Graffiti, Tattooes, and Piercings

[stephofthenight]

okay, so.
i went and got a tatoo, and its an adorable butterfly on the small of my back, and its hurting realy bad and its red and puffy kinda, he said it was normaly to be like that, but its been 2days, and its still raised up and red and hurts REALY realy bad.
andyone have a tat or any sugestions on how to ease the pain?

and yes i know going to get a tat just because your parents said no is stupid. but it realy realy REALY hurts!!! and my parents dont know about it, and so the pants im wearing are realy high and it hurts like obber bad. help?

[Bakiryu]

Don't touch it, the swelling it's normal and will go down after three more days. Apply some ointment on it and don't wear itchy clothing/clothing that touches it in any way. If you sleep on your back don't do it, jeans rubbing against your tatto will only make it more painful. Wear slouchy things or a long hoodie.

Wash it carefully and don't pull any scabs that might form.

My brother worked as a tat artist between mod jobs, so i know somethings but I only have piercings (9)

[Idril]

It takes awhile to heal and if you're wearing clothes that rub it, it's going to take even longer. Be sure to clean it a couple times a day with whatever they told you to clean it with, I think for me it was dial soap and if you can, wear pants that have either a higher waist or lower so it's not hitting the tattoo. I have one on my hip and a second one on my lower stomach and I couldn't wear jeans for a week with either of them, I had to stick to low wasted yoga pants because the jeans irritated the heck out of them. So, I wouldn't panic yet, just keep it clean and free of irritation and you should be fine.

[stephofthenight]

mmk. thanks! my boyfriend did it lol. so yeah. ill try yoga pants...tripp pants bad ideal!!! loll. well thanks for the help i realy hope it stops hurting soon

[Shalot]

I got a tattoo about 12 years ago. I started getting it removed about 4 years ago. It still isn't gone. Of course, mine is on my ankle which is why I want it gone. In the first place, it was a crappy tattoo. In the second place, I can't wear a dresss without the thing showing. In some workplace situations, having a visible tattoo is not a good thing - people are judgemental like that. I wish I had been smart and got it on my stomach like I had intended.

I don't remember it every hurting me though. Maybe because it wasn't in a place that I had to have clothes covering it. plus it was spring time, so I always wore shorts and nothing ever rubbed up on it.

don't you wish people weren't so judgemental about things like that?

[applepie]

Mine is on my upper back, between my shoulder blades. Anyway, if it is in a place on your back where the skin move a lot, it will take longer to heal. Mine wasn't too bad, but I would say Advil for the soreness, vasoline or some other lotion on the tat. Nothing scented, mind you, or it will burn bad. I know someone already said this, but don't pick at or scratch it. The ink will be uneven if you do this, and it may get infected. You should be noticing an improvement in another couple of days. Wear loose and comfy dresses if you have them. They'll be more comfortable than any pants, and they will also let air circulate which should help it heal a little faster.

[BibliophileTRJ]

I've found that the best product on the market for tattoo discomfort is Neosporin Plus with Pain Relief. It'll prevent infection AND deaden the pain some. (I have more tattoos than I can count; so I know what I'm talking about here)


mmk. thanks! my boyfriend did it lol.

Is your B/F a professional tattoo artist? Please tell me you didn't have an amateur marking you for life!! A sweet young thing like you should NOT be sporting a prison-style tat!!


i realy hope it stops hurting soon

It will. You just experienced millions of puncture wounds......Patience.

[stephofthenight]

yes, he is a professional lol. no way would anyone else get near me with a needle. lol

[BlueSkyGB]

Most advice that has already been given is good..
But be careful of Neosporin type creams, some of them will bleach out the color ....All of mine are very colorful ..
don't be surprised if even after a week, you are still itching, it depends on the location, skin at that spot, etc....

plus I don't really recommend that you get one and hide it...from parents.
one should always be up front about such things if possible.

[Riesa]

Has anyone mentioned Vitacilina? It might be about the same as Neosporin, but I used that and it worked just fine.

[Granny5]

I always wanted a tattoo but I just never could talk myself into it. I just keep seeing myself as an 80 year old with a sagging, faded tattoo and can't get past it.

[BlueSkyGB]

I always wanted a tattoo but I just never could talk myself into it. I just keep seeing myself as an 80 year old with a sagging, faded tattoo and can't get past it.

I got over that feeling.....:lol:
plus the fact...where mine are will not sag....:)

[Granny5]

I got over that feeling.....:lol:
plus the fact...where mine are will not sag....:)

I'd like to have a date put somewhere in really pretty numbers....maybe on my upper hip or on my shoulder. I keep thinking about it and maybe someday I'll get the nerve to get it done. My daughter has a tribal tattoo on the small of her back and it's pretty cool.

[stephofthenight]

Most advice that has already been given is good..
But be careful of Neosporin type creams, some of them will bleach out the color ....All of mine are very colorful ..
don't be surprised if even after a week, you are still itching, it depends on the location, skin at that spot, etc....

plus I don't really recommend that you get one and hide it...from parents.
one should always be up front about such things if possible.

okay, location, on the verry lower back. and my parents will kill me if they find out:sick: why do you think i didnt tell them in the first place, they think tat's are satanic

[NickAdams]

If you have a tattoo, share it with us. Post an image and if your interested write the back story.

I'll start.

http://b7.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00288/74/58/288718547_l.jpg

Its for animal rights.

[BlueSkyGB]

Will do as soon as I can.....of course for me it will be multiple pics....:lol:

[Virgil]

I can't share mine since a picture of it would be revealing and pornographic. :p :p ;)

[grace86]

I can't share mine since a picture of it would be revealing and pornographic. :p :p ;)

Seriously funny Virgil!!! I'm gonna cry from laughing! :lol:

[NickAdams]

Will do as soon as I can.....of course for me it will be multiple pics....:lol:

Can't wait.:D


I can't share mine since a picture of it would be revealing and pornographic. :p :p ;)

:blush: Thanks for the warning.:lol:

[SleepyWitch]

Virgil's got a tattoo? prove it :D... on second thoughts...

my sister-in-law is hogging our camera, but as soon as she returns it, I'll take a pic of mine

[Virgil]

Virgil's got a tattoo? prove it :D... on second thoughts...

my sister-in-law is hogging our camera, but as soon as she returns it, I'll take a pic of mine

I'm only kidding. I don't have a tattoo. :lol:

[Nossa]

I'm only kidding. I don't have a tattoo. :lol:

I knew it!!! :lol:

[BlueSkyGB]

Well I promised::lol:
The doodah man from the Grateful Dead album, the Jack of Hearts and the Mushrooms are mine,:D and the PJ tat is my daughter's.:)
as for the stories behind them, if enough interest I'll relate them.

[Shalot]

Well I promised::lol:
The doodah man from the Grateful Dead album, the Jack of Hearts and the Mushrooms are mine,:D and the PJ tat is my daughter's.:)
as for the stories behind them, if enough interest I'll relate them.

I am sure I can guess what's behind the shrooms.
not so sure about the jack of hearts, so please do tell.

[stephofthenight]

well when mine stops being a mother, and isnt all red and icky looking ill try to take a picture that doesnt show to much. but as was reviled before my bf did it. this is what it looks like thou.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z72/stephofthenight/37901162.jpg

[jlb4tlb]

Greetings

Sometime in the next few days I will post a pix of my dragon tattoo. Why a Dragon you ask? Good question. I think dragons are cool is the simple answer, and at least part correct. The main reason is that I am a student of the martial Arts.

Jeff

[BlueSkyGB]

I am sure I can guess what's behind the shrooms.
not so sure about the jack of hearts, so please do tell.

Maybe we should let Pendragon try his hand at guessing the meanings....:lol:

Ok here we go...Of course the Doodah man is for the Grateful Dead, plus I've always liked zoot suits...:) this was my first one.

And Shalot, the shrooms, in a round about way might fit your guess...
It's actually a homage to Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band...they all had mushroom tats...plus when I was a middleschool teacher, my class and I always studied various forms of Fungi....

and finally the Jack of Hearts with the purple rosebud....at one point in my life, I was said to resemble the character in the Dylan song, "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts"....my present girlfriend found out about this and the rosebud is for her....

that's all folks...:lol:

[applepie]

I'll post mine when I get the camera working again. I need to charge the batteries, so it will be a day or two. Mine's not impressive yet, but I have big plans for it in the future. Now all I need is the money to put my plan in action:D

[NikolaiI]

Well I promised::lol:
The doodah man from the Grateful Dead album, the Jack of Hearts and the Mushrooms are mine,:D and the PJ tat is my daughter's.:)
as for the stories behind them, if enough interest I'll relate them.

Awesome tats, man! I have a black one done just above my heart, a very simple four-sided Celtic knot. It's done very well, though. I might get another sometime. And while I hate to add to those who say they'll get a pic in, I should be getting a pic in pretty soon...

Not sure exactly what my next tattoo will be; I had some ideas for it earlier but they're not on my mind right now.

[Scheherazade]

Better be careful with those tattoos! ;)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44185000/gif/_44185722_chinese.gif

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/default.stm

[packersfan]

I really want a tatoo...
Does anyone have any ideas?

[Lily Adams]

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa144/shesoutofsync/happysad.jpg

And for the sailor side in me:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa144/shesoutofsync/DSCF0856.jpg

:p

I like to give myself temporary tatoos.

[Idril]

Better be careful with those tattoos! ;)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44185000/gif/_44185722_chinese.gif

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/default.stm

You have to be so careful with foreign language tattoos. My advice would be to do your own research, don't depend on someone else's translation. Find a translation site, type in the word you want, then go to another translation site and do it again and then go to your local bookstore and find a dictionary for that language and look up the word again. It might be work but it's worth it to avoid a lifetime of embarrassment. :p

[Virgil]

There is a great George Carlin joke about that. It goes something like this. A woman is proud of the tattoo of the oriental writing on the small of her back. She says it's something spiritual. When someone questions it she goes to a translator only to find out it means "beef with brocoli." :lol:

[packersfan]

I'm interested to know what you guys think of graffiti, tattooes, and piercings.

I personally think pretty graffiti is okay, just because it looks cool and it could add spice to boring places in need of a little "touch-up"- but then again ugly, graffiti is not cool and worthless and could ruin a lot of beautiful places.

It would be cool if the "cool" graffiti was allowed but it would be difficult to draw the line, I guess...

Tatooes are cool all the way round except they're permanent and could cause infection.

