# What do you think of my Hypothetical Tattoo? (ethically and aesthetically) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 9, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788 "2005-09-09T06:00:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BoringDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@BoringDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoringDad)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/21 "2005-09-10T13:15:49Z")
> [@La Llorona](#): > > Also, I’m one of those terrible and perverse people who dislikes doing things that are uber-popular just for the principle of the thing, and–horror of horrors!–a friend of mine who is semi-knowledgeable about tattoos informs me that the Eye of Horus has grown to be a relatively popular design as of late. True? You confuse me here. If you dislike doing things that are uber popular, why are you considering getting a tattoo? Few cultural things more trendy right now than getting a tattoo. I say crochet a pair of pants with the eye in it. Now **that** is not trendy. And yes, I have been convinced in another thread that there are many reasons people get tattoos other than to follow a trend. But the fact remains that it IS trendy right now. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/22 "2005-09-10T13:36:26Z")
Whenever someone considers getting a tattoo, I ask them the same question: Do you still like the shirts you wore 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 30 years ago? You can’t change a tattoo like you can change your wardrobe. If you’re OK with that, knock yourself out. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfgrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@Wolfgrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfgrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/23 "2005-09-10T14:57:29Z")
> [@Penchan](#): > > A friend of mine gave me some pretty good advice. Put a print out of the exact picture of what you want your tattoo to be somewhere where you’ll look everyday. Like tape it to the mirror in your bathroom and just force yourself to look at it for a year. If by the year’s end you still like it, then get the tattoo, because if you don’t, then you’ll understand that having something permanently etched into your skin that you don’t like would be very very bad. I have 12 tattoos, on both arms, my whole back, both hips, and left calf. I got the first one at 19, I am 34 now, and so far have no regrets except that some other people can’t look past them. But, the way I see it, they are the ones who have a problem, and if it wasn’t for tattoos they probably wouldn’t like me for some other superficial reason anyway (too short, don’t tan, whatever). When I’m old… well, I’ll still be in halfway decent shape and my tattoos will still look good, or I’ll be wrinkly and gross and nobody will look at me anway. So far I’m going with the former, since people usually assume I’m about ten years younger than I actually am. I, too, always recommend that anyone considering a tattoo choose the design they want and wait at least six months to a year. I’ve never thought of the mirror part, possibly because I don’t have a full-length one and pretty much the only time I use one at all is for makeup, contacts, or hair, but that’s a good idea. Besides that, shop around for a good, reputable artist who can produce the image you want to scale without holidays in the color, etc. If you see someone with a tattoo you like, even a stranger, most people are ok with it if you approach them and politely ask where it was done as you’re considering getting one yourself. While it’s great to get a deal if you can, it’s worth it to spend more money to get the best work possible. Even though many tattoo artists will do cover-ups on a poorly done piece, I was friends with the woman who did mine (we’ve since lost touch, I’ve heard that she got into some trouble) and from her conversations, I gather they don’t look highly on either artists who do bad work or the people who wear it. (On the other hand, a girl who had what I would consider really crude work once said she didn’t like mine because it was too “artsy.”) Also, if you go to another artist to try to have an existing piece “fixed,” many artists won’t touch another’s work that way. If after considering getting a tattoo from every possible angle, you decide to go for it - welcome to the club! ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/24 "2005-09-10T16:29:13Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > Well… I would advise against getting a swastika just because you thought it looked nifty. :dubious: _sigh_ No, **Thudlow** , that’s not what I meant, and I think you know it. I meant that you shouldn’t avoid a symbol simply for the fact that it is part of another culture. I would think you would give me sufficient credit for not claiming that it’s okay to get a symbol that is associated with hate and persecution. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/25 "2005-09-10T17:04:29Z")
> [@mrklutz](#): > > _sigh_ > > No, **Thudlow** , that’s not what I meant, and I think you know it. I meant that you shouldn’t avoid a symbol simply for the fact that it is part of another culture. I would think you would give me sufficient credit for not claiming that it’s okay to get a symbol that is associated with hate and persecution. What if the person got it because it is the Navajo symbol for the Sun? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/26 "2005-09-10T17:48:45Z")
> [@mrklutz](#): > > _sigh_ > > No, **Thudlow** , that’s not what I meant, and I think you know it. I meant that you shouldn’t avoid a symbol simply for the fact that it is part of another culture. That’s not quite what you said; you brought up meaning. And I was responding to the statement you made, not to you personally or what I thought you believed. I’m still not sure whether I agree or disagree with your main point, but even if I agree in general, it’s got some major exceptions, which is all I was trying to point out. Symbols do have meanings to different groups of people, and anyone who’s going to wear a symbol (whether as a tattoo, or on a tee-shirt, or jewelry, or a bumper sticker) ought to be aware of its significance and what conclusions people might draw from it. (As the OP was making sure to do; so this isn’t a criticism of the OP.) ---
