Tattoos,...do you like them?

These days you see a growing number of people, especially women, with tattoos.

Does anyone here have tattoos and what do you think of them?

My mom -(who is now in her early 50s)-, is heavily tattooed. She just gradually over the years added more and more tattoos. She isn't completely covered with tattoos but has extensive tattooing on her arms, legs and portions of her body.

I have never really gotten into tattoos that much. I only have two. One on my left breast-(a little heart about two inches by an inch and a half)-, and an arm tattoo on my left arm,-(a tattoo that encircles a portion of my upper left arm, a nice design, about three inches wide)-. I don't plan on getting too many more tattoos, maybe one or two more, maybe one on my right arm or right breast but that is it. And I might not even do that. I haven't had any new tattoos for quite a while.

You see so many women with tattoos these days though. It seems like far more women have tattoos than men! It has really become a feminine fad!
Some tattoos are classy and tasteful, but others, in my opinion, look terrible! And women seem to have tattoos everywhere now. I have even seen a few women with facial tattoos!
To me the fad is almost too much! Am I wrong about that? Or is tattooing, even heavily tattooed people, a real art form that is a good thing?

I would like to know others opinions on this.

*shrugs* I don't mind them if they're fairly small, attractive, and placed where they can be easily hidden when necessary.
I haven't got any myself, so far, but probably will, one or two, someday, once I totally make up my mind on what and where.

Facial tattoos?? Like Mike Tyson? I try not to do anything Mike Tyson does.

Tattoos in general... some of the look cool. My friend is planning to get a tattoo of her cat, which was designed especially for her. (The tattoo, not the cat. :) ) I think that's cool.

Stuff like that that is personalized is cool. I'm not too impressed when I see a boring, bland, run of the mill tattoo.

I don't think I'd get one myself, though... if I did, it would be on my lower back. Oh, I could get one of Super Grover, flying just above my bum. How cute would that be?

Ok...I got one. Still can't believe I did it...its been almost 4 weeks ago. My cousin went with me. She took me the same place she got hers. It does seem to be gaining popularity. Some of her friends have at least one.
Mine is on my hip below the pany line ....its about 4x 2. Its a mother dolphin and her baby. It's cute.
My mom doesn't know about it . That will be another post if she does find out.
Their cute, cute, cute but I don't think I'll get another one.

I think tattoos are alright, depending on placement and design. Of all the popular locations for women, I think lower back is the best.
The one location people dont tattoo, which I think not only is acceptable, but looks really good when it is done, is their hands, and feet/toes to a lesser extent. I think hands are very beautiful and intricate patterns on fingers or tiny designs would only enhance their beauty.

I plan to one day get one of a shooting star right above the crease where the thumb meets the base of the hand. I want it done as small as possible.

I believe tattoos if tastefully done are art. I have a number of tattoos. I've been getting tattoos since I was in my teens. I'm thirty one now. I have my arms done from my shoulders to my wrists. My chest done. My belly area around my belly button. My ankles done. I have a neck ring tattoo. I am considering having my back done. Would some day like a full body tattoo, excluding my face, feet and hands.
It helps a woman to have an agreeable husband who likes tattoos on his woman. Thankfully I have that kind of husband.

i have 2 tattoos. i have one small crescent moon and star on my right foot. i have angels on my ankle. i would like one more on lower back. i don't like a lot of tattoos.

I thank all of you for your replies.


DakotaDiva, wow, you sound like you have as many tattoos as my mom and going for more!
I have seen photos of people with full or nearly full body tattoos and on occasion seen people who seem to have full or nearly full-(from what I can tell)- body tattoos in person. That's just incredible!

I hear tattoos don't stay very well on the hands, because the hands get so much washing, sun exposure, and stuff like that. They tend to fade more quickly. At least that's what I heard. *shrugs* Not likely to try it myself.

[QUOTE] The one location people dont tattoo, which I think not only is acceptable, but looks really good when it is done, is their hands, and feet/toes to a lesser extent. I think hands are very beautiful and intricate patterns on fingers or tiny designs would only enhance their beauty.

I plan to one day get one of a shooting star right above the crease where the thumb meets the base of the hand. I want it done as small as possible.
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]he one location people dont tattoo, which I think not only is acceptable, but looks really good when it is done, is their hands, and feet/toes to a lesser extent.[/QUOTE]

It's interesting that you mention this because...I love toe rings. However, I always lose the silly things. I've tried a variety of styles and sizes, and I always end up losing them.

In general, I just really don't care for the look of tattoos at all. However, I was actually considering getting a tiny one on my second toe to kind of mimic a toe ring.

Here's what's holding me back -- although the tattoo would be quite small and easily concealed, what if I don't like it in the future?

The (obvious) permanency of tattoos is my biggest concern.

I'm curious to know what people who wear many tattoos (especially very visible ones) will think of them 20, 30, 40+ years in the future.

My own tastes in various facets of fashion are always evolving, and I'm concerned that what I find attractive now may not hold in the future. With clothing and hair and to a lesser extent, piercings, it isn't difficult to change. But, without expensive invasive surgery, tattoos are indeed with us for life.

I agree with Jennifer--the sheer longetivity of tattoos makes them formidable to me. Four years ago I was all about shiny polyester baby tees (I was also in high school, so cut me some slack.) Now I can't even imagine wearing something that putrid. I don't want to be stuck with some symbol the rest of my life. If I absolutely HAD to get a tattoo, I would, however, choose a palm tree. My name, Tamara, is Hebrew for palm tree and even before I discovered that I have always had a special connection to those trees. But anyway. I do think it's quite funny when some Hollywood actor gets their ex's name lasered off their arm (Angelina Jolie.) Maybe they really DO think their relationship will last forever...at least at first!

