Tattoos

[_ajax18]

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 ____ 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)

I never liked tatoos and I've never considered getting a tatoo. My only thought spent on the subject is I hope my kids never get a tatoo.

[_Markk]

It is certainly a fad. When I was in High School they were rare, and only "losers" got them.. and they were either given by back door artists, or one had to go the The Pike in Long Beach or San Diego parlors to the few that serviced the Navy folks. Today, even in the small town I live in we have multiple parlors.

For me what is sad, in my view, are the neck and facial tattoos the kids are getting. Given my upbringing I tend to be more judgemental when I see the face and neck tattoo's, I just can't help it.

It is certainly not good to enter the work field with ink on ones face and neck. Right or wrong, it is a strike against them getting hired before they even show what they are worth. That said, one of the most talented finish carpenters I know has tat's over his body including his entire neck, and most likely that's what he will always be unless he starts his own business...management positions, especially sales, would be a tough sell. But times are certainly different.

[_Xenophon]

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.

As long as they are artfully done and meaningful to the wearer I'm down for them. I've never been a big fan of flash that was popular before and I've been pleased to see most of the tattoo artist community move into more custom work. I would personally never do anything approaching things like a full sleeve or a neck/face tattoo but I certainly don't fault or judge anyone for doing it and I've definitely seen some that I thought were really quite well done.

My attitude may be a touch self-serving since I have two of my own, as does my wife. Both of mine are on parts of my body that are generally always covered (chest and thigh) and have a deeply personal meaning to me. I spent a fair bit of time thinking about them and working with an artist to get them right. I had one prior to becoming Mormon (this made for some interesting discussions around the topic) and got the other after I left, both of my wife's came after we left but were ones she had always said she wanted.

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.

This times 1000. Humankind has been modifying the body as long as they've been around and how prevalent it is in a society is mostly up to cultural restrictions. Given that most of the modern world has seen the stigma fall away I have a hard time picturing a scenario where we would revert back. As time goes on I think you'll only see acceptance of tattoos continue to rise given how negative attitudes towards it are pretty firmly attached to older generations.

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.

I say go for it, chief. Find you an artist that you like the style of and get yourself a fresh experience!

[_Markk]

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 ____ good as Michelangelo).

Michelangelo, or any decent artists work ,is generally only as good as the canvas or substrate the paint on...point being don't wait too long, tattooing over sagging wrinkled skin is not an ideal canvas.

https://www.demilked.com/tattooed-seniors-elderly/

[_Doctor Steuss]

I’ve got a couple. First one I got was when I was 18, and last one was probably when I was about 22. I don’t regret a single one, but at the same time, they are all where they are covered with a t-shirt. I don’t know if that makes a difference, as it truly makes them mine. I can choose who sees them. I get to choose who I am comfortable asking me their meaning. They often act as a grounding force when I look in the mirror after getting out of the shower, and know that I’m the one ultimately in control of my mind and body. A reminder of the permanence of me vs the fleeting moments of the noise.

My wife has 10-ish (including two on her face). It’s funny because I had to sit here and think hard about what they are, and how many there are. Early on in our relationship, I could probably ramble them off with ease. Now, they are just a part of her, and I’d probably have more luck rambling off the number of freckles on her nose (there are six, by the way).

(Dear lord, proof-reading the above... I sound like a special kind of douche-nugget.)

[Guest]

(Dear lord, proof-reading the above... I sound like a special kind of douche-nugget.)

I'd say the your comments rang very true to me so if they make you a douche-nugget at least you can take some solace in not being alone.

As an aside, my father got his quite a bit later in life at 60. When I first got mine he really didn't understand but something changed with him along the way and he finally took that leap. I don't think it is a conscious decision for most when getting one but there is some serious tribal bounding in the process. Something about the shared experience and understanding for those that have gotten inked (assuming you aren't one of the ones that got one as a drunken mistake from back alley scratcher).

[_canpakes]

(Dear lord, proof-reading the above... I sound like a special kind of douche-nugget.)

There’s a tattoo for that!



But, seriously - you do not sound like a douche-nugget from that post.
: D

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

I think tattoos can be a wonderful form of individualism, even though the vast majority aren’t to my liking. I see a lot of ex-Mormons getting ink as an almost expression of, I dunno, getting back their sense of identity. On retrospect, at least for me, when leaving the collective you definitely are unanchored in many ways, and placing a visual statement on your body is sort of saying, “This is what my journey means to me.”

Anyway, I got a lot of work done that was deeply personal to me. All of it was covered. Some back work, shoulder, and some chest stuff. It all worked together nicely, which is probably a result of a LOT of thought and time having passed before I got it done. The only ink I did that’s visible was a piece I did on the underside of my forearm that memorialized my time on the Appalachian trail expressing my gratitude for that experience and appreciation for what spending time in nature did for me.

Oddly enough, I don’t really disagree with OP’s original sentiment because a lot of people get work done, to the point of what I view as disturbing body modifications, where it just sort of shocks me. So, having personal opinions about people’s personal declarations to the world seems like fair game to me.

- Doc

[_Some Schmo]

Two things after reading this thread so far:

- I should stop referring to it as a moment of stupidity. I regret saying that. It sounds like people put way more thought into it than I had imagined. And that makes sense, if you're deciding to indelibly alter your body.

- I suppose I can imagine a scenario where something significant happened that I might want to memorialize in this way. It hasn't happened to me yet, but it's not crazy either.

I'm glad I started this thread. I needed the education.

I never liked tatoos and I've never considered getting a tatoo. My only thought spent on the subject is I hope my kids never get a tatoo.

This is one of those rare moments where we find ourselves agreeing on something, ajax. And I'll confess; it's part of why I started the thread.

My daughter has started talking about getting a tattoo, much to my horror. I suppose I started the thread partly to reconcile this desire of hers. I won't stop her; that's not how I roll, but if I can make her feel like not wanting one is her idea, that would be optimal.

On the other hand, she may have some well-considered reasons she's reluctant to share with me (she knows how I feel about tattoos). Perhaps if she shows up one day sporting a tattoo, this thread might ease that pain a little.

[Guest]

My daughter has started talking about getting a tattoo, much to my horror. I suppose I started the thread partly to reconcile this desire of hers. I won't stop her; that's not how I roll, but if I can make her feel like not wanting one is her idea, that would be optimal.

On the other hand, she may have some well-considered reasons she's reluctant to share with me (she knows how I feel about tattoos). Perhaps if she shows up one day sporting a tattoo, this thread might ease that pain a little.

I don't presume to know your daughter at all but I'm not sure how successful you can be in dissuading her from getting the tattoo. It kind of sounds like you're more likely to just create a scenario where she gets it anyways and just hides it from you.

Assuming she is set on getting one a more positive tract might be in encouraging her to put a fair bit of thought into what she is wanting and helping her find a really good artist with a reputable setup and a long history of work. I don't think I've talked to anyone that wasn't at least a little nervous about their first visit but the setting and artist can have a huge impact on how that goes and what the outcome is. Also, most of the people I've met that regretted their work was more tied to lack of forethought into it and bad work by the artist. Just my two cents with absolutely no insight into your relationship with your daughter.