Foo - Let's discuss tattoos... yay or nay?

I was reading the "low rider" pants/muffin belly thread and it got into tatoos near the end...

So I was wondering what your thoughts on tattoos are?

I, personally like them if done discreetly and if they have meaning. I have one on my upper arm that's easily hidden with a short sleeved shirt. I did it at that spot to keep my private life apart from my professional life. My co-workers don't need to see it.

Plus it has meaning to me. It is my daughter's name in Chinese. (See avatar... means Destiny) And being that I am Chinese I thought it appropriate to keep in touch with my father and my roots.

I also have a personal issue with non-asian people having Kanji or Chinese character tattoos just because it's cool or the "in" thing to do... I feel many did it just for "fashion" and not because it has true family or personal meaning to them. But that's my opinion and I know not all people have them just for fashion reasons and they really do have personal meaning. It's the poseurs that I have issues with. But that's a diff topic...

So what are your thoughts on tattoos? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

Thanks for sharing...

Never cared for them and will never get them personal choice.

Seen some nice ones seen some really garbage ones as a kid grew up in a seaside twon the site of these 80 year old saliors with the old faded tattoo's gastly.

I agree. Nothing more stoopid than a Swede having a Kanjl. If I was an ink slinger, I put on something that meant assclown or something.

Personally, I have three complete and one work in progress which should be finished shortly after the first of the year.

I have one, there is a story to it.
I got married very young and always felt like I spent my whole life for others but me, things were not going so well, we split up for a while years ago.
I needed to feel like I could do something withought someone's permission, something that would stunned.
Im basically a good girl raised by a pediatrician, ive never smoked and i dont drink.And then got married right away.
So getting a tattoo was quite being a rebel to me at the time.
Now I could laugh about it, I settled and worked on my marriage fast.
Im now married for 20 years and Im a great mom and nothing but rebel but my tattoo on my tail bone will always remind me of this wild side of me, the one i never explored really!:lol:

i have three, one on each arm upper bicep/shoulder area and one on the chest

Ill never get one.

Nay. Not expecting to ever get one and don't find them attractive at all. I find them lame, but hey, if you like 'em, you like 'em. :)

Having trouble figuring out something that would really mean enough to me to justify it. But if I did then sure.

I have one, there is a story to it.
I got married very young and always felt like I spent my whole life for others but me, things were not going so well, we split up for a while years ago.
I needed to feel like I could do something withought someone's permission, something that would stunned.
Im basically a good girl raised by a pediatrician, ive never smoked and i dont drink.And then got married right away.
So getting a tattoo was quite being a rebel to me at the time.
Now I could laugh about it, I settled and worked on my marriage fast.
Im now married for 20 years and Im a great mom and nothing but rebel but my tattoo on my tail bone will always remind me of this wild side of me, the one i never explored really!:lol:

What is your tattoo a pic of?

I have one that hardly gets seen but it took me 15 years to get it right. I designed it based on the message in my heart and what I believe in.

I say yay :D

I have one right now and I am planning on getting another very soon. This second one has taken me 8 years to decide on so its not something I take lightly. They are both in remembrance of my deceased grandfathers.

I have a few, Haven't gotten one in about 14 years. If I get another it would have to have some sort of meaning. I see all these guys at the gym with the arm bands, you know they got them just because their buddies got them. I think that's just stupid.

What is your tattoo a pic of?

I have one that hardly gets seen but it took me 15 years to get it right. I designed it based on the message in my heart and what I believe in.
some day maybe ill take a picture of it, it's very delicate and it doesnt show unless in a bikini, it's nice, black designs over lapping and two purple and pink hearts on both edges. hard to explain maybe someday Ill post a pic withought posting my butt!
Im just glad it's sort of hiding, ive never told my mom, she'd kill me!

Needles - shudder.... Of course, if I passed out, when I woke up, the tattoo would be over - but then, what if he did something dumb instead... nah, too many uncertainities.

I really don't care one way or another - but stay away from me with needles!

