I had ear piercings, but I had to let them grow back. I discovered that I am allergic to some metals, particularly nickel. I can't wear any jewelry unless it is silver or gold.
I have a tat of Winnie the Pooh 😀
My hair is to the middle of my bum, curly, and reddish blonde.
Originally posted by CalJust1. Because pain is occasionally fun (with regards to cuttings and such - tattoos, despite what some may say, don't hurt. The outlining and detail work feels roughly the same as a cat scratch, and the block colouring/shading feels just like someone literally colouring it in with a felt tip pen), go do a google search on "endorphins" to learn why.
Why should you suffer pain, make life more difficult for yourself, only to seek ATTENTION??...one day you'll grow up and wonder why you did it and remove the scrapyard from your body....Have you considered how you might feel about this in ten year's time?
2. I'm already fully "grown up", made myself wait until I was 21 and had made my choice with regards to permanant alterations to my body (as a reference, many friends of mine were tattooed at the age of 15...now that's a classic example of "peer pressure" ).
3. I know exactly how I'll feel about them. Exactly the same as I feel about them now. I know some idiots get tattooed purely becaue of "peer pressure" and "it's cool", but a much larger number of tattoed get them done because they mean something to them. I myself never understood the mentality of people that can just walk into a tattoo parlour and just pick a random design off the wall, and I'm sure that some will regret it, just like your friend with his naked lady. But don't judge us all by those few fools.
4. As for attention seeking, my tattoos aren't visible unless I choose to display them, same as with many people. We have these wonderful things called "shirts" to wear when around the crippled mentalities of the "all tattooed people are idiots" crowd.
A few answers are called for. Thanks for the responses. As I said before, it's an educational experience!
Starrman
I agree, many people do NOT grow out of tatoos/piercings. (e.g. see the guy on Survivor All Stars, and his wife to boot!). Vive la difference!
I also agree that I may have sounded condescending. I apologise. To each his own. I just wanted to sound the warning that fashions (and peer pressure) pass, and tatoos are permanent. Why gamble with your future?
darvlay
Why ask why when you can ask why not?
An excellent question, and one I heartily encourage everyone to ask! Here are three possible answers:
1 Because I do not slavishly wish to follow the crowd!
2 Because I already have a beautiful body as is!
3 Because I know that my tastes will change, so I also keep my "body decorations" (hairstyles, clothing, jewelry) flexible and not permanent.
Ask yourself if you like the same movies/books/clothes that you liked even 5 years ago. Tastes change! That is all I am saying. By all means get a stick-on if it turns you on! 😀
Salamander
Sure, we are all vain! I am maybe even more than you! I believe I look better, cuter, more handsome WITHOUT piercings and embellishments! So there.
Vanity was never my argument: permanence in the face of constant change is.
shortgoth1
1 Yes, pain is sometimes fun - like climbing on up a mountain although your breath only comes in gasps, or continueing rowing even though you feel that your arms are being pulled out of their sockets. I know about that. But willful selfmutilation IMHO falls under another heading: SM! (I hasten to add: for some even THIS is fun! Again, to each his own!)
2 & 3 You may be fully grown at 21, but you can still not guarantee that you will feel the same at 31. I am giving a secret away here, but I will certify to you that I feel vastly different today than I felt at 40 or 30. 😀
How do you know you will not either? (Aside to Starrman: I do not dispute your point, merely that the odds are stacked against you.)
In summary:
I am not accusing punks of vanity, merely of shortsightedness if they make permanent changes.
I also admit that the same does NOT apply to everyone, many people love tatoos all their lives. However, many, many more don't. So why take the chance?
In peace,
CJ:'(
Originally posted by CalJustI guess for just that reason, chance. For some people the experience is the important thing, not the outcome. The chance of it can be as addictive as heroin.
However, many, many more [b]don't. So why take the chance?
In peace,
CJ:'([/b]
Don't cry Cal, you'll set me off 🙂
Cal,
I think you have a few valid points. I happen to be in a line of work where tattoos are very common. I might even say the status quo. I've seen alot of people get tattoos for the wrong reasons. Many times you can immediately know if they will regret them.
-But others get them for the right reasons and live to cherish them for the rest of their lives.
Like I said in my earlier post, I have 14 tats. But, none are visible when dressed for work. If you were to run across me, you would never even guess I had a tattoo. All of mine reflect something significant in my life. Things that had an effect on my life and that effect can't be erased. I fail to see a 'down-side' to my tattoos.
Tattoos are just like everything else in this world- it requires responsible use. A spoon could be dangerous if used irresponsibly.
For all the girls running out and getting the little tattoo in the small of their back: quit! Those aren't going to stay popular that long and when you're thirty, you'll be walking around wearing an old fad. Kind of like wearing your Jennifer Beal Fashdance sweater and leg warmers to roller rink today. Oh, and all those stars that got them have plenty of money to have them lasered off, so they won't be wearing them anymore either.
Originally posted by Saint NickSeconded! And may I also suggest: no more damned dolphin tattoos!
For all the girls running out and getting the little tattoo in the small of their back: quit! Those aren't going to stay popular that long and when you're thirty, you'll be walking around wearing an old fad. Kind of like wearing your Jennifer Beal Fashdance sweater and leg warmers to roller rink today. Oh, and all those stars that got them have plenty of money to have them lasered off, so they won't be wearing them anymore either.
Originally posted by darvlayYep, and no more Tinderbell or angels.
Seconded! And may I also suggest: no more damned dolphin tattoos!
Not to pick on women, but in my expirience they tend to be a little more concerned about the 'fashion' of their tattoos. Which drives them to pick designs or places that happen to be poplular right now.
It you compare tattoos of women and men, you will find that most all women get very very similar tattoos. If you want something that's going to go with your cute little blue shoes, go buy a purse!
Originally posted by Saint NickEnough of your mysoginistic anti woman tat prejudices.
Yep, and no more Tinderbell or angels.
Not to pick on women, but in my expirience they tend to be a little more concerned about the 'fashion' of their tattoos. Which drives them to pick designs or places that happen to be poplular right now.
It you compare tattoos of women and men, you will find that most all women get very very similar tattoos. If you want something that's going to go with your cute little blue shoes, go buy a purse!
"Men have intelligent manly tats and women have girly fashion tats!"
That is so much BS!
You would be very foolish indeed to lump all women's tats into one sort. I think they call that prejudice?
It is like you are saying that all men make intelligent choices in their tats? Wrong!!!!
Originally posted by elvendreamgirlVery true, Elvendreamgirl.
Enough of your mysoginistic anti woman tat prejudices.
"Men have intelligent manly tats and women have girly fashion tats!"
That is so much BS!
You would be very foolish indeed to lump all women's tats into one sort. I think they call that prejudice?
It is like you are saying that all men make intelligent choices in their tats? Wrong!!!!
Former licensed tattooist here, who tattooed about 85% women. Believe me, the great majority of the ladies had me produce top quality art for them that would be both stylish and personally memorable for them for the years ahead.