# Are Celebrities, Actors, Etc. Abandoning Tatoos? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 9, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826 "2013-08-09T19:10:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/41 "2013-08-11T23:06:23Z")
I applaud the professionalism of **DMark’s** unnamed Berliner tattooist, while at the same time condemning the woman friend’s attempt to culturally appropriate the Japanese artwork. Unless you have a deep connection to the culture from which the artwork comes I think it’s incredibly tacky to indelibly inscribe it on your skin. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/42 "2013-08-11T23:28:56Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Around here, it seems that full-sleeve (heck, full-BODY) tattoos are a NECESSITY to get a job. :rolleyes: I’ve been told more than once by such a person that they weren’t going to hire me because I was overqualified. :mad: I’m honestly not sure what one has to do with the other. Are you saying all people with tattoos are trashy whores who don’t deserve jobs? Because that’s sure what it sounds like. Also, how can a Batman symbol tattoo ever be an “error.” Batman is the second most famous comic book character in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Girlundone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Girlundone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girlundone)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/43 "2013-08-12T00:37:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Unless you have a deep connection to the culture from which the artwork comes I think it’s incredibly tacky to indelibly inscribe it on your skin. I disagree. Certain images in Japanese art are very popular for their symbolism. People across cultures identify with the concepts represented by specific symbols. If someone has a strong interest and almost a reverence for certain art forms, they don’t have to be of that culture to show their appreciation. Do I have to be French to hang a Monet in my home? I also applaud the artist in DMark’s story. Any artist who takes his craft seriously will stand his ground. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/44 "2013-08-12T00:39:51Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Also, how can a Batman symbol tattoo ever be an “error.” Batman is the second most famous comic book character in the world. Right. Maybe it’s not as tacky as it seems at first glance. If you think about it, Batman has no superpower, he is just always prepared. Maybe the tattoo serves as a reminder for him. That’s why I put the logo on the screen of my phone. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/45 "2013-08-12T01:05:35Z")
Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, **DMark**! I’m astounded at your friend’s nerve. ‘The customer is always right’ is _not_ what I would consider strong enough grounds to bludgeon someone into doing what I want him to do, which is _poke me on the inner thigh over and over with a needle._ Were I the tattoo-getting sort, I would want to make damned sure that the person with the needle thought of me as an absolutely splendid human being. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/46 "2013-08-12T15:01:45Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Also, how can a Batman symbol tattoo ever be an “error.” Batman is the second most famous comic book character in the world. There’s a guy at my Y who has the bat symbol as a tattoo… on his right buttcheek. I know this because his buddies were making “bat signal” jokes at his expense in the shower. From his embarrasement, I suspect he’s now one of the “lockerroom towel dance” dressers. Probably would’ve been better to have put that bat where he had the Superman S – on his pec. ---
**Author:** ![BigShooter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@BigShooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigShooter)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/47 "2013-08-12T18:02:10Z")
I feel the need to put my 2 cents in… I’m heavily tatted on my back and right arm. So is my wife - same body parts. We’re proud of our tats and feel very grateful to have meaningful works of art on our bodies that were created by an amazing artist. Having said that, I can’t stand tramp stamps, barb wire tribal arm bands, etc. They always scream “I got drunk one night and look what I got!!” That’s not art, that’s fad and fashion. I got my first tat (my whole back) when I was over 30. My tats (and my wife’s) are full on murals. They’re concepts that we worked with the artist on and put a HUGE amount of time, thought, and money into. Our artist is one of the most in demand artists in the country, not just for tattooing, but for movie character design and has extensive experience in both arenas. We traveled over 200 miles roundtrip for each session with him and he’s become one of our best friends. I think if you go into a tattoo without an appreciation for the art, without finding a great artist that’s willing to work with you to co-design a piece, without putting more thought into it than “Hey let’s go get our Frat letters on our ankles!” - then you’re destined to look like a dated idiot later in life. But if you get a true work of art on your body, it’s something ot be proud of… ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/48 "2013-08-12T18:21:22Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I think that the fad is waning…as proof, I see that : > -there are now tattoo-erasure clinics opening up around the country > -tattoo shops are going out of business > -celebs seem to have fewer/less visible tats Your definition of “proof” is embarrassingly bad. