Lame tattoos

[badblackpug]

Seriously. My BIL is a dermatologist. Not a day goes by when he doesn't have somebody coming in to ask about getting a tattoo removed. It's painful, expensive, not covered by medical insurance, and often doesn't work very well. He tries to talk them out of it, but some people really grow to hate their tattoos.

I know. I know a few people who regret their tattoos. The most extreme being a co-worker who basically spent his teens and 20's on the beach, surfing, riding a motorcycle, and smoking weed. He has a lovely, big pot leaf tattooed on his right forearm. He never dreamed that in his 40's he would be a college educated man with a good job. He had to wear long sleeves every day.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Grow up.
This is a message board and I was replying to a post. Of course I was speaking for myself, because it is my opinion, as is everything else everyone posted. Perhaps I hit a raw nerve, because you are being overly sensitive about one particular post. ...and at 20, you have no idea what will, or will not be meaningful to you in 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 years, but being older and more mature than you, I do know the things that seemed so special and important to me at 20 aren't even on my radar now.

I don't think this is fair. Just because she's 20 doesn't mean she won't know what will be important to her for the rest of her life. Will some of those things seem silly when she's old, sure. Will some of them remain important, I'd bet yes. Like I mentioned, everything I have on me now will always be important to me (my heritage, the arts, friends and family who've passed and my darlings). Some 20 year olds (and 30, 40, 50 year olds) will get stupid tattoos for stupid reasons, but it's definitely not like that across the board.

 

[Simba22]

some kid my sister went to high school with thought he was this cool racer type guy (think Fast and the Furious...) so he went to some "friend of a friend of a friend" tattoo artist to have "Death is 1/4 mile away" tattooed on his arm.

Now...as if this wasn't stupid enough (because it just makes no dang sense...) the tattoo "artist" was so awful that it turned out appearing to say "Death is 1/4 milk away." Someone who didn't know him saw that and asked him if he was lactose intolerant....

 

[badblackpug]

I don't think this is fair. Just because she's 20 doesn't mean she won't know what will be important to her for the rest of her life. Will some of those things seem silly when she's old, sure. Will some of them remain important, I'd bet yes. Like I mentioned, everything I have on me now will always be important to me (my heritage, the arts, friends and family who've passed and my darlings). Some 20 year olds (and 30, 40, 50 year olds) will get stupid tattoos for stupid reasons, but it's definitely not like that across the board.

If you read back you will see that I expressed and opinion and was jumped on and told to "speak for myself." Of course, when expressing an opinion, one can only speak for themselves, that is implicit. My point is, no one knows what the future holds, whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, or 100 Things change. Attitudes change. A decision you make when you are 20 may well seem like a silly idea any number of years later. When you make a decision to do something that is permanent, there is no changing it. I have known quite a few people who have tattooed things on themselves they regret. (read my previous pot leaf post)

My sister has her ex husband's name over her heart. She never dreamed that he would leave her, never see his kids and not pay one red cent in child support.

My friend has her ex girlfriends initials tattooed on her. She never dreamed that the girlfriend would physically abuse her.

I had a co-worker who had an anchor and U.S. Navy tattooed on his arm. He never dreamed that the navy would send him into Cambodia, expose him to agent orange, then the VA would refuse to pay for the cancer treatment. (of which he eventually died)

My friend's son got a huge confederate flag tattooed on his back. He never dreamed he would go to college and have a black roommate who would eventually become his best friend.

My friend got an Aztec looking sun tattooed around her navel. She didn't realize that after her 1st baby it would look like a wilted flower, after 2nd an octopus.

So again, what I am saying is that I have my opinion based on my experiences and I have every right to express them. ...and if any person, of any age thinks they know what the future holds, they are either delusional or very, very rich.

 

[pixiewings71]

I do not like tattoos. My husband and I think that we are the only 2 people on earth who don't have one. As another poster said, what seems cool or important to you now, will be meaningless in 20 years. There will be a new movie you like, a new boyfriend, husband, girlfriend or wife. You will move. Emigrate to another country, you will find a new vacation spot that you love. You will no longer even remember the names of your frat brothers, much less care about your frat.

Now that I'm done ranting. In recent years since tattoos have become such the fad, and have become larger and more obvious, many employers are now instituting dress code policies banning visible tattoos. If you are young, or still working on a career consider this before you get a tattoo. Do you really want to wear long sleeves, or pants, or turtlenecks, or have to cover it with make-up every day?

