“To tattoo or not to tattoo?” that is the question. Everywhere I go and everyone I see has one or more. Not just a teenie tiny picture of a daisy on their shoulder, but arms , legs, and torsos covered in colorful ink. Who needs to go to The Art Institute? It’s cheaper to stand on Michigan Ave. and look at the walking people paintings. Truthfully I’m kinda jealous. Or am I? That’s another good question. I haven’t seen see an 80 year old woman with a pirate on her upper arm yet but I bet she’s out there.
Maybe I could convince my Mom to get a tattoo. She is a fashionista and determined even at 92 to keep up with the most current trends. “But Mom, Angelina Jolie is covered in them and here she is in “Vogue” wearing a Valentino dress too.” Mom could be persuaded especially if they had a fancy little tattoo counter at Neimans. Maybe we could have a mother/daughter tattoo experience and then a nice lunch.
It seems very hip and cool to be one of the tattooed generation. I used to be hip and cool but it only involved long hair, bell bottoms and a joint, not ink applied with a needle! Oh God I’m a needle phobe. Do they have defribrilators at tattoo parlors? And what would I want inscribed and where on my body would I want it? My head is about to explode from all the questions. “Does anyone know where I left my cell phone?” might be a good choice for a tattoo as it would solve my “hip” dilemma as well as help me find the damn phone. Ixnay to a flower image as I don’t need a further reminder that mine are always on the brink of death. “Stand up straight” would be a tribute to Mom as would “Do you like your hair that color?”
It might be fun to be one of the tattooed folks as my hipness level unfortunately dropped along with my hormones a while back. I might get some colored pens and experiment at home before I commit to anything permanent. I’m open to suggestions.
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I don’t like them. I see these people and especially women with them on their necks and it looks like they forgot to wash – looks like dirt spots to me. I feel like people branded their animals and slaves to know who they belonged to, why brand yourself. Then I am also ole school, Mama said the Bible states that we are not to disfigure our bodies. I hate I even had my ears pierced. Body piercing and belly buttons is another one, looks awful and then they wonder why they can’t find a job. Can you imagine the President of the US or a company with tattoes and body piercing. I can’t stand the tongue rings, what a risk and these awful studs sticking out from your lip looking like a blister. Puke! I think no matter what these people come up with Americans will buy it. They tell you it is fashion and you go for it and they laugh at you all the way to the bank. Foolishness is what it is.
I’m not a big fan of all the piercings – it makes me a little nauseous. I am however intrigued by all the body art, although I agree finding a job would be difficult especially in this job market. I am amazed at all the young kids I see with tattoos – it’s rampant.
I agree with you Alma. I often wish I didn’t pierce my ears. And I see someone that has taken care of themselves (young and old) and dressed nice, hair coifed and then they turn around so I can see their tattoo. My impression of them changes immediately. I’m not judging them for getting a tattoo and feel sorry for them because they thought it was cool!
What is in the minds of all the young kids in their 20s and 30s who are tattooed all over? It seems epidemic doesn’t it?
It is epidemic. Just like all the other pleasure seeking activities. People are looking for something to fill up the hole in their soul. In their effort to be individualistic, they have just become part of a more bizaar type of sheep followers. Each generation goes a little further out and away from any type of self respect or standards and they all think that it’s okay. Habituation to the spiraling down degradation of America. I’m not a prude but I am very concerned.
You could have a point. The folks with arms, shoulders. legs covered in ink are probably desperately seeking individuation. It’s becoming a “lemming” type of movement. Just this morning as I walked the dog I passed a young girl with a GIANT sun on her shoulder. One day when I’m long gone there will be a tattooed geriatric generation.
Have you seen any tats that are old? My husband was in the Navy (50 years ago) and he was in Long Beach, drunk, and got a Navy emblem put on his arm. You can’t even tell what it is now.
Is it just one big blur? Or just look like he didn’t wash his arm? uh oh.
I have several. Started about 25 years ago and got the standard dragonfly on my back shoulder. But from that point, I was hooked. I’ve gotten a dragon on a butt cheek, Celtic knot wings above my left breast, and last one was a set of beautifully colored wings on my back. All are NOT on display, understood as professional considerations – “back in the day”. I haven’t had the urge for new ones for quite awhile.
But you’re right – they’re everywhere now. When I got them, it was a quiet rebellion, risky and risque. Gen X and Milleniums are usually conservative – really – so that this art work is just part of what everyone does! It suprises me when I see a young gal bend over, shirt rides up and there ISN’T a tattoo above her waistband!
So consider carefully what you want. Unlike checks, this Snoopy or barb wire braid is more permanent, although more tattoo removal places are popping up.
I think one reason I’m not so interested anymore is because “everyone” has them..but every once in a while, I contemplate those little bunches of blue stars that would be so cool on my ankle.
Good luck!
Oh I can picture that little band of blue stars – nice! I have one girlfriend who got tattooed back when you did. I’ll have to ask her if she still gets new ones. Like you hers are not exposed. I’ve heard it’s quite painful to have them lasered off. Is this a new form of rebellion or the “lemming” factor?
I definitely think it’s a combination factor: ALL are rebelling against what has gone on before….much like boys’ long hair was in the 60′s. A generational distancing from previous behaviors, styles, choices. Shock value for some – and comfort to be like everyone else they know. Standard behavior for each new generation – just new forms of expression.
Can you imagine what these kids’ children will do to rebel? Maybe change their names to Fred and Ethel, and wear plaid! LOL!
