I've grown weary of tattoos.

[IntravenousDemilo]

Once upon a time, say 30 years ago, they were still novel and "edgy", with a bad-boy quality about them. My dad had kind of a crude one on his forearm, and my brother had an anchor tattooed on his arm when he was in the armed forces (why he got an anchor when he wasn't in the navy is beyond me), but otherwise they were pretty rare.

When I saw the movie The Bounty (Anthony Hopkins & Mel Gibson) back in the '80s, and all the sailors were going native in Tahiti and getting tattoos, it was still remarkable. It just wouldn't have the same dramatic impact today. Now that everybody and his dog seems to have one, the novelty has worn off. Not that I was ever drawn to them aesthetically in the first place—neck tattoos especially; nothing says "defendant" quite so eloquently as a neck tat.

I've seen one tattoo lately that I actually found very moving, though. A friend of mine, whose baby son had died accidentally ten years earlier, had his son's little handprint tattooed on his right upper back, in memoriam.

But aside from that, it's got to the point where it's refreshing to see someone who isn't all tatted up. Unlike back in the "old days", tattoos now seem more a sign of conformity than of individual expression or rebellion.

[hollysmom]

1. my 25 year old neice is getting "sleeves"

She is such a snow white kind of beauty with the most beautiful skin. I told her not to get any on anything that could sag like upper arms or ass or breasts, but I don't think she thinks ahead much.

[IntravenousDemilo]

3. Is she getting them because everybody else has them?

I'm guessing that the thought of getting that much ink probably wouldn't have crossed her mind if she were 25 back in the '80s.

Really, it's a little like putting on a bolo tie that you can never take off.

[hollysmom]

4. her freinds have tatoos but get this

She is getting Nightmare before christmas being put all over. She already had it on her back, part of chest, outlined on left arm and on upper right arm. At leasst it is one theme, I said if you get too much when you are young, you will have no room for things in the future - nope, didn't work.

[IntravenousDemilo]

5. I guess henna's not an option, then, eh?

[Rhythm]

34. Hate me for this, but i'm jealous of her theme-choice...

...and i'm almost 50 !

I have a co-worker who has an "Alice in Wonderland" themed sleeve... she used the old illustrations from the books, rather than the Disneyfied versions, ans the work is exquisite.

[Walk away]

11. "I don't think she thinks ahead much"....Ya think?

That is just sad.

[Logical]

25. So sad. Her choice though. Just really unattractive to me. n-t

[RandySF]

2. Tattoos can add or detract

I think it depends on the design and placement and, if I can be shallow for a moment, skin quality. My skin would be a terrible canvas for body art.

[UTUSN]

6. Agree, on all points of the o.p.

I got an anchor in the USN cough number of years ago, upper arm, small, blurred, unseeable with short sleeves, besides that I won't inflict my physique on others in broad daylight (not even "muscle" shirts, you're welcome).

And, yes, the every-square-inch deal is regrettable on sight. Sorry. And, yes, when the occasional UFC contestants are "clean," it *is* a relief.

My military thing was more "souvenir" than expression or rebellion. Having watched a fair number of "ink" shows, the "story" rationale (memory of this person or other person or whatever) seems sad, almost as if they have to go to a tattooist to have somebody to unburden themselves to. Then what happens, they can use the tattoo to tell their story (in words) to whoever sees it, repeatedly? Also, might as well continue digging my hole, I suspect that some or more of the customers seek human touch, or even exhibitionism, in getting repeatedly tattooed.

When I got mine, nobody in my family ever had one and my parents were, like, appalled. While I waited, a young dude entered the shop and was furiously unhappy with what he got. He berated the tattooist with, "It was supposed to be the head of a JAGUAR, and it looks like a POSSUM!1" I and probably some of the other waiting customers had the thought, "Uh, I think I should leave?!1 (Weighing the embarrassment/judgment factor.)"

