Have you got any tattoos or considered getting them?

the beer revolu

The sneering, superior attitude of some towards people who choose to get a tattoo is uglier than any tattoo I've seen.

the beer revolu

Hamachi wrote: »

And like I said, I understand that. I’m sure you have some rationale for getting a tattoo. My point is that they rarely enhance physical appearance, regardless of the logic for getting inked.

To quote a cliché, that's just your opinion, man!

I've seen and admired many a tattoo on many a person and thought that they enhance.
I've seen many a tattoo that I think is pig ugly, too.

What you think is not fact.

Ave Sodalis

Hamachi wrote:

And like I said, I understand that. I’m sure you have some rationale for getting a tattoo. My point is that they rarely enhance physical appearance, regardless of the logic for getting inked.

So? If the reason behind getting a tattoo isn't to enhance physical appearance, why does it matter if it doesn't enhance physical appearance?

Hellrazer

L1011 wrote: »

That's not going to happen

A few seasons of fashion designers deciding they want untattooed models and a few of the somehow role model replacements being untattooed and the current level of popularity will collapse.

Most mainstream fashion houses don't use tattooed female models at all but use way too many male tattooed models.

The only way I see that changing is that they start to use MORE female tattooed models - that would only increase popularity.

Trying to claim that a fashion will last forever is very like Homer Simpsons pumpkin futures. And it absolutely is a fashion

I never claimed that a "fashion" will last forever but for what its worth it has endured for the best part of the last 2 centuries as a "fashion trend" in one form or another and you could argue that it has been a "trend" right back to ancient times.

I don't really consider tattooing as a "fashion" trend.

Its an ancient art form that somehow has endured for thousands of years and in another thousand years there will be someone else saying "its going to die out soon"

Its like nuclear fusion we`re always 50 years from it being mainstream and in tattooing we`re always 50 years from it dying out!!

Hamachi

the beer revolu wrote: »

To quote a cliché, that's just your opinion, man!

I've seen and admired many a tattoo on many a person and thought that they enhance.
I've seen many a tattoo that I think is pig ugly, too.

What you think is not fact.

Did I say it was fact, man?

Isn’t this a discussion forum?

Hamachi

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

So? If the reason behind getting a tattoo isn't to enhance physical appearance, why does it matter if it doesn't enhance physical appearance?

Because most people like to look the best that they can?

For some, they may feel that being inked enhances their appearance, for others it’s a detractor. Different strokes I guess.

Fionn1952

Hamachi wrote: »

For sure. It’s clearly a trend that’s in vogue now, but will likely have dissipated in a decade or so.

I understand that people get tattoos for their own personal reasons and to mark life events and milestones. I get the rationale. However, without wishing to cause offense, I’ve never once looked at a person and said that they indisputably look better with that tattoo(s).

I know it’s not about aesthetics for most people. From a purely visual perspective, they add nothing positive to physical appearance.

I'd imagine most tattooed folk don't get them done with attracting you (or me, for that matter) as a motivating factor.

That being said, even the most sentimental of tattoos is still about aesthetics for the vast majority of people; that's why most tend to want a good artist. Even if the tattoo means something to you, you still want the damn thing to look good.

For myself, despite being heavily tattooed, a bit of my father's old fashioned conservatism always stayed with me regarding placement, so I've always kept to the point where when I'm wearing office attire they aren't visible, even when working in environments with people with visible tattoos (including company MD/C level). I think we're well past the point where it would have any impact on my career, but perhaps not if I hadn't been so inclined at an earlier point. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle at this point though, so I don't think it is or should be such a concern for young people now.

The old man's dislike of tattooing was also useful belwether for the quality of any artists I considered over the years; if he was reluctantly complimentary you were sure to be on to a good one.

Hellrazer

For me its about carrying a piece of art around with me - not to make me look good....A tattoos the least of my issues there!!!

