Why do people get tattoos? How do they know what they will like in twenty, thirt

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   Brett Winnposted 11 years ago

   Why do people get tattoos? How do they know what they will like in twenty, thirty, forty years?

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   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   Exactly!  That is why I am not a tattoo person.  My tastes change all the time.  I keep thinking about the guy that gets a tattoo that says something racy like, "Do Me!"  Then years later becomes grandfather or pastor or just decides to be class up his act.   Maybe he could have it run together to spell DOME.  Who knows?

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   kmainkaposted 11 years ago

   I am a person who falls under the category as a "Lover of tattoos." I adore them, all that they stand for (when done right, of course.) Getting a tattoo doesn't mean getting something horrid and ugly like "do me." I, for one, have six tattoos- three of which are literary, two are something that I hold dear to my heart, and the last one is a spiritual thing.
   
   Sure, one day when I'm older, they may not look so hot. But I truly believe in the beauty of expressing oneself through any means available- and that includes tattoos. I also believe in living in the present and enjoying the life you have right now. I wouldn't want to get rid of the tattoos that speak my passion simply out of the fear that one day they might look bad!
   
   Not to mention that I was smart enough to put them on parts of my body that will be covered anyway once I reach the point where my tattoos look horrendous. (For instance: I have one at my hip... sure, when I'm 40 or 50, it would seem trashy if I flaunted it, yes? But wouldn't it be trashy if, at 40 or 50, I was showing that much skin, anyway? If I am in such bad shape -age wise or other- that my tattoos look bad, then I shouldn't be showing off my skin by then, anyway.)
   
   I actually wrote an essay type thing for my Creative Writing class this year about this belief, and have considered posting it onto here... This just makes me more tempted to! :]

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   Smart is Goodposted 11 years ago

   I'm surprised at all the narrow minded answers to this question, but they don't have to understand why other people get tattoos because it's a personal meaning. Obviously if you get a "do me" tattoo you shouldn't be allowed to even walk in a tattoo shop, that's just dishonouring art. Yes, Tattoos are Body ART but only if it has a true meaning behind it. I'm not going to tattoo a mickey mouse symbol just because I like disney, that's pretty stupid. But yes, your body might change in the next 20 years but the original meaning won't change. People get tattoos as a self expression, not only to alter their looks to feel different but for emotional reasons as well. I've seen girls with really feminine tattoos, so there's no need to say that it makes them look cheap, that's just a frustrated someone's opinion.

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   sakimakellyposted 11 years ago

   I cannot speak for others, but I myself have two tattoos, very small in places no one can see when I am dressed.  I didn't get these tattoos until my late 20s and not until after much thinking about what I wanted to get and where I wanted to get it.  I do think that because they are permanent people should really think about what and where as related to a tattoo.  Also, your profession should make a difference as well: if you want to be a judge one day, maybe you should skip the tattoo of your boyfriend's name on your neck.  Just saying.

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   Sherry Hewinsposted 11 years ago

   Well, I like scary looking guys on motor bikes, but mine doesn't have any tattoos and neither do I. That said, it's a personal choice, so many people choose to have tattoos now that you really can't judge a person by whether they do or do not have one. As for how they will look later, we all have to live with the choices we made when we were young, some people just have to wear them on their body.

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   ziyenaposted 11 years ago

   In all honesty, I got my tatoo in Italy while imbibing during a wild bike rally in a little place called Lago di Fimone ... never had the nerve to get a tatoo until completely overcome by the persuasion of good ole plastic cup on tap beer.  Ended up with Indian Ceremonial Feathers on the back of my neck.  Do I regret it?  No.  It's part of me now.

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   thoughtwomanposted 11 years ago

   I just turned 50 this past year and got my first tattoo. I had been thinking about one for about the last 20 years, but I never knew what to get or where to put it, so I never got one. I decided that 50 was a big milestone for me, so I went ahead and did it. For me it represented the next phase of my life. I got a butterfly because of what they stand for, and I thought that went well with my reasons for getting a tattoo at 50. I guess because I'm older, what it will look like in 20, 30, or 40 years is less of an issue for me, because I know I didn't get it to be trendy. I got it because I wanted to celebrate me at 50. And I know more about me now than I did when I was 20, 30, or 40.

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   Siddersposted 11 years ago

   To answer your first question... simply put, they like them and they have a significant meaning to something relevant in their life at the time.
   
   Second question... they aren't thinking 20, 30, or 40 years down the road.  They are living in the moment.

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      Damon Ryanposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      well said - I didn't get my first tattoo until I was well into my thirties. I now have a full sleeve. I can cover it for business or formal. But I believe the stigma with tattoos has faded. Now everyone from every class has tattoos. And yes I try to make sure every tattoo has meaning for me - the sleeve has been more of what I like in the moment and a way to record my memories in life. Will I someday regret them perhaps but it was nice to live in the moment and outwardly express and share my life experiences.

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    lovetherainposted 5 years ago

    I don't regret my tattoo, although I probably won't get another one. It hurt like Hell.

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    Aime Fposted 5 years ago

    All of my tattoos are meaningful and have been extensively thought out to avoid any potential for regret. I got my first tattoo 10 years ago and haven’t regretted it for a moment.
    
    I can see how people who get things just for the sake of getting a tattoo or pick something on a whim might come to regret them but I honestly don’t see where regret would come in if it’s something you’ve thought about and is important to you. I see mine as kind of a way that I keep my loved ones close to me and my happiest memories alive. How could I ever feel badly about that?

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