And I think ear piercings are cool on both guys and girls but it could cause infection as well.

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo, but I'm kind of unsure, so I'm really interested to hear what you guys think, as well as graffiti and piercings.

Thanks so much.

[Virgil]

I'm interested to know what you guys think of graffiti, tattooes, and piercings.

I personally think pretty graffiti is okay, just because it looks cool and it could add spice to boring places in need of a little "touch-up"- but then again ugly, graffiti is not cool and worthless and could ruin a lot of beautiful places.


I couldn't care less what deformations, disigurements, and crap you do your body or your property, but I don't take kindly to graffiti. Whose property are you criminally disfiguring? Do you own that property? Someone had to spend their money for that property and without permission you have commited a crime. I hope the police catch your *** and throw you in jail. And that is still too good for you.

How dare you.:flare:

[packersfan]

And that is prescisly why i asked that question.
I've shifted my opinion over a little bit- good for you, very persuasive.
I personally have never committed that crime (or a crime for that matter, so no need to be angry with me. I thought (past tense-im not entirely sure of what to think now) that is what somewhat cool. But nevermind. Thanks Virgil, I appreciate that.

[Shalot]

I hate to see ugly grafitti on most things but there are some parts of town that are so decrepit that I don't see how a little spray painted blocky/bubbly words in blue and purple outlined in black could hurt. If the windows are busted out or the inside is burned out and all that's left is a brick shell, I don't see how spray painting it harms. If anyone does own it, they obviously don't give a damn about it. And in this town there are several blocks of buildings just like that and the grafitti there doesn't bother me AT ALL. I drive past it on the way to work and I think, "it looks better than it did."

Now, if a brand new bridge is built, and some bored teenager with nothing else to do goes and spray paints it, then I have the :flare: reaction that Virgil expressed.

tattoos and body piercings are fine, but excessive tattoos and piercings or those that make a person look scary somehow kind of gross me out and I feel sorry for that person because I think one day they will wake up regretting what they've done to themselves.

[stephofthenight]

tats are fun!!!
not that painfull, its just like a couple of bee stings, depending on where and how big it is.

[Virgil]

I hate to see ugly grafitti on most things but there are some parts of town that are so decrepit that I don't see how a little spray painted blocky/bubbly words in blue and purple outlined in black could hurt. If the windows are busted out or the inside is burned out and all that's left is a brick shell, I don't see how spray painting it harms. If anyone does own it, they obviously don't give a damn about it.

Still not the point. It's not yours to do as you please. It belongs to someone else. If you have a beat up old car, does that give someone the right to put a few more dents in it, or spray paint it? Nothing disheartens a community more when people don't respect others private property. It makes people who might invest give up.

[Shalot]

Still not the point. It's not yours to do as you please. It belongs to someone else. If you have a beat up old car, does that give someone the right to put a few more dents in it, or spray paint it? Nothing disheartens a community more when people don't respect others private property. It makes people who might invest give up.

It also disheartens a community to see busted up buildings that are neglected. And I seriously doubt a little spray paint is going to deter an investor who sees a business opportunity.

and those ugly neglected buildings are worse than graffitti because someone with money owns those and needs to take responsibilty for them. with grafitti, it's normally bored kids doing it, and yes it's wrong and yes they should be punished, but it's like putting lipstick on a pig - lipstick or not - it's still a pig. Sort of a backwards analogy there, I guess.

If I have an old beat-up car parked in an otherwise aesthetically pleasing neighborhood, the neighbors are going to be mad at me about that car being there bringing the property values down, and they won't have any sympathy for me when some kid comes along and smashes it with a baseball bat and paints "Piece of ****" on the side of it. It's the same thing with those neglected buildings sitting there year after year, making the city look like a dump. At that point, you can spray them or not, but they're still going to be ugly, neglected and hazardous.

[Virgil]

It also disheartens a community to see busted up buildings that are neglected.

Still not your property do do as you please.


And I seriously doubt a little spray paint is going to deter an investor who sees a business opportunity. and those ugly neglected buildings are worse than graffitti because someone with money owns those and needs to take responsibilty for them.
Oh I do, because the potential investor evaluates the neighborhood. It's one thing for the neighborhood to be poor; it's another to be destructive.


with grafitti, it's normally bored kids doing it, and yes it's wrong and yes they should be punished, but it's like putting lipstick on a pig - lipstick or not - it's still a pig. Sort of a backwards analogy there, I guess.
Bored? I think they're more than bored. They could go play basketball if they're bored. I've read interviews with these punks. Their goal is to deface property with their icons, as if it gives them some sort of satisfaction to have their symbol on others property. They ought to have their hands...I won't say it.


If I have an old beat-up car parked in an otherwise aesthetically pleasing neighborhood, the neighbors are going to be mad at me about that car being there bringing the property values down, and they won't have any sympathy for me when some kid comes along and smashes it with a baseball bat and paints "Piece of ****" on the side of it.
I've seen rich people and poor people have beat up old cars. I've had a beat up old car and no one has ever told me it brought down property values. You mean your sympathy is with someone who puts a baseball bat through someone's windshield? Come on.


It's the same thing with those neglected buildings sitting there year after year, making the city look like a dump. At that point, you can spray them or not, but they're still going to be ugly, neglected and hazardous.Well, then the community should do something about it. Fines and whatever legal measures are legit. Deface it is not.

[Shalot]

Still not your property do do as you please.

So, a businessman can leave a rundown, decrepit, hazardous building as is, just because he owns it?



Oh I do, because the potential investor evaluates the neighborhood. It's one thing for the neighborhood to be poor; it's another to be destructive.
spray paint is not destructive. Dyanmite and fire are destructive. and if the building is falling down anyway, what is the difference? I don't know why you are so upset about it.




Bored? I think they're more than bored. They could go play basketball if they're bored. I've read interviews with these punks. Their goal is to deface property with their icons, as if it gives them some sort of satisfaction to have their symbol on others property. They ought to have their hands...I won't say it.

some are bored. some are making a statement. I've known a few grafitti makers personally. I myself never went because I didn't have a tag. do you know what a tag is?



I've seen rich people and poor people have beat up old cars. I've had a beat up old car and no one has ever told me it brought down property values. You mean your sympathy is with someone who puts a baseball bat through someone's windshield? Come on.

You come on. Have you never been to a snotty neighborhood Virgil? you can't have junk in front of your house in certain communities. signage and certain yard decorations are prohibited as is a junky car. I am not talking about an old car that runs Virgil. I am talking about junk and some neighborhoods won't tolerate it. And they wouldn't have any sympathy if it was spray painted.


Well, then the community should do something about it. Fines and whatever legal measures are legit. Deface it is not.

Some grafitti is not meant to deface the property. And i stand by my statement: if a building is a run-down fire hazard that the owner won't fix or demolish, then I don't care if someone spray paints it.

[Virgil]

So, a businessman can leave a rundown, decrepit, hazardous building as is, just because he owns it?


Communities have leagl avenues to address that. If you're not aware of it go to a lawyer and your Congressman.


spray paint is not destructive. Dyanmite and fire are destructive. and if the building is falling down anyway, what is the difference? I don't know why you are so upset about it.
I have a problem with people who have a cavilier attitude about doing what they like with other people's property. These are all rationalizations. People can come up with rationalization to do or take your property. Would you be happy?


some are bored. some are making a statement. I've known a few grafitti makers personally. I myself never went because I didn't have a tag. do you know what a tag is?
Yes, I know what a tag is, and don't tell me they only put it on falling apart buildings. I see it in my neighborhood on people's fences. there is a special crime unit devoted to graffiti.


You come on. Have you never been to a snotty neighborhood Virgil? you can't have junk in front of your house in certain communities. signage and certain yard decorations are prohibited as is a junky car. I am not talking about an old car that runs Virgil. I am talking about junk and some neighborhoods won't tolerate it. And they wouldn't have any sympathy if it was spray painted.
I grew up in Brooklyn NY. Graffiti was everywhere. Toleration of bad behavior no matter how insignificant it was seemd caused New York City to fall from one of the great cities in this country (in the 1940s and 50s it was referred to as the capital of the world) to a pathetic run down crime infested hole in the 1960s through 1980s. Today by by cracking down on quality of life crime (graffiti, squeegy washers, pan ahndlers, turnstile jumpers, ) New York has resurged and is once again the best city in the country. Toleration of bad behavior is not acceptable or excusable. It leads people to do other things. I wonder what other crimes these punks are committing.


Some grafitti is not meant to deface the property. And i stand by my statement: if a building is a run-down fire hazard that the owner won't fix or demolish, then I don't care if someone spray paints it.
Well, we disagree. Punks ought to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one has the right to do anything to other people's property; anything else is rationalization.

[Shalot]

Communities have leagl avenues to address that. If you're not aware of it go to a lawyer and your Congressman.

in this community, a lot of our businessmen hold office so they can sidestep the legal process. If you're not aware of that fact of life, then wake up. If a grafitti artist wants to put his tag up on it, I don't give a crap.



Yes, I know what a tag is, and don't tell me they only put it on falling apart buildings. I see it in my neighborhood on people's fences. there is a special crime unit devoted to graffiti.

I never said that they only put it on run-down buildings only. where in my posts does it say that? it says that I don't care if they tag run-down buildings that are an eye-sore anyway. you need to read more carefully and if you are going to argue with me for the sake of arguing then I have nothing more to say to you other than to address the rest of this post. after that, I am finished with this discussion.


I grew up in Brooklyn NY. Graffiti was everywhere. Toleration of bad behavior no matter how insignificant it was seemd caused New York City to fall from one of the great cities in this country (in the 1940s and 50s it was referred to as the capital of the world) to a pathetic run down crime infested hole in the 1960s through 1980s. Today by by cracking down on quality of life crime (graffiti, squeegy washers, pan ahndlers, turnstile jumpers, ) New York has resurged and is once again the best city in the country. Toleration of bad behavior is not acceptable or excusable. It leads people to do other things. I wonder what other crimes these punks are committing.

Well, we disagree. Punks ought to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one has the right to do anything to other people's property; anything else is rationalization.


Where in my posts does it say that I think they ought not be prosecuted? They should be prosecuted if they get caught. I am just saying that I do not care if someone tags a cruddy row of buildings downtown.

some graffiti, (not all) can be considered an art form. in the sixties, graffiti was a way for political activists to get their message across. People like you have reduced all of it to vandelism, which admittedly some of it is, but not all of it. However, graffiti does have an interesting history of some of it has artistic merit.