My next one is a full backpiece from the book Paradise Losts etchings.

https://themillions.com/2018/02/a-350th-anniversary-paradise-lost-reading-list.html


The exact picture on that page linked above.

The reason Im getting it -because if a tattoo artist is that good to put this on my skin then he/she deserves for it to be on display.

Hellrazer

Hamachi wrote: »

For sure. It’s clearly a trend that’s in vogue now, but will likely have dissipated in a decade or so.

I heard the same thing back in the 80s and guess what that decade has never come.

40 years later we`re still saying it will die out in the next decade or so.

Hamachi

Fionn1952 wrote: »

I'd imagine most tattooed folk don't get them done with attracting you (or me, for that matter) as a motivating factor.

That being said, even the most sentimental of tattoos is still about aesthetics for the vast majority of people; that's why most tend to want a good artist. Even if the tattoo means something to you, you still want the damn thing to look good.

Interesting take and I understand where you’re coming from. What I find fascinating, is how divergent peoples’ mentalities and thought processes really are.

We all experience significant life events and milestones. Honestly, it would never occur to me to commemorate that by going out and acquiring body art. It’s just not in my frame of reference at all. Now, I’ll happily admit that I’m pretty corporate and fairly career-driven, so maybe that’s not so surprising. I don’t know anybody in my circle who has a tattoo.

I’m fascinated by people with diametrically opposite thought processes, that see their body as a canvas to sketch out their life journey. I guess it’s just two very different world views.

Hamachi

Hellrazer wrote: »

The reason Im getting it -because if a tattoo artist is that good to put this on my skin then he/she deserves for it to be on display.

Honestly, I’ll never understand your motivation for wanting that design etched indelibly onto your body.

Totally respect your decision to go ahead, but it’s just incomprehensible to me that you see your body as a canvas for what you believe to be art.

No offense meant. It’s just two such different outlooks.

Fionn1952

Hamachi wrote: »

Interesting take and I understand where you’re coming from. What I find fascinating, is how divergent peoples’ mentalities and thought processes really are.

We all experience significant life events and milestones. Honestly, it would never occur to me to commemorate that by going out and acquiring body art. It’s just not in my frame of reference at all. Now, I’ll happily admit that I’m pretty corporate and fairly career-driven, so maybe that’s not so surprising. I don’t know anybody in my circle who has a tattoo.

I’m fascinated by people with diametrically opposite thoughts process, that see their body as a canvas to sketch out their life journey. I guess it’s just two very different world views.

I've never had a significant life milestone and rushed out to mark it in that manner. My own taste in tattooing wouldn't be quite as on-the-nose as that. While they do reference things important to me, it has generally been a significant period after the event and done in a subtle way that wouldn't be immediately apparent to an observer.

You might be surprised at who around you has tattoos; most of my career has also been in a corporate environment and I've rarely shared any information let alone visual confirmation of my tattoos with those I'd perceive as more conservatively minded. I'm sure there are a few in my professional circle who'd claim to know no one with tattoos despite knowing at least one person who has a fair bit of coverage out of view.

Hellrazer

Hamachi wrote: »

Interesting take and I understand where you’re coming from. What I find fascinating, is how divergent peoples’ mentalities and thought processes really are.

I suppose that's what makes us all different.

We all experience significant life events and milestones. Honestly, it would never occur to me to commemorate that by going out and acquiring body art.

None of my tattoos were because my goldfish died and I wanted to get inked to mark their passing. Some people get tattoos for those reason but a lot don't.

It’s just not in my frame of reference at all. Now, I’ll happily admit that I’m pretty corporate and fairly career-driven, so maybe that’s not so surprising. I don’t know anybody in my circle who has a tattoo.

Heres a question - have you seen these people naked?
I know plenty of people ein very high up positions fairly well covered in tattoos but when the business suit goes on you would never know.
My tattoo artist has tattooed someone really high up in the banking industry over here that has almost a full body suit.