I have one on my upper calf area on right leg. Its in honor of my brother. :) Its the only I will ever have. :)

So I was wondering what your thoughts on tattoos are?
Ah yes, one of my three favorite topics. :)


I, personally like them if done discreetly and if they have meaning. Plus it has meaning to me.
Agreed! Both of mine have meaning to me.


I also have a personal issue with non-asian people having Kanji or Chinese character tattoos just because it's cool or the "in" thing to do...
Again I have to agree.
I see lots of black people with oriental characters on their arms or shoulders.
I wonder if they REALLY know what the characters mean.

I was looking at a tattoo website last week (can't remember where) and some bozo had the word JUDGEMENT across his upper back. The only problem was neither the guy who got the tattoo nor the tattoo artist could spell. It was spelled "JUDGMENT". :eek:


I'm 1/4 Native American so animals (particularly wolves, bears, and turtles) are important to me.

I have one, there is a story to it... but my tattoo on my tail bone will always remind me of this wild side of me, the one i never explored really!:lol:


...I have one that hardly gets seen but it took me 15 years to get it right. I designed it based on the message in my heart and what I believe in.

Everyone, complete the following sentence:

This thread... :D

is useless...

Everyone, complete the following sentence:

This thread... :D
Needs some BIG OL PICS!!!!!!!!!!

Most definitely a personal choice.

I don't have any and most likely won't.

Nay for me but Yay if you like them, to each his own. I don't get it when people get huge ones all over their back.

Needs some BIG OL PICS!!!!!!!!!!
Okay... Work in progress.

http://mysite.verizon.net/tegants/mytat.jpg

They spelled your name wrong.

Wot? Where! :lol:

I also have a personal issue with non-asian people having Kanji or Chinese character tattoos just because it's cool or the "in" thing to do... I feel many did it just for "fashion" and not because it has true family or personal meaning to them. But that's my opinion and I know not all people have them just for fashion reasons and they really do have personal meaning. It's the poseurs that I have issues with. But that's a diff topic...

Thanks for sharing...

Indeed

That's why 'Kokyu, Tamashii, Jiseishin' is across the bottom of my markerboard at work...

I can never find the 'correct' pronunciation marks in ASCII, sorry.

Wot? Where! :lol:

Ha!!! Made ya look!!

*Edit* Wouldn't that be a bummer, though?

This is why you always approve the stencil first!

I'm caucasion
If I were to ever get a tat it would be calligraphic ..either chinese characters, abstract, or whatever
You don't have to be asian to respect things asian

I'll never have one

- personally, they're not for me and i don't find 'em attractive... IMHO, the California license plates (AKA a$$ antlers) may look cool now, but perhaps not so much when you're on Medicare years later... why not wait until you're 65 so they still look good when you're in your casket at the viewing?

:-)

I have two...one on each shoulder. They both hold special meaning for me.

The second one I drew myself however....and it has a ying yang with a white and a black greyhound silhouettes running around the outside(encircling) the ying yang. This tattoo means more to me now than ever. It is a constant reminder to me of many things. I will never forget Andre and Jessie, they will be there on my shoulder and in my heart forever. As reminders...as teachers and more.

I have one on my right shoulder and will probably get two more done next year. One each in honor of my parents, who I lost when I was young.
I agree with the others who don't understand how people can just get random art or symbols done that have no real meaning to them. But hey, it's their body, not mine.
It took me a lot time to decide on the one I have. It represents the one constant positive thing in my life, that has gotten me through many peaks and valleys- cycling.

When I was researching tattoo ideas I came across one where one thug looking guy had some chinese characters on each forearm. When he put it together it meant something, I'm sure thuggish. But when you read it seperately it meant green rice! hahah! So when I figured out what I wanted I went to my friend's father, who is Chinese, and had him write the characters for me.

Thanks for the views and opinions so far. For the longest time I was against them as well. But after my daughter was born a lot of things changed. My daughter means the world to me and I'd like to get another one eventually with Hawaiian meaning/symbol for my mom's heritage. But that may depend if we are blessed with another child or when or if my mom loses her battle with cancer.

