:::hides my leathers in back of closet:::
pancakes my 2 tattoos
Don’t care much for them, myself. They’re not an instant turn-off, like piercings.
[jeff foxworthy]Three more payment’s, and that baby’s mine.[/foxworthy]
Tattoos I like: anything well thought-out, significant to the wearer. Tattooes I don’t like: “tribal” (Really? Which tribe?); Chinese characters (1. Almost always worn by someone who doesn’t know Chinese, so they’re assuming that the tattooist wasn’t playing a practical joke on them. 2. If it’s so damn important, write it in your native language.); meaningless girly butterflies, flowers, hearts, etc; SO’s name or initials (just stupid).
Good tattos: my step-sister would like to get a tattoo of a lizard on her ankle. She’s been thinking about it for years, and she’s used lizards as her symbol for years now (her name is Liz) so it doesn’t seem likely to be something she’ll regret. I want to get a tattoo on the back of my neck that says, in simple letting, “ouch.” Again, I’ve been thinking about this for more than a year. I don’t think my sense of humor will ever leave me, or my penchant for BDSM.
As for why
my guess is, because they’re most likely to be friends with a tattoo artist, or know that you can get cheap tattoos at body mod conventions.
In most cases, that is fading. I don’t see why someone would let your lovely black lines fade into blue- I get mine redone just for that reason. Ick.
That said, I have two tattoos (one on the right side of each ankle). ::Ducks:: A butterfly and my name in Arabic Anyway, I like that it is something, well, not me. Most people don’t expect GAP shopping, Poli Sci studying, history book reading, debate team captain me to have two tattoos. It is neat to look down at my legs and see something colorful- it makes me smile (as silly as that seems).
For the record, mine were both pretty spur of the moment, but I love them. Am I following the whole, “OMIGAWD IM LIKE SOOO DRUNK! TATTOO ME WITH A BUTTERFLY!!” trend? No. I hate a whore tattoo as much as the next person, but mine make me smile. That’s all that really matters
Random story to share: I was in the grocery store the other night and I noticed a 40ish woman out of the corner of my eye. Over tanned, over bleached, belly pierced, low rise jeans, belly shirt that says in the front: What happens at Spring Break–back: Stays in Spring break!". But then, she had a lower back tattoo: ~~Sexxxy~~. I was embarassed for her kid. Aye.
Part 1: My bad! This is another time when I’ve forgotten to explain something about Match.com, sorry: for each list (turn-ons and turn-offs), there is a predetermined set of things you can choose from (e.g., tattoos, long hair, thunderstorms). You don’t have to pick anything for either list, or you can pick whatever combination you want. I’d rather not see tattoos listed as a turn-on or turn-off, because you’re right. I only complained about guys who put them in the “turn-off” list because that’s what was germane to the OP.
Part 2: I was only half-kidding about the “judgmental” thing: I don’t really think that every guy who lists tattoos as a turn-off is being judgmental, just like I don’t think everyone who identifies as anti-tattoo in this thread is being judgmental. But some guys/responses are. I was mostly just exaggerating/whining for effect. 
Good to know. I’ve pretty much quit kvetching about tattoos IRL because every time I do, I put my foot in my mouth because someone I really like will turn out to have one, and I never knew it. I don’t like tattoos, but I like plenty of people who have them, including you, Misnomer!
I’ve always been anti-tat…recently, due to my wife’s interest in them, I’ve revisited it with her…and, while I’ve moderated my views somewhat, we’ve both come away realizing that it’s not for us.
For me, it’s like nose rings- I’ve known a few women that can carry it off, but never one that was made more attractive by it.
Also, I will admit that, for me, there are some serious class implications involved. And I’m nothing if not a snob.
Older inks tend to fade like crazy into that “old sea dog” blue. Newer inks don’t fade as much, especially blacks.
I’ve got a tattoo with plans for more. I just like them, who knows why? Ardred has three with plans for more.
I don’t mind tattoos. Most of my friends have them, and some of them look pretty nice. One friend has a Celtic-type thing on her boob, and it works well on her.
I, however, don’t have any. I’ve thought about it, but I think it’ll be neat, when I’m old and gray, to be the only person in my former demographic not to have any tats or piercings or anything. People today get tattoos to set themselves apart; eventually I’ll be able to set myself apart because I don’t have one. 