I’m fascinated by people with diametrically opposite thought processes, that see their body as a canvas to sketch out their life journey. I guess it’s just two very different world views.

It is interesting to see people take on it. Tattooed people never comment on people that have no tattoos but untattooed people make it a lifes mission to oppose peoples tattoos in their entirety.

Believe me Ive had this discussion for years and its never going to change.

Bob Harris

Hellrazer wrote: »

I heard the same thing back in the 80s and guess what that decade has never come.

40 years later we`re still saying it will die out in the next decade or so.

Very true, The trend of getting tattoos hasn't changed it's more mainstream than ever. It's the type that have changed. In the eighties it was a single forearm or upper arm tattoo. Now it's whole arms, neck, hands. The more the merrier.

Hamachi

Fionn1952 wrote: »

You might be surprised at who around you has tattoos; most of my career has also been in a corporate environment and I've rarely shared any information let alone visual confirmation of my tattoos with those I'd perceive as more conservatively minded. I'm sure there are a few in my professional circle who'd claim to know no one with tattoos despite knowing at least one person who has a fair bit of coverage out of view.

In my case, I’m certain. All my hobbies are sports-related. I play football, run, and swim. I’ve seen all my friends / colleagues in those environments. Not one has a tattoo.

It’s just not prevalent in my circles and the industry I work in is pretty progressive. I can only imagine that it’s even less common in more conservative professions like finance and law.

Hamachi

Hellrazer wrote: »

Heres a question - have you seen these people naked?

It is interesting to see people take on it. Tattooed people never comment on people that have no tattoos but untattooed people make it a lifes mission to oppose peoples tattoos in their entirety..

See my other response. I’ve seen these people in communal showers after sports. Zero tattoos.

Life’s mission? Hardly. It’s a difference of opinion. Some think tattoos are body art displaying the aesthetic prowess of the artist. Others don’t understand that thought process or motivation at all.

It’s a different world view, that’s all. I’m not going to march up to somebody and demand their reasons for getting a tattoo. I’ll just quietly acknowledge that we clearly have different mindsets.

sabat

Name one thing that's more aesthetically pleasing to men than a naked female body-we're literally biologically wired that way. By default any lesser addition will detract from that form-how often do you see a woman with a great pair of legs ruined by a smudgey inky mess?

Fionn1952

Hamachi wrote: »

In my case, I’m certain. All my hobbies are sports-related. I play football, run, and swim. I’ve seen all my friends / colleagues in those environments. Not one has a tattoo.

It’s just not prevalent in my circles and the industry I work in is pretty progressive. I can only imagine that it’s even less common in more conservative professions like finance and law.

If you work in as corporate an environment as you suggest, I'd say it is quite unlikely that you regularly play a game of five aside with Laura in HR, Bill the IT Helpdesk Technician, Gloria the APAC Marketing lead, along with the entire c-suite and everyone else you have a professional relationship with. It is unsurprising that it wouldn't be prevalent in your circle of friends; people of a like mind tend to gravitate together. The equal and opposite would of course apply to me and so my own circle of friends would likely be overrepresentative of the general population. I had a look for some numbers out of curiosity and found an article in The Guardian stating that in a 2015 survey, 20% of all adults in the UK had a tattoo of some sort, and 30% of 20-39 year olds. I would expect broadly similar numbers here. With that level of mainstream it is incredibly unlikely that you literally don't know a single tattooed person.

I do know a few people quite high up on the corporate side of banking with tattoos though, and while it certainly isn't full sleeves and face tattoos, it isn't as uncommon as it would've been twenty years ago. I'd imagine significantly below the 20% of the general population level, but certainly above the practically 0% you're suggesting. I wouldn't know very many people in the legal professions apart from my own company's legal team (who I'd be shocked if they had a tattoo among them in fairness).