No, you are definitely NOT the only people on earth without tattoos. My DBF doesn't have any and doesn't want any. He's fine with mine, he's fine with me getting more, but he doesn't have or want them. Tattoos are a personal choice, while i've seen some really stupid/lame/dumb ones, mine HAS meaning, a very strong meaning and that won't change over time. It's been almost 10 years and I still don't regret it. I understand this is your opinion and I do agree with much of what you said, but to say that everyone will have meaningless tattoos is just incorrect. I totally agree that no one should have them on necks, on forearms, no one should have movie or band logos, or god forbid, frat logos...LOL And I also agree that people should design, then consider for quite some time and then get the tattoo, it's also my opinion that faces and many animals don't transfer well. I went out last night to a college area club (a place I've been going for over 10 years lol), I saw so many young people with tattoos of questionable nature and location...pretty girls that will have to wear full coverage shirts to cover that tat on their chest, not breasts, but chest, turtlenecks or scarves to cover the stars on the side of the neck......it just makes no sense. That's why mine are always well thought out and located in a place they can be hidden.

My tattoos are part of me. I can't imagine myself without them. They're meaningful and important. They will never lose meaning. So speak for yourself.

Agreed. Pretty sure the arts, a friend who has passed, my aunt who passed, my Polynesian heritage and my kids will still be important to me in 20 years. I've had my first tattoo for almost ten years, and I'm still as in love with it now as I was when I got it.

some kid my sister went to high school with thought he was this cool racer type guy (think Fast and the Furious...) so he went to some "friend of a friend of a friend" tattoo artist to have "Death is 1/4 mile away" tattooed on his arm.

Now...as if this wasn't stupid enough (because it just makes no dang sense...) the tattoo "artist" was so awful that it turned out appearing to say "Death is 1/4 milk away." Someone who didn't know him saw that and asked him if he was lactose intolerant....

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

If you read back you will see that I expressed and opinion and was jumped on and told to "speak for myself." Of course, when expressing an opinion, one can only speak for themselves, that is implicit. My point is, no one knows what the future holds, whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, or 100 Things change. Attitudes change. A decision you make when you are 20 may well seem like a silly idea any number of years later. When you make a decision to do something that is permanent, there is no changing it. I have known quite a few people who have tattooed things on themselves they regret. (read my previous pot leaf post)

My sister has her ex husband's name over her heart. She never dreamed that he would leave her, never see his kids and not pay one red cent in child support.

My friend has her ex girlfriends initials tattooed on her. She never dreamed that the girlfriend would physically abuse her.

I had a co-worker who had an anchor and U.S. Navy tattooed on his arm. He never dreamed that the navy would send him into Cambodia, expose him to agent orange, then the VA would refuse to pay for the cancer treatment. (of which he eventually died)

My friend's son got a huge confederate flag tattooed on his back. He never dreamed he would go to college and have a black roommate who would eventually become his best friend.

My friend got an Aztec looking sun tattooed around her navel. She didn't realize that after her 1st baby it would look like a wilted flower, after 2nd an octopus.

So again, what I am saying is that I have my opinion based on my experiences and I have every right to express them. ...and if any person, of any age thinks they know what the future holds, they are either delusional or very, very rich.

I did read the entire thread. I don't think you were jumped on, and the only (possibly) offensive part of her post (in my OPINION, of course ) was the "speak for yourself" part. I think the wording of your post (that the pp replied to) could be taken different ways. If you'd said "I know the things I loved when I was 20 seem silly now that I'm 60 (or whatever age)," it would seem less...not accusatory, but something like that. I can't really think of the word I want to use. Using 'you' even when just referring to the general you is often misinterpreted. Glory of written words as opposed to spoken.

Anyway, I know that I'll always love my family and background. If that changes, I've got a lot more problems than a tattoo, right? I can assure you I'm not delusional, but if you still think I am, that's ok. Your opinion.

It's unfortunate you know so many people who regret their tattoos. I know a few that wish they hadn't (funny enough, a good friend's fraternity tattoo jumps out at me), but I know many, many more who still love each and every piece of art on their bodies. My mom has one tattoo and still loves it! A lady I worked with in college has three tattoos, one is Winnie the Pooh. Yes, a little silly to see on a 60-something lady, and she always laughs that it looks like Pooh has been through hell and back. However, she always lights up when she talks about the reason behind it.

Again, people can make these choices at any age. Could you see, though, how making a blanket statement that a young person's current interest/love/passion will be meaningless may have bothered someone?

