DiscussMormonism.com

So, I'm not a fan of tattoos (some may have gathered that given my recent comment on them). Most of them I've seen looked like terrible ideas to me. I'd never get one myself.

Occasionally I see one I kind of like (that seems fitting or whatever), but that's really rare. I don't hold it against anyone; us people types do stupid but mostly harmless crap all the time.

What do people here think of them? I don't remember the subject ever really coming up, so I'm curious on the take of a random sample of mos/exmos.

Anyone leave the church and get a tattoo commemorating it? So much for Jesus... (that would be an awesome tattoo...! j/k)

It's a personal aesthetic thing, like coloring your hair.

I don't like most of it.

I am not a fan of tattoos either, but I don't necessarily hold it against any who get tattoos, as long as they are not offensive or obscene. I can think of one practical purpose for tattoos, though. A discreet but easily findable tattoo listing vital medical data about a person like blood type, allergies to certain antibiotics or other medications could possibly save time for first responders and emergency room personnel treating unconscious accident victims and even the life of an accident victim highly allergic to one or more of the substances in an EMT's or hospital standard emergency response kit.

They're dumb. And a fad that will go away at some point like bell bottoms.

Perfume on my Mind wrote:What do people here think of them? I don't remember the subject ever really coming up, so I'm curious on the take of a random sample of mos/exmos.

Why are you excluding me? Heck with you. I'm going to answer anyway.

I never had any interest in getting a tattoo myself. Three of my family members have tattoos. One has three tattoos that are deeply meaningful. And not that they need my approval but I do approve of those in particular. They are expressions well earned in the battlefield of life. The others who have tattoos are mainly decorative--one single tattoo all the way to another who has multiples.

Not meaning to derail here but I want to mention piercings as well. Everyone in my immediate family has piercings to one degree or another and I do mean everyone. :-)

Getting a visual of a biker family now right.

Icarus wrote:They're dumb. And a fad that will go away at some point like bell bottoms.

Tattoos will never go away. What world do you live in Icarus? My FIL who was a WW2 vet had tattoos...three of my family members have tattoos today. Tattoos never went away in all of human history.

by the way, bells bottoms have returned as a fashion trend. They were and I believe, still are, part of Naval uniforms.

Fashion repeats itself every couple of decades or so. Pay attention.

When I was younger, whenever I thought about getting a tattoo, the thing that held me back was wondering if I would regret it when I got old. The thing about getting a tattoo, it literally brands you as an advocate for whatever is on the tattoo. I think it would be a lot harder psychologically to give up smoking if you had a Joe Camel tattoo.

Now that I'm old and I don't have to worry about what I'll think when I'm old, I've actually fantasized about getting a tattoo of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I would leave space in the design to add RIP after she dies.

MeDotOrg wrote:Now that I'm old and I don't have to worry about what I'll think when I'm old, I've actually fantasized about getting a tattoo of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I would leave space in the design to add RIP after she dies.

It's interesting that you say this. I've thought the same thing, now that I'm older. That is, if I were ever to get a tattoo, now would be the time because I'm not likely to regret it in 10 years as I might in say 40.

And still, there's not a single thing I can think of that I'd want to paint on my body.

Jersey Girl wrote:

Icarus wrote:They're dumb. And a fad that will go away at some point like bell bottoms.

Tattoos will never go away. What world do you live in Icarus? My FIL who was a WW2 vet had tattoos...three of my family members have tattoos today. Tattoos never went away in all of human history.

by the way, bells bottoms have returned as a fashion trend. They were and I believe, still are, part of Naval uniforms.

Fashion repeats itself every couple of decades or so. Pay attention.

Tattoos will never disappear entirely but what we've been seeing the past couple of decades is a culture where tattooing is almost a way of life. Some 30 years ago you were not getting a job with colorful tats all over your arms. Today the manager has a visible tat on her neck. I think they're dumb and I like the saying, you wouldn't put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari so why would you permanently brand your body? There are temporary tats out there that last a few weeks, so why go permanent? A lower back tat of a Star on a teenager today is going look like a pissed off octopus when she is in her 60's.

Most people say they do them because they think it is an artistic expression of individuality or whatever. But nowadays, it is almost to the point that you're the odd man out if you don't have one. Tats have become so commonplace that people are having them done just to fit in with the rest of the crowd. Same goes for body piercings and ear plates.

And no, all fashion doesn't always come back around. I haven't seen a return of hobble skirts, mini bowler hats, white gloves or cloche hats have you?

Part of the issue for me is that a tattoo artist is like a plastic surgeon: you are relying on their artistic ability to get it right the first time. Just like plastic surgery, I've seen a lot of bad tattoos.

I don't trust anyone that much. And frankly, I highly doubt the Michelangelo of tattoo artists is working downtown where I live (and yes, if I'm going to let someone etch ink into my body, he better be as damned good as Michelangelo).