[Virgil]

If a grafitti artist wants to put his tag up on it, I don't give a crap.
That's the problem with society. There are people who commit all sorts of crimes, even low level crimes, and there are people that don't give a crap.


some graffiti, (not all) can be considered an art form.
Well, then they can buy a canvas and paint that, and perhaps some idiot will buy it. I wonder how many idiots would buy graffiti.


in the sixties, graffiti was a way for political activists to get their message across. People like you have reduced all of it to vandelism, which admittedly some of it is, but not all of it. However, graffiti does have an interesting history of some of it has artistic merit.
:lol: Artist merit. :lol: It doesn't matter. Even if it has artistic merit it is a violation of someone's property.


From Meriam-Webster:
vandalism
Main Entry: van·dal·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈvan-də-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1798
: willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property
I didn't invent the word.

[Shalot]

That's the problem with society. There are people who commit all sorts of crimes, even low level crimes, and there are people that don't give a crap.




Well, then they can buy a canvas and paint that, and perhaps some idiot will buy it. I wonder how many idiots would buy graffiti.


:lol: Artist merit. :lol: It doesn't matter. Even if it has artistic merit it is a violation of someone's property.


I didn't invent the word.

You are arguing with me for the sake of arguing. You have taken my posts out of context and you are insuating that i am sort of idiot and I don't appreciate it at all. You have put forth your opinion and you have stated that graffiti is vandelism and that's fine but don't insult me.


Graffiti actually has a fascinating history. Check out this website:

http://www.jam2dis.com/j2dgraffitihist1.htm

Obviously, graffiti has sort of de-vovled (is that a word) in some places into the petty vandalism that Virgil speaks of but I still think it's fascinating and not all of it should be dismissed.

[dramasnot6]

Sometimes the government funds graffiti art. I remember there being some beautiful murals on the sides of buildings in Philidelphia.
Art is in the eye of the beholder.

The idea of a tatoo always grossed me out a little, but sometimes I consider getting a yin and yang on my ankle because that is what my history teacher has. It's very tasteful.

[Shalot]

Sometimes the government funds graffiti art. I remember there being some beautiful murals on the sides of buildings in Philidelphia.
Art is in the eye of the beholder.

The idea of a tatoo always grossed me out a little, but sometimes I consider getting a yin and yang on my ankle because that is what my history teacher has. It's very tasteful.

don't do it! the ankle is usually visable. sometimes you just want to cover up your tat

[Stanislaw]

graffiti - can't say I support it...but I must admit, I have seen some cool looking graffitit (even though its a crime, and destructive, the drawing looked cool)

Tattoo's and piercings:

Iv'e got 3 pircings total, two closed and one new one in my eyebrow...
Tattoo: Ive got 3: a Polish eagle on my right Shoulder, a German cross with dragon wings with a punisher skull in the center on my calf and a crazy owl like creature on my left shoulder

[Shalot]

graffiti rules!!!!!

[Virgil]

graffiti rules!!!!!

:p :p :p :p :p ;)

[Shalot]

:p :p :p :p :p ;)

life is good. it's all good.

[KennoKennedy]

Thinking of getting a Catcher In The Rye Tattoo as I love the book.

However what do you people think sounds better.

The Tattoo will be going on the back of shoulder blade and won't be that big just a small quote.

What do you think?

"I'm Just A Catcher In The Rye"
Or
"A Catcher In The Rye"

What "word"ing do you think sounds better?

Thanks for your feedback

[motherhubbard]

I used to love the book, too. I don't even know how many times I've read it. I haven't read it in about 20 years. I just wonder if you think you will love the book forever or if you think your literary taste might expand beyond the catcher? A tattoo is nothing to take lightly and you may find something more profound and deepening when you have read more.

[Shalot]

don't do it!! they're expensive to remove. I think "I'm Just a Catcher in the Rye" is especially cheesey and I think you will regret it. Wait a while. Think it through. I don't think either of those are good tattoo choices.

[Shea]

One of the reasons that I've never gotten a tattoo, is because I look very much like my mother and grandmother. I couldn't picture them with one at all. That would just be wrong.:lol:

[Sweets America]

Oh, this is my favorite book too. However I think 'I'm just a catcher in the rye' doesn't sound good. You should find something else, but the idea of a tatoo is nice.

[B-Mental]

OK, honestly...why is this your favorite book? I've read it more than 4 times...at the ages of 12, 15, 18, 22, and 26. What? Its a semi modern youth thats saying "Don't grow up!" I don't get it...didn't JM Barrie do it better with Peter Pan, long before......? Or don't you know who Peter Pan is? Maybe its just me, but you write "I love this." Wouldn't it even be better to find out that Dostoeyevski wrote this already....or perhaps, Tolstoi's "Death of Ivan Illyich"....Wow, the person lives his entire life as an "Adult" (read it as adults/society expected), and finds that all of his life was wasted on that which didn't matter, that he didn't matter, and he didn't teach his children to matter. Must just be me, or maybe you've only read the book that every American student has read in junior or senior high school recognise it.

As far as scarring my body for the rest of my life with Literature...I would just get "When a Catcher sees a Catcher" across the left upper chest, (inside to outside) yes, thats where your heart is represented in common high school text books....Is it there though.

Wouldn't you rather have a Kafka~esque "Amerika" flag with cockroaches for stripes? Or a heart with the words "Take this from me!' or "Mom" or "There for the Grace of God go I? on a ribbon spanning the globe!

You wanna know why so many celebrities really say that it was their favorite book? Because they can barely read, or rarely read unless they make money....people be original....

This isn't a rip, this is more why is this YOUR favorite book? And you want to decorate your body with it.

[Sweets America]

OK, honestly...why is this your favorite book? I've read it more than 4 times...at the ages of 12, 15, 18, 22, and 26. What? Its a semi modern youth thats saying "Don't grow up!" I don't get it...didn't JM Barrie do it better with Peter Pan, long before......? Or don't you know who Peter Pan is? Maybe its just me, but you write "I love this." Wouldn't it even be better to find out that Dostoeyevski wrote this already....or perhaps, Tolstoi's "Death of Ivan Illyich"....Wow, the person lives his entire life as an "Adult" (read it as adults/society expected), and finds that all of his life was wasted on that which didn't matter, that he didn't matter, and he didn't teach his children to matter. Must just be me, or maybe you've only read the book that every American student has read in junior or senior high school recognise it.

As far as scarring my body for the rest of my life with Literature...I would just get "When a Catcher sees a Catcher" across the left upper chest, (inside to outside) yes, thats where your heart is represented in common high school text books....Is it there though.

Wouldn't you rather have a Kafka~esque "Amerika" flag with cockroaches for stripes? Or a heart with the words "Take this from me!' or "Mom" or "There for the Grace of God go I? on a ribbon spanning the globe!

You wanna know why so many celebrities really say that it was their favorite book? Because they can barely read, or rarely read unless they make money....people be original....

This isn't a rip, this is more why is this YOUR favorite book? And you want to decorate your body with it.

I don't know why you feel the need to be condescending towards people on their literary tastes, seriously. Some books appeal to some people and not to others, it all depends on what your heart is made of and what touches you. It sometimes depends on your life history, too. Perhaps some other writers have written about the same subject, but sometimes you find that one writer touches you more than another. I'm not the best to anaylyse why a book touches me. I've first read the Catcher in French when I was little. Later I read it in English and appreciated it even more. I think the cynicism and depressed quality of the character appealed to something inside of me.

[papayahed]

I don't know why you feel the need to be condescending towards people on their literary tastes, seriously. Some books appeal to some people and not to others, it all depends on what your heart is made of and what touches you. It sometimes depends on your life history, too. Perhaps some other writers have written about the same subject, but sometimes you find that one writer touches you more than another. I'm not the best to anaylyse why a book touches me. I've first read the Catcher in French when I was little. Later I read it in English and appreciated it even more. I think the cynicism and depressed quality of the character appealed to something inside of me.

Really? B didn't sound condescending to me. B's advce sounds right on the money to me. In the states every high school kid has to read Catcher in the Rye. If Catcher in the Rye is their first introduction into literature this book may seem like the greatest thing since sliced bread but in comparison to the rest of literature it is pretty generic. Now if the OP is familiar with great works and still thinks Catcher in the Rye is tattoo worthy then go for it.


Back to the original question: Heck no, don't get either tattoo. If you must pay homage to the book what about getting a couple of Rye Stalks?

[Nightshade]

Back to the original question: Heck no, don't get either tattoo. If you must pay homage to the book what about getting a couple of Rye Stalks?

yes something ambiguous yet obvious like helgas shaking spear tatto...

[Sweets America]

Really? B didn't sound condescending to me. B's advce sounds right on the money to me. In the states every high school kid has to read Catcher in the Rye. If Catcher in the Rye is their first introduction into literature this book may seem like the greatest thing since sliced bread but in comparison to the rest of literature it is pretty generic. Now if the OP is familiar with great works and still thinks Catcher in the Rye is tattoo worthy then go for it.


Back to the original question: Heck no, don't get either tattoo. If you must pay homage to the book what about getting a couple of Rye Stalks?

I would have been very happy to read the Catcher in high school. :) I understand your point about the comparison between the Catcher and other books. But sometimes a book, even if it is not the greatest ever written, still sticks to your soul because you have felt something special in it. You say in comparison to the rest of literature it is pretty generic. but that might not be true to everyone. It all depends on personal taste and feelings.

[motherhubbard]

I would have been very happy to read the Catcher in high school. :) I understand your point about the comparison between the Catcher and other books. But sometimes a book, even if it is not the greatest ever written, still sticks to your soul because you have felt something special in it. You say in comparison to the rest of literature it is pretty generic. but that might not be true to everyone. It all depends on personal taste and feelings.



That may be, but I think that what they are saying is that as a person matures their thoughts, ideas and feelings about life, self, and literature will also mature. Personal taste and feelings change and evolve over time. When Bailey was little she loved Green Eggs and Ham, but I haven't read that to her in years. This is the same kind of thing. If a person continues to read really great books the Catcher will not seem so profound in comparison. It will seem an entirely different book when one is forty that it was when one was twenty. I think this one is suggested reading in high school but not in college for a reason.

That said, I'm not saying get a tattoo or don't. I would just hope that people would give this a lot of consideration. It's easier and less expensive to get a divorce than it is to remove a tattoo.

