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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: dentstudent on 10/12/2008 13:01:55

Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: dentstudent on 10/12/2008 13:01:55
It seems to me that there is an increasing number of tattoos around, especially with the girls/ladies. They seem to be something of a fashion statement, with ever more elaborate designs.

Now, call me a FOG and a prude, but I don't think that they are particularly attractive. I'm sure that there are many in this forum who have them, so perhaps you could let me know what the incentive is? What do others think of them? Do you have one that you wished that you hadn't? Are you thinking about having one? What, and where  [:0]?

I'm not trying to belittle anyone who has one (or six) - it's just so far outside of my own life-scope (?) that I thought that I would find out a little more......

What do you think?
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: BenV on 10/12/2008 13:21:51
I do worry about 'fashionable' tattoos, it's not as if you can wash them off when you're done.

Personally, I have one tattoo and I intend to have more, but I like to think about it for several years before I would even consider going under the needle.  This way, if I'm still as keen on a design or idea after 5 years, I'll be happy.

A friend of mine has several small tattoos that remind him of certain people or times in his life (including at least one where someone he cared for deeply drew on him in biro, and he liked it so much he had it tattooed!).
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: RD on 10/12/2008 13:29:51
This is a remarkable Willie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Nelson) tattoo  [:)]

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

http://metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=4550


I did hear that the late actor Oliver Reed had the other kind of willie tattoo, that's gotta hurt.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: dentstudent on 10/12/2008 13:53:46
There is also a trend for transfer tattoos - they come with cereals, sweets etc, and target the under 10's (it appears, at least). What do you think of those?
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Don_1 on 10/12/2008 14:23:30
They do nothing whatsoever for a bowl of corn flakes!
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 10/12/2008 14:24:03
We used to get those stick-on tattoos when I was a kid and they didn't influence me.

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saferinjecting.net%2Fimages%2Fmost-tattoos.jpg&hash=90cd6edcd4ff4dfc3034d19712b485e1)
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: blakestyger on 10/12/2008 15:46:17
As willie tatoos have now been raised, I did hear some years ago of a man tell of a friend of his who had had the word Ludo tatooed on his member. "Oh no" said a woman who knew him, "It's Llandudno".
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Make it Lady on 10/12/2008 20:40:37
An old boyfriend of mine had thumper rabbit tattooed on his bum. I must admit he was very enthusiastic.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/12/2008 21:20:34
LOL,.,,LOL.. The energizer bunny! LOL..

Actually I have contemplated a tattoo but cannot have one at this time because of possibility of infection....

But I would like to have a small one on my ankle or some such place...
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: JnA on 10/12/2008 23:16:19
As a (former) tattoo artist I can probably answer some of your questions.

You are correct in the last 20years or so tattoos have moved further away from their roots than ever before.
In tribal cultures tattoos are a symbol of manhood, a rite of passage and/or a symbol of status. A person has to 'earn' them and they are deeply significant.

Even in our 'modern' society they were symbols of travellers (sailors) or tramps, and they pretty much stayed in the 'lower echelons' of life for many many years, still a significant symbol to some.

Until about the mid 1980's they remained the bastion of sailors, prisoner and bikies. Then everyone was getting one for everything from teenagers to forty year old housewives.

Personally I have refused tattoo some people and some images. I dislike tattooing on the lower back of teen girls, I do not tattoo cartoon characters and I refuse to tattoo partners names (children yes, not partners) I also do not (and I am not alone) tattoo Chinese characters. Not only because I don't know Chinese, but because I think there's nothing worse than a Chinese symbol on a Caucasian *shudder*
I also send people away (well the young ones) They come into the shop show me their design and I give them a booking for three or four weeks time. If they come back great and I know they are serious.. if not then it's not on my conscience.

Tattoos are an art form.. and, like all art forms, they will have their lovers and their leavers. They are personal and need to be thought about, they are permanent and need to be thought about carefully.
Incentives are as wide and varied as the people and the tattoos. More often than not a tattoo is a memory of someone or some event. Young girls like the idea of getting a tattoo and for many of them it's still a 'rite of passage' into adulthood. Though their designs might leave a lot to be desired the ideology behind their reasons are actually quite traditional (even if they don't realise themselves). They do often find a nice design and think it looks great. In many cases it does, but then almost anything looks great an lovely young supple skin... we have to remind them that one day they and their tattoo will get old, so think about placement.