[Locut0s]

17. "Also, might as well continue digging my hole"...

[UTUSN]

19. Hey!1 It can happen!1 (to me) - wow gorgeous pics at your website!1 nt

[antiquie]

32. Yes, really interesting photos.

Please provide a bit of information on IMGP3693.

[FatBuddy]

7. well, then i'm a big fat tub of refreshment

no tats, never had, never will.

not of big fan of them either.

[fizzgig]

8. i know a lot of heavily tattooed people

none of whom i'd call conformists. my friends have some really great pieces.

[valerief]

9. When I was a kid, only old Navy men and Hells Angels bikers had tattoos. Yecch. nt

[UTUSN]

13. Wait a minit!1 "old Navy men" and "Yecch" go together HOW?!1 HaHAH!1 n/t

[valerief]

26. Old Navy men and tattoos! nt

[UTUSN]

33. Well, *that* explains everything!1 Accepted!1 n/t

[Aristus]

10. I don't know how I made it through seven years in the Army

without getting a single tattoo...

It all comes down to individual choice. It's a very human drive, to adorn oneself. As for their relative attractiveness, I think they look very lovely on some women, and just ordinary on others. The merit of any adornment is tied to the attractiveness of the personality.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

12. A few years ago,

I dated a woman in her mid 30's (same age as me then). And we were both equally surprised that neither of us had any tattoos or piercings. She was probably the first girl that I dated in 10 years that didn't have any sort of modification. I think not having tattoos nowadays is way cooler.

[dawg]

14. All my tattoos and piercings ...

are on the inside.

[mrsadm]

15. I prefer jewelry...

For self adornment!

[Locut0s]

16. Too each their own...

Like you I'm not a tattoo person but creative tattoos can look interesting. I think the thing most people are missing is that tattoos well done usually have some kind of significant personal meaning attached to them for the tattooed person.

What I really don't get are all the clichéd dime a dozen throw away tattoos that so many seem to still go in for. The kind that people get on a drunk night out or something.

[Lucinda]

18. I don't have any, but I love them

[Locut0s]

20. Pro tip, go over your tattoo idea with others before committing...

And get a pro to do it.

Otherwise...

[Lucinda]

41. That gives a whole new meaning to term "dickhead"

[a la izquierda]

21. Cool deal.

I should start a thread about squares who hate tattoos and how wrong they are, so DU can start another round of wars. Nah, I'm kidding I don't care if anyone likes them or hates them. It's kind of like abortion: if you don't want one, don't get one...but kindly mind your own business about my right to get one (you in abstraction, not you specifically, Intravenous). And before the hordes coming screaming for my blood, I'm not comparing abortion to tattooing. You can't be too careful on DU anymore.

I have half sleeves on both arms and my legs done. I'm 36, female, a history professor at a major university. You would only see my tattoos if I wanted you to (ie my students don't). My tattoos are tasteful, exceptionally well done, and mean nothing to anyone but me. No Chinese symbols or cartoon characters.

I'm pretty non-conformist.

[Wounded Bear]

22. I can't even maintain a long term relationship...

Tatoos are just too.....permanent.

[hobbit709]

23. I always like leaving the tattoos, scars and other distinguishing characteristics blank.

It's hard to fade into the crowd if you have some rather obvious tattoos.

[mythology]

24. Personally I'd never get one

but I know plenty of people who have them. I agree with the person who said you should probably avoid neck tattoos, but I would avoid any that aren't hidden with regular clothes like tshirts or shorts.

Both because it's hard to get a job in many fields, but also you don't know how it's going to age.

I worked with a guy who in the 1970's had naked women tattooed on his forearms. He tried to have the work covered up, but in the end you could still tell what the underlying art was if you looked so when around the public, he had to wear long sleeves even in the summer.

[anasv]

27. ugly

They're just ugly. I have never seen a good looking one.