[Sweets America]

That may be, but I think that what they are saying is that as a person matures their thoughts, ideas and feelings about life, self, and literature will also mature. Personal taste and feelings change and evolve over time. When Bailey was little she loved Green Eggs and Ham, but I haven't read that to her in years. This is the same kind of thing. If a person continues to read really great books the Catcher will not seem so profound in comparison. It will seem an entirely different book when one is forty that it was when one was twenty. I think this one is suggested reading in high school but not in college for a reason.

That said, I'm not saying get a tattoo or don't. I would just hope that people would give this a lot of consideration. It's easier and less expensive to get a divorce than it is to remove a tattoo.

Yes I see what you mean here.:) Sometimes tastes change. Sometimes though they stay as they are, some of them at least. I am pretty sure that The Catcher will always have a place in my heart. Just like Stephen King, in a different way.
That's true that you never know if you will still like something in years, so the tatoo question is tough. But, oh well, in the meantime we never have certainties about anything in life, so let's not restrain ourselves, let's live for the moment.:)

[B-Mental]

I would have been very happy to read the Catcher in high school. :) I understand your point about the comparison between the Catcher and other books. But sometimes a book, even if it is not the greatest ever written, still sticks to your soul because you have felt something special in it. You say in comparison to the rest of literature it is pretty generic. but that might not be true to everyone. It all depends on personal taste and feelings.

Well Sweets, I wish you would have read it when you were 12, and then reread it when you were 15, and then 16, and then, because I too love it...!

The rye stalks idea is genius...my mother had some, and put them on black velvet on and oval disk on the wall...it always reminded me of the book since I was young!

[THX-1138]

how about (Goddam money. It always ends up making you blue as hell)
:) just kidding

[B-Mental]

One of the reasons that I've never gotten a tattoo, is because I look very much like my mother and grandmother. I couldn't picture them with one at all. That would just be wrong.:lol:

I love that Shea...my sweet smart friend. Cowbell-A-rooney. B

[KennoKennedy]

OK, honestly...why is this your favorite book? I've read it more than 4 times...at the ages of 12, 15, 18, 22, and 26. What? Its a semi modern youth thats saying "Don't grow up!" I don't get it...didn't JM Barrie do it better with Peter Pan, long before......? Or don't you know who Peter Pan is? Maybe its just me, but you write "I love this." Wouldn't it even be better to find out that Dostoeyevski wrote this already....or perhaps, Tolstoi's "Death of Ivan Illyich"....Wow, the person lives his entire life as an "Adult" (read it as adults/society expected), and finds that all of his life was wasted on that which didn't matter, that he didn't matter, and he didn't teach his children to matter. Must just be me, or maybe you've only read the book that every American student has read in junior or senior high school recognise it.

As far as scarring my body for the rest of my life with Literature...I would just get "When a Catcher sees a Catcher" across the left upper chest, (inside to outside) yes, thats where your heart is represented in common high school text books....Is it there though.

Wouldn't you rather have a Kafka~esque "Amerika" flag with cockroaches for stripes? Or a heart with the words "Take this from me!' or "Mom" or "There for the Grace of God go I? on a ribbon spanning the globe!

You wanna know why so many celebrities really say that it was their favorite book? Because they can barely read, or rarely read unless they make money....people be original....

This isn't a rip, this is more why is this YOUR favorite book? And you want to decorate your body with it.



"This isn't a rip"

Come on now someone with a mind like your's surely knows what he's writing!

Also this is the first i'll heard of the book being common reading in America as were I live (The UK) I don't know anyone who's read it, I just come across it in a book store a couple years back and It took a hold of me.

"You wanna know why so many celebrities really say that it was their favorite book? Because they can barely read, or rarely read unless they make money....people be original...."

So in other words i'm a idiot who can't read due to the fact I like a book other people injoy?!

"I've read it more than 4 times...at the ages of 12, 15, 18, 22, and 26."

Why? If you don't like it that much why revist it so many times?

So to wrap this up sorry for wasting everyone's time here as I can tell from Mr Dickens here (Or he too popular as well?)

Regards'

P.S Yeah I know who Peter Pan is "Professor"

[B-Mental]

Listen you want to know what I would do in outer space? Read, write, party, smile, wait...I already did that! YOU have the power to be anything you want to be....and just think about how cool those tatoos I recommended would look! Or ask someone for all of the symbolism in them...

If I hurt your feelings...mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa....or Learn LATIN...!

[kiz_paws]

Also this is the first i'll heard of the book being common reading in America as were I live (The UK) I don't know anyone who's read it, I just come across it in a book store a couple years back and It took a hold of me. Thats cool that you chanced into the book, it was meant for you to read, je suppose. :)


So in other words i'm a idiot who can't read due to the fact I like a book other people injoy?! I believe that B was only speculating on the fact that too many celebrities claim to have read that particular book (and his 'people be original' comment was directed at the celebrities) It wasn't so much an attack on you, Kenno, as he himself stated that he read the book more than one time :)


So to wrap this up sorry for wasting everyone's time here as I can tell from Mr Dickens here (Or he too popular as well?) You didn't waste anyone's time - you have just as much right to post here as the next guy. But if I may, you need to have thicker skin around here -- after all you post about getting tattoes about books that have been banned for minors (extreme, but true, *sigh*), and well, there could be an assortment of reactions, you know? ;)

I am curious -- what have you decided to go with, Kenno? And a warm welcome to you, btw. :)

[islandclimber]

Well I see a poll and thread for piercings so how about tattoos.. Anyone have any really interesting tattoos? Tattoos that you wish you hadn't got? Tattoos with stories? Painful experiences? Enjoy the pain, hate it? self tattoos? anything about tattoos... put it all right here...

or not...:lol:

by the way I have 6 tattoos and none that I regret, though one was not a very good idea... in fact a very bad idea.. but I still like the memory it brings all the same... only one I did myself, and actually the funny thing is, it is the most recent, unfinished as of yet, kind of painful with a quill and some calligraphy ink, takes forever.. :lol:

now if I wasn't so incompetent with computers I might be able to figure out how to post pictures in these threads,.... any help available in this regard would be much appreciated... *smile*

[Bakiryu]

I've none yet since I need parental permission (it sucks being under 18) but i plan on getting some to go along with my piercings.

You can post pictures by uploading them in www.photobucket.com (it's free) and then copying the IMG code. ♥

[islandclimber]

so here are a few of mine...

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg179/sadinkdarktears/back.jpg

I want to get a vine of wild nootka roses growing up my spine and out beneath the tats I have there across my back... someday.. I need to find an artist to draw it... which is difficult.:bawling:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg179/sadinkdarktears/side.jpg


http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg179/sadinkdarktears/IMGP3485.jpg

[1n50mn14]

I have uncountable body mods, sitting at... *counts* 12 piercings, 14 tattoos, stretched ear lobes (1/4 inch) and subdermal implants. I really think that people who shun those who are modified are extremely ignorant. Piercing, tattoo, etc, is not a commentary on somebody's intelligence or ability. It's simply a form of expression, and often a spiritual quest.

[Bakiryu]

I have uncountable body mods, sitting at... *counts* 12 piercings, 14 tattoos, stretched ear lobes (1/4 inch) and subdermal implants. I really think that people who shun those who are modified are extremely ignorant. Piercing, tattoo, etc, is not a commentary on somebody's intelligence or ability. It's simply a form of expression, and often a spiritual quest.

woah, you're actually allowed to do that? at your age?! *shocked*

I only have 8 piercings (soon to be 13) all self-made, semi-stretched lobes (nothing too big) and am still waiting to get a tat.

[1n50mn14]

^I live in Ontario. Piercing is legal without parental consent at age 16, tattoo is allowed at 16 WITH parental consent, but I'm a legally emancipated minor so I can get stuff done XD. My subdermal work is a gift from a friend of mine who works as a piercer. He's pierced me so many times we've become really good friends and he knows I'm responsible, ergo the work he does for me.

[Bakiryu]

^I live in Ontario. Piercing is legal without parental consent at age 16, tattoo is allowed at 16 WITH parental consent, but I'm a legally emancipated minor so I can get stuff done XD. My subdermal work is a gift from a friend of mine who works as a piercer. He's pierced me so many times we've become really good friends and he knows I'm responsible, ergo the work he does for me.

damn, I envy you woman. If I want a piercing i have to do it myself. I guess that's why I haven't pierced my lip yet, it terrifies me. :sick:

[islandclimber]

it's so nice not having to worry about not being allowed to do something because of age... :lol:


I have uncountable body mods, sitting at... *counts* 12 piercings, 14 tattoos, stretched ear lobes (1/4 inch) and subdermal implants. I really think that people who shun those who are modified are extremely ignorant. Piercing, tattoo, etc, is not a commentary on somebody's intelligence or ability. It's simply a form of expression, and often a spiritual quest.

I don't think people should be judged or discriminated against because of bodyart either... it is ignorant.. I see it as another form of art, bodyart, and a very pure and personal expression of self and spirit.. it is often very spiritual.. it's often a reminder, a memory... mine are...

[kratsayra]

I guess this thread is old, but I never saw it.

None of the poll options are appropriate for me. I don't have a tattoo and I don't want one. But it's not because I think they are gross and it's not because I'm worried what society will think (clothes usually cover most of me anyway, if I was). I highly appreciate nice tattoos that are creative and look good. I just don't want one myself. Just like I don't, I dunno, wear jewelry (I'm female, btw). I just don't (my ears aren't even pierced). They just aren't adornments that I feel like having.

[Chava]

Somehow a rumour had gotten out that i had a tattooed rose down my back... Very absurd. The rumour spread as far as other schools I found out when a friend of mine their asked me for confirmation! :O Regarding tattoos, i think some of them can be very attractive. I would have nothing against having one, but would really have to have a reason, as well as a well considered motive. If I were to do it, I would also go somewhere known, where the artists are well recognised for their skill.

[stephofthenight]

[QUOTE=islandclimber;532247]Well I see a poll and thread for piercings so how about tattoos.. Anyone have any really interesting tattoos? Tattoos that you wish you hadn't got? Tattoos with stories? Painful experiences? Enjoy the pain, hate it? self tattoos? anything about tattoos... put it all right here...
or not...:lol:
:/QUOTE]


well I have one that I realy regret only because of the hell its caused. I got the butterfly its a "tramp stamp" aparently :rolleyes: But ive had to get it redome like 3 times and it keeps fading. but other then that i have a rose, a cross, and a heart with tayler payton martin in it (thats my new neice...shes one month old today :D) but thats it for the moment, until i turn 18, i think my parents finay discovered it wasnt sharpie...lol. as far as peircings, ive done all of mine and the only one i realy want is my tounge, but im going to wait and have that one done pro. tats are addicting.