Although, and I think I’ve mentioned this before, I’ve idly considered making an exception for a “Do Not Resuscitate” message, so I don’t end up all Terry Schiavo. The only problem is where to put it so (a) the medics don’t miss it and (b) it doesn’t look dumb.
Well, you’ve got to admit that the Chinese character for “peace” or “strength” or “bagels” or whatever else people pick is a lot more pleasing to the eye than the English word spelled out.
That’s one thing I’ve always wondered – do people who can read kanji look at Chinese/Japanese character tattoos and see it the same way as an English reader would see a woman with “Foxy Lady” tattooed on the small of her back? Or do you still appreciate the calligraphy, even when it’s your native language?
That strikes me as kind of funny, coming from a guy who likes to dress up in armor and play with swords.
Another person who’s not a big fan of tattoos. The best thing I have been able tosay about one is,
“Well, it doesn’t make you look worse.”
Whereas in most circumstances it, IMO, DOES makes someone look worse. I was once dating a girl who had a large (6" tall) unicorn tattoo on her lower right back. I wasn’t a fan because 1) It’s a uncorn, only one step up from a butterfly (oh, but in her case it’s different than all those other unicorns, because she likes unicorns) and 2) it was really off putting, being so large, that I didn’t enjoy sex from behind. And I usually LOVE sex from behind.
Here in tourist land, one often sees “older” women wearing minimal clothing in shops, supermarkets, etc. One is continually surprised to see what appears to be fresh, new, tatoos on bodies that shouldn’t be exposed at all and much less so with anything that draws the eye. I’ve often wondered what the young folks, who the older ones seem to be emulating, think about such antics. In short, I don’t like 'em. On the other hand, I had occasion to work with a perfectly beautiful young lady who was really into tatoos. She had them everywhere and would cheerfully exhibit them to all and sundry. I have to admit that I sometimes pretended to admire her tatoos just to get a look at the background. I doubt she was fooled by my interest, either.
As to Harleys, I’ve always felt that the right to own and ride a Harley should be earned, as opposed to simply earning enough money to buy one. For the record, I’ve never earned one.
Personally, I don’t like them for me. It reeks of trendiness. I’m in my 30s, and I remember the time when the only people who had tattoos were sailors and ex-cons. (FWIW, I think those tats are cool, 'cuz they’re old school!)
Now tattooing has replaced dying one’s hair as the way to express nonconformity, which makes it conformist, at least for a good segment of the population. Problem is, as many have noted, it’s a little harder to move on once you’ve decided that your rebellion is over. For those who have thought it through and are of the opinion that you’re happy to live with the tat when you wrinkle up and stretch out your skin a bit, respect!
I agree with the poster who mentioned that there is a mint to be made in tattoo removal business in the next 15-20 years!
I see a lot of the anti-tattoo sentiment falling into several categories. So, if I may, I’d like to paraphrase what I seem to be hearing/seeing and then pose thoughts/questions in response.
"They’re too damn trendy."
You may be seeing a lot of “trendy” tattoos (and I agree that I hate that they’ve become a trend), but that’s simply not a good enough reason to be anti-tattoo in general. Why be prejudiced against an entire culture just because of a few people who make it look bad? Besides, give it time: all trends are cyclical.
"They don’t make anyone more attractive."
This misses the point so much that I’ve had to think hard about how to respond, and I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to put it into words. But here goes: I have never known (or heard of) any reasonable person who got a tattoo because they thought it would make them more attractive. Tattoos are personal, and have nothing to do with being more or less physically attractive. If there is any heightened attraction because of one, it’s generally because someone recognizes a kindred spirit – or recognizes that getting a tattoo takes a certain personality type. Likewise, any lessened attraction usually has more to do with personal preference and personality than the tattoo itself.
"People with tattoos obviously haven’t thought about what they’ll look like when they’re 60."
This may be true for some of the “trendy” tattoo-getters, but the same admonishment applies: don’t assume that everyone with a tattoo was drunk or acting on a whim just because you think that a lot of younger people were (emphasis on “you think”). People who are serious about their tattoos have thought about how they’ll look in 20-30-40 years – and don’t care.
