Tattoos... Love 'em or hate 'em?

[SYZ]

Personally I dislike the current trend of people
covering their bodies with tattoos, regardless of
how "artistically" they're deemed to be—either
from the recipient's viewpoint, or that of others.

I have no issue with discreet little honey bears,
or hearts or rosebuds etc, but whole or large-part
body tattooing is an entirely different thing.

In my opinion, it's unattractive at the least and
often downright ugly or distasteful.

As an example, check out this young woman's
unstructured tatts—and yes, those on her face
are the real thing!



The funny thing is that when I was a young man
(yeah, I know LOL) tatts were considered the purview
of the lower socioeconomic classes.  They were only
commonly seen on old sailors or soldiers, or laborers,
or ex-jailbirds.  Nowadays they're apparently symbolic
of the chic, with-it younger set, or the sad older wannabees.

And I know a lot of people will say "it's their bodies to
do what they like with" or their tatts "are an expression of
some deeply-held inner feelings" or even—laughably—a
form of "art".

But then I still have to look at them;  on the streets, in
the supermarket, on the trains and buses, on the beach etc.

My eyes are hurting!   Stop it!    

[Thumpalumpacus]

Meh, I just don't care, for the most part -- unless I'm hiring for a retail business, in which case face and neck ink will see you passed over.

[AutisticWill]

ALL OF THE HATRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's contempt for the human body, just like obesity, anorexia, etc.

I have the opposite opinion to Syzed -- small tattoos of no signifigance are UGLY! Some fugly bitch made herself more worthless by getting a spongebob tattoo -- and it wasn't even well executed -- DIE, BITCH - DIE! OUT OF MY EYE!!!

ugh....

on the other hand, a large, non-pictorial tattoo seems more acceptable, but still wrong.... bish, that won't look good when you're old old old.... die young, tatty-brat.... fuck....

fuuuuuuuuuuuuck.............

call me a bigot, i don't care.

[brewerb]

Definitely not love or necessarily hate except for the few unintentional ones I've given myself. They're typically made with used grease and/or burnt carbon.

[Dānu]

I can take it or leave it. I've seen some beautiful pieces. And a lot that are just meh. I was always afraid that I'd regret it after I did it.

[pattylt]

I’m indifferent. If it makes someone feel better, artistic or expresses something…go for it. I don’t think it makes someone better or worse, just different from what we consider the norm. Just don’t try to convert to Orthodox Judaism.

[Minimalist]

I always think.....in 40 years you are going to look like a real asshole when your tattoos are all wrinkly.

My brother sent me a cartoon one time which was of a carnival side show featuring a tattooed "fat lady."

It said "Remember when we had to pay extra for this?"

And below was a modern photo of a similar person in a Walmart!

[Fireball]

I don't care what people do, in general. If they want tattoos, good for them. Not a fan, and I can always not look, beyond a passing glance.

[jerry mcmasters]

I love my giant "No Regerts" tat across my chest.

[SYZ]

       

[TheGentlemanBastard]

@SYZ, man, you get emotionally invested in some of the weirdest shit.

[c172]

I really feel like it depends on the person wearing it. In the OP's photo, I think it looks OK, but unrelatedly, she'd look better with bangs. But nobody asked me.

I have two uncles, one about 73 and the other 80. The 73 year old uncle is a conservative dresser and typical midwestern man, and he has one, but in some area that is hidden by his clothes. The other has it on his leg. University professor of linguistics in Vancouver, from Phila. by birth, intellect/maybe former hippie type, thick northeastern US accent. He is technically retired and spends time volunteering at, I think, a garden. And he has a tattoo on his skinny, white leg of a flower motif, IIRC. 

I do really like tattoos on the right person, and he is right. But I don't think a tattoo would make me look better. Losing weight and buying better fitted clothes would. But it is a great art form.

[Szuchow]

I think that they're great (when done by someone who is skilled) and I like them becoming more popular. Most that I see daily looks cool. Also it's always funny when some judgy, old farts get all salty about something that does not concern them in the slightest.

[Szuchow]

ALL OF THE HATRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's contempt for the human body, just like obesity, anorexia, etc.

I have the opposite opinion to Syzed -- small tattoos of no signifigance are UGLY! Some fugly bitch made herself more worthless by getting a spongebob tattoo -- and it wasn't even well executed -- DIE, BITCH - DIE! OUT OF MY EYE!!!

ugh....

on the other hand, a large, non-pictorial tattoo seems more acceptable, but still wrong.... bish, that won't look good when you're old old old.... die young, tatty-brat.... fuck....

fuuuuuuuuuuuuck.............

call me a bigot, i don't care.

Bigot? Perhaps. Mostly just a clown throwing a tantrum over something that have no impact on his life. Instead of chewing the carpet in anger maybe take care of yourself before producing vomitous and unhinged tyrades against others?

[Cavebear]

I personally dislike tattoos. Most seem to get a bit ugly and lose color over the years. But I have thought about having my name tattooed on my back in case something weird happens to me and identification is useful.

[SYZ]

Some oldies in Australia are now getting
"Do Not Resuscitate" tattooed across their
upper chests.

              

Apparently it has no legal standing at all.

[Cavebear]

Some oldies in Australia are now getting
"Do Not Resuscitate" tattooed across their
upper chests.

              

Apparently it has no legal standing at all.

That is an interesting idea. While it may not have legal standing in precedence, I think a judge would have to decide it was a clear statement of intent.

[Astreja]

I can appreciate well-done tattoos, as some of the artwork is fantastic. Can't see myself ever getting one, though, as body mods just aren't my thing (I don't even have pierced ears).

[Cavebear]

I can appreciate well-done tattoos, as some of the artwork is fantastic.  Can't see myself ever getting one, though, as body mods just aren't my thing (I don't even have pierced ears).

I'm mostly an "as I am" kind of person. No tats (though my name for ID) is kind of interesting me recently, jewelry, etc. Even my wristwatch band is velcro to reduce its presence to me. I suppose I tend to reduce my "physical presence" a bit. I consider my mind/thoughts the most important thing about me.

[Alan V]

I'm not terribly impressed by a lot of what people do. So I see no reason to single out tattooing. It's just another reason that I tend to be a minimalist myself.

[Cavebear]

I'm not terribly impressed by a lot of what people do.  So I see no reason to single out tattooing.  It's just another reason that I tend to be a minimalist myself.

I don't care what most other people do either.  But people with exposed tattoos are dong it to make you see it.  So it is an "in-your-face" display.  I don't like that much.  Someone wants a butterfly or snake on their butt?  That's fine.  I don't expect to see that.  

[Alan V]

But people with exposed tattoos are dong it to make you see it.  So it is an "in-your-face" display.  I don't like that much.

I guess we are not the intended audience. A lot of advertising is randomly displayed.

[Dānu]

Women paint their faces. Men shave their beards. Both cut their hair. These body art changes are done consistently enough that they might as well be permanent. Why not tattoos?

[c172]

[Cavebear]

Women paint their faces.  Men shave their beards.  Both cut their hair.  These body art changes are done consistently enough that they might as well be permanent.  Why not tattoos?

Men shave their faces because they can't stop the hair from growing (in cultures where facial hair is annoying to women). Women paint their faces to imitate sexual excitement (blush). The last woman I kissed felt like kissing a fancy candle, LOL! All wax and paste. I don't admire fakery.

And in that same sense, I don't indulge in either myself. If I could indulge my sense of color, I might go for light blue or light green skin, but I wouldn't have my skin tattooed all over in those colors.