[Shalot]

[QUOTE=islandclimber;532247]Well I see a poll and thread for piercings so how about tattoos.. Anyone have any really interesting tattoos? Tattoos that you wish you hadn't got? Tattoos with stories? Painful experiences? Enjoy the pain, hate it? self tattoos? anything about tattoos... put it all right here...
or not...:lol:
:/QUOTE]


well I have one that I realy regret only because of the hell its caused. I got the butterfly its a "tramp stamp" aparently :rolleyes: But ive had to get it redome like 3 times and it keeps fading. but other then that i have a rose, a cross, and a heart with tayler payton martin in it (thats my new neice...shes one month old today :D) but thats it for the moment, until i turn 18, i think my parents finay discovered it wasnt sharpie...lol. as far as peircings, ive done all of mine and the only one i realy want is my tounge, but im going to wait and have that one done pro. tats are addicting.


Tramp Stamp? I haven't heard that before. It that the butterfly girls get on their lower backs just above the rear? I've heard it referred to as a target before...:rolleyes:

[1n50mn14]

Tattoos I wish I hadn't gotten: my belated sweet sixteen birthday party, lots and lots of alchohol, and the numbers 1-10 on the back of my knuckles.

The one I don't regret, that I love dearly: little celtic seahorses on the inside of my left wrist.

[Bakiryu]

Tramp Stamp? I haven't heard that before. It that the butterfly girls get on their lower backs just above the rear? I've heard it referred to as a target before...:rolleyes:

Actually, any tattoo on a woman's lower back is a tramp stamp, it tells everyone you're easy. As least that's what all my guy friends say.

[Poetess]

I have no tattoos, and I don`t even think of having any. I am a piercings person - 12 piercings.

[Lily Adams]

If I was ever to get a tattoo it would be a barcode on the inside of my left wrist so the system could recognize me like in Idiocracy.

[islandclimber]

so three nights ago, having fun, just back from seeing a musical, I finally decided to tattoo the words "Ars Longa, Vita Brevis" on my body... I'd been thinking of it for quite some time... and well there is no time like the present, so I pulled out my calligraphy pen, my india ink and went to work on the inside of my left wrist, and after an hour and half or so of jabbing a pointed pen into my arm I was done... it is going to need a touch up to darken the lines but I'll wait for a couple weeks until it is fully healed... tattooing yourself, especially when you only have one hand to use, is quite hard... especially when doing the oldfashioned dip and poke... :lol: but it is an incredibly rewarding experience... it is creating art on yourself...

[islandclimber]

Actually, any tattoo on a woman's lower back is a tramp stamp, it tells everyone you're easy. As least that's what all my guy friends say.


that's such an absurd notion... I don't understand why people have to judge others like that, just for placement of a tattoo... somewhat absurd...


well I have one that I realy regret only because of the hell its caused. I got the butterfly its a "tramp stamp" aparently But ive had to get it redome like 3 times and it keeps fading. but other then that i have a rose, a cross, and a heart with tayler payton martin in it (thats my new neice...shes one month old today )

they all sound nice... tattoos are another form of self expression, artistic creativity, whether your own, or anothers... I think they're amazing as long as they mean something to you.. I'm not really into the walk into a tattoo shop and get something you see in a little album because it looks really cool... there has to be some kind of meaning and importance...


Is it a tramp stamp for a guy to get something tattooed on his lower back... a girl I know told me it was... and I guess why shouldn't it be the same for male and female... so silly... I want to get a haida raven at the base of my spine, with a vine growing up my spine, and spreading across my upper back with blooming wild nootka roses... this one will mean alot to me... Now I just need someone who can draw much better than I to design it for me... and i haven't met a tattooist who I trust with this one yet...

anyone here like to draw????:D

[stephofthenight]

So I have multiple piercings, and I find them and tats. addicting. does anyone else share this sentiment? What Piercings do you have? and do you think that they are addicting?
^,^steph^,^

[1n50mn14]

I went through my 'addiction' phase over the past few years. I had my nose done twice on each side, septum, vertical labret, lip in three different places, both eyebrows, both nipples, ears at 00g, bellybutton, anti-eyebrow, etc... (not all at the same time!!!)

Now I'm focusing on making my face a balanced piece of art with my favorite piercings: I've got two in my right nostril, and will be getting my vertical labret redone in the center. I also have several tattoo plans, coming into effect starting next July. Also, I'm an ear-lobe stretcher... mine are currently at 16mm, and I plan to take them up to an inch.

[Chava]

I think piercings and many tatoos are beautiful. I would love to get more interesting piercings, but I can't because of my karate. Each session I have to take out and off all jewelery, so, more than the three I have would be a nightmare! Either that or suck it up when you get whacked with a roundhouse to your fresh piercing, and it rips out the jewelery... No thank you. Maybe when I retire after a black belt ;)

[papayahed]

Piercings are addicting. I would have had a lot more then just two eyebrow piercings if the VP didn't tell me to stop.

[Niamh]

i've only got my lobes pierced. And i dont wear earrings all the time...

[kasie]

Look - I know I'm Old and Grey and therefore Not Keeping Up, but will someone please, please explain to me the attraction of piercings. I cannot for the life of me understand the attraction of bits of metal stuck in any part of one's anatomy, the very thought of some revolts me.

Before anyone asks, no, I do not have pierced ears - my husband was a goldsmith, he offered to make me a pair of ear rings for every day of the year if I would have my ears pierced (he didn't like the limitations to design of clips) but even that did not tempt me. Yes, I wear other jewellery and I wear make-up, but that's temporary adornment, it can be removed. It seems something akin to abuse to have permanent holes punched in one's anatomy - please explain, someone.

[applepie]

No trouble with piercings for me, but I do have a love a tattoos. I'm plotting my back piece, but I think I'll be finished after that. I think the biggest reason I'm not more 'addicted' to them is the simple fact that I want a career in Corporate America. I don't necessarily wish to work for a big company, the small one I'm at is fine, but I do want to go far and be successful. Unfortunately, that is much harder if you have too many visible piercings and tattoos. So I'll content myself with covering my entire back in artwork, and that will be the end of it. I think it is a shame they are such a stigma, since I love mine, and I want more, but that is reality and I must live in it.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Look - I know I'm Old and Grey and therefore Not Keeping Up, but will someone please, please explain to me the attraction of piercings. I cannot for the life of me understand the attraction of bits of metal stuck in any part of one's anatomy, the very thought of some revolts me.

Before anyone asks, no, I do not have pierced ears - my husband was a goldsmith, he offered to make me a pair of ear rings for every day of the year if I would have my ears pierced (he didn't like the limitations to design of clips) but even that did not tempt me. Yes, I wear other jewellery and I wear make-up, but that's temporary adornment, it can be removed. It seems something akin to abuse to have permanent holes punched in one's anatomy - please explain, someone.

The holes aren't really permanent. If you take the rings out, eventually the hole closes over. Even when the hole is present, you can take out the jewelry an if it's a small piercing, like your ear lobe, you really don't even notice the hole. It's just like jewelry. It can be temporary adornment as well, if that's what you want.

Beyond that, some people look at it as a kind of art. Some piercings are actually very flattering to a person's body. They put emphasis on certain physical features that people like about themselves. It's a way of having some control over one's physical nature, of which people don't really have a lot.

I'm not addicted to piercings, but I like the ones I have. In fact, mine all have sentimental value. They were gifts. I have one in each ear lobe and my belly button done. I won't have any more done because they would not look appropriate in my job and the ones I have start to close up really quickly if I take the rings out. The only other one I would consider getting would be my nose.

[1n50mn14]

Look - I know I'm Old and Grey and therefore Not Keeping Up, but will someone please, please explain to me the attraction of piercings. I cannot for the life of me understand the attraction of bits of metal stuck in any part of one's anatomy, the very thought of some revolts me.

Before anyone asks, no, I do not have pierced ears - my husband was a goldsmith, he offered to make me a pair of ear rings for every day of the year if I would have my ears pierced (he didn't like the limitations to design of clips) but even that did not tempt me. Yes, I wear other jewellery and I wear make-up, but that's temporary adornment, it can be removed. It seems something akin to abuse to have permanent holes punched in one's anatomy - please explain, someone.

It ranges from an aesthetic thing to a spiritual thing (suspension being a further example of that). For some people, piercings are very spiritual, or a sign of success, personal reward, etc. E.g. I got my nipples pierced when I was finally comfortable enough with my own body to actually like my breasts. It was a huge step for me to be able to show them to a stranger. ;)

[mono]

My piercings have slowly disappeared over the years; I used to have several in a whole plethora of amusing places, but only have 4 left - a 12g barbel in the left conch, a 14g orbital hoop through the right ear cartilage, and an 18g left nostril nose piercing. I take pride in remembering that out of the something-teen piercings I had, I never got one infection; plus I always remained "symmetrical," as I claim - I always had a balance of holes on both sides of my body. :lol: Some would claim that I finally "grew up," and started removing the metal from my body, but it more seems that some lost their meanings, did not seem a part of me anymore, got in the way, or I lacked time and money to fund getting a piercing and caring for it; I even recall that heartbreaking feeling when removing the small hoop out of my right tragus, because it kept getting in the way of my stethoscope; another I had to remove for imaging studies (CT scans and x-rays) of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and it healed over within a day, so I could not fit the jewelry back in its place. Just like those, these last 4 will likely fall out with time, the conch, as my favorite, likely ending up last - a very simple, yet elegant piercing.
As to addictions - yes, piercings get very addictive! I have no tattoos, and likely will not, so I cannot speak of that type of body modification. In a previous human anatomy and physiology class, years ago, my course partner and I, feeling desperate for a project subject, as a deadline approached, wrote a moderately-sized essay upon the topics of the "addictions" of body art from both a neurological and endocrine perspective - yes, highly addictive.

Look - I know I'm Old and Grey and therefore Not Keeping Up, but will someone please, please explain to me the attraction of piercings. I cannot for the life of me understand the attraction of bits of metal stuck in any part of one's anatomy, the very thought of some revolts me.

