Tatoos and teens...forgiveness vs. permission...as stepdad should I even get a vote?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

This thread is sickening. Astonishing how petty and narrow people can be.

Well, it did turn into a tattoo thread. Bring up a volatile subject like tats and what would one expect?

However, being narrow minded or not does not necessarily go hand in hand with popular opinion. Some will vote for Obama, some will vote for McCain. I guess depending on what side you're on, the other side might be narrow minded in one's opinion.

Here's the deal: it's a popular opinion that tats are not the highest form of civilization. And, what's more, if there weren't rules (or popular conceptions), then there wouldn't be exceptions. In this case, a tat is not the more popular of choices. Also, I have to take some stock in nostatic's idea of the tat as a statement of one kind or another. Some will make a bold statement and others will hide it. (I wonder about the latter.)

One other point brought up that strikes me as valid is under what circumstances these tats came to be. I know in the case of my little tramp niece, she got the thing while basically on the lam. She ran off, got way over her head somewhere in AZ and called begging to be rescued after the boyfriend was arrested for some warrant or misdeed. I said send some money for the bus. But, no, the family drove down and picked her up and brought her back. Tattoo and all.

She was a tramp before, but now the "statement" leaves no doubt. He heh, I noticed the new boyfriend has some nice tats. He's also having one hell of a time getting a job. Aren't these kids great?

We're talking 20 somethings here. I've been working steadily since I was 16 and out on my own for good at 18. Still managed to get in 3 years of college along the way, buy a house or 3 and drive a couple of nice cars.

You can call me narrow minded or maybe experienced instead, doesn't matter one rat's ass to me. I know what works and what doesn't.

[Tim Hancock]

Well stated Milt. I feel for Dueller as I am in kind of a similar situation as him as far as the whole stepdaughter/mother/wife deal. I lose or grin and bear most situations involving my step daughters....... rest assured however that my girls know that if they came home with a tramp stamp or nose rings or decided to date a dude with the same, I would go off the deep end no matter if my wife backed them up or not.

Oddly enough, as my daughters have started growing out of their teen years, they are starting to agree with me more on how I view social issues... was getting worried there for a couple of years.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Could those who like tats address my point? Do you get a tat to make a statement?

isnt it obvious that a tattoo can be a statement? why does this need to be answered?

obviously a verbal expression tattooed on your body may say something, and may represent an opinion or feeling of the one who wears it

other tattoos are nothing more than a design that the person who wears it, enjoys looking at for whatever reason

some cultures place religious or cultural significance on tattooing

some people get absolutely awful tattoos that they pick out of a book because they want to follow some trend or are not creative enough to design the tattoo

some people tattoo their dead pet or the face of their child on their body because those things represent an important passage or birth

the reasons that one gets a tattoo are too numerous to list, as are the type and "class" of people that wear them

this whole anti-tattoo thing reminds me of that scene in Easy Rider

where does it end.. long hair, piercings, tattoos, clothing, jewelry

to me, putting down people with tattoos by making stereotypical remarks is like saying all southerners are inbred rednecks.. thats total bull*****


a brief history of tattoos
http://www.designboom.com/history/tattoo_history.html

[ramonesfreak]

the OT section over here seems to be mostly occupied by people who hate loud motorcycles, love the republican party, hate tattoos and love shooting their guns off in their backyard, preferably at birds and chipmunks

i think i like the technical forum better

[nostatic]

I have Remus pipes on my Ducati.

I hate the Republican party.

I shoot my guns at an indoor range with paper targets.

I don't care for tats.

1 for 4 isn't bad...

[nostatic]

We all make outward statements. People interpret them as they will. Some people look down on those with tats. Others look down on those that wear suits.

I choose aspects of my outward appearance for a reason. They have to do with my personal aesthetic and also with an image that I want to project for a number of reasons. For instance I don't even own a suit. I never wear one at work, despite the fact that many of our clients do, and so do some of our staff at certain times. I dress how I do because it is my "style" and also reflects who (I think) I am. It also sends a message to those I meet. They might not take it in the manner I expect, but that is the way it is. To jump up and down because someone doesn't interpret my external "look" the "right" way is tilting at windmills.

[ramonesfreak]

there is nothing wrong with hating tattoos, nostatic

its the judging of people because they have them that i find so, ....well, ignorant

i dont have any tattoos btw. most of the ones i see, are garbage. i like mostly, japanese tattoos and japanese tattoo artists. i consider a good tattoo artist to be right at the top with the best of painters, sculpters, architects, photographers etc....

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by srandallf

the OT section over here seems to be mostly occupied by people who hate loud motorcycles, love the republican party, hate tattoos and love shooting their guns off in their backyard, preferably at birds and chipmunks

i think i like the technical forum better

I like loud bikes and have not shot a chipmunk since I was a teen (I do however enjoy blasting woodchucks, skunks, rabbits, possum and coons). I have had guns all my life, but have never shot one indoors.

You got me pegged otherwise.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I choose aspects of my outward appearance for a reason. They have to do with my personal aesthetic and also with an image that I want to project for a number of reasons. For instance I don't even own a suit.

Sorry to burst your bubble Todd, but a leisure suit DOES qualify as a suit.

[J1NX3D]

This is my friend Shaynes Maori tattoo. I think its beautiful. It incorporates his family, tribal history and a Maori legend about a whale where his tribe is from. He and his wife have just had a baby boy so I'd expect the part of the tattoo on his arm to be added to to signify this. That is fairly typical of Maori tattoos.



