# Defacing Beautiful Bodies With Tattoos. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399 "2017-02-21T18:19:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/81 "2017-02-22T17:10:45Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Uhm, [sure they can](http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/tattoos-and-piercings/art-20045067). When I made that statement, I started to say ‘except for something like having an allergic reaction to the ink or something like that’. But since that had so little to do with the comparison being made I left it out. Other than possible interactions with MRIs, all of those things, allergic reactions, infections, blood borne diseases, other skin problems (like keloids) can all happen from getting your ears pierced too, and most people are more than happy to let a high schooler do that to their pre-teen kid while on display in a mall window with a minimum of sanitation. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/82 "2017-02-22T17:43:07Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > My bolding. > > Is there nothing you have changed your mind about once you decided to try to look at it from the other person’s point of view? I used to be fairly anti-gay growing up in a conservative Mormon home, until I looked at things differently. > > My father was very much an Archie Bunker type and hated the idea of women working (despite the fact that my mother worked). I grew up with the believe that a woman’s place was in the home. > > Could it be that you really don’t want to look at it differently?Would you not be unhappy if someone wrote a misogynistic post? > > It’s not simply asking a question. It’s the equivalent of asking “Why are women stupid?” > > If the title of the OP didn’t include “deface” then perhaps you may have a point, but pretending this is a simple question is disingenuous. People can be expected to defend their choices in life. I get your point. I just disagree. If I find something visually unattractive why do I need to look at it from someone else’s view? It has nothing to do with morals. It’s not like I’m rejecting people if they have tats or advocating for the ban of body modifications. I find them icky. I also find penises icky but I don’t want to see them all lopped off. They’re ridiculous looking and I don’t enjoy looking at them. They ruin a perfectly good physical form. I find tongues gross too. And dirty feet. :shudders: That will likely be my **opinion** until I am shown a body that does look better with a tattoo or a ring in the nose. I don’t need to look at the same tattoos differently. I don’t think they add anything aesthetically, no reason I shouldn’t be allowed **my own opinion**. Perhaps you should consider looking at it from my perspective and let go the knee-jerk reaction to other people’s opinions? And I have a perfectly fine point. You just disagree. Deface, modify, whatever. That’s nitpicking over word use. The OP asked for other people’s **opinions** after stating their own. It’s hardly meant to be insulting. It’s just unpopular. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/83 "2017-02-22T18:04:49Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Now, [this guy](https://www.google.com/search?q=douglas+drucker&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwibxtHehaTSAhUCRSYKHWSSA2EQ_AUICCgB&biw=1920&bih=990#imgrc=w4FRpuWdfXALyM:) has gone over the top, IMHO. Why are you so offended by that mans tattoos? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/84 "2017-02-22T18:27:16Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > …Oh yeah, and the “Wreck of the Hesperus” across my chest, almost forgot that. You should have put it on your Longfellow. ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/85 "2017-02-22T19:21:01Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Tattoos have pretty much ruined recent porn for me. I have to search for “vintage” to find unmarked skin. We know, because you make a point to mention this in each and every thread that has ever involved tattoos. And we still don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/86 "2017-02-22T19:30:24Z")
> [@Turpentine](#): > > We know, because you make a point to mention this in each and every thread that has ever involved tattoos. And we still don’t care. More porn for us! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/87 "2017-02-22T19:39:04Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Why are you so offended by that mans tattoos? Where in my post did I say I was offended? I think any tattoos on the face make one’s career choices somewhat limited. I’ve heard inkers refer to such tattoos as “jobkillers.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/88 "2017-02-22T20:05:21Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Where in my post did I say I was offended? I think any tattoos on the face make one’s career choices somewhat limited. I’ve heard inkers refer to such tattoos as “jobkillers.” Depends on who is interviewing you, of course. I had a discussion with a personnel office manager in one of my jobs. She was telling me that I couldn’t use facial ornamentation as a criteria for hiring. When I said that looking at it made me feel ill, she just said “Well, don’t say that to anybody other than me.” In other words, it could be the basis for an EEO complaint. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/89 "2017-02-22T21:23:43Z")
> [@Turpentine](#): > > We know, because you make a point to mention this in each and every thread that has ever involved tattoos. And we still don’t care. Because it remains a valid point, and like a lot of other unpleasant aspects of current porn (spitting, slapping, degrading language) tattoos seem to be unavoidable. It’s not as if I can search for “no tattoos” on any of the tube sites. It’s fashion, and unlike other forms of fashion, it scars for life. It’s the powder blue leisure suit you can never take off. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/90 "2017-02-22T21:27:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > In other words, it could be the basis for an EEO complaint. Why? Having a tattoo is not a protected class. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/91 "2017-02-22T22:36:07Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Because it remains a valid point, and like a lot of other unpleasant aspects of current porn (spitting, slapping, degrading language) tattoos seem to be unavoidable. It’s not as if I can search for “no tattoos” on any of the tube sites. > > It’s fashion, and unlike other forms of fashion, it scars for life. It’s the powder blue leisure suit you can never take off. Find an unaltered actress you like, search for her. As to the OP, I’d love more ink, but I just don’t want to have the conversation with a child later, “Daddy why are your angel wings on fire?” ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/92 "2017-02-22T22:40:04Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > That’s not an opinion it’s an incorrect factual statement. I give a fuck about **bucketybuck’s** opinion on this subject. So your statement is flat out wrong. That’s an opinion that you give a fuck about. Even now, nobody gives a fuck about yours, or has at least stepped up to refute Ambivalid. This post fails. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/93 "2017-02-23T03:28:52Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > That’s an opinion that you give a fuck about. Even now, nobody gives a fuck about yours, or has at least stepped up to refute Ambivalid. This post fails. Do you want to think about this some more? Because your post makes no sense whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/94 "2017-02-23T06:31:46Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > [The story behind John Wall “defacing his beautiful body”.](http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/john-wall-tattoos-life-story-washington-wizards-kentucky-bbn/a6whbbcawjj1rrn7xpq15zci) That doesn’t really explain why he drew on his body versus a shirt. That would be the the baffling part of tattoos in general. Looking at his tattoos he’s clearly a momma’s boy who likes murals. I don’t think it’s possible to explain tattoos beyond the “I do it for myself” mantra but that in itself is baffling. It makes it sound like people spend a lot of time in front of a mirror admiring themselves and I don’t think that’s true. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/95 "2017-02-23T06:42:36Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I don’t think it’s possible to explain tattoos beyond the “I do it for myself” mantra but that in itself is baffling. It makes it sound like people spend a lot of time in front of a mirror admiring themselves and I don’t think that’s true. I’m a bit sceptical of this also. I’ve participated in any number of debates about makeup, high heels, sexy clothes etc and invariably a large percentage of women will say “I don’t wear them for other people, I wear them for myself”. To which I always respond “so when you are home by yourself do you put on makeup, high heels etc, or do you wear those things only when you are going out and other people will see you?”. Silence usually follows at that point. Now of course one can’t meaningfully apply the same test to the issue of tattoos since they are permanent. But I have to wonder whether the obvious lack of self-awareness that is shown by women who claim only to wear makeup “for themselves” is replicated when it comes to people who have tattoos. ---
**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/96 "2017-02-23T08:08:16Z")
My beautiful daughter the cop has a back tat, one across her ribs and a huge one on her thigh. Her body. Her choice. She does know arm tats may be limiting and she would get stuck in sleeves so she will probably decline those. Honestly though why do people care. I got my first tat at 39. I will be getting my second one soon. Been wanting a Cubs tat for years, it’s perfect timing. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/97 "2017-02-23T08:49:25Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I’m a bit sceptical of this also. > > I’ve participated in any number of debates about makeup, high heels, sexy clothes etc and invariably a large percentage of women will say “I don’t wear them for other people, I wear them for myself”. To which I always respond “so when you are home by yourself do you put on makeup, high heels etc, or do you wear those things only when you are going out and other people will see you?”. Silence usually follows at that point. If wearing certain things will make other people treat you better, then wearing those things when you’ll be with those people benefits you directly. Even if wearing them doesn’t make you feel better with yourself (as is my case with most of my “professional” or “power” clothing; other women do feel better in those kinds of clothes), the better treatment is still a benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/98 "2017-02-23T09:10:20Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > If wearing certain things will make other people treat you better, then wearing those things when you’ll be with those people benefits you directly. Even if wearing them doesn’t make you feel better with yourself (as is my case with most of my “professional” or “power” clothing; other women do feel better in those kinds of clothes), the better treatment is still a benefit. Sure, but IME the “I do it for me not others” comment occurs in these adornment discussions (be they concerning any of clothes, makeup, shoes, tattoos or whatever) in the context of the observers saying they do/do not like the look of the adornment. If the adorned person does it for themselves in the sense that they like how they are treated by others due to their adornment, it doesn’t make sense in that context for them to deny the role of others in the situation. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2017, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/99 "2017-02-23T10:58:17Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I don’t think it’s possible to explain tattoos beyond the “I do it for myself” mantra but that in itself is baffling. It makes it sound like people spend a lot of time in front of a mirror admiring themselves and I don’t think that’s true. I have traditional art hanging on my walls at home. I do not sit around admiring my paintings. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399/100 "2017-02-23T11:09:15Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Sure, but IME the “I do it for me not others” comment occurs in these adornment discussions (be they concerning any of clothes, makeup, shoes, tattoos or whatever) in the context of the observers saying they do/do not like the look of the adornment. > > If the adorned person does it for themselves in the sense that they like how they are treated by others due to their adornment, it doesn’t make sense in that context for them to deny the role of others in the situation. 1. They’re not denying the role of others, they’re emphasizing their own, which you deny. 2. As I said, I’m one of those who don’t feel better in styles of clothing such as “professional” or “power”. Or, for that matter, “sexy”. But a lot of women are. They like those, like I happen to like “nerdy”. That doesn’t mean they’ll wear pantyhose while doing housework… but that’s because that shit runs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defacing-beautiful-bodies-with-tattoos/780399.md?page=6)