tiki Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I have three tattooes. My husband has two. I got my first nine years ago, BEFORE it was so wildly popular. My others have followed, I got one about five years ago, and another last year. My last one matches my husbands, same locale and all. I like tattooes - a lot. I think back pieces are h-o-t-t. But what I'm referencing to are the smaller ones, the more *popular* ones. And of course, they're 'easier' to get than the big pieces, because they don't take as long, they're not as pricey and most people can't withstand the pain. No offense. It's not THAT painful, but we are a world full of pussies. ANYWAY, I'm at the waterpark with my blended up family and cannot help but to notice that practically everyone has a frickin tat. So, I'm thinking. Funny. Ironic. Most do it to get to get away from the norm, only to BE the norm. It's laughable. Don't conform, people. Be yourselves. If you really like them, fine. Just don't conform for the sake of "not conforming". Peace, love and lasers. Link to post Share on other sites
IhavenoFREAKINclue Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 AHHH Just do it. My philosophy is that when your old you can tell people you lived and didn't hold anything back. I wanted another and i got it. On the ass BTW Get it in a placed that is concealed except in the summer. Small...cute...and dainty....Many possibilities. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
XNemesisX Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I got my tattoo on my 18th birthday. I skipped school that day and did it behind my parents back. I knew from the moment I left the tattoo place that I regretted it. I still wish I didn't have the damn thing. Unless its something you are POSITIVE you want then you will more than likely regret it. Also, after I lost some weight my tattoo seems to look bigger for some reason. It's on my lower back (surprise surprise, huh?) I have seen several plastic surgeons about removing my tat. But I found out that unless your tat is solid black then you can't get rid of the whole thing. (unless a big blob of discolored skin fits the bill for tattoo removal! bleh). Tissue expansion was what I found to actually be the best option for multi-colored tattoos. Wonder if I can do that in my lower back though? Ugh..I hate the damn thing. Words of wisdom: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Link to post Share on other sites
CurlyIam Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I've seen too many drunk sailors with self made tattoos on their hands - you known, mermaids, I *heart* Maria and all - to ever think that was cool. Never got one. I can't stand neddles either. Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by CurlyIam I've seen too many drunk sailors with self made tattoos on their hands Well, this is your reputation, but I thought it was just locker room talk Seriously though, I agree. Tattoos don't suit most people. And today's fashion is tomorrow's fashion error. If you don't believe me, try dressing 80s in public Link to post Share on other sites
Stone Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I personally would never tattoo myself I like to APPEAR innocent and pure lol but I do like them on others Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted June 8, 2005 Author Share Posted June 8, 2005 It was just so sad, looking around at everyone trying to be so different, yet all the same. Almost everyone had one. Link to post Share on other sites
Pocky Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by tiki It was just so sad, looking around at everyone trying to be so different, yet all the same. Almost everyone had one. Is it really everyone trying to be so different or that we have finally come to a point in our society where people with tattoos aren't ostracized from their neighbors and are now given the freedom to do whatever they want? I don't necessarily view tattoos as an expression of defiance as it once used to represent. It's become an acceptable form of body altering and the chances of being discriminated against is decreasing as our culture evolves. It's like women wearing pants - do you view a woman that wears pants as a renegade trying to use their form of dress to fight the social powers that be? Aren't they just pants - just like tattoos? Link to post Share on other sites
XNemesisX Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by ReluctantRomeo Seriously though, I agree. Tattoos don't suit most people. And today's fashion is tomorrow's fashion error. If you don't believe me, try dressing 80s in public Don't you know that the 80s is back in style now? At least for women? Pointy shoes, pumps, skinny pants, long shirts with belts around them, huge earrings, bangs (tho not as puffy as they used to be), layered necklaces, shirts that fall off the shoulder.... Link to post Share on other sites
CurlyIam Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I'd love to have a small tattoo painted on me, though. For like a month or two. Do you think it's possible? Curly P.S. RR, honey, don't jump to conclusions that easily . Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by XNemesisX Don't you know that the 80s is back in style now? At least for women? Not here yet... give it 5 years Provided people don't start wearing one glove and moonwalking, I'm cool with this Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 And today's fashion is tomorrow's fashion error I shudder to think of all these people now sporting 'sleeves' as they age There are impermanent tattoos - what I never got is why not just use them if you want to sport a 'tat' for fun? I mean, the real things will look so cliché and foolish in a few years but, unlike the unfortunate wardrobe choices, they can't just be tossed out. To me, someone sporting a tat is someone proclaiming a willingness to go along with the herd rather than a statement of individualism. Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantRomeo Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by CurlyIam I'd love to have a small tattoo painted on me, though. For like a month or two. Do you think it's possible? Yup. And much more sensible, as Moi points out. I don't think they last a month though. P.S. RR, honey, don't jump to conclusions that easily . You know how jealous I get Link to post Share on other sites
CurlyIam Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 You know I'm a flirt, but it's all just talkin', I'm not that much of a men devourer :blush:... I didn't get to read moi's thread before it got deleated, sorry... Tattoos aren't that popular around these parts - not that I've noticed it, I mean. I think seeing a 40 year old person with a tattoo would make me smile and think they had one agitated youth, LOL. Link to post Share on other sites
