Tatoos?

kev9100

They seem to be the new "thing", so what do you think of them? Do you have one and if so, why?


Personally, I can't stand the vast magority of them and I think a lot of people are going to regret getting one a few years down the line.

ironictoaster

I like them.

What I don't like is people telling others that you shouldn't get them unless it has "meaning" to them. Complete bull****.

jumpguy

Don't like them at all at all tbh. I think they just look dirty...and always either black of this muddy green shade. That said, I don't find them repulsive or anything and plenty of my friends have tattoos, I just wouldn't get one.

unknown13

The way I look at is that once you are 18 you own your body and you can do what ever you like to it.

I like tattoo's and will probably get one in the near future. The whole meaning crap that was generated from Miami, LA and London ink is a bit annoying but if you are very serious about tattoo's most will have a meaning.


Actually there was a thread bumped a few months ago about this issue.

kev9100

unknown13 wrote: »

I like tattoo's and will probably get one in the near future.

But why? They're not cheap, hurt like hell and are just a fad that will look crap in twenty years time.

unknown13

kev9100 wrote: »

unknown13 wrote: »

I like tattoo's and will probably get one in the near future.

But why? They're not cheap, hurt like hell and are just a fad that will look crap in twenty years time.

In 20 years time, I could have had the tattoo covered up 3 times. If they are done right they won't look crap in 20 years.

KnifeWRENCH

I like the idea of getting one, but I'd only ever get one if I knew I wouldn't regret it and would happy to have it on my body forever. Although I can't really think of anything I want; I wouldn't get one just for the sake if it.

Fad

kev9100 wrote: »

But why? They're not cheap, hurt like hell and are just a fad that will look crap in twenty years time.

To be fair, tattoos are not a fad(tehee), they're been around for a very long time now.

Tattoo are starting to last a lot longer because of improvements with ink etc.

Some people are into body mods, why pierce your ears? It hurts and you could get infected :O

Lawliet

I have a tattoo, got it two years ago. It's a small black dragon thing on my lower arm. The "you'll regret it when you're older" argument is never one I've paid much heed to; there are things I've done to my body that I regret far more than I could ever regret a tattoo.
Besides, I don't really see the point in letting potential regrets stop you from doing something you want right now. People make huge, life altering decisions that they might regret all the time, when compared with that what difference does a bit of permanent ink really matter?

I think the people who regret tattoos are generally the ones who rush into it and get something stupid like a girlfriend's/boyfriend's name, some gaudy design that is just going to look awful in a few years or just pick something because it's cool right now. And of course the tattoo artist is incredibly important. You're going to regret a messed up blurry tattoo much quicker than a clean, well done one. But anyway if you put thought into it and come up with a design that you love and the artist reckons will work and age well, then you should be okay.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Maybe I should get one saying 'Tiocfaidh ar La' so people will think Im tough.

Davidius

I think they all look terrible. Cannot think of a single exception.

Arcade Panda

A personal favourite.:)

I think they're rotten.

kev9100

Lawliet wrote: »

I have a tattoo, got it two years ago. It's a small black dragon thing on my lower arm. The "you'll regret it when you're older" argument is never one I've paid much heed to; there are things I've done to my body that I regret far more than I could ever regret a tattoo.
Besides, I don't really see the point in letting potential regrets stop you from doing something you want right now. People make huge, life altering decisions that they might regret all the time, when compared with that what difference does a bit of permanent ink really matter?

But anyway if you put thought into it and come up with a design that you love and the artist reckons will work and age well, then you should be okay.

But my point is that the vast magority of people who are getting tattoos these days don't put any thought into it and thus they look crap. They are just doing it because they think it will make them look cool. I mean, a girl I know got the word hope in chinese as a tattoo. Why would anyone get that done? Its just so pretentious imho.

Fad

kev9100 wrote: »

But my point is that the vast magority of people who are getting tattoos these days don't put any thought into it and thus they look crap. They are just doing it because they think it will make them look cool. I mean, a girl I know got the word hope in chinese as a tattoo. Why would anyone get that done? Its just so pretentious imho.

That is such a ridiculous generalisation it's not even funny...

I know people with bad tattoos, I know people with amazing tattoos. But I cant judge them either way, it's not my body. What might seem outrageously pretentious to you might actually mean something to somebody else.

For the most part, I dont really like kanji/arabic/hebrew tattoos on Irish people or otherwise, but that's just me not liking the idea of taking a culture completely out of context, that doesn't mean I want to stop other people getting them.