**Author:** ![La\_Llorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@La\_Llorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/La_Llorona)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/27 "2005-09-10T18:33:51Z")
> [@BoringDad](#): > > You confuse me here. If you dislike doing things that are uber popular, why are you considering getting a tattoo? Few cultural things more trendy right now than getting a tattoo. I say crochet a pair of pants with the eye in it. Now **that** is not trendy. I couldn’t tell you. Inexplicable urge, really. Heretofore I was rather repelled by them but the second I came upon that lovely Eye of Horus, the primitive part of the brain that goes, “Ooooh, shiny!” went into overdrive. 😉 And I do knit…but not pants. Can’t crochet, though–people say it’s really easy, but I never seem to be able to pick it up. > [@Wolfgrrl](#): > > I, too, always recommend that anyone considering a tattoo choose the design they want and wait at least six months to a year. I’ve been considering this since about February/March, which I’m not sure is really long enough for my peace of mind. I have this terrible tendency to dither and shilly-shally about doing things for years on end, and then in the end I shout, “To hell with it!” and then go do whatever it is anyway, and people think I’m shockingly impulsive. > [@Revtim](#): > > Whenever someone considers getting a tattoo, I ask them the same question: Do you still like the shirts you wore 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 30 years ago? You can’t change a tattoo like you can change your wardrobe. You know, I don’t think you’d be saying this if you could see the shocking state of my sock drawer… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![BethCro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cdc98d/32.png) [@BethCro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BethCro)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/28 "2005-09-10T18:39:29Z")
Amen, FilmGeek … I’ve a little tattoo below my right shoulder, and damn, I know for a fact other body parts are gonna be horrible if/when I reach 70. Cellulite? Check. Gravity doing its business? Check. Age spots? Check. Double (if not triple) chin? Check. One lil tattoo - heh, I don’t think it’ll freak the grandkids out that much. ---
**Author:** ![Giant\_Spongess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/29 "2005-09-10T18:43:33Z")
I got my tattoo as a sort of rite of passage. I’m terrified of needles and needle pain, and I needed to prove to myself that I’m not a total wimp. So I picked one of the most sensitive spots on my body–my spine–after a lot of thinking. I designed the symbol I wanted then hung on to it for several months. Yes, it hurt a lot, but at least I didn’t cry or faint. That’s all I wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/30 "2005-09-10T23:02:22Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > And it will look really cool when you’re 70 years old and explaining it to your grandkids too. :dubious: She won’t have to explain it to the grandkids–everybody else’s grandma will a tattoo too. > [@Leaffan](#): > > Sorry, I really didn’t mean to offend: only wanted you to consider. Personally I find tattoos ugly, ugly, ugly. I have no idea why someone would want to permanently blemish their skin. But hey it’s your skin after all. > > I just don’t get it. You know, I heard somewhere (maybe here on this board) that the difference between people with tattoos and people without tattoos is that people with tattoos don’t feel the need to comment negatively about the other people’s lack of tattoos. As far as tattooing being “trendy”–I think tattooing was a big trend a few years ago, but instead of dissapearing, it has become just a regular part of our culture. Sort of like men piercing their ears. First, virtually nobody did it. Then it became hugely trendy, and it seemed like everybody was doing it. And now, it’s just something that’s done by folks that want to do it. –Green Bean, who has no tattoos. ---
**Author:** ![Rikster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9a140/32.png) [@Rikster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rikster)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/31 "2005-09-11T05:12:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Of 626 patients studied, 113, or 18 percent, had a tattoo. Of those with a tattoo, 22 percent were infected with hepatitis C. Of the 52 patients who had acquired their tattoos in commercial tattoo parlors, 33 percent had hepatitis C. In contrast, only 3.5 percent of patients with no tattoos had hepatitis C. Few of the tattoo-associated infections could be traced to injection-drug use, transfusions or other known routes of exposure. [http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep\_c/news/090902a.html](http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/090902a.html) Just don’t get more than you bargained for ---
**Author:** ![manx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@manx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manx)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/32 "2005-09-11T05:23:56Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > That would so neat “climbling up” your ankle or something. Yea, that’s where it’d probably end up. but in colour? And how big? And what if it looks terrible? And what if my leg falls off? -manx (who is a coward) ---
**Author:** ![Giant\_Spongess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788/33 "2005-09-11T05:38:07Z")
> [@Rikster](#): > > [http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep\_c/news/090902a.html](http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/090902a.html) > > Just don’t get more than you bargained for So long as you go to a reputable place which throws away its needles every time and sanitizes all of the rest of its equipment, there should be little to worry about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-my-hypothetical-tattoo-ethically-and-aesthetically/320788.md?page=1)