"Tattoos reek of being low-class."
That’s only because the tattoos on higher-class folks tend to be discreet, and probably not shown to the likes of you. You can say “it’s just how I feel” all you want, doesn’t make it less of a silly prejudice.
"Tattoos are narcissistic."
Like the attractiveness crticism, this totally misses the point. For some insight, check out “Who is your tattoo for?” (shameless mention of a thread that I started)
Of course, I haven’t responded to every criticism shared in this thread: I just saw posts falling into certain categories and found myself thinking the same thing over and over, so I thought I’d take a crack at putting my thoughts in writing.
I do not claim to speak for every tattooed person on the face of the Earth; please imagine an “IMO” at the front of any sentence that you are inclined to take as a statement of fact. Thanks!
In the interest of full disclosure, I should point out that I’m more than passingly familiar with how the profiles there work. I just think this is a purely aesthetic issue; and if it’s wrong to look down on people with tattoos, it’s also wrong to look down on people who just don’t happen to like them. People will never all like the same things.
Which still leaves the question, why ink on skin? It’s not as though I’ll forget my girlfriend’s name if it’s not written across my upper arm. There are things that are very personal to me, without needing to be reminded of or display them.
While tattoos leave me a little cold, I am thrilled that there is still such variety among people. I can think of few things worse than if we all liked and wanted the exact same things. Misnomer, may you be as different as you want, and love every minute of it.
Needles scare the living @#$*! out of me.
Tattoos involve needles.
Some people with tattoos enjoy telling the story of getting their tattoo, which involves needles.
So tattoos scare me.
There is not enough alcohol in the galaxy to get me drunk enough that the thought of getting a tattoo would be anything other than horrifying.
So when I see people with tattoos, I try desperately not to look at them or comment on them, for fear of being told how it took 14 hours to do with needles the size of your finger :eek: (or something like that)
I don’t look down on anyone, and am not quite sure what I wrote that makes you think otherwise…
In the very post you quoted from, I linked to a thread called “Who is your tattoo for?” Check it out.
Gee, thanks, but I really wasn’t looking for your approval/permission. Nor do I strive to be “different” – we just all are.
There has been one person who looked better with a tattoo than not, that I know of. I was watching tv and the woman had gotten a big, beautiful tattoo of flowers across her chest. She’d not opted for reconstructive surgery after having a double mastectomy and the flowers really looked good. She’d had them placed thoughtfully so they looked like they belonged there.
Which is a damn sight more than you can say about a lot of butt tattoos. Why would you want to look as though you’ve butterflies or flowers growing out your ass? People may not get tattoos to make themselves look better, but there is an element of attraction in them for many. It is not attractive to look like you need to see a proctologist about that butterfly invasion going on in your rectum.
That’s my main complaint about tattoos, so many are just slapped anywhere, so they look like a distracted child’s human sticker book. The next problem I have is that the art is so often just crap. *Dogs playing poker * is high art compared to some of it, and then it’s poorly done half the time, to boot.
Of all the people I know who’ve gotten tattoos, the most positive response was that they really didn’t actually hate it. Most would have rather not done it all. My cousin’s ex is going through removing a tattoo on her neck, done when she was younger and sure it would be a symbol of great power to her forever. She’s somewhat ashamed of it and now hates the thing. She isn’t that person anymore, which I think is a good sign. I would hate to be the exact same person when I’m sixty, as I was at 16. If I’m going to do something foolish, I don’t want to look at the evidence once I’ve wised up. Bury the bodies deep is my motto.
I do like to doodle on myself and have gotten quite good. I can make a real-looking tattoo from markers and seal it with clear acrylic spray paint, so it lasts a couple three days. At which time I’m happy to wash it off. A little art for effect at halloween or whatever, is more my speed.
I have no desire to get a tatoo.
I do not find tatoos interesting or sexy or otherwise attractive.
I STILL do not understand why this thread has over fifty condemnations of tatoos. (Well, the folks with reminders of their current lovers’ previous lovers is understandable.) They are not hurting anyone. They do not require that you look at them (excepting the previously mentioned situation). Even if you, personally, find them less than desirable, why the need to make a public issue of it?
YMMV, obviously.