Even though I spent years in the industry I have only two tattoos myself. Both memories of people whom I have lost. I have been thinking about getting another for my children. The design and spot is done. I have spent the last five or six weeks with it 'drawn' on so I can see what it looks like and how it works with my usual style... I'll be getting it done probably after Christmas. That will be number three for me and probably the last. (unless there is a dramatic change in events)

Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/12/2008 04:47:39
That is cool that you are an artist... I bet it is interesting seing all the different tattoos and styles of different tattooists!
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: dentstudent on 11/12/2008 07:47:45
As willie tatoos have now been raised, I did hear some years ago of a man tell of a friend of his who had had the word Ludo tatooed on his member. "Oh no" said a woman who knew him, "It's Llandudno".

There's a coincidence! It looks like I have "Loch" on mine, when in actual fact it's "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch"


(As an aside) I did actually stay in Llanfairfechan during my masters degree which is not too far from Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (or Llanfair PG as it is more usually known). The neighbouring villges are ABERGWYNGREGYN, PENMAENMAWR & DWYGYFYLCHI. I know how to say "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch", but no idea about DWYGYFYLCHI. Any takers?


Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: dentstudent on 11/12/2008 08:00:31
We used to get those stick-on tattoos when I was a kid and they didn't influence me.

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saferinjecting.net%2Fimages%2Fmost-tattoos.jpg&hash=90cd6edcd4ff4dfc3034d19712b485e1)

He looks as though a bird has done something nasty on him.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: dentstudent on 11/12/2008 08:05:45
Thanks for your thoughts JnA, very interesting. I wonder how many other tattoo artists are as accommodating or provide a "cooling off" period before they actually do the tattoo. There was a guy whom I worked with during college, and he had a cross done on his arm. But not a small one or even at all attractive - just a black cross perhaps 15 cm X 5 cm. It was (IMO) awful, and, of course, he has it forever. I think that he only had it as a rite of passage thing too, but (again IMO) an ill considered one.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: paul.fr on 11/12/2008 08:08:05
I hate tattoos on women (an men, come to think of it) especially this type:

tattooing on the lower back of teen girls


I would never date a someone who had tattoos that were obvious, or on show.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: RD on 11/12/2008 09:39:07
The UK comedian Dave Gorman's driving-licence tattoo is hilarious...

Quote
After a very drunken night in Austin, Texas, I woke up the next day with a tattoo. It's a picture of a Texan driving licence with what's meant to be my face and my details. Tattooed onto my left arm. I was so frustrated with being asked for ID when I went into any bar in Austin that, having got into a bar, I got incredibly drunk. Then got the tattoo.
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/my-life-in-travel-dave-gorman-571451.html

Dave has a Flickr account (http://www.flickr.com/people/dgbalancesrocks/), but I don't think he has included a photo of his tattoo.   

Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 11/12/2008 11:59:31
I remember the case of British Marines and American GIs having a bit of a row(!) about who was best. When 1 of the GIs regained consciousness he'd had a British Flag tattooed on his forehead  [:D]
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Carolyn on 11/12/2008 17:31:56
I don't like tattoos on women and would never consider getting one, but to each his own.  I don't mind them on men as long as they're not covered in them.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Kenwood04 on 11/12/2008 18:10:15
I cant stand them either.  But I was on a course today, and one of the girls had one around her wrist, with her sons name on it, and his date of birth, again not my cup of tea at all, but, he is little chap who will not be long in the world, and so I can understand the reason for the tattoo.

Some tatoos are amazingly clever, but I wonder what they look like when you are eighty and the skin is saggy and baggy.  Ugh!
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: JnA on 11/12/2008 22:49:13


Some tatoos are amazingly clever, but I wonder what they look like when you are eighty and the skin is saggy and baggy.  Ugh!


that's why placement is so important (IMO) Of course the tattoo ages and can do any number of things like run, fade and/or throw ink.. but aging skin will sag and droop and wrinkle and the ink will follow it.. in 50 years there'll be nursing homes full of tattooed men and women, would be interesting to see them sitting there playing bingo on their old pictures of lost loves, thoughts, feelings...
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: RD on 12/12/2008 00:16:45
I think tattoos are very similar to self harm...