Hamachi

Fionn1952 wrote: »

If you work in as corporate an environment as you suggest, I'd say it is quite unlikely that you regularly play a game of five aside with Laura in HR, Bill the IT Helpdesk Technician, Gloria the APAC Marketing lead, along with the entire c-suite and everyone else you have a professional relationship with. It is unsurprising that it wouldn't be prevalent in your circle of friends; people of a like mind tend to gravitate together. The equal and opposite would of course apply to me and so my own circle of friends would likely be overrepresentative of the general population. I had a look for some numbers out of curiosity and found an article in The Guardian stating that in a 2015 survey, 20% of all adults in the UK had a tattoo of some sort, and 30% of 20-39 year olds. I would expect broadly similar numbers here. With that level of mainstream it is incredibly unlikely that you literally don't know a single tattooed person.

I do know a few people quite high up on the corporate side of banking with tattoos though, and while it certainly isn't full sleeves and face tattoos, it isn't as uncommon as it would've been twenty years ago. I'd imagine significantly below the 20% of the general population level, but certainly above the practically 0% you're suggesting. I wouldn't know very many people in the legal professions apart from my own company's legal team (who I'd be shocked if they had a tattoo among them in fairness).

As you say, it’s likely confirmation bias. We tend to associate with those who share a broadly similar outlook. I’m in the 20-39 bracket and from my perspective, that 30% value is inconceivable. However, I do accept that it may be reflective of wider society.

Obviously, I’m not playing football with ‘Laura’ from HR, but I do play regularly with guys who work in tech, finance, and operations. There’s also 5 or 6 nationalities represented on the team. I can state categorically that nobody is inked. Pre-Covid we played weekly in a corporate league. I’ve played matches against literally hundreds of guys. At most, 5% had a visible tattoo. Just asked my wife if any of her friends are inked. Apparently one friend has a small ankle tattoo. That’s it.

It’s clear that we have very different experiences and associate with different people. The old adage of birds of feather continues to hold true.

the beer revolu

Hamachi wrote: »

As you say, it’s likely confirmation bias. We tend to associate with those who share a broadly similar outlook. I’m in the 20-39 bracket and from my perspective, that 30% value is inconceivable. However, I do accept that it may be reflective of wider society.

Obviously, I’m not playing football with ‘Laura’ from HR, but I do play regularly with guys who work in tech, finance, and operations. There’s also 5 or 6 nationalities represented on the team. I can state categorically that nobody is inked. Pre-Covid we played weekly in a corporate league. I’ve played matches against literally hundreds of guys. At most, 5% had a visible tattoo. Just asked my wife if any of her friends are inked. Apparently one friend has a small ankle tattoo. That’s it.

It’s clear that we have very different experiences and associate with different people. The old adage of birds of feather continues to hold true.

I'd say if you shared a communal shower with me, the chances are that you'd say I had no tattoo but you'd be wrong.
Just how closely do you scrutinise your naked colleagues and opponents while in the shower that you are so sure none of them have tattoos?

Fionn1952

Hamachi wrote: »

As you say, it’s likely confirmation bias. We tend to associate with those who share a broadly similar outlook. I’m in the 20-39 bracket and from my perspective, that 30% value is inconceivable. However, I do accept that it may be reflective of wider society.

Obviously, I’m not playing football with ‘Laura’ from HR, but I do play regularly with guys who work in tech, finance, and operations. There’s also 5 or 6 nationalities represented on the team. I can state categorically that nobody is inked. Pre-Covid we played weekly in a corporate league. I’ve played matches against literally hundreds of guys. At most, 5% had a visible tattoo. Just asked my wife if any of her friends are inked. Apparently one friend has a small ankle tattoo. That’s it.

It’s clear that we have very different experiences and associate with different people. The old adage of birds of feather continues to hold true.

Certainly a degree of confirmation bias in place alright, which is why I looked for independent figures rather than just going off my own gut feeling. It would be under 30% but well above 5% in my own working environment too (technology sector, mostly be under 50 and very multicultural) probably pretty close to it in my social circle and I'd imagine significantly above it in other social circles.