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/49 "2013-08-12T20:46:54Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’ve read that people should NEVER tattoo the name of a living person anywhere on their body, and memorial or commemorative tattoos should not be done until at least 5 years after the event took place. You “have read”? Really? But what do _you_ think? I think the premise is that a living person can always do something to change your assessment of them and your desire to be associated with them. And a memorial tattoo should have enough emotional distance from the event that you truly want to remember them that way. But those are just rationalizations. They are just one person’s opinion for ways to protect against tattoo buyer’s remorse. Ultimately, a tattoo is a choice for a permanent marker, so try to consider whether that is something you truly want permanently on your body. > [@salinqmind](#): > > I have a friend who huffs, “I would never get a tattoo, that cute little cherry on my boob would turn into an apple someday, when I’m old.” and I think, the lack of a tattooed cherry is somehow going to make your ancient boob more enticing??? Well getting the tattoo certainly isn’t going to help that ancient boob be enticing. “Hey, not only do you have a saggy boob, but it has a stretched tattoo that looks like ass on it. Congrats!” ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/50 "2013-08-12T21:04:13Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Also, how can a Batman symbol tattoo ever be an “error.” Batman is the second most famous comic book character in the world. Really? You want [this](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1138&bih=520&q=batman+logo&oq=batman&gs_l=img.1.1.0l10.2187.3550.0.6052.6.5.0.1.1.0.132.622.0j5.5.0....0...1ac.1.24.img..0.6.626.GsTLvJj2aCc#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=HjzjsaANDXVR9M%3A%3BFxbVmggVf--0dM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vectortemplates.com%252Fraster%252Fbatman-logo-big.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vectortemplates.com%252Fraster-batman.php%3B2072%3B1225) on your arm now? (And that is exactly what the dude had about five inches wide on his upper right arm.) BTW, I always (and still do) saw the reverse image in that logo and it looked like some person or animal with weird yellow teeth smiling at me…the “bat” didn’t show up. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/51 "2013-08-12T22:53:06Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Really? You want [this](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1138&bih=520&q=batman+logo&oq=batman&gs_l=img.1.1.0l10.2187.3550.0.6052.6.5.0.1.1.0.132.622.0j5.5.0....0...1ac.1.24.img..0.6.626.GsTLvJj2aCc#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=HjzjsaANDXVR9M%3A%3BFxbVmggVf--0dM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vectortemplates.com%252Fraster%252Fbatman-logo-big.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vectortemplates.com%252Fraster-batman.php%3B2072%3B1225) on your arm now? (And that is exactly what the dude had about five inches wide on his upper right arm.) Why not? It’s Batman. What exactly is wrong with it? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/52 "2013-08-12T23:04:39Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Why not? It’s Batman. What exactly is wrong with it? I don’t see a problem either. If I were to get a tattoo myself, it would either be the Superman S-Shield or a trilobite, on my shoulder. Maybe one of the Burgess Shale critters instead of a generic trilobite. ---
**Author:** ![cerebus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@cerebus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerebus)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/53 "2013-08-12T23:16:19Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Why not? It’s Batman. What exactly is wrong with it? I love batman but that symbol is on millions of comics, toys, lunchboxes, and T-shirts everywhere. It’s their body so it’s ultimately their choice but picking a logo from a google image search feels lazy to me. There are some amazing artists out there who can do great things with batman imagery if you let them run with it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/54 "2013-08-12T23:33:17Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Well getting the tattoo certainly isn’t going to help that ancient boob be enticing. > > “Hey, not only do you have a saggy boob, but it has a stretched tattoo that looks like ass on it. Congrats!” I’ve seen more than my share of older breasts adorned with tattoos. I’ve liked them. Really, the degree of distortion due to gravity is minimal and the bearer tends to have age-related skills that more then make up for “sag”. Seriously, check out a few before you go all critical.🆒 ---
**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:** [August 14, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826/55 "2013-08-14T00:44:50Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > Just because you go to a tattoo removal place doesn’t mean you want all your tattoos removed. People often get crappy tats removed to make way for a newer, better one. They can also remove one small part of a tattoo that you’re not quite happy with and correct it. > I’m pretty sure I saw a shop here in town that advertised both tattooing and tattoo removal. I can’t remember where it was at the moment but if I see it again I’ll post a link. > > My little midwestern town always seems a few years behind the trends in the big cities but tattoos are still really big here. I am seeing many more people that I would call “heavily” tattooed. As promised, [here’s the link.](http://gradeatattoos.com/) They want your email before you can check out thier site. I didn’t sign in to the site but I drove by yesterday and the tattoo removal gets equal billing with piercing and tattooing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-celebrities-actors-etc-abandoning-tatoos/665826.md?page=2)