With that said. If I could outlaw something I'd outlaw anyone ever getting a playboy bunny tattoo....

unknown13

The problem here is that Kev9100 is way too opinionated against Tattoo's and the whole idea about them. I am now backing out of this argument because there is no point.

Healium

My inner nerd wants to get this done somewhere

kev9100

unknown13 wrote: »

The problem here is that Kev9100 is way too opinionated against Tattoo's and the whole idea about them. I am now backing out of this argument because there is no point.

Fair enough.

Fad wrote: »

That is such a ridiculous generalisation it's not even funny...

I know people with bad tattoos, I know people with amazing tattoos. But I cant judge them either way, it's not my body. What might seem outrageously pretentious to you might actually mean something to somebody else.

That doesn't mean I want to stop other people getting them.

Yeah, that was a bit of a generalisation alright. I should have worded it better. But to be fair, I never said I would stop people getting them. I just really don't like them.

Lawliet

kev9100 wrote: »

But my point is that the vast magority of people who are getting tattoos these days don't put any thought into it and thus they look crap. They are just doing it because they think it will make them look cool.

I love when people make ridiculous statements they can't prove to justify their views. So you know some people who didn't think and got bad tattoos, that doesn't mean the vast majority do the same.

I mean, a girl I know got the word hope in chinese as a tattoo. Why would anyone get that done? Its just so pretentious imho.

Why would anyone get that done? Maybe because they don't like the aesthetic of the English word and prefer the Kanji symbol for it?

TerrorFirmer

I love tattoos. Particularly, I love them on girls who have full sleeves done. Not a big fan of B/W tattoos, though everyone has their own opinion. Like the OP, I have friends who loathe them, and friends that either have tattoos or love them. One of my friends is particularly against them, and on occasion whilst I'm reading bizarre he can be exclaiming 'what a freak, why would she do that to her body' whilst I'm in the middle of simultaneously saying 'wow, that's really super hot'. Here's some of mine...I don't care what anyone thinks of them, I love them. Though most people do like them, especially girls....I don't think in Ireland they're very typical at all. My girlfriends are done in this style as well. Here are some of mine:







Here's my girlfriends (the girl in this tattoo is the same one whose face is in the star in my tattoo)

Wolfe Tone

Im afraid to get a tattoo... if you put on weight or muscle, or loose it, would it not get messed up?

kev9100

Lawliet wrote: »

I love when people make ridiculous statements they can't prove to justify their views. So you know some people who didn't think and got bad tattoos, that doesn't mean the vast majority do the same.

Like I said, I worded it really badly. My bad:o.

Grindylow

Ohmygod! Those tattoos above, they burn! THEY BURN!

I friggin' hate tattoos. In my opinion they wreck your skin and make it look tacky. I know there the whole "It's my body" etc etc argument but still, meh, they're tacky. I don't understand people getting random stars and hearts and random dolls and figures etc put on them! WHY? WHY? It doesn't make you look cool, so it doesn't.

Chuchoter

With very,very few exceptions, I hate tattoos. Some (very rare) times, they can look hot, 99% of the time I think they look tacky, cheap and ugly.

This girl has nice tattoos and they suit her.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cautiousplay

Lawliet

I don't really get how people can just write off all tattoos as "tacky" and "ugly". It's like saying all paintings are tacky, or all pencil drawings look cheap. It's such a huge field with all kinds of styles, there are some absolutely amazing artists out there tattooing and I've seen piece that are just jaw dropping.

Ave Sodalis

My mother has a few. She got them as a teenager and really regrets it now. Personally, I don't like them unless they have a meaning. That's the only reason I would get one. Not saying that that's the only reason anyone should get one, it's just me. I don't see the point in the pain, unless there is a reason for it.

I know someone who got a tatoo of their child who died. Now that is a good reason to get one!

storm2811

I want to get one, but don't want to rush in and get something stupid, I'd have to think about it.
I think I said this in another thread too, before my brother got his first tattoo, he'd been sketching it for ages, trying to get it perfect, even drew it on himself to get used to it & what it would be like.

Like thinking back on tattoo ideas I've had in the past year, most of them have been so stupid!
A girl in my year recently got a tattoo, she's 16 and she got the first letter of her name.
Like, going to a tattooist who would tattoo a 16 year old is incredibly stupid in itself, I wouldn't trust them, and such a thing to get branded on your skin for life?!

Oh and I'd have to agree with someone above, the one thing that really annoys me is people who get things in chinese...wtf?
"Oh it's my name in Chinese"
What? In case you're in China and you forget your name?!