Quote
Self-injury (SI) or self-harm (SH) is deliberate injury inflicted by a person upon their own body without suicidal intent. Some scholars use more technical definitions related to specific aspects of this behaviour. These acts may be aimed at relieving otherwise unbearable emotions, and/or sensations of unreality and numbness. The illness is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as a symptom of borderline personality disorder and depressive disorders. It is sometimes associated with mental illness, a history of trauma and abuse including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, eating disorders, or mental traits such as low self-esteem or perfectionism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_harm
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: turnipsock on 12/12/2008 00:33:59
"Tattoos are cool"

I like to utter that phrase when I'm around mums and kids.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: RD on 12/12/2008 00:36:10
Quote
Amy Winehouse was forced to cover up a topless tattoo by Grammy bosses who were scared she'd offend US audiences.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]


The Rehab singer used her trademark black eyeliner to disguise the breasts of a nude girl tattooed on her arm as she performed via satellite link at the Grammys.

"Amy drew a little black bikini top on the large topless femle tattoo on her arm, so as not to offend any of America's puritanical viewers," a source told the Daily Telegraph.

The 24-year-old scooped five awards at the music ceremony after being refused a US visa for past indiscretions.

"After the show, the makeshift top was washed off."

Amy is being treated for substance abuse after being filmed allegedly using crack cocaine last month.
 
http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=99228&in_page_id=7
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: paul.fr on 18/12/2008 13:24:28
.Some tat's say it all
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Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: paul.fr on 18/12/2008 13:29:10
DECEMBER 4--Meet Michael Campbell, before and after. The Colorado man has a long rap sheet and prison history, though you probably could have guessed that based on the below mug shots. In the "before" photos, Campbell is seen following a 2003 theft arrest in Jefferson County, Colorado. The "after" photos were snapped about six weeks ago, when Campbell was again popped and jailed at the Jefferson County lockup. Though he has been in and out of custody between 2003 and 2008, Campbell, 33, apparently used his infrequent time on the street to aggressively supplement his facial and neck art. It is unclear, however, why his ears, to date, have been left untouched. But that polka-dotted bow tie (at least we think it's a bow tie) was a wonderful addition.

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Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: RD on 18/12/2008 14:37:59
Tattoo-wise the previous post makes Charles Manson look like an amateur ...

 [ Invalid Attachment ]
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Herman Melville on 13/07/2009 10:42:06
Anyone fancy a game of chess?
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpopnewsday.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fme867353fcda18adaaab8d1e8f2f368667c7f95344.jpg&hash=8452f8844b4b959626fa72492d35ee6f)
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Variola on 13/07/2009 10:53:35
Being tattooed is a form of self expression, a form of following the crowd ( as with tramp stamps) a form of deviance ( outlandish ones like the above) a personal statement to oneself ( they can take pretty much everything away from you, but not your tattoos) and also its sexually stimulating and easy to get hooked on the feeling of being tattooed. ( no im not a masochist but the above is true for me!) [:I]
They also make you type in paragraphs and brakets too much ( like this)!  [;D]

I am just in the process of designing and drawing up my back piece, a DNA double helix in transcription. Geek I know..  [8D]
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: neilep on 13/07/2009 11:03:16
I have two tats of which this is my fave:

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I like !

Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Herman Melville on 13/07/2009 11:47:08
I have two tats of which this is my fave:

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

I like !



I'd be frightened to see that crawling up my arm every day.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: RD on 13/07/2009 12:59:20
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpopnewsday.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fme867353fcda18adaaab8d1e8f2f368667c7f95344.jpg&hash=8452f8844b4b959626fa72492d35ee6f)

Did he get the tattoo to match the decor (on the right) ?  [:)]

Some people have a chequered past, he has a chequered future.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: RD on 13/07/2009 13:09:37
... they can take pretty much everything away from you, but not your tattoos ... easy to get hooked on the feeling of being tattooed.

These statements support what I was saying about tattoos being a variant of self-harm (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=18786.msg210608#msg210608) by people who have been mistreated.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Variola on 13/07/2009 14:31:49
... they can take pretty much everything away from you, but not your tattoos ... easy to get hooked on the feeling of being tattooed.

These statements support what I was saying about tattoos being a variant of self-harm (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=18786.msg210608#msg210608) by people who have been mistreated.

Actually I disagree, self harm and the act of getting a tattoo are entirely different. Self harm is a release for many people, they feel better when they have done it, and it is not always just the pain that is the facotr, its the act of doing it.
Tattooing couldnt bemore different, and my statement does not support that. if anything it supportsthe view that tattoos are value for money as they last as long as you do.
Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Herman Melville on 13/07/2009 15:54:08
I don't know how anyone can get a tattoo that they know for sure they won't regret in 10 or 20 years. Unless you are already about 110 years old, it seems risky.

Title: What is it with tattoos?
Post by: Karen W. on 13/07/2009 16:18:30
I
I have two tats of which this is my fave:

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I like !


I like it too!! The colors are nice!