Thankfully I’m not named Ethel or Fred….but it could be coming. I won’t be tempted to change my name regardless of my tattoo temptation. At least you can cut off long hair , tattoo removal is painful and expensive. I am just surprised at how many kids are covered in them. What are they rebelling from – cultural conservatism I imagine.
The ones that look so painful are the ones around the neck. Ouch and the stars I thought my daughter had grwon hair down the back of her neck and she forgot to perm it with the rest of her hair. I have seen others that I thought they were dirt spots on their necks. Perhaps the teller at the bank one day will be sporting her tattoed body who knows. I do see them now with the spiked hair does working in banks. We’ve come a long way baby but we messed up .
Well it’s the piercings that really are kind of hard to look at – especially the tongues, cheeks, and lips. harsh. I also don’t know how people get entire “sleeves” of tattoos – that must hurt. A bad way to spend the afternoon I say.
I think the ankle ones are kind of neat. Problem with most of the large ones…..they look like bruises. I’m thinking when I see them from far away…..oh poor baby…..what happened? Then up close see that they are tattoos!
The ankle ones are kind of neat. And I agree the large tattoos are blurry from a distance. What tempts me are the little ones….but it still takes a needle and I faint at the sight of them – whoops.
I got my first tattoo to celebrate my 50th birthday. I’d always loved the ankh symbol (an Egyptian symbol that looks like a cross with a loop at the top and represents “life”) so I got one tattooed above my right shoulder blade.
The problem with tattoos is that they are addictive; once you’ve got one, it’s hard to stop! I’m not nearly as fond of my second tattoo. I got a small one on my right arm but it wasn’t done right so I had to get a larger one in order to cover it. But it’s a little too large and not as pretty as I’d hoped it would be. I call it my ‘oops’ tattoo, meaning I wish I’d have thought about it a little more before I got it. Which brings me to my word to the wise: Whatever you decide to get, think about it once, twice, three times and make sure you LOVE it. It costs a bundle to have them removed and since I don’t have a bundle, I’m just gonna live with my ‘oops’.
Oddly enough, I want another one, maybe for my 60th birthday which won’t be for a few years. By that time, I’ll have figured out what I want and where I want it. (^_^)
OOPS! That’s a biggie. I remember when I was so excited to get my ears pierced in college. The girl in the dorm room next to me did it with a needle and an ice cube. Unfortunatley she pierced them too low and I hated them. After an infection in one lobe I just let the holes grow back. I wasn’t careful about the placement obviously or didn’t think it out or just trusted she’d do it in the right place. OOPS! Your tattoo problem was far harder to correct.
I agree, thinking it over and over and over is wise. Although by your 60th you’ll have done a lot of thinking and be ready for another one!!!
I have one and love it. I got it to celebrate my 60 pound weight loss. Its a half moon and half sun and i have it on top of my foot as i decided i didn’t want to go through the pain of getting one and not be able to see it! I have received many compliments on it! But you definitely have to make sure its really what you want, don’t make a spur of the moment decision because you can’t go back!!!!!!
Nice work on the 60lb loss – quite an accomplishment and a tattoo was a great celebratory act. I like the idea of it being on the top of your foot. I’ve never seen one there but it’s a clever placement. I love shoes so a little tat on my foot might be cute !
I’m the same way. I got a small daisy years ago, then a larger daisy a couple of years ago. Now I want more. It is addicting! I definitely plan to get another for my 60th.
I think the best way to do it is to get them done where they can be covered. Mine are on one breast and on my back/shoulder area. No one needs to see them unless I want them to.
BTW, I hear that the top of your foot is one of the more painful places to get one. Need fatty tissue under it if you don’t want much pain. Mine weren’t really painful. And, if you’re afraid of needles? Get it on your back so you can’t watch!
On a scale of 1 – 10 how painful is it? And is there swelling, soreness, pain afterwards and for how long?
I like the 60th birthday tattoo present.
Shoulder and/or breast area would be about a 1 or 2 – nothing compared to, say, getting a shot. Of course, the needle is repeated in the area, but it’s more on the surface. I had very little soreness afterward (meaning a bit for an hour or so) and no pain or swelling. There will be a bit of scabbing over the area and I had to keep mine dry and just put unscented lotion on it for a few days.
I think you’ll enjoy it!
Maybe. but you don’t know me and needles. They rarely hurt but I just look at them and get whoozy. Get the smelling salts! Perhaps i’ll get big and brave and get a teenie tiny tattoo.
If you’re really freaked out about needles, get an Rx for Emla. It’s a cream that you rub in and cover with plastic an hour before a procedure. I guarantee, you won’t feel a thing!
Having done body painting for 30 years, I can attest to the fact that there are more than a few folks who’ve had tattoo regret.
You know, if you don’t mind spending a little to see if you really are going to like it, settle on you design then contact a company that makes tattoo stencils. (Get yours made; it should be less than $5. ) Then contact a local airbrush tat artist and have them apply it for you.
If you’re careful with it, it should last a week. Then you’ll have all that time to look, look and look again before committing to something permanent.
That is a totally cool idea. But here is the funny part about the needles – Ive had electroysis done on my upper lip. NOW THAT REALLY HURTS and is done with a needle BUT it isn’t a “shot” needle so I don’t care. Trust me it is painful. Isn’t that crazy? I get up walk out no problema!
I like the stencil idea – you’re right it would be good to test drive the tattoo.