Anyway, I do like tattoos, as long as they're done well and have some kind of meaning behind them, or just look well in general.

Pigwidgeon

KnifeWRENCH wrote: »

I like the idea of getting one, but I'd only ever get one if I knew I wouldn't regret it and would happy to have it on my body forever. Although I can't really think of anything I want; I wouldn't get one just for the sake if it.

I'm pretty much the same as this. I'd like one, but I don't have a clue about what I'd get. My Mum has a big swallow on her arm, that she got when she was my age, and really regrets it. When she got it, there wasn't much choice for girls who wanted tattoos. So it's been really drilled into me to think it out fully. I've had an idea in my head for the past while that I'd like, but I don't know if I'll ever end up getting it done. I'm afraid of how much it'll hurt tbh.

One of my friends (a girl) has 8 or 9 tattoos and just gets them all as she gets the idea, it's her thing that she doesn't really think them through. Whether or not she'll regret them is her business, she likes them now anyway. I've another friend who got a chinese symbol on her hip when she was like 14 (there's a dodgy place in the town I live that just phoned "parents" for permission). She regrets that, but luckily it's in a place she can cover it up.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Friend of mine got one dedicated to his father after he recovered from cancer. When he showed it to me I knew that it couldnt mean more to him, and I thought it was cool. He even said 'I want a tattoo that means something. Whats the point of having 'Hope' in Japanese tattooed on your chest if you cant read it?

Chuchoter

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Friend of mine got one dedicated to his father after he recovered from cancer. When he showed it to me I knew that it couldnt mean more to him, and I thought it was cool. He even said 'I want a tattoo that means something. Whats the point of having 'Hope' in Japanese tattooed on your chest if you cant read it?

Looking tough, duh.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

crayolastereo wrote: »

Looking tough, duh.

Nah man if you're hard ya get loads of snakes and naked women and celtic crests and sh1t.

Diceicle

Statements like "i think tattoos look tacky" are usually made by people who know sweet FA about tattoos in the first place.

Professey Chin

All this thread has shown to me is people who dont like tattoos read wayyyy to much into why people get them and just like to make assumptions about everything to do with them.
Tattoos arn't a new thing at all (actually the obsession with getting them has died down a bit if anything).Like everything there will be exceptions but the majority of people dont get them to look tough, dont look at them as art, dont get them with a deep personal meaning and dont actually get them to show off.
It simply comes down liking tattoos, seeing a design or getting 1 drawn you like, making sure thats what you want and getting it done. I have 2 at the moment and im getting 2 more once I finalise the designs, and I didnt get them with any meaning.I knew what I wanted for years and I got them done (1 when I was 17, 1 at 21). Theyre not that sore...well except the spine..... and I dont show them off.Like most people I got them for me. Plenty of my friends dont know I have 1 taking up a big part of my back.

ohthebaby

I don't like them. At all. I would never get one anywhere. I would go as far as saying I have a deep hatred for them. I have no real or explicable reason for disliking them, I just don't like them at all and never have. People can do whatever they want to themselves but I'm not going to pretend I think it's deadly when they show it to me. Especially if it's a Playboy bunny in a rather private place. Just no.

XxMCRxBabyxX

kev9100 wrote: »

But my point is that the vast magority of people who are getting tattoos these days don't put any thought into it and thus they look crap. They are just doing it because they think it will make them look cool. I mean, a girl I know got the word hope in chinese as a tattoo. Why would anyone get that done? Its just so pretentious imho.

I didn't get my tattoo to look cool. I have one tattoo, a star, heart and crochet on my wrist. It's sweet, simple and surprisingly not even that noticeable. Anyway all I need is long sleeves and it's hidden if I ever need to

I had been drawing my tattoo on my wrist for two years before I got it done to make sure that I wouldn't get bored of it or regret it. A year later I still don't. Maybe I will one day, but for now I love it. It's my little piece of rebellion, the only one I have really had in my life. It represents so much without 'meaning' anything in particular. I'm not ashamed of having a tattoo

There are people who just get tattoos just because but that is their choice, you can't judge them because of that. the most offensive thing said about me once was 'even though she has a tattoo, she does respect herself.' That was unnecessary.

Namlub

storm2811 wrote: »

I want to get one, but don't want to rush in and get something stupid, I'd have to think about it.
I think I said this in another thread too, before my brother got his first tattoo, he'd been sketching it for ages, trying to get it perfect, even drew it on himself to get used to it & what it would be like.