I agree Lyris that people should probably not get tattoos when they are a teenager, tastes change between the teen years and the adult years.
By the time someone is a grown adult in their twenties or thirties though they have a pretty good idea of what they are about and what they like and dislike. So they are better able to choose a tattoo or tattoos that they can live with and enjoy.

I'm sure Rachel, Monica and DakotaDiva enjoy their tattoos. DakotaDiva indicated on another board that she is a mother, wife and in her thirties. I am sure she is old enough to choose to be heavily tattooed if she enjoys that.

if you do get a tattoo you really have to think of what you real like. not what is trendy. maybe i'm wrong just a thought, this could be why you have to be over 18 to get them? i have a cousin who got tattoos of skulls when she was younger now she doesn't like them. she had a dagger and had it turn into a rose. some younger people are more mature than me LOL. so who am i really to say? i got my first tattoo when i was 19. i gave a year thinkng what i wanted. i still love both my tattoos. my second one was in '95.

[QUOTE]y the time someone is a grown adult in their twenties or thirties though they have a pretty good idea of what they are about and what they like and dislike.[/QUOTE]

No doubt! However, over all the span of our adult lives, some people do grow and change. I am not admonishing anyone who chooses to tattoo himself at all. I'm merely hesitant to do it myself for the reason that I gave. Just food for thought.

Monica said, "i gave a year thinkng what i wanted."

Very wise! I walked into a tattoo parlor the other day, just to inquire. The guy said he wasn't busy and he'd be glad to just draw a small design on my toe with a regular ink pen so I might get an idea of how it would look. I did like it, and then he spoke those dangerous words, "It would probably only take me ten minutes to do it. I have time now. Shall we go for it?"

Talk about the heart racing! Part of me said, "Yeah baby, go for it," and another part said, "Just wait...you can always do it later."

I love to be impulsive in several areas in my life, but for something permanent, I think it's generally best to hold off at least just a little bit.

It takes a gutsy,confident person, especially in the case of a woman, to get tattoos. Maybe some people have that sort of guts and confidence.

It takes guts to do anything of which we're scared!

For some people to cut their hair, it's easy. For others, it takes "guts."

For some people to get tattoos, it's easy. For others, it's takes "guts" to overcome their fears.

We all view and make various decisions in life in our own ways.

I have liked tatoos on others, but prefer myself to be a blank page.

A tatoo would be yet another thing to "wear", another social marker that would be subject to interpretation/suspicion/presumption/prejudice.

On the other hand, I intend to get a henna tatoo (temporary plant dye) prior to the Tolkien anoraks convention (LOL)....of my name in Quenya (an elvish tongue) written in a band around my upper arms.

Ways and means.....ways and means....

I agree with you Brent, I think it does take some "guts" for a woman to be tattooed, especially heavily tattooed like DakotaDiva indicated she is.


Your wife sounds lovely Brent. I know tattooing of women has a tradition in East Asia. I have seen photos of some of those back tattoos you were refering to on East Asian women like your wife. Some of them are wonderful!

Thanks for your input Brent! Hi to you and your wife!

my husband has one on his back. it is the symbol from OB where he lived when he came to san diego. it basically looks like a cross with OB's zip code. he has moved 3 times since he got his tattoo. i tease him if he's going to get the other zip codes put in so he knows where he has been

I have thought about getting one on and off for a couple of years, but in the end I decided against it because of the permanency.

I have a whole slew of temporary tattoos that I'd ordered a long time ago. For a time last summer, I was into them. So now if I ever get the urge, I can put one on for a day or a week. They don't look as good as the real thing but they can be kind of cute. I have all different hearts, roses, and butterflies. My favorite place to put them is on my ankle, or high up on one of my breasts, so you can see it in my bra but not when I'm wearing a shirt. I like that--it's sexy but my secret.

Some people think the temporary ones are lame, but for me they do the trick.

Elissa

[QUOTE]ome people think the temporary ones are lame, but for me they do the trick.[/QUOTE]

Not lame at all -- I've used them myself! Of course, the cool thing is what you stated -- you can change them whenever you want and always wear something fresh.

I would hope that we all agree that one should never be pressured to permanently tattoo his body. My inclination (and I could be wrong) is that those who say temporary tattoos are lame are ones who have submitted to permanent ones and are looking for others to validate their own decisions.

To each his own!

Ok, Time for Lili to fess up!!!

Yes, this ultra conservative southern girl has a tattoo. Part of me wanted it because it was the in thing to do the other was because of the dictator of a boss I used to have forbade them and if any of his employees gets one they are fired. (somehow I think that this infringed on our freedom of speech) anyhow, As soon as I was free from this dictatorship of a salon and opened my own I got one!!

Its a beautiful scallop shell on my ankle about the size of a nickel. I hid it from my mom for almost a year. When she finally saw it, I thought she was going to have a heart attack.

Its been three years since and I have yet to regret it, nor have I ever tried to hide it since my mom knows now. (BTW, I am 36 yrs old)

Its really fun for the "shock value" when my friends find out because if you knew me in person, I would be the last person you wold ever suspect of having one.

BTW, It hurt really bad!!! Like someone was carving on my ankle with an exacto knife. I don''t know how people stand to get the big ones.
Yes, I believe it takes alot of guts.

[QUOTE=princessmonica] my husband has one on his back. it is the symbol from OB where he lived when he came to san diego. [/QUOTE]

Ahhh....Ocean Beach. What a beautiful place! I loved it there. That was the first place outside of NY I ever felt I could live (at that time).

The beach...the bars...the weather...the mellow locals...I could go there and never return.

Elissa

thank you elissa for putting ocean beach for people who might not know what OB stands for. i forgot to put it.