BrotherAaron Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I have a newfound respect for tattoos. When my good friends, three brothers who grew up across the street from me, where younger, they'd say that they were all going to get and get a tattoo together when they turned 18. It was a fantasy for the young boys, and it wasn't ever actually going to happen. My best friend of the three, the middle child (they were a year apart each), was definitely not the tattoo type as he got older. His two brothers were another story. Well, while the youngest one was still 17 and planning the tattoos he would get when he was old enough, his oldest brother already had several. He was definitely "the cool kid", everybody in town knew him. He could be seen cruising down the street on his racing motorcycle, shirt off showing his tattoos and his sculpted body. He really was a piece of work with the girls. The first tattoo the oldest brother got was a cross on his arm. It was the tattoo that he and his brothers had said they would get together. He didn't really expect his younger brothers to get it too, but he followed through nonetheless. It was a simple tattoo, and meaningless to most people, but he said that it was for his bros, and that made it pretty special to him. A few weeks before the youngest of the three turned 18, the oldest rear ended somebody on his motorcycle, and was declared dead a couple of hours later in the hospital. I held my best friend in the world as he watched his brother take his last breaths. I saw this 19 year old man whom the three of us all admired more than anything fade away. It's a defining moment of my life. About a week later, my friend asked me if I remembered how him and his brothers always said that they'd get a tattoo together. We got to talking about it, and decided to do it. I drove him and his younger brother to the tattoo parlor and paid for them to each get the cross on their shoulder with their brother's name written below. It was one of the most meaningful things I've seen somebody do. Link to post Share on other sites
Pocky Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by moimeme To me, someone sporting a tat is someone proclaiming a willingness to go along with the herd rather than a statement of individualism. I think they probably said the same thing when women started wearing pants. Or maybe when women started piercing their ears. Or maybe when they cut their hair short like men. Why does it have to symbolize a statement? I got my tattoo because I think they're beautiful, but I certainly didn't do it to be an individual. I don't even show it - everything I wear I make sure it's covered if I can. I don't care for people staring at my back all the time. Link to post Share on other sites
RoxStar Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by Pocky Why does it have to symbolize a statement? I got my tattoo because I think they're beautiful, but I certainly didn't do it to be an individual. I don't even show it - everything I wear I make sure it's covered if I can. I don't care for people staring at my back all the time. DITTO. I have several that no one would know about unless I was in a bathing suit or I tell someone. I got my tattoos for me and gave it a lot of thought before I got them. I have no regrets. Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted June 8, 2005 Author Share Posted June 8, 2005 I don't really regret mine. They're all well hidden. I just think it's crazy that I ended up conforming to something I never thought would survive - tattooes. Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I just think it's crazy that I ended up conforming to something I never thought would survive - tattooes. Exactly. Those of us who refused to follow the craze are the real nonconformists Link to post Share on other sites
BrotherAaron Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Watch out! You're going to conform to non-conforming! Just do what you want to do, who gives a rip if everyone has a tattoo. I'll love tattoos until the day I die, no matter how much everybody loves or hates them. If you focus too much on what other people think or do, it's hard not to be influenced by it, and I don't think any of us want our choices to be made by others. Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted June 8, 2005 Author Share Posted June 8, 2005 Good point. I think I've been 'thinking too much' lately. Somebody please shut off my brain! Link to post Share on other sites
Pocky Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by BrotherAaron Watch out! You're going to conform to non-conforming! Exactly - there are far too many people in this world for anyone to think they're an original. There's always going to be someone else doing exactly what you're doing. Makes me think of South Park and the punk rock band.. Link to post Share on other sites
tanbark813 Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 I'm going to have to agree with Pocky on this one. Tattoos are no longer about rebelling or being a renegade. They're too mainstream for that now. It's not about conforming or not conforming. Getting a tattoo does not mean you're "following the crowd" nor does not having a tattoo mean you're some self-righteous non-conformist. I personally view tattoos simply as art--albeit permanently placed on one's body. Getting one haircut or another doesn't really make you a conformist or non-conformist, it's just a choice about what you want to look like and what (hopefully) looks good on you. Tattoos are evolving into that: a statement of one's individuality, not a "f*ck you, look how cool I am". On a sidenote, BA, I really liked your story. I wish I had something as meaningful as that to ink on myself. Link to post Share on other sites
BrotherAaron Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Thank you Tanbark The great thing about tattoos, I've realized, is that aging with them isn't as bad as people would have you believe. Sure, they don't look as good when the skin gets old and leathery - but, then, how good does old leathery skin look to begin with? I don't think a tattoo makes a world of difference. Link to post Share on other sites
XNemesisX Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 Don't get me wrong, I LOVE tattoos. I just don't like the one that I have. A friend of a friend has a star tattoo right under her wrist with her deceased friend's name under it. I think that tatoo would me very meaningful. Mine has absolutely no meaning. I did design it myself, but it's purely there for decorative purposes only. Bleh I loathe it. I would be interested to hear if any LS'ers have had a tattoo removed before. Thankfully its in a spot where I can hide it really easily. And thanks to the 80s style coming back in, the longer shirts come in handy. (When I sit down you can see my tattoo in the short shirts). Link to post Share on other sites
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