Why are so many people getting tattoos? Not an employment issue anymore?

[cockerpunk]

my brother has F=MA on one hand's knuckles, and E=mc^2 on the other. he also has one that says "you look like i need a drink"

i think they are pretty cool. never run across anything in my life i considered important enough to attach to my body, but they can be cool.

[sammyg2]

So I saw this thread last week and thought .... no good will come from that. Don't go there.

So I did not open it. Until now.
After reading all the posts about grumpy old white guys and meanies ruining the forum.

So now i'm gonna throw in my two cents on what i think of tattoos and the type of people who get them .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ...............

[monoflo]

I have one small Bulldog tat -- tells a story of who I was - the team I will always belong to.
3B-1M

That said I think the tat-removal industry is a growth industry in the next 20.

Anyway --to each his own

[widebody911]

[cantdrv55]

Wow. I think strippers and hookers may think that tattoo has gone too far.

[nzporsche944s2]

I think tattoos do have a place. My wife is Samoan and it is very common to have a tattoo. In fact it is seen as a right of passage and there are many traditions around them about how they are undertaken. The person receiving the tattoo must pair up with another person also receiving one. At the end of the tattoo session they break an egg over the head to signify a rebirth.

The full sogaimiti tattoo on men can take up to six days to finish and is excrutiatingly painful. It usually goes from the belly button to just above the knees.

The womens' tattoo is called a malu and is much finer almost like a lace stocking and runs from the upper thigh to just above the knee

Armbands are common with men and women (called taulima) as are half sleeves with men using the Samoan tapa and carving patterns.

The culture and significance of these places them in an entirely different league than the Playboy bunny and smiley face tattoos.

I'm booked to get my half sleeve on 11 June.

[TimT]

A friend of mine sent me this pic a few years ago... I never did get a good answer how she found it....

NSFW NSFW OPEN AT OWN RISK

DO NOT OPEN AROUND YOUNG CHILDREN OR CLOSE MINDED PEOPLE

[Slider79SC]

I fell in love with the Polynesian style tattoo's years ago, the tradition and deep meaning behind their styles and history are inspiring to me. And my tattoo artist has studied in Hawaii with a family artist.I have a full left side 3/4 sleeve/chest and have started on my right leg....

[Jolly Amaranto]

A few years ago I was staying in a hotel in New Hampshire. It so happens that there was a convention going on at the same hotel for an organization of tattoo artists, who were as a rule well inked up themselves. I tried many times to engage them in conversations while on the elevator or sitting in the lobby. They came across as some of the most emotionally doleful, spiritless, woebegone people I have ever met. It was very depressing. I never found out if something bad had happened in their community or if that was how they acted all the time.

[Slider79SC]

Some are weird artist types, some are just stuck up (so sad) some are introverts. I was lucky to find a guy that is outgoing and passionate about what he does. It shows in his work and his art.

All my work and my wifes is hand drawn directly onto our skin, the only stencil he used was the circle because my shoulder was hard to get round.

[VINMAN]

That's really nice work, Slider!

.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by nzporsche944s2

---snip---

I'm booked to get my half sleeve on 11 June.

Thanks for your perspective NZPORSCHE944S2......I think it's important to include global cultures in the dialogue.

My birthday is June 11, BTW. But I have a feeling it will be a more eventful day for you this year!

[Slider79SC]

Thanks Vinman, I appreciate your comment.