P.S. Everyone knows a significant other's name is the kiss of death...may as well say "We need to talk." I have a very good friend who's a tattoo artist, and he refuses to do them. He'll lose the money before tattooing something that can be turned into "Wino Forever."

 

[badblackpug]

No, you are definitely NOT the only people on earth without tattoos. My DBF doesn't have any and doesn't want any. He's fine with mine, he's fine with me getting more, but he doesn't have or want them. Tattoos are a personal choice, while i've seen some really stupid/lame/dumb ones, mine HAS meaning, a very strong meaning and that won't change over time. It's been almost 10 years and I still don't regret it. I understand this is your opinion and I do agree with much of what you said, but to say that everyone will have meaningless tattoos is just incorrect. I totally agree that no one should have them on necks, on forearms, no one should have movie or band logos, or god forbid, frat logos...LOL And I also agree that people should design, then consider for quite some time and then get the tattoo, it's also my opinion that faces and many animals don't transfer well. I went out last night to a college area club (a place I've been going for over 10 years lol), I saw so many young people with tattoos of questionable nature and location...pretty girls that will have to wear full coverage shirts to cover that tat on their chest, not breasts, but chest, turtlenecks or scarves to cover the stars on the side of the neck......it just makes no sense. That's why mine are always well thought out and located in a place they can be hidden.

I didn't say everyone will have meaningless tattoos, obviously they mean something to them. Bear in mind, that the tattoos that you see and think are "lame" may be very meaningful to the owner. I am saying that a lot of people, especially younger people, make decisions based on fads or current fashion, not realizing that in any number of years the thing that they thought was so cool really isn't so much. If it's a hairstyle, it can and will be changed. If it's something permanent, like a tattoo, or worse yet, a branding, you are stuck with it long after you've out grown it.

Case in point.... my left ear is pierced all the way up, I think it has something like 7 holes. (just for reference healed piercings do not close) As a senior in high school I though I was sooo cool and rebellious for doing it, now I think all those earrings are tacky, and I only wear one pair at a time, although I can still get earrings into all the holes.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I didn't say everyone will have meaningless tattoos, obviously they mean something to them. Bear in mind, that the tattoos that you see and think are "lame" may be very meaningful to the owner. I am saying that a lot of people, especially younger people, make decisions based on fads or current fashion, not realizing that in any number of years the thing that they thought was so cool really isn't so much. If it's a hairstyle, it can and will be changed. If it's something permanent, like a tattoo, or worse yet, a branding, you are stuck with it long after you've out grown it.

Case in point.... my left ear is pierced all the way up, I think it has something like 7 holes. (just for reference healed piercings do not close) As a senior in high school I though I was sooo cool and rebellious for doing it, now I think all those earrings are tacky, and I only wear one pair at a time, although I can still get earrings into all the holes.

Lucky!! I have to SHOVE earrings into the holes in my ears so they'll break through the back. Is that TMI? I only wear earrings once in a blue moon, but it was such a hassle to pierce them (did it the traditional way...needle and thread after having an allergic reaction when having them done professionally) that I feel I have to keep the holes open.

Also, while you may not have meant it to come across that way (about being meaningless), I definitely read it that way, and apparently others did, too. I'm sure that's why you got the reaction from the PP, not because she needs to "grow up" and was "jumping on" you for no reason.

 

[katesorad]

Grow up.
This is a message board and I was replying to a post. Of course I was speaking for myself, because it is my opinion, as is everything else everyone posted. Perhaps I hit a raw nerve, because you are being overly sensitive about one particular post. ...and at 20, you have no idea what will, or will not be meaningful to you in 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 years, but being older and more mature than you, I do know the things that seemed so special and important to me at 20 aren't even on my radar now.

Age has nothing to do with maturity. I'm 20, but I definitely don't act like your average 20 year old. I'm married, paying for my own apartment, and graduating court reporting school within a few moths, and will be working full time shortly after graduating. I did a lot of things in high school that caused me to grow up fast.. and I can honestly say that I have a lot of friends who are in their mid 30's who aren't as settled down and mature as I am.

One of my tattoos symbolizes independence. It's a reminder every day to me that I am able to do things on my own and that I'm a strong individual. I don't think that those things will change when I'm 60. Another represents music. I come from a ridiculously musical family. It represents hearing my dad play the trumpet and piano growing up, and playing my own instruments.. I don't think that the flute will be any less important to me when I'm older. And my third tattoo says dream. It reminds me to dream every day of my life, and to never settle. I don't think I'll ever stop dreaming. If I do, then I will NEED this tattoo to remind me to stop being such a bore.