Like thinking back on tattoo ideas I've had in the past year, most of them have been so stupid!
A girl in my year recently got a tattoo, she's 16 and she got the first letter of her name.
Like, going to a tattooist who would tattoo a 16 year old is incredibly stupid in itself, I wouldn't trust them, and such a thing to get branded on your skin for life?!

Oh and I'd have to agree with someone above, the one thing that really annoys me is people who get things in chinese...wtf?
"Oh it's my name in Chinese"
What? In case you're in China and you forget your name?!

Anyway, I do like tattoos, as long as they're done well and have some kind of meaning behind them, or just look well in general.

+1, one of my best friends got hers done when she was 15, so obviously the artist wasn't legit anyway. He messed it up and she had to get it fixed like three times. Moral of the story - wait until you're 18.
But yeah, like anything there are good tattoos and bad tattoos; done properly and on the right person they can look awesome and vice versa. Went through a Miami Ink phase during the summer (Tim Hendricks ) and that made me want one so badly, don't know if I ever would though

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

I know a lad with a tiny tattoo of 'My Little Pony' on his leg because hes a jockey. Its brilliant.

Piste

I don't really like them and I don't think I'd ever get one.

Davidius

Lawliet wrote: »

I don't really get how people can just write off all tattoos as "tacky" and "ugly". It's like saying all paintings are tacky, or all pencil drawings look cheap. It's such a huge field with all kinds of styles, there are some absolutely amazing artists out there tattooing and I've seen piece that are just jaw dropping.

Well when I've seen enough of something and not once come across a single one that I've found in anyway aesthetically pleasing then I think it's relatively safe to say that I think they're ugly. I don't really care what artistic value it's supposed to have, attaching it to a person in no way adds to their appearance.

Keep in mind I'm the kind of person that would get bored very easily in art galleries etc. Obviously I simply can't see the appeal.

KnifeWRENCH

I actually quite like Chinese writing/calligraphy; I know it's clichéed but I think it looks pretty nice as a tattoo.

A friend of mine has a rose tattooed on her hip; she says she regrets getting it but I thnik it looks ok.

A guy in my year in secondary school had a massive Celtic cross on his arm; the less said about that the better. He wasn't even a scumbag/chav/scobewhatever you call them.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Did anyone see that west cork fella showing off his massive tattoo on take me out?

Atavan-Halen

I have 3 tattoos.

This one on my foot. Buddy was my doggie but she was put down a few years ago. Had her for 12-13 years so she meant a lot to me. There was no question that I was getting her name tattooed somewhere on me :P

Pikachu on my leg. I like Pokémon :P

And then this on my ankle. Just 'cos I like music and stars because I thought just the treble cleff would look a bit lonely.

Now not every tattoo has a meaning or has to have one and a few I have planned have no meaning at all, I just want them because they look nice! I've always always wanted to be tattooed and pierced since very young. Absolutely begged my mam to get my ear pierced when I was 4 and just continued from there! Will I regret my tattoos? Maybe, probably, but life is for living. The way I see it is even if you do have a bad tattoo, I'd still never get it covered up or lasered off as it brings back memories of the time you got the tattoo done and that part of your life. Am I going to get more tattoos? Definitely. I want full sleeves and some stuff on my neck, but I'm still young so I have all the time in the world to get tattooed. Basically, if you want to get a tattoo or have one, cool! If you don't want a tattoo or don't like them, also cool!

Next tattoo planned: Swallows on my shoulders because I love really old school tattoos.

unknown13

atavan-halen wrote: »

I have 3 tattoos.

This one on my foot. Buddy was my doggie but she was put down a few years ago. Had her for 12-13 years so she meant a lot to me. There was no question that I was getting her name tattooed somewhere on me :P

Pikachu on my leg. I like Pokémon :P

And then this on my ankle. Just 'cos I like music and stars because I thought just the treble cleff would look a bit lonely.

Now not every tattoo has a meaning or has to have one and a few I have planned have no meaning at all, I just want them because they look nice! I've always always wanted to be tattooed and pierced since very young. Absolutely begged my mam to get my ear pierced when I was 4 and just continued from there! Will I regret my tattoos? Maybe, probably, but life is for living. The way I see it is even if you do have a bad tattoo, I'd still never get it covered up or lasered off as it brings back memories of the time you got the tattoo done and that part of your life. Am I going to get more tattoos? Definitely. I want full sleeves and some stuff on my neck, but I'm still young so I have all the time in the world to get tattooed. Basically, if you want to get a tattoo or have one, cool! If you don't want a tattoo or don't like them, also cool!