Although, even though it's usually taboo I'd like to possibly incorporate a symbol for my wife into the next one as well... Like my mother, father and daughter, my wife is my meaning for life as well.

Ha!!! Made ya look!!

*Edit* Wouldn't that be a bummer, though?
I looked!:lol:

I like to be different.

No tats for me.

I'll keep the handlebar moustache, though. I can always shave it off. :D

Stacey. Nice ink. http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/fingers/fing02.gif



...why not wait until you're 65 so they still look good when you're in your casket at the viewing?
Almost. I waited until I was 61. :o

Okay... Work in progress.

http://mysite.verizon.net/tegants/mytat.jpg


Fast forward 40 years, "Grandma, what cartoon is that on your leg?"

Just kidding. :D Wow that is art!

Why would I care if I am in the casket?

It isn't like my hide looks particularly nice now - between burns,cuts, scraps and ant bites (lots of ant bites!) - there probably isn't any room for anything else.

Stacey - that made me wince just looking at it - I can just imagine the needle point... if I faint in my office, it is your fault!

Wow Stacey, your artist is really good!

I have a tattoo of jsharr above my heart.

I have a tattoo of jsharr above my heart.
For once, I am left without a smart arse remark. I have no idea how to react to this.

For once, I am left without a smart arse remark. I have no idea how to react to this.
I WIN!

Thanks guys, I'm so anxious for it to be completed. The color work is going to be phenom!

What do you mean by 40 years Mike, I'm just shy of 50 now. The grandkids think it's cool that their two grandmoms have tats. :)

Crtreedude that was when it was fresh, about two hours old. You should have seen it in the morning :eek: Much redder, all puffy and scabbed up. It tokk me 10 minutes to get out of bed. :lol: Swooning yet?

I go back for more work tomorrow... hopefully. This damn leukemia really slows the healing process. :(

I WIN!
Congratulations. All my base are belong to you.

Congratulations. All my base are belong to you.
All your base are always belonged to me. But, seeing you admit it makes me sad. :(

For once, I am left without a smart arse remark. I have no idea how to react to this.

http://images.animanga.nu/fanart/1964/pwned.jpg

For once, I am left without a smart arse remark. I have no idea how to react to this.

Too bad there's no smiley for "creeped out."

I really really want a tattoo. The problem is, I've promised myself that I will wait 1 year after thinking of a tattoo I want. If after a year, it still seems like a good idea I'll get it. I decided that when I was 18, I'm almost 30 now and that hasn't happened yet. I've got a couple ideas now that I think might make the cut, I'm only 3 months away on one of them.

What do you mean by 40 years Mike, I'm just shy of 50 now. The grandkids think it's cool that their two grandmoms have tats. :)



Aiyaaaaa! You got me, Stacey. Cool. :beer:

Hey, you know what would be even better with your tattoo - don't shave your leg. Let the hair grow out of the tattoo. That would be pretty neat especially on your tattoo.

BTW, does hair grow on skin that has been tattooed? Hmm.

I posted this story on the thread about the low pants and bellies sticking out, but it is better told here, especially when talking about getting tattoos that have some special meaning:

My neighbor's son came home one day just before his high school graduation party. He just had a huge tribal style band tattooed around his arm with his high school football jersey number front and center. "Look Ma" he said. All his mother could do was roll her eyes - too late now, of course. I thought, "God almighty he better get married before he is 19 years old and starts having trouble finding girls who remember his glory-days."

As it turns out, he did marry very young - and to his high school sweetheart who just might always remember his glory days. So I guess it worked out OK.

Aiyaaaaa! You got me, Stacey. Cool. :beer:

Hey, you know what would be even better with your tattoo - don't shave your leg. Let the hair grow out of the tattoo. That would be pretty neat especially on your tattoo.

BTW, does hair grow on skin that has been tattooed? Hmm.
Hair? On a dragon? C'mon Mike share that doob with me... please. :)

Yes, hair grows on inked skin. You can even shock the piz out of those little bastids and they still grow back!