since when has it become a bad thing to get a tattoo just because it looks cool?

Question

I ask this because alot of people have this idea that tattoos are supposed to have deeper meaning and all this other bs. Alot of different cultures used tattooing for various reasons, some were to rites of passages and others used them as a symbol of beauty. Why is there so much predjudice within the tattoo community over reasons behind getting tattooed?

I ask this because alot of people have this idea that tattoos are supposed to have deeper meaning and all this other bs. Alot of different cultures used tattooing for various reasons, some were used as rites of passages and others used them as a symbol of beauty. Why is there so much predjudice within the tattoo community over reasons behind getting tattooed?

Answer 1

Alot of people choose their tattoos to be symbolic of who they are or what they believe in, it makes it feel more like your own, meaningful, individual, and a part of you.

But at the same time theres nothing at all wrong for getting a tatt for no better reason than you like the design. All that matters is that the tattoo is something that you will love for the rest of you life, and not "grow out of" in 10 years.

I have a large tattoo on my upper back, very symbolic, with different elements combined to represent my kids, hubby, and myself. But all my other tattoos, for the most part, I decided on for no better reason than I thought they were beautiful.

People will always find reasons to judge other people. Tattoos only need to make one person happy, and that's the person who's body they are on. If other people don't like it that's their own issue, not yours.

Answer 2

Rider and etrigone have, as ever, put my thoughts into wordsmuch more elegantly than I would've! But I'll chip in anyway...

I do think there's some distinction to be made between 'cool' and 'beautiful', in that beauty is an eternal thing, whereas cool is a fluid concept and what seems cool today may be completely passe sometime down the road (she says, remembering with horror that in the Eighties she owned, and wore, a skirt which had a six-inch wide elasticated waistband and was black with fluorescent green polkadots and a ton of fluorescent green net petticoat puffing it out... eek!)

I don't believe that absolutely every tattoo ever must have some deep and meaningful story behind it or it'll be a disaster. However, I do tend to advise people to consider getting something with some significance to them, as it's a way to encourage them to properly think about what they intend to get.

Personally, also, I suck at actually settling on any one choice, in pretty much any setting. (When I was setting up my Fine Art Degree Show, for example, I ended up picking the layout of the space at random from 300+ possible options that I'd drawn out on little cards, because I couldn't see any rational way to make the decision!) So, for me, the fact that a design has some personal significance helps guide me in choosing it. It's just a better 'fit', for me. But that's a personal thing.

At the end of the day, though, good tattoos are the ones people like and are happy with, and bad ones are the ones they aren't so pleased with. So long as someone enjoys their tattoos, then it isn't really any of my business why they got them - it's their choice, as it should be.

Hope that makes sense!

Answer 3

I agree with Rider here. Certainly, for mine, I prefer a deeper meaning, but that's just cuz I'm trying to convince myself I'm not some shallow dweeb. :)

Seriously, if anything that perceived tendency - to think a deep meaningful tat is important - is more the visible reaction to two things:

People getting a tat to fit in, one that they'll regret. I call them peer pressure ink, but it's the kind of thing you don't do for yourself.

Others dissing on tats as low class, trashy, cheap, etc. Best tactic against this argument, since it's a blanket statement, is to provide individual contradictions to it & exposing it as a fallacy.

In both of these cases, a meaningful tat is an easier debate. The subtlety of art for art's sake is a much harder argument - and likely not accepted by the biased, stereotyping masses.

I suspect no one (or very, very few) really thinks having a tat just because it looks great is bad. I think it was Bettierage who summed it up well that beauty is it's own meaning. I certainly believe that whatever makes you happy, whether it be a velvet Elvis or whatever, is great.

Even if there are a few snobby types like that, they are so outnumbered by the haters to hardly even make it worth mentioning.

Addendum: I also tend to believe that the few who might be snobby would change their tune & admit that as long as you're happy, the tat is a good choice. Being in the minority tends to make people band together and supportive of each other. I also like to think we'd be more analytical and realize that the point is personal freedom & contentment more than anything else.

Answer 4

Well I think that it's more about the fact that unless you get it removed it's for life. At this point in my life I love monkeys ... but I'm not so sure I want to have a monkey tattooed on me just because it's cool or cute now. Any of mine (I have one) will be for a deeper meaning because I really don't want to have a reason to have it removed. It's up to you though ... I think the prejudice you are seeing is the professionals trying to prevent people from making mistakes at their hands as much as possible. They love their jobs and most of them don't plan on getting a bad rep. for having people get them removed two years later all the time. Hope my thoughts on this cleared some up, and if it didn't then it's still your choice. I wont tell you what you can or can not get for whatever reason. :)

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry about it. Pay no attention to them, they're full of it.

My daughter-in-law has tatoo's as well. Since she of Scottish descent, she has their flower (can't remember the name) tattooed partially down the base of the back of her neck, and another one on her ankle. She's happy with them, and I see nothing wrong with your own interpertation of the meaning for them. Kiefer Sutherland has three of them, but each depict a life event that is meaningful to him. That's all that matters. Are YOU happy with what you have and what does it mean to YOU...not anyone else.

The only thing women should consider is 'can it be hidden from the boss'? and 'what will this look like when I'm in my 60's'? Other than those two questions....GO FOR IT!

Answer 6

People should get tattoos for whatever reason they want, its true, but there are some people who ask questions about tattoos because they saw them on a celebrity somewhere and that to me is silly. They typically are the ones that end of regretting their tattoos within a few years of having it. Then they come on here and ***** about wanting to get it covered and blah blah blah...

Not to mention, people are going to give their own opinion regardless, it you really don't want to hear the truth on your tattoo ideas, don't share them beforehand, just go and get it done.

they also shouldn't let others opinions influence their decision on getting a tattoo or not and by asking the question thats exactly what they are letting others do.

Answer 7

I don't care in the least if other people get tattoos just to look cool, but if you're trying to tell me you will never get tired of looking at the same design, on the same exact part of your body, for the rest of your life, no offense, but you're just wrong. Tattoos with meaning are ones that you will never get tired of, because they remind you of something you know you will never want to forget. But go ahead, get a tribal butterfly on your lower back and see if you like it in five years.

Answer 8

it's not necessary for a tattoo to have meaning but most people who get a tattoo with some meaning to them end up liking it for longer than if they just got a tattoo that they thought was pretty. people's taste changes. someone may get a beautiful rose but as they get older realize that it isn't really them anymore. but when people get tattoos in memory of something or in representation of something they are more likely to continue to identify with the tattoo and like it in the long run.

just my opinion.

Answer 9

Your gender: Female Straight/Gay/Bi: Bi Single? Nope. If not, do you want to be? No, I'm very happy with the person I'm with. Your height: 5'11 Eye color: Blue Hair color:Blonde Piercings? Ears Tattoos? No Obsessions? Kurt Cobain Addictions? Dancing Do you speak another language? My first language is French. I also speak English, and Italian. ._. That's all I'm doing.

Answer 10

Good question. A tattoo should be whatever you want it to be and mean. Nothing more and nothing less. They have been around for 2000 years and they are not going anywhere. People get it in thier minds that they way they think and feel are universal. Not even.