Before anyone asks, no, I do not have pierced ears - my husband was a goldsmith, he offered to make me a pair of ear rings for every day of the year if I would have my ears pierced (he didn't like the limitations to design of clips) but even that did not tempt me. Yes, I wear other jewellery and I wear make-up, but that's temporary adornment, it can be removed. It seems something akin to abuse to have permanent holes punched in one's anatomy - please explain, someone.
No worries, kasie - some get curious about these things, and an individual passing by another on the street with tattoos and piercings head-to-toe, making one wonder what they look like under all that ink and metal, seems bound to create some questions and cause some odd looks.
I think it safe to say that piercings fit under a firm category of body modifications, and, at that, not quite as permanent as tattoos or cosmetic surgeries, for example. The term "body modifications," I think, can stretch farther than meets the eye, regardless of one's age, background, gender, etc., as all that the term states relates to a modification of one's appearance. Personally, I like women who require little to no make-up in order to look, at least, semi-decent; the appearance of a woman wearing layers of make-up, quite honestly, I find very unnattractive, in the same way that people who do not like piercings or tattoos may look upon someone inked and pierced. Why do some individuals wear make-up? They think such a topical modification enhances their appearance and increases their attractiveness; it may seem easier to remove eyeliner, but it modifies one's appearance, just like a piercing, nonetheless.
Upon giving that comparative analogy, a lot of people then ask "why put yourself through so much pain to have a piece of metal placed through you?" Honestly, I have never encountered the apparently great discomfort of women's clothing when a woman attempts to look nice - everything from high-heels and bras to corsets and frustrating battles with long hair. Why put yourself through so much discomfort, end up with bunions due to such shoes, acute hypoventilation from tight bras and corsets, and higher incidences of alopecia from alleged hair enhancing products? Because the individual thinks it enhances one's appearance, and such sacrifices of physical discomfort carry worth after what they may offer - compliments, attracting someone, fitting in, etc. I have encountered some serious discomfort with getting some piercings, but, personally, if my parents had bore a female rather than a male, I doubt I could put myself through the successive tortures an average adult woman puts herself through in contemporary times. Why put yourself through the pain of piercings? Why bear the discomfort of wearing a thong?

[kasie]

Thank you, people - I begin to understand the thinking behind it. It's just not for me, I think. (Neither are high heels, tight underwear - or thongs, mono!! What you see is what you get.)

A five year old cured me of wearing green eye-shadow: Miss, why are your eyes that funny colour? she asked. Because I have green eyes and the eye shadow makes them more beautiful, I replied. Hmmm, she said, and the look on her face quite clearly said, I think you're fooling yourself and only yourself, Miss. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.....

[Virgil]

Thank you, people - I begin to understand the thinking behind it. It's just not for me, I think. (Neither are high heels, tight underwear - or thongs, mono!! What you see is what you get.)

A five year old cured me of wearing green eye-shadow: Miss, why are your eyes that funny colour? she asked. Because I have green eyes and the eye shadow makes them more beautiful, I replied. Hmmm, she said, and the look on her face quite clearly said, I think you're fooling yourself and only yourself, Miss. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.....

:lol: I'm with you Kasie. I just don't get it either. It doesn't even look attractive to me. But to each his own. It must be a generational thing.

[higley]

I have three piercings in the bottom of each ear, and would like to add one higher up on both, but I have too much of a babyface to pull off anything edgy.

Hey, I only get to hang ornaments on the Christmas tree once a year. Something's got to hold me over. :D

[grotto]

I don’t get it either, maybe it’s my age, but I prefer the beauty of simplicity over the aggrandizement of excess. To each his own, so I guess that makes me a minimalist. I am so repulsed by pierced lips and eyebrows that I won’t even go through a check out line with a cashier who has them.

Tattoos don’t bother me, but I do wonder why. I had one once on my hand and it so embarrassed me as I got older that I had it removed. Body adornments have fickle life spans in fashion, tattoos go through generational fads and what do you do 20 years from now when they are looked down on as you attend your child’s graduation or seek that job promotion with a spider or dragoon up your neck? Something to think about and I think in ten years, plastic surgeons are going to love all the work they are going to have when they fix all of those stretched out ear lobes.

[1n50mn14]

I don’t get it either, maybe it’s my age, but I prefer the beauty of simplicity over the aggrandizement of excess. To each his own, so I guess that makes me a minimalist. I am so repulsed by pierced lips and eyebrows that I won’t even go through a check out line with a cashier who has them.

Tattoos don’t bother me, but I do wonder why. I had one once on my hand and it so embarrassed me as I got older that I had it removed. Body adornments have fickle life spans in fashion, tattoos go through generational fads and what do you do 20 years from now when they are looked down on as you attend your child’s graduation or seek that job promotion with a spider or dragoon up your neck? Something to think about and I think in ten years, plastic surgeons are going to love all the work they are going to have when they fix all of those stretched out ear lobes.

:rolleyes: It's the people that don't think about whether or not they really want to commit to stretching their ears, or whether or not they really like a specific tattoo before getting it that give everybody else in the body mod community a bad rep. I LOVE my stretched ears, I've had them for three years now, and am slowly taking them larger as I still like them. I've got some stupid tattoos on the backs of my knuckles that are slowly bleeding out and almost gone, and I don't regret them. They mark an era in my life, which well not so long ago, was very important in shaping me into who I am now, and also a very, very different time. Little reminders.

I've also had my lip and eyebrow pierced and would be extremely offended if you didn't accept my service. I'm just as good as everybody else at my job, whatever that may be. Piercings don't change anything >>about<< a person, their abilities, values, etc. I worked at Subway when I had all my piercings (and a giant, neon pink mohawk to boot), and even though I worked with a bunch of low life idiots, I occasionally had people ask if there was anybody else who could serve them :S.

Check out BMezine (www.bmezine.com) for some information about piercings, tattoos, and why people get them and stick with them.

(Early morning. That was really incoherent and less than eloquent.)

[ClaesGefvenberg]

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.....Ouch! Yes indeed.

As for piercings: I have had my hide both pierced and slashed many times... ...by accident. That is quite enough as far as I am concerned. ;)


/Claes

[grotto]

BeccaT, I’m not attacking you or anyone else for their life style, it is your choice, just as it is mine to refuse service from what I see as a form of mutilation to my eyes that makes me physically ill. Some people don’t like snakes, others spiders, for me, it’s facial piercings. I’m being tolerant of your life style, but tolerance doesn’t mean that I have to accept it nor do I have to agree with it. It’s my choice where I stand in line to pay for services or food, I’m not there to justify your life style, I’m there to eat and the piercings kill that real fast for me.

I was once young and rebellious, I needed to assert my differences and set myself apart from the crowd and then one day, someone said, “I see you are trying to be you, look at me! Terminally unique, just like everyone else.”

[Scheherazade]

An article on employability of tattoo and piercing owners. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8116876.stm)

[applepie]

I don’t get it either, maybe it’s my age, but I prefer the beauty of simplicity over the aggrandizement of excess. To each his own, so I guess that makes me a minimalist. I am so repulsed by pierced lips and eyebrows that I won’t even go through a check out line with a cashier who has them.

Tattoos don’t bother me, but I do wonder why. I had one once on my hand and it so embarrassed me as I got older that I had it removed. Body adornments have fickle life spans in fashion, tattoos go through generational fads and what do you do 20 years from now when they are looked down on as you attend your child’s graduation or seek that job promotion with a spider or dragoon up your neck? Something to think about and I think in ten years, plastic surgeons are going to love all the work they are going to have when they fix all of those stretched out ear lobes.

I'm a bit minimalist when it comes to things, even my tats, but I've little worry that they'll be looked down on. Tattoos and body art as a whole are increasingly gaining acceptance, even here in the uber conservative USA. I think it IS a generational thing, but the simple truth is that each generation becomes a little more accepting not the other way around. My grandparents were appalled when I came home with a tat, my grandpa viewed it as self mutilation. My dad considered getting one himself, though he's never acted, and my boyfriend/soon to be husband (at that time) traced it with his fingers admiring the intricacy of my Celtic Knot.

Now it's been 7 years since I've gotten it, and there is no regret. It is art, and the only problem I've ever had is in determining how I would like to expand on that art. I take quite seriously all that I do to my body, and I have to agree with Becca that regrets are for the people who don't stop to really think it through. If you have doubts that you'll like a modification in 20 years, it's not likely a good idea to do it. If you are certain and commit, there are no regrets only good memories.

It is amazing the things in your life that things like piercings and tattoos can be tied to and what memories they hold. As for me, I've finally solidified that I would like to add to my back in such a way that honors my journey as an individual, mother, wife, and eventually my descent into old age and all that comes with it. Often the symbology is called the "Triple Goddess". A representation of the maiden, mother, and crone. I'll add to that my own loves in life and things that hold meaning to me such as the sea and literature as well as a possible quote. There is no shame, and I imagine that my kids will do much the same as they do now. They'll trace the designs and know that they too are carried within a portrait of all that is important in my world.

[amanda_isabel]

I've only got one piercing on each ear lobe. My parents didn't allow me anything else, saying I would regret it later. (Of course if I went out now and had it done there really wouldn't be much they could do about it... On the other hand they could yank the metal out....)

I wanted a brow piercing a while back, and a few additional piercings by the ear... Some of my friends have gotten their bellies done. I've been thinking about it but I figure I should work on my midriff first ;)

I wonder if I'll ever actually get to having them done. :D

[Pensive]

Look - I know I'm Old and Grey and therefore Not Keeping Up, but will someone please, please explain to me the attraction of piercings. I cannot for the life of me understand the attraction of bits of metal stuck in any part of one's anatomy, the very thought of some revolts me.

I think I quite share most of your sentiments about this whole piercing-thingy, but I think I understand how piercings can be attractive for some people while they are not so for me...

[Virgil]

An article on employability of tattoo and piercing owners. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8116876.stm)

Just interviewed three young engineering prospects right out of college at work this past week for a job. All three very respectable candidates, dressed well, solid grades, gave good, articulate interviews. None had visible piercings or tattoos. If they had I can tell you I would not have hired him.

I guess it depends on the job, but if you want to be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer or whatever position of responsibility, you got to present yourself as a person of respectability.

[1n50mn14]

Just interviewed three young engineering prospects right out of college at work this past week for a job. All three very respectable candidates, dressed well, solid grades, gave good, articulate interviews. None had visible piercings or tattoos. If they had I can tell you I would not have hired him.

I guess it depends on the job, but if you want to be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer or whatever position of responsibility, you got to present yourself as a person of respectability.