I experienced your particular post to have very condescending tone. Even if you didn't mean for it to, that's how I experienced it, and that is why I chose to respond to it. I felt like another opinion should be given. That's all.

 

[Katie Dawn]

I went to high school with a girl who got a large (probably 8" in diameter) very artistic, flaming sun tattoo on her stomach - the dead center of the sun was her belly button. It looked great, but my first thought was how that sun was going to look during and after pregnancy,

 

[Liberty Belle]

My brother in law got a tattoo of a lizard on his back. I knew him well before he and my sister got married - we were very close friends. In all those years I never once heard him mention that he liked lizards. Never heard him say one word about lizards.

I just thought it was so dumb. I understand wanting tattoos, though I don't. But, geez, at least make is something that means something to you.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Have you seen the FAILBLOG site on ugliest tattoos? Some are not DIS appropriate, but you can google it. I have to wonder what (or if) some people are thinking.

Oh my gosh. I just started looking at that. I think either the tattoo artist or the tattooee should be required to have an IQ greater than 80.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have tattoos and don't regret any of them, however I would NEVER get the name of a boyfriend inked on me. I see it all the time around here and I always think about what the woman is going to do about it after they break up.

When I went to get my daughters name put over a heart with a rose on my ankle the guy doing it tried to talk me out of putting the name on it (my daughters name could be a boy or a girls name)- he went into the whole "you should never put a guys name on you permantly" speech until I told him that it was my daughter and she would never NOT be my daughter-- he laughed and did the tattoo.
I don't mind tattoos on anyone but I prefer small ones in out of way places- I don't like the tramp stamps and the ones on the necks. Yesterday I saw a guy in the city with a shaved head with his entire head, neck and face covered in tattoos- he looked like a circus freak! Add to that he had facial piercings (which I HATE) ! I would try to talk my daughter out of a tramp stamp or a neck tattoo!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I do not like tattoos. My husband and I think that we are the only 2 people on earth who don't have one. As another poster said, what seems cool or important to you now, will be meaningless in 20 years. There will be a new movie you like, a new boyfriend, husband, girlfriend or wife. You will move. Emigrate to another country, you will find a new vacation spot that you love. You will no longer even remember the names of your frat brothers, much less care about your frat.

Now that I'm done ranting. In recent years since tattoos have become such the fad, and have become larger and more obvious, many employers are now instituting dress code policies banning visible tattoos. If you are young, or still working on a career consider this before you get a tattoo. Do you really want to wear long sleeves, or pants, or turtlenecks, or have to cover it with make-up every day?

The tattoo I wanted twenty years ago is still the tattoo I want now. I'm just terrified of needles, which is why I don't have one.

I beleive they were speaking for their own self, why get all defensive and personal with a fun topic...geez lighten up!

It's not a completely fun topic... there are some not-nice things being said on this thread. For the most part it's been inocuous, but not completely. Some people who don't like tattoos are awfully judgmental of those who have them.


Add me to the list of people who hate the phrase 'tramp stamp'.

 

[Simba22]

It's unfortunate you know so many people who regret their tattoos. I know a few that wish they hadn't (funny enough, a good friend's fraternity tattoo jumps out at me), but I know many, many more who still love each and every piece of art on their bodies. My mom has one tattoo and still loves it! A lady I worked with in college has three tattoos, one is Winnie the Pooh. Yes, a little silly to see on a 60-something lady, and she always laughs that it looks like Pooh has been through hell and back. However, she always lights up when she talks about the reason behind it.

P.S. Everyone knows a significant other's name is the kiss of death...may as well say "We need to talk." I have a very good friend who's a tattoo artist, and he refuses to do them. He'll lose the money before tattooing something that can be turned into "Wino Forever."

I agree with you on both of these statements! It's sad to me that one person knows so many others who have regrets. I have one tattoo that I waited a very long time to go, just to make sure it wasn't a phase I was going through!

On that 2nd statement...my own brother is guilty of this! He dated this girl througout high school...they graduated in 2005. They stayed together after graduation but in 2007 he was depolyed for 9 months. While he was gone, she cheated on him and they, of course, broke up.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I plan on getting a tattoo on my back of the drawing rafiki does on the tree of simba with the words "dream" in a disney font.
It will be able to be seen when wearing a tank top but covered when in regular work clothes. It will only be about 4 inches big too.