Please help me to understand tattoos

[Ryuukie]

I really don’t like tattoos. But I see so many people have them that they’re literally mainstream today. That certainly wasn’t the case when I was growing up.

I would love to understand why people get tattoos.

I think the human body is sheer perfection the way God made it. So, when I see people sporting tattoos, I think that they believe their body is imperfect and can be improved upon by drawing a picture on it.

To those who have tattoos, don’t you worry about what the tattoos will look like as you age?

What if you get tired of that picture you got. You may love that picture today, but how will you feel about it in a few years?

What kind of message are you sending to anyone who sees your tattoo? For example, if you’ve got a dagger-pierced heart or skull and cross bones, what do you want people to think of that?

Does anyone know if there are less permanent tattoos?

Thanks for replying.

 

[G-Lexington]

I have no tattoos, and don't have any interest in getting any. I think smallish tattoos can be intriguing on a guy, but I find anything larger to be a distraction. Like putting post-its on a naked body.

That said, the tattoos aren't for my benefit - they're there because the guy wanted them. So if he wants to cover his body in designs of his own choosing, that's his choice.

And MoS has a point. Your post is coming from the standpoint that anyone with a tattoo has issues. So let me turn that around. Why DON'T you have a tattoo? Too scared of a little pain? Too indecisive to pick a design? Not creative enough to come up with something interesting? Too boring? What?

Lex

 

[Paws]

I think the human body is sheer perfection the way God made it.

It's all about genetics, not gods.

 

[williamhalliwell1387]

I have a tattoo, and I got it because of the symbolism behind it and also the personal meaning that it had. Some people get them because they think that they are cool. Others get it for the meaning that they have behind it.

Mine is the celtic knot. This has religious meaning behind it. Also, the three points represent several aspects of my life - I'm the 3rd, and I'm one of three children in my family. Also, me and two of my best friends have the same tattoo kind of to symbolize our friendship.

It's all about the meaning and the message. I'm sure that if they have a meaning behind it, they'll know what it is and be able to explain it to you.

 

[boxerdudeuk]

tattoo's aren't something you have to understand. you like them or you don't.

and the people who DO, like them for a myriad of reasons.

if you're not into them - meh. you're not into them.

 

[chillyboi]

I would never get a tattoo!

 

[gsdx]

Does anyone know if there are less permanent tattoos?

http://www.bodygraphics.ca/

 

[AlmondMilk]

I know a few people who get a tattoo of loved ones. Also some people get tattoos to celebrate something. I remember watching, I believe, LA Ink and a woman who has overcome some type of illness wanted a tattoo to sort of show what a strong woman she is. I'm not really sure if this is why she got it, I actually forgot, lol, but you definitely have to ask people why they get certain tats. Sometimes it's because people were young and acting stupid, but other times you get a good story.

If I ever got a tattoo, I'd get a collage like on the side of my stomach or a sleeve. They're beautiful when done correctly.

Also you can look into henna tattoos. There's a lot of culture into it. It's not permanent, and will eventually fade away. Kids normally get those kind of tattoos at carnivals or theme parks like at Six Flags.

 

[theFallenGod]

This is simple only because I have had to answer these exact same questions when my mother posed them to me when I started getting inked... At the moment I have 9 with plans for several more.

1) Concerning why.... (this will answer 2 questions).... I got each of mine to represent something important in my life...whether it was something I have been very fond of for many years and am still fond of or whether it has a specific meaning to me personally... each one has it's importance.

2) Concerning body image.... Nothing in the universe is absolutely perfect ...NOTHING... there is always always room for improvement... Any artist will tell you that even though he is happy with the finished product there is always something he could tweak. Same thing applies to the human body... or else why would people get braces, or start bodybuilding, or shave every day?

3) Concerning age..... By the time my tattoos stat to fade or smudge or bleed into each other I will probably have 100's of other things to worry about than ink on my skin... My skin will probably be sagging all over the place. Will I make it to the bathroom on time? Is today my colonoscopy? Did I take my heart pills this morning? Who's the guest on Oprah today?

4) Concerning the message sent to others.... I learned long ago to hell with what anyone else thinks... I hold my boyfriends hand in public, I dance on the subway along to my ipod, I do what I want for myself and for no one else. If anyone has any issue with what I do to my body ...Fuck 'em... It's my body, my business, why do you care?

And as for jobs and what not ... my tattoos that I currently have are in places that are easily concealable except for my sleeve and my wrist... however the sleeve is disguised by wearing a long sleeved shirt and the wrist can be concealed with a watch.

 

[JasunStrikesBack]

I'm covered literally from head to toe. I have one on my head and I have one on my toes.

I also have a bunch more all over my body. They all mean something to me and I don't give shit if anyone else gets it or not. I didn't get them for you.

 

[Ryuukie]

Thanks to all who replied.

I tried to ask this question nicely. However, some of you seem so defensive. Why?

 

[boxerdudeuk]

Thanks to all who replied.

I tried to ask this question nicely. However, some of you seem so defensive. Why?

some may be using them to hide behind insecurities.

 

[balls2thawall]

Im with you Ryuukie, a lot of people like them though. I dont get it either...I also think the human body is beautiful and perfect as it is naturally, whats another existing thing that is more perfectly created than us? Im not trying to say dont get them..but just that I dont find them umm, "sexy?" ugh i know im gonna get shit for saying that....

 

[Homothug]

^^^ He's refering to tattoos when he said had

 

[giorgiobaby]

I have several, they all mean something personal to me. I don't worry about what they will look like as I age, I plan to get more. I don't worry about what people will think about the ones that I do have or what they think of me. they are not for everyone. Some people get them because they think it's "cool" and that is stupid because they usually get silly flash art or whatever they think is great at the moment and usually end up regretting it later. If you want one and can't make up your mind what you want, it means you are not ready for one yet. You will know when you are because you will know exactly what and where you want it.

 

[theFallenGod]

just so we're all clear... I wasn't getting defensive... I was merely answering the questions ... I know it seems a bit defensive near the end but that wasn't directed at you personally.

 

[bankside]

The only good reason I have ever heard for having one is "I like the look of it."

Unfortunately the reasons offered are usually much more overblown, and it colours my impression of the tattoo, or at least of the tattooee.

 

[braex27]

I think tattoos have the potential to be very sexy... but sometimes I look at someone, and think, 'it's a bit much'... but to each their own...

 

[teadrinker]

It's said that the main difference between people with tattoos and people without is that people with tattoos don't care if somebody else is tattooed or not, whereas non-tattooed people are really thingy about it. I don't have any myself (I have such white pasty skin that any tattoo would look bloody awful). Like clothes, some tattoos look great on some people.

Anyway, if that's what you want - go for it!

-T.

 

[blackbeltninja]

What surprised me when I took mine out in public this past summer was how many more people seemed to have them compared to a year previously.

Unless there was just a significantly higher proportion of Cape Town's painted public on the beach that day, numbers are certainly up. I'm seeing more and more in the gym as well. Most of them are pretty generic (dragons, tigers, Chinese writing, crosses all straight out of a catalogue), but I have seen some beautiful custom ones.

I have one currently, the design of which means a lot to me personally, with plans for one (perhaps two) more fairly soon. The new definite one of the two would symbolise what I've learned in recent years; the other, if it happens, purely for the fun factor.

-d-