Uh. I worked a summer at a courthouse, doing all sorts of respectable things, with all my piercings intact, my hair all shaved off, and my knuckle tattoos. I still know every single lawyer and real estate agent in the area, and I was asked to continue working for them full time. I cleaned it up and dressed respectably and kept my hair (well, bangs) an acceptable color, and despite the way I looked (which has nothing to do with abilities on anybody's part, you can be the cleanest looking person ever and still be an absolute, undependable moron), did a great job. I'm not going to change my looks to get a job: I don't need to, and smart people know that. You can look respectable, reponsible, and intelligent, but still have body modifications. They're becoming more and more prevalent in the world, and too soon, you WON'T be able to discriminate by that factor, because everybody will have them... (p.s. not hiring somebody due to piercings, etc, is illegal ;)

[Virgil]

Uh. I worked a summer at a courthouse, doing all sorts of respectable things, with all my piercings intact, my hair all shaved off, and my knuckle tattoos. I still know every single lawyer and real estate agent in the area, and I was asked to continue working for them full time. I cleaned it up and dressed respectably and kept my hair (well, bangs) an acceptable color, and despite the way I looked (which has nothing to do with abilities on anybody's part, you can be the cleanest looking person ever and still be an absolute, undependable moron), did a great job. I'm not going to change my looks to get a job: I don't need to, and smart people know that. You can look respectable, reponsible, and intelligent, but still have body modifications. They're becoming more and more prevalent in the world, and too soon, you WON'T be able to discriminate by that factor, because everybody will have them... (p.s. not hiring somebody due to piercings, etc, is illegal ;)

Well I'm happy for you. Doesn't mean that's typical. Who says anyone actually lists reasons for why they pick one over the other.

Plus I don't know what job this was for but it's not an engineer or a banker or manager. I don't think anyone is going to discriminate on this for a blue collar job, but in a corporate world it's disconcerting. I'm not saying one tattoo is going to sink you if it's modestly placed, but can you imagine a CEO having tattoos on his face? Or a piercing across his nostrils like a cow? Can you imagine the President of the US or the Prime Minister of Canada having such things?

[amanda_isabel]

Can you imagine the President of the US or the Prime Minister of Canada having such things?

I'd like to see that :D

[Pensive]

They're becoming more and more prevalent in the world, and too soon, you WON'T be able to discriminate by that factor, because everybody will have them... (p.s. not hiring somebody due to piercings, etc, is illegal ;)

People who love to discriminate will then find other things to use against people. For instance people like me, then, wouldn't be able to get jobs because they haven't got any piercings/tattoos!

Rejecting an able candidate just because he has/he has not got piercing doesn't sound very cool to me anyway. Discrimination just isn't and shouldn't be acceptable in any form (no offence specifically meant to you Virgil, just speaking generally :))

[1n50mn14]

Well I'm happy for you. Doesn't mean that's typical. Who says anyone actually lists reasons for why they pick one over the other.

Plus I don't know what job this was for but it's not an engineer or a banker or manager. I don't think anyone is going to discriminate on this for a blue collar job, but in a corporate world it's disconcerting. I'm not saying one tattoo is going to sink you if it's modestly placed, but can you imagine a CEO having tattoos on his face? Or a piercing across his nostrils like a cow? Can you imagine the President of the US or the Prime Minister of Canada having such things?

Sure, why not? I certainly wouldn't respect them any less. I just don't get why having mods affords a person less respect. People need to be judged based on their abilities, not on their appearances. I don't want to destroy friendships, so I'm done arguing this. But JMO.

As it is, people have a tendency to divide potential employees into two categories: those with mods, and those without. The categories need to be: those who are capable, and those who are not. If you really feel the need to judge by appearance, leave out the mods, and look at cleanliness. Does this person have good personal hygiene? Are they clean? Hell, the way most people feel about mods, do they have track marks?

*ripping out hair here*

This is ridiculous. I'm sorry. I'm gone

[Virgil]

People who love to discriminate will then find other things to use against people. For instance people like me, then, wouldn't be able to get jobs because they haven't got any piercings/tattoos!

Rejecting an able candidate just because he has/he has not got piercing doesn't sound very cool to me anyway. Discrimination just isn't and shouldn't be acceptable in any form (no offence specifically meant to you Virgil, just speaking generally :))
No offence taken. Descrimination of one's ethnicity or religion or race is absolutely wrong. But there are requirements of presentation. If someone came in filthy or in sexually suggestive clothing or spoke with language that had a curse word in every sentence, no matter how smart and capable that person is, he does not meet requirements of presentation. Same thing with tattoos and piercings.


Sure, why not? I certainly wouldn't respect them any less. I just don't get why having mods affords a person less respect. People need to be judged based on their abilities, not on their appearances. I don't want to destroy friendships, so I'm done arguing this. But JMO.

As it is, people have a tendency to divide potential employees into two categories: those with mods, and those without. The categories need to be: those who are capable, and those who are not. If you really feel the need to judge by appearance, leave out the mods, and look at cleanliness. Does this person have good personal hygiene? Are they clean? Hell, the way most people feel about mods, do they have track marks?

*ripping out hair here*

This is ridiculous. I'm sorry. I'm gone
Not sure I know what you mean by mods. But you can read my reply to Pensive. There is a requirement of presentation. One doesn't work in a vacuum at a task. One has to work with many types of people and bosses and customers. A person making a presentation with a cow ring through one's nose is ludicrous and doesn't carry credibility. I'm sorry that's reality. Perhaps in another generation these things will be common and won't carry these associations. But my guess is if it happens then the youth of that day will move on to something else that's shocking. If you dress to shock, then don't be surprised when people get shocked.

[papayahed]

Sure, why not? I certainly wouldn't respect them any less. I just don't get why having mods affords a person less respect. People need to be judged based on their abilities, not on their appearances. I don't want to destroy friendships, so I'm done arguing this. But JMO.

As it is, people have a tendency to divide potential employees into two categories: those with mods, and those without. The categories need to be: those who are capable, and those who are not. If you really feel the need to judge by appearance, leave out the mods, and look at cleanliness. Does this person have good personal hygiene? Are they clean? Hell, the way most people feel about mods, do they have track marks?

*ripping out hair here*

This is ridiculous. I'm sorry. I'm gone

While I'm there with you the truth is that there are still a great deal of old timers in the business world who have the perception that mods = malcontents. I'm still amazed at the level of prejudice I see in industry in the day and age. I've worked with guys that don't see a problem using racial slurs when speaking about others, or the guy on the county commision who still thinks of women as coffee getters and note takers.

[Mr Endon]

(p.s. not hiring somebody due to piercings, etc, is illegal ;)

Actually, if the company is a private one, they can hire however they like, they're not obliged to give an official justification as to why they didn't hire you.

If you're applying for the public sector, well, apparently it depends. Personality rights apply, so usually appearence wouldn't be grounds for dismissal. However, in certain jobs (where a dress code is required, for example) the hiring entity may be justified in not hiring you. Virgil gives some of the reasons why this is so:


[...] there are requirements of presentation. If someone came in filthy or in sexually suggestive clothing or spoke with language that had a curse word in every sentence, no matter how smart and capable that person is, he does not meet requirements of presentation. Same thing with tattoos and piercings.

This, of course, only applies for certain jobs. Decisions are made case by case, except if it's a private company, in which case there's no issue.

[this according to the Portuguese law, by the way]

[Stargazer86]

No trouble with piercings for me, but I do have a love a tattoos. I'm plotting my back piece, but I think I'll be finished after that. I think the biggest reason I'm not more 'addicted' to them is the simple fact that I want a career in Corporate America. I don't necessarily wish to work for a big company, the small one I'm at is fine, but I do want to go far and be successful. Unfortunately, that is much harder if you have too many visible piercings and tattoos. So I'll content myself with covering my entire back in artwork, and that will be the end of it. I think it is a shame they are such a stigma, since I love mine, and I want more, but that is reality and I must live in it.

Me too :)

[stephofthenight]

er think I did this thread a few years ago but lets see.
Do you have any tattoos, plan on them? How many and pictures! Do you feel tattoos are addicting, if you have more than one what is the story, which one hurt the most.

[stephofthenight]

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z72/stephofthenight/IMG_0585.jpg
have to get this one touched up. probably hurt the worst just because that skin never has any contact to have any pain resistance in the nerves.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z72/stephofthenight/phone025.jpg
cant see the colors so well, but its pink blue and purple. :D

[metal134]

I have three. This was my first, on my upper right arm:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p26/metal134/100_0127.jpg

This one is on my right forearm:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p26/metal134/Dragontattoo.jpg

And here's my latest, the Angel of Death, left forearm:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p26/metal134/AngelofDeathtattoo.jpg

All my tattoos were chosen for heavy metal imagery. I plan on more, perhaps a quarter to half sleeve on my left arm.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

If it weren't for my disability, I have no doubt I'd have a good amount of tattoos by now. But they'd be of my own design, completely original. No stars or skulls for this guy (okay, maybe some skulls).

[metal134]

Oh, BTW, all you people who voted tattoos are disgusting. You suck. Seriously, I hate you. I'm not even joking.

[The Comedian]

Oh, BTW, all you people who voted tattoos are disgusting. You suck. Seriously, I hate you. I'm not even joking.

Sensitive, eh?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Oh, BTW, all you people who voted tattoos are disgusting. You suck. Seriously, I hate you. I'm not even joking.

:iagree: :lol: Though, "hate" may be a bit strong for me. I'd say you're just incredibly shallow and shortsighted. :nod:

[The Comedian]

Well, I'm one who does think they look silly and desperate. But I don't hate anyone who has them. I just think to myself "too bad".

I also don't much care for Jane Austen novels, eating bananas, excessive use of the passive voice, and messy rooms. But I certainly don't "hate" or attribute "shallowness" to those people who prefer those aesthetic choices.

[YesNo]

I just voted that I have enough tats already. Since I have 0 that sort of shows my personal desire for them.

But I think they can be attractive, (but not on me).

One of my relatives got a tattoo of her boyfriend's name across her neck, so everyone could see. I don't recommend doing something like that. When she broke up with him, she had to get the name modified. When they got back together, apparently the tattoo artist could make the name come back again.

Anyway, if you want to put the name of your lover on your body, put it on your ankle where it is hidden, which is what her boyfriend did.

[faithosaurus]

I'm not too much a fan of tattoos. Sometimes tiny ones on the neck or ankle or something can look cute, but other than that I'm just not into it.

