to judge tat-wearers if they don’t judge me for being a cat-addict. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/39 "2014-12-22T12:42:26Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > I’m glad to hear others don’t have them due to what I call “commitment issues”. I wouldn’t mind a tattoo but I have yet to find art that I could live with forever. I fit here, too. Any tattoos I may have considered in the past would, today, be a chronicle of poor choices I have made in life 😉 I do think about getting one every now and then - because of their permanence - to see if there is anything I would commit to. It would likely be a guitar. But which type, and the location - still not there! ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804/40 "2014-12-22T13:59:43Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I personally take it on a case-by-case basis. There are some seriously hot tattoo’s, and a lot of, what I would consider, poor choices. I don’t have any tattoo’s and probably never will. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I feel the same way. They’re mostly cool on other people, I’m just not one of those people. > And I’ve never found a symbol, drawing or idea that spoke to me so profoundly that I had to get it painfully injected under my skin for lifelong display (and very possible regret). > [@saje](#): > > At any rate, if the owner of the skin they’re on is happy with them and finds meaning in them or confidence with them, then more power to 'em. I’ll try not to judge tat-wearers if they don’t judge me for being a cat-addict. 😛 Pretty much sums it up for me. If that’s what someone likes and is into, fine for them. You do your thing, I’ll do mine and this is not mine. But if it’s a bad one I’ll be saying to myself “dear Og that’s a bad one, she got ripped off/what was he thinking” anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-tatoos/707804.md?page=3)