"I want to get a tattoo so I can express my individuality... Just like all my friends"

Don't really like em, don't have em and won't get one ever. If someone else wants to buy into the whole "thug fashion" look, it's up to them but shouldn't be surprised when others consider them to be dumber and / or lower class than they actually might be.

If a MD dresses up like a bum he or she shouldn't be surprised to find others assuming they're a bum rather than an MD... Same situation. If you look like a thug / punk, don't be surprised if people treat you as such.

Because Justin Bieber has them....

What i don't get is african americans getting black tattoos, you can't even tell what they are.

I wanted one when I was young and no one had one, now no way.....I think women getting older look stupid with tattoos no one wants to see a granny with a tramp stamp.

"I really never understood". Stop right there! Because you do not understand does not make those who do lemmings. Broad brush strokes there. I do not understand many things that are deemed the norm. One may well call these the need to pay to belong and have friend. IE... frats, country clubs, the chasing whites balls... talk about lemmings...

That said, I have enjoyed the occasional golf game but not nearly enough to devote precise time or money too it. Nor do I enjoy the stilted and good ole boy confines of the country club environs. There are many who do... are they lemmings?

I knew a Philosophy professor many years ago - German, who had tats in all places covered by his suit, nothing on hands, nothing above the collar line... was he too a lemming? BTW this was nearly 30 yrs ago.

I guess I just don't feel the need to wear all of my innermost thoughts and feelings on my arm for everyone to see and judge. I'm old enough to believe that I don't need other people's approval for anything I do. I don't have any tats, and never will have any, but I also don't mind that many feel the need to spend their hard earned cash on another tatoo.....it keeps the economy going, provides jobs, and never fails to keep me entertained watching their walking billboards.

your German Prof. probably did serious thinking to before getting his..
or they were Camp stamps that he no choice in getting....

folks getting tattoos these days don't think past tomorrow...
and that should explain the name TOMMY across Lucy's chest...
as the real estate on her back was claimed by Fred last year..

Rika

+1

also it looks like poo. "original" my ass.

rjp

This has been discussed before. The never understood part is because our society is based (mostly) on western civilization (ancient Greek and Romans), where tattoos and piercings were used to identify slaves and criminals. Even the Chinese cultures and their satellites used tattoos as identifying markers of the unsavory. Ref: Yakuza. (What's next? The removal of pinkie fingers?)

Move to now where you have "educated" people who look at these tattoos in this light, and there you get the clash. That's why in corporate business circles, tattoos and piercings are taboo. BTW, Starbucks doesn't let their baristas show their tattoos.

Guess change is upon us as our society changes. Who wants to wager when a future POTUS is going to sport a tat? :-)

Camp stamps?! Really? Come on.... 30 yrs ago not WWII era. Shish. No he just likes ink. Plenty think past tomorrow and realize doing what they want as long as they perform does not conflict with long term success. Do some regret? I am sure. But saying everyone with a tat makes a poor choice ... ie, (TOMMY) is the same attitude that everyone driving a "porsh" is an ahole.

Funny how everyone is so cock sure that they are the arbitors of what is best....

Tatoos are not for me I am glad I didn't get tempted into getting any at any point

My sister has a few, I used to give her a hard time about how much she would regret them. They are cheesy ones tool. She is now a doctor and Im sure she hates them, though I won't give her the official "I told you so"

In my old age Id rather try not to judge anybody. You want to get something permanant on your body? I think its not a great Idea but whatever floats your boat.

Anybody who objects to tattoos based on people being followers or lemmings are hypocritical.

my grandmother always hated tattoos, but she lost most of her family in concentration camps, so I cut her a break.

I have a tattoo, but very few people know it. I got it for me, not for other people. I'm not the "look at me" type.

forgive my math ..
assumed being your Prof.& your probable age..
but I do know German culture..
and tat's are a big NEIN..

sure some think about..
the what if and what about...
but most don't..

Rika

The difference is that if you join a country club, or some fraternal organization, you can decide to leave it at some point, and won't have to be reminded of the experience every time you look in a mirror.

As I said earlier, tattoos once announced your membership in a very exclusive 'club', and those who got them 30, 40 or 50 years ago (like the prof. you mentioned) certainly were not subscribing to some herd mentality. That's not the case now that mega-tattoos have gone mainstream. Many who are getting tattooed these days are simply following a fashion trend, which in itself, isn't such a bad thing. The problem with this particular trend is that you just can't move on to the next 'big thing' without carrying reminders of the last 'big thing' around with you forever. It's kind of like buying what you think is a cool shirt when you're 25, and then wearing it every day for the rest of your life.

This is a nation in decline as we move more towards 3rd World, and ghetto/dumbed down.

Even when I was in the service, not a single piece of "art" did I consider worthy of inking my body with.

I like the guys that get Chinese symbols but can't tell you what they mean. The only time I see the value of a tattoo is when it has lifelong meaning - like the name of the military division that you served with in battle. Something with lifelong meaning, that I can respect.

Oh, so those of us with ink, are dumb and "ghetto" ??

Well, not all of us Vinny

This was on SNL a few years ago.

Turlington's Lower Back Tattoo Remover - Saturday Night Live - YouTube

The only thought that crosses my mind with those who tat themselves up is what they will look like in their 70's and beyond and as the aging process takes it toll.

that's a big NO Vinny..
but I would have to see it a pic..
before as a 'friend' I would offer my opinion..
and my opinion means squat, as the tat means something to you..
and that's all that matter's..

Rika

[QUOTE=rcooled;8066089]The difference is that if you join a country club, or some fraternal organization, you can decide to leave it at some point, and won't have to be reminded of the experience every time you look in a mirror.

Was not debating the permanance factor but rather pointing out the societal lemming factor involved.

I agree that the tat should not be a knee jerk decision, but one made with some amount of forethought. Like any other major purchase... just have to be certain you will be comfortable in your own skin.

One person's treasure...

What I disagree with is someone's else suggestion that their narrow opinion is supreme on the issue of taste etc...