Gotta say, those tattoos are pretty cool, SON :)

[metal134]

:iagree: :lol: Though, "hate" may be a bit strong for me. I'd say you're just incredibly shallow and shortsighted. :nod:
No, I'm not. That's like saying that hating racism makes you shallow. It's apples to oranges, I know, but I'm trying to paint an accurate picture as to how I feel about it. I can see how that may have come off, as "I hate you because you don't like something that I do", but I'm talking about a discriminatory attitude. Thankful, that kind of scum is a dying breed.


Well, I'm one who does think they look silly and desperate.
Well, you're wrong. It's this kind of utter naivety that I'm talking about.

[The Comedian]

Well, you're wrong. It's this kind of utter naivety that I'm talking about.

Help me out. Am I wrong in that I don't really think that tattoos look silly? Or is my aesthetic judgment flawed in that I fail to recognize the innate beauty of tattoos?

[Armel P]

Oh, BTW, all you people who voted tattoos are disgusting. You suck. Seriously, I hate you. I'm not even joking.

Keep in mind that with the way the poll is worded, there is no option that simply states "I don't like tattoos." If you have no appreciation for them your only real option is to choose the one that says they're disgusting.

[Janine]

I've been reading this thread and I agree with Armel; there is no category one can choice if you simply do not like them. There are plenty of categories to the contrary but there could have been a few more moderate or central opinions for voting.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

No, I'm not. That's like saying that hating racism makes you shallow. It's apples to oranges, I know, but I'm trying to paint an accurate picture as to how I feel about it. I can see how that may have come off, as "I hate you because you don't like something that I do", but I'm talking about a discriminatory attitude. Thankful, that kind of scum is a dying breed.


I wasn't referring to you as being shallow and shortsighted, I was calling people who think tattoos are disgusting as being shallow and shortsighted. :lol: Should've clarified, I suppose.

There should also be an option for being completely indifferent to tattoos--I know people who couldn't care less either way.

P.S. metal134, you should participate in the "Rate That Song" game thread. I'm literally the only person who posts heavy metal songs (and I mean modern stuff, not just Black Sabbath and Metallica) and they always get trashed. So, join in!

[metal134]

I wasn't referring to you as being shallow and shortsighted, I was calling people who think tattoos are disgusting as being shallow and shortsighted. :lol: Should've clarified, I suppose.

There should also be an option for being completely indifferent to tattoos--I know people who couldn't care less either way.

P.S. metal134, you should participate in the "Rate That Song" game thread. I'm literally the only person who posts heavy metal songs (and I mean modern stuff, not just Black Sabbath and Metallica) and they always get trashed. So, join in!
Yeah, that kind of hit me later on in the day. :blush:

And I think I will. It's good to see that I have a brother (or sister?) in metal around here. Because that's what metal is; a brotherhood.

[metal134]

Help me out. Am I wrong in that I don't really think that tattoos look silly? Or is my aesthetic judgment flawed in that I fail to recognize the innate beauty of tattoos?
Well, yeah. I would say you're wrong. Because it's not so much the fact that they don't fit your taste. That much, I respect. But that's not the vibe you give off. You give off the vibe that the very idea of getting a tattoo is silly and that people are silly for having them. But I think the part that got me more than the silly part was that they "are desperate". What the hell does that mean, anyway? That people, which would obviously include me, are trying to get attention somehow? That is condescending and offensive.

[JuniperWoolf]

I like tattoos of trees. They almost always look good.

http://cdn.sheclick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Tree-Tattoo-Design.jpg

http://www.tattoo.udien.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tree-back-tattoo-design.jpg

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Yeah, that kind of hit me later on in the day. :blush:

And I think I will. It's good to see that I have a brother (or sister?) in metal around here. Because that's what metal is; a brotherhood.

In this case, brother. Loves me some hot metal chicks, though. :nod:

[papayahed]

Literary Tats (http://www.buzzfeed.com/melismashable/20-awesome-literary-tattoos?awesm=awe.sm_5HASF&utm_content=awesm-tweet-button-horizontal&utm_medium=awe.sm-twitter&utm_source=direct-awe.sm)

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Really dig The Great Gatsby, V., the Kafka, On The Road, Fahrenheit 451, The Waves, and The Sound and the Fury.

[1n50mn14]

I fully intend to be covered in tattoos someday. My body is my canvas. And if somebody thinks they look silly, that's fine, because maybe I don't like your pants, your haircut, or your purse. Personal choices. However, I DO think there is something to be said for putting THOUGHT into tattoos... tattoos should be art- not picked out of a booklet, or a poster on the wall, or done in haste. Tattoos should be done by reputable artists- yes, artists... there is a difference between somebody who knows how to do a tattoo, and somebody who is an artist.

I have one, at the moment. It is the first verse of my favorite poem. It will be turning into a sleeve, depicting the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. My tattoo artist has a degree in fine arts... and we`ve been putting thought into this for years.

Piercings are very personal. The book Modern Primitives has a lot to say about the cultural reasons for body modification. I LOVE my piercings and tattoos, and funny hair, and style of dress- body modification is a way of life, and it's the people who think 'ohlawl, a kyuuuuuuuuute tribal butterfly tattoo!' who ruin it as art for everybody else.

[metal134]

Personally, I'm not one for piercings. However, I'm not a "how can people do that kind've thing" douchebag. And I truly feel those people are douchebags. And if that makes me wrong for thinking that, then I am %100 OK with that.

Commenting on the literary tattoos, some of those were really nice. I like the Faulkner one. If I were to get that sort of tattoo, it would probably be Gravity's Rainbow. In fact, I've been wanting a half-sleeve for quite some time, maybe...

[weltanschauung]

here's a piece of (one of) mine(s), with a little photoshop
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188217_10150181689547033_541527032_8284215_3140920 _n.jpg

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

The one thing I don't "get" that's become big with body-art here lately is the ear-lobe discs. 1. They look very stupid. 2. Unlike with normal piercings, these cause permanent damage, stretching out the ear-lobe. Nothing like a big, floppy, noodle ear to make oneself look attractive.

[1n50mn14]

^My lobes are one inch, and if done PROPERLY, they often return to normal size if you take out the jewelry. There is a point of no return, but to each their own. I might think your hair looks stupid, but that's your choice, and I would never say so...

I put my ear buds through mine to keep them in place, and sharpie markers if I need them around the barn, etc. :)

I really don't understand all the judgement against piercings/tattoos/stretching/etc. Why can't we just live and let live?

[papayahed]

I put my ear buds through mine to keep them in place, and sharpie markers if I need them around the barn, etc. :)


Do you ever forget they're there and search all over for them? I ALWAYS do that when I put pens, markers, etc. in my hair.:auto:

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

1 inch doesn't look too bad. A little smaller looks kind of cool. But any bigger and I just think it looks silly. Of course, this is just my opinion. I think many tattoos look quite silly.

And I don't judge a person's character based on image. Well, to a point. I do question this guy's (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SqhhJb_P3Kk/SVVHDhdWTuI/AAAAAAAAD7o/RYwqMvQQ5jo/s400/Body+modification+extreme.jpg).

[meg's]

last week i meet a friend and i never know he is tattoo designer, and now were planning to put tattoo at my back but until now i can't decide...i am looking for some ideas you post here.


__________________
I want a nice Tattoo Design (http://www.tattoodesigntips.info) to put in my back.

[The Comedian]

last week i meet a friend and i never know he is tattoo designer, and now were planning to put tattoo at my back but until now i can't decide...i am looking for some ideas you post here.

I'm sure they're all good. ;)

[Alexander III]

I have a tattoo right beneath my ribs, on my lower left back.

It is just a block of writing in a normal font and midnight black ink

Τώρα που ζω, θέλω να γδω τα πιθυμάω κι ορίζω,
κι άμα, σα φύγω να με κλαίς,
χάρη δε στο γνωρίζω.

[Vonny]

I'm sure they're all good. ;)

I agree. Just pick one. :coolgleamA:

[JuniperWoolf]

I've decided that I'll never get a tattoo. If I find something that is so significant to me that I want it on my flesh, I'll get some scarification or a brand. Tattoos are too blasé now.

[Revolte]

I've got 6-7 tattoos (depending how you look at it) and will continue to get more until it is no longer possible. Only one piercing though I want more but eh, I keep getting lazy. And I love and support graffiti.

[Pensive]

Still, none.
Friends trying to get me to have my ears pierced though.

[Paulclem]

I should have a tattoo given my origins in Yorkshire. I'd like one, but I've got other stuff to pay for first. It's a long way down the list, and I'll perhaps never get one.

[Vonny]

I should have a tattoo given my origins in Yorkshire. I'd like one, but I've got other stuff to pay for first. It's a long way down the list, and I'll perhaps never get one.

I asked my friend about tattoos because I hadn't paid much attention to them before I came to this forum, and then I noticed that there are a lot of tattoos where I live, and many tattoo parlors.

My friend said she knows of people on social security income whose electricity is being shut off because they haven't paid the bill, and they take what money they have to get another tattoo. :coolgleamA:

[LadyLuck]

I love my tat, and I can't wait to add. I finally have an idea of what I want. Now all I need is the time and money :)

[papayahed]

I've decided that I'll never get a tattoo. If I find something that is so significant to me that I want it on my flesh, I'll get some scarification or a brand. Tattoos are too blasé now.

Does it count as a brand if the oven door closed on my arm? After that I think I'm done with the whole burning skin thing if I can help it.

[Paulclem]

I asked my friend about tattoos because I hadn't paid much attention to them before I came to this forum, and then I noticed that there are a lot of tattoos where I live, and many tattoo parlors.

My friend said she knows of people on social security income whose electricity is being shut off because they haven't paid the bill, and they take what money they have to get another tattoo. :coolgleamA:

Aye - priorities.

I once had my mates on that I had had a tattoo on my bum of a sword with a snake coiled round it after a drunken night out. Twenty years later my brother still thought I'd got it. I obviously didn't moon at people enough. :biggrin5:

[JuniperWoolf]

Does it count as a brand if the oven door closed on my arm? After that I think I'm done with the whole burning skin thing if I can help it.

Hmm, I think it would only count if it formed some kind of design. Does the burn resemble a four-leafed clover or something like that?

[Vonny]

Aye - priorities.

I once had my mates on that I had had a tattoo on my bum of a sword with a snake coiled round it after a drunken night out. Twenty years later my brother still thought I'd got it. I obviously didn't moon at people enough. :biggrin5:

I bet that that is there! :eek:


Actually, it wouldn't surprise me at all!