This but people that don't want them shouldn't come on here and slate the shít out of people who actually have or like tattoo's.

Grindylow

unknown13 wrote: »

This but people that don't want them shouldn't come on here and slate the shít out of people who actually have or like tattoo's.

Why not? Everyone's entitled to their own opinions on the matter. The point of this thread was to get peoples opinions. You can't get angry just because everyone doesn't agree with your opinion.

Lawliet

Noel2k9 wrote: »

Why not? Everyone's entitled to their own opinions on the matter. The point of this thread was to get peoples opinions. You can't get angry just because everyone doesn't agree with your opinion.

Fair enough but you can express your opinions about tattoos without insulting the people who have them.

OopsyDaisy

I like tattoos, I think they can look really well. Fair enough, some can be badly done, or regretted later on, but you only live once like

I'll probably get one at some stage, I'd probably make sure it means something, just because then I'd be less likely to get sick of it :P

Also, can you get your tongue tattooed?

Insect Overlord

People will frequently disagree with different opinions, both in the "real world" and on discussion forums like this one. Asking someone to develop their points, or pointing out where those points are flawed, is not the same as looking for a fight.

Arguments aren't actually all that bad, either. If each side of the argument stays calm and backs up their points with solid reasoning/supporting evidence/relevant articles, then arguments can be very worthwhile indeed. If you genuinely believe in what you post, you should have no problem standing up for yourself and your opinion when challenged on it.

Now, getting back to tattoos. As much as I like colours and designs, I'll probably never get one. When I was younger my dad said he'd kick me out of the house if I ever came home with a tattoo! :P He associates tattoos with gangs and illegal organisations. From his life experience, tattoos are linked too closely to crime for him to accept me getting one.

That didn't stop my little sister though. She has two now. One of them is really awful. It looks like she drew it herself with biros. The thing is awful, and she keeps it covered up now. A friend of mine from college got a raven inked onto his shoulder blade. He had been thinking about getting it since he was a kid. Loved the image, had his own meanings for it. Within months he regretted it. He wants to get rid of it now.

Another friend has the first design of what he hopes will be a full sleeve started on his shoulder. It's like a branch of thorns binding around his upper arm. He got the outline done when he was 16/17 and waited about a year before getting it filled in. His parents still don't know about it, and he's 22 now. Last I heard he still loved it. I don't see why he picked that design though, it ain't the best looking! :pac:

I like lurking in the Tattoos & Piercings forum sometimes. I've seen some amazing designs there, and I appreciate the craft (when it's done by a decent tattoo artist anyway). I just can't think of any picture I'd want to put on my body for the rest of my life though.

storm2811

OopsyDaisy wrote: »

I like tattoos, I think they can look really well. Fair enough, some can be badly done, or regretted later on, but you only live once like

I'll probably get one at some stage, I'd probably make sure it means something, just because then I'd be less likely to get sick of it :P

Also, can you get your tongue tattooed?

It seems you can..

Carl Sagan

A lot of the time it just looks like someone wandered into a tattoo shop without any real thought and picked something that looked half decent from off the wall.

There's nothing wrong with that, but for what's essentially a permanent thing, it seems kind of strange.

Wolfe Tone

Another friend has the first design of what he hopes will be a full sleeve started on his shoulder. It's like a branch of thorns binding around his upper arm. He got the outline done when he was 16/17 and waited about a year before getting it filled in. His parents still don't know about it, and he's 22 now. Last I heard he still loved it. I don't see why he picked that design though, it ain't the best looking!

I was thinking of getting something like that, but if I ever get off my ass and join a gym, my arms would get bigger and it would be all stretched and stuff?

kev9100

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

I was thinking of getting something like that, but if I ever get off my ass and join a gym, my arms would get bigger and it would be all stretched and stuff?

I presime it depends on how good its done?

Personally, I think the sleave ones are the worst. I have never once seen one I like.

storm2811

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

I was thinking of getting something like that, but if I ever get off my ass and join a gym, my arms would get bigger and it would be all stretched and stuff?

Yeah it does stretch, I knew a woman once with a flower on her stomach, when she got pregnant it got HUGE but it went back into shape afterwards.

It doesn't matter how well done it is, skin changes, it wrinkles, stretches, shrinks, like if you drew something on a balloon and blew it up or let all the air out, the drawing would change too.