"It will look bad when you're old!"?

Question

I do not understand this argument. People keep saying "Well, when you're 70 it will be all wrinkly and funny-colored."

No, that's not your tattoo. That's your skin! And your skin will be wrinkly and funny-colored at 70 whether you're tattooed or not. Let's face it: every 70-year-old on the face of the earth is ugly.

Well, that's not true. Ruth Gordon was beautiful. But other than that.

Will someone please explain to me the logic in this? I mean, if you've got to get old and ugly, why not be old, ugly and colorful? What difference does it make?

Frankly, I'd rather be colorful. That way I remember how colorful my life was.

Maybe that's it. Maybe only colorful people want to look colorful. And boring people just have nothing to say.

Who knows?

Tattoos are only following the herd if that's how you feel about yourself. Just like all emo poetry by 13-year-olds is the same, you can certainly brand yourself as a follower with tattoos.

But poetry can also be beautiful and expressive. So can tattoos. And tattooing is one of the oldest artforms there is. Much older than writing.

I write AND get tattooed. Because I never want to spend a moment of the day doing anything other than being expressive.

And yeah, my tattoos will fade with time. So will I. It's