Granted, I've never heavily considered opinions on tattoos of any importance in my social circle so that may be why it is broadly in line with the reported numbers.

Hamachi

the beer revolu wrote: »

I'd say if you shared a communal shower with me, the chances are that you'd say I had no tattoo but you'd be wrong.
Just how closely do you scrutinise your naked colleagues and opponents while in the shower that you are so sure none of them have tattoos?

Scrutinizing naked colleagues?

Nice try on the implication Man, but that’s indicative of your own need to attack when confronted with a contrary set of experiences.

Anything else to contribute?

PmMeUrDogs

I have 5, booked in for my 6th but covid has obviously delayed that.

They're all personal, all have time and thought put into them and I love them all, even over a decade later. I'm fairly discreet about body modification so I have friends and family who haven't ever even seen some of them because I generally wear sleeves (some on my arms) and tights under skirts (some on my legs).

Foweva Awone

I have quite a few and always have a few more ideas in the pipeline. Mine are mostly very big and intricate and colourful. Which means looooooong sittings, and for someone who really loves tattoos, I seriously f*cking hate getting them done. I mean, is a few hours of pain and discomfort worth it for a gorgeous piece of art that I get to carry with me for the rest of my life? ... Absolutely... But it still puts me off getting them done.

I'm female, 35, working in a professional environment. So I don't get any that I can't keep covered for work. It means long sleeves, high necks, and opaque tights, but I can live with that.

the beer revolu

Hamachi wrote: »

Scrutinizing naked colleagues?

Nice try on the implication Man, but that’s indicative of your own need to attack when confronted with a contrary set of experiences.

Anything else to contribute?

I'm not trying to imply anything.
I have no idea of nor care about your sexual preferences. Also, if I was suggesting that you are gay, how is that an attack? Is there something wrong with being gay?

I am simply asking how you can be so sure that the people you share a communal shower with have no tattoos?
Unless you are seriously scrutinising them, how would you know?
The discussion is about tattoos, not just big, obvious tattoos.

Hamachi

the beer revolu wrote: »

I am simply asking how you can be so sure that the people you share a communal shower with have no tattoos?
Unless you are seriously scrutinising them, how would you know?
The discussion is about tattoos, not just big, obvious tattoos.

This is now starting to border on the surreal.

Are you sporty at all? Do you engage in strenuous activity like football, train for long distance races, swim consistently with a consistent group of friends and colleagues?

If you did, you’d quickly spot if somebody has a tattoo or not without any the need for any ‘serious scrutinizing’.

adox

I have more than a dozen and will probably get more. I only started getting them when I was 50.

I always had it in the back of mind to get a tattoo and always admired them on people. A couple of huge life changing events made me realise how short life is and just do what you want to do.

I love them. I loved getting them and have fond memories of getting them. Some of them are very personal and some mean nothing at all.

I understand they aren’t for everyone and I’ve no problem at all with people who don’t like them.

People who judge people purely based on them having them have more issues than the people of have the tattoos.

NIMAN

adox wrote: »

I have more than a dozen and will probably get more. I only started getting them when I was 50.

I always had it in the back of mind to get a tattoo and always admired them on people. A couple of huge life changing events made me realise how short life is and just do what you want to do.

I love them. I loved getting them and have found memories of getting them. Some of them are very personal and some mean nothing at all.

I understand they aren’t for everyone and I’ve no problem at all with people who don’t like them.

People who judge people purely based on them having them have more issues than the people of have the tattoos.

A great post, kind of sums up the for/against argument from all angles.

BuboBubo

Haven't got any.

I've seen some amazing tattoos and some terrible sh1t ones. No desire to get one myself, but can appreciate great artwork in tattoo form.

I wouldn't judge someone on whether or not they have tattoos though. Some of the people I love the most are plastered with them.