[easttexaslefty]

28. It's always nice to know what

others think of your very personal memorial. "ugly"
You are so kind. http://imgur.com/PKKFdoh

[Rhythm]

35. There's some exquisite work out there...

I'm sorry you've not gotten the chance to witness it yet.

http://www.bizarbin.com/3d-tattoos/

[LynneSin]

29. This is why I have never gotten any tattoos

I tend to grow bored quickly of things.

[TexasBushwhacker]

30. I've seen way too many ugly ones

I worked at Whole Foods for 5 years, which is a very tat friendly employer. I was one of the few ink free team members. I had a friend that had a big 3D black widow spider on her upper arm. UCK! I just think about how all the tramp stamps are going to look in 50 years in the nursing homes.

[4_TN_TITANS]

31. I was kind of indifferent to them until...

I read an article on the toxicity of the inks (on DU no less). Some of those inks are automotive grade and have lots of heavy metals. The article forecast a coming climb in skin and related cancers.

Here is one such article:
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2011/tattoo-inks-face-scrutiny

[Earth_First]

36. I just put a deposit down on one on Saturday...

For me though, covering this one is about closure on a part of my life that's long behind me that I'd just as much forget, and this is part of that process for me.

[Rhythm]

37. I'm almost 50 yrs old, and am one of the least-inked people at my job...

In previous places of employment, i was one of the MOST...

I currently manage the kitchen in a college-town pub, and about 80% of my co-workers are students...

There are days when i wish i had the cashflow to get the amount of work that i see on a lot of patrons and staff members.
But then i remember, i have things that they do not... a family to take care of, and i don't have mom & dad paying my bills and tuition.

However, i do think i am going to get a new one for my birthday this year... the first new ink in over 20 yrs.
I'm still working out the template details (it's an intricate Celtic piece), but once i have it just right, there's a quality shop here in our city that will do it justice.

[laundry_queen]

38. Just call me a trendoid

I got my one and only tattoo 12 years ago. Not only is it a celestial tattoo...it also has my astrological sign! Not exactly unique. In fact, my best friend, who came with me, chose the same design when she did her consultation on a different day - we didn't know we chose the same one until we showed up for the appointment! LOL.

But anyway...I would have had more tattoos by now but I just can't decide what I want and I have no money for it currently.

I don't really care that people think they are too trendy or uncool or whatever. I love them. My mom said that I would regret mine. I haven't. Not for one second. Looking at it just makes me want more, LOL. I love looking at people who are all 'tatted up'. In fact, the more tattoos I see the more I love and want them. Everyone has their own opinion and taste

[IntravenousDemilo]

42. I just think they'd be so much more cool if fewer people had them.

You know what I'm saying? I don't trust public taste much at the best of times; if something is really popular, I figure it can't be any good. And tattoos are just so familiar nowadays that they've really palled and lost any effect they used to have.

In typographical terms, if everything is boldface, then nothing is boldface.

Or in terms of cuisine, if everything you eat is super-spicy, then eventually you won't be able to taste anything else, and even the spice will seem boring and bland.

[davidpdx]

39. I think if people have them, that's cool

It makes more sense to have them where they can be covered. For instance I teach (children and college )and obviously it's not very appropriate or professional to have them where they are visible, but I have worked with people who do have them.

For me personally, I would never do it.

[DebJ]

40. It's just a shame sometimes that they are so permanent.

My daughter had a close friend who got the sleeves thing done around age 21.
Ten years later she was in my daughter's wedding, which was outside in the summer and
had sleeveless dresses, and she had come to regret her tattoos, and was extremely
embarrassed. No one said anything to her...her discomfort was because she regretted
the tattoos ten years later. And will have to live with that for all her years after age 31.

So it would be nice if they were easily removable. But, like many decisions in life, too late now.

[IntravenousDemilo]

43. And another thing...

I think the naked body is a beautiful thing (most of the time), and you can never again know the joy of being completely naked once you've been inked. When you have a tattoo, you're always wearing something.