To the OP. You're pretty much a rock in a hard place but time will tell whether she regrets it and she has to pay $$$ to get it removed and you can tell her 'I told you so.'

My stepdad of 16 yrs is a big part of my life and it would be less without him. My love of porsches and motorsport is all due to him. At least mum blames him!

Sometimes I ask for his advice, sometimes I don't and sometimes I should have. Still, though we've never said it I know he loves me and I him.

I've got a few tattoos and piercings. While my mum is more accepting (being brought up around Maori and Samoan families) my stepdad was bewildered but thankfully doesn't treat me any different.

This last weekend I gave him a 964 outer tie rod end for his car I got dirt cheap with some other parts. He told me I should have saved it for his birthday, but little did he know I got him a crocodile carved from river rock by the guy pictured with my workmate below. Last month I flew into Honiara (Henderson Field) in the Solomans in an RNZAF C130H to rotate out some NZ Army troops and this guy was selling them at our hotel. I know my stepdad will love it and I'm sure he's long forgotten about my tattoos.

[Zeke]

"some cultures place religious or cultural significance on tattooing" Yes they do. I'm far from an anthropologist, but I think we in the US and most of the Western world think of these practices as those from a lesser developed society. This also comes to mind:



Even piercings heal. I don't care that there is a laser procedure to remove a tat, it's still one of the most permanent things one can do to one's body. I just have to think that someday there will be second thoughts.


I hear the laser docs are real busy. I also hear that it's quite a bit more expensive and even more painful than the tattoo. That sort of puts a tattoo in a.... uhummm... class by itself.

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by milt

"some cultures place religious or cultural significance on tattooing" Yes they do. I'm far from an anthropologist, but I think we in the US and most of the Western world think of these practices as those from a lesser developed society.

well how can you compete with that?

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by milt

"some cultures place religious or cultural significance on tattooing" Yes they do. I'm far from an anthropologist, but I think we in the US and most of the Western world think of these practices as those from a lesser developed society. This also comes to mind:

Please dont consider me part of this Western world you speak about. I dont think of any other grouping of peoples from any other part of the world as "lesser developed".

Its exactly this type of ethnocentric thought that mostly destroyed the North American Native American people... which I find disgraceful, shameful and embarrassing

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by srandallf

Its exactly this type of ethnocentric thought that mostly destroyed the North American Native American people... which I find disgraceful, shameful and embarrassing

I can see that point of view. Perhaps this has gone a bit far in comparison. Maybe only the current view on certain practices in this country needs to be considered. That's where it started, a teen getting a tattoo in 2009. I would still disagree that was a positive step in that child's life. I'll leave the rest of the world out of this from this point on if I choose to reply further. As I said, I'm no anthropologist. In fact, as more or less a custom car builder, I might have a better following if I tatted up.

[Rikao4]

aD924 that is a real nice piece..he will treasure it..I would.

Rika

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by milt

I can see that point of view. Perhaps this has gone a bit far in comparison. Maybe only the current view on certain practices in this country needs to be considered. That's where it started, a teen getting a tattoo in 2009. I would still disagree that was a positive step in that child's life. I'll leave the rest of the world out of this from this point on if I choose to reply further. As I said, I'm no anthropologist. In fact, as more or less a custom car builder, I might have a better following if I tatted up.

i think the issue of the tattoo in the country is pretty simple. "back in the day", those that had them were often, rebels, ex-cons, criminals, biker gang types....some of which was reality, some of it came from movies

If you are from that generation, i can understand that your opinion about tattoos is that they represent a person of questionable integrity. i know alot of people much older than me who strongly look down on people with them

today, kids are different. im not that old. when i was a kid in the 80's, and now, those i knew and now know - were not and are not, biker-gang types, criminals, etc.... they are all my colleagues, friends, mentors, doctors, lawyers, artists. some of them live in trailor parks. some of them live in $1million dollar condos. its fine to dislike tattoos...but i think its a bit of stretch to continue to lump all tattoo wearing people with gang-bangers.

while i would be pissed if my 17 year old went against an agreement to get the tattoo at 18, the issue of the "tattoo" would not concern me so much as the lack of respect for one's parent

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

aD924 that is a real nice piece..he will treasure it..I would.

Rika

+1
thats a sweet carving

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by milt

In fact, as more or less a custom car builder, I might have a better following if I tatted up.

lol

Originally Posted by Rikao4

aD924 that is a real nice piece..he will treasure it..I would.

Rika

thanks

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by srandallf

+1
Thats A Sweet Carving

+2

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by srandallf

If you are from that generation, i can understand that your opinion about tattoos is that they represent a person of questionable integrity. i know alot of people much older than me who strongly look down on people with them

Taking a completely different tack, many of my father's generation returned from WWII with tattoos. I think we honor each and every one of those that went to one of our worst wars (certainly an oxymoron). However, while I'm sure each sailor or soldier wore his or her tattoo with pride, they also did a heck of a job covering them up in the white collar world. In the blue collar world, it was not a big deal from what I remember. However, this may be the basis of today's prejudice. As contemporary as you younger guys think you are, you'd be surprised at all the traditions and conventions that you follow. We are not all that different than our forefathers.

The subject of a business suit came up earlier. I can't think of a more ridiculous costume to wear and the so called Western world has infected many societies to the point that a Saudi will wear a Western suit. In that vain, I don't even make fun of the LA street clothes with "shorts" that just about reach the shoe tops. Wear your costume as you wish. Around here, the surfer look has prevailed since the 60's.

But, as I said, we can change our clothes in minutes. Some things you can't remove as easily. There may be boundaries to consider.