Potential-Monke

Some amount of people do dead set against tattoos, but will buy into whatever the latest trend is in fashion, or sports, etc. Each to their own. I don't do fashion, not in the slightest and actually I am completely against the whole fashion idea.

I have 1 tattoo, a fairly big one covering my upper arm. It's a character from a game I love and have been playing the series for over 29 years. It doesn't specifically mean anything personal to me, other than it's my favorite character from the series, and reminds me of the good times I've had with the series over the last 29 years. I never got it for other people to be impressed, and that is a problem some people face, they get what they think others will like.

I'd be more inclined to trust people with non-generic tattoos tbh. They come across as someone with determination and not caring what others think. This doesn't apply to those who just have generic tribal tattoos without meaning. Or trampstamps. But a personal tattoo for your own reasons is something I admire. Some of them are glorious.

Piehead

I was thinking about getting a very colourful bunch of flowers tattooed coming out of my anus and over my butt cheeks. I think the ladies would love it. Would it be painful?-

the beer revolu

Piehead wrote: »

I was thinking about getting a very colourful bunch of flowers tattooed coming out of my anus and over my butt cheeks. I think the ladies would love it. Would it be painful?-

Not particularly. Fleshy parts are less painful.
So, unless you have a mad bony arse, go for it!!
The ringpiece might be a bit sore to get done, though - depends how far in you want to go.

HBC08

Piehead wrote: »

I was thinking about getting a very colourful bunch of flowers tattooed coming out of my anus and over my butt cheeks. I think the ladies would love it. Would it be painful?-

Geranaliums.

Piehead

the beer revolu wrote: »

Not particularly. Fleshy parts are less painful.
So, unless you have a mad bony arse, go for it!!
The ringpiece might be a bit sore to get done, though - depends how far in you want to go.

I guess I would need to have a fully waxed or shaved buttocks and anus? Which be best ? waxing or shaving ?

the beer revolu

Piehead wrote: »

I guess I would need to have a fully waxed or shaved buttocks and anus? Which be best ? waxing or shaving ?

Definitely waxing.
Don't forget the taint, too.

Sgt Hartman

Piehead wrote: »

I was thinking about getting a very colourful bunch of flowers tattooed coming out of my anus and over my butt cheeks. I think the ladies would love it. Would it be painful?-

I recommend a tattoo of a bunch of big thistles because I can only imagine that's gonna sting your ring like hell

I've 3 Celtic themed tattoos myself on my upper arm, forearm and ankle. I'd like to get some more but I've got some other money related priorities at the moment before I can splash out on a new tattoo.

Piehead

the beer revolu wrote: »

Definitely waxing.
Don't forget the taint, too.

Would the tattoo artist do that if you paid them extra? Would €150 cover everything?

PoisonIvyBelle

I have quite a few. I love all of them now. But there's one thing I'd say: make sure you know what you want going in. I had a lot of bother with one of them as the artist misinterpreted what I wanted (and that's being nice about it). The tattoo itself was still well done, but the concept was way off. Asked him to try to change one part of it and he did not respond well, which is an understatement. Laser didn't do the job (went to the UK and after the first session the guy kindly told me I hadn't a hope in a cold hell of ever removing it and wouldn't take more money of me). So I went to a few other artists with an idea I had to mix another style with it, but a lot of them were snobby as fcuk about mixing styles at the time, or working on something that particular artist had done, even though it's a thing nowadays to mix styles. Eventually found an epic tattooist who listened to what I wanted and came up with an idea that worked perfectly to blend with the other tattoo and I love it now as a whole piece. But it was a hell of a few years trying to sort that, so I'd definitely recommend being VERY vocal about what you want style-wise even if the tattooist makes their own recommendations; it's easy to get a bit intimidated and think they know best. It's always good to take ideas on board but only you know what you're going to like.

I only had smaller more concealable tattoos until I became self-employed. But that was circa 7 years ago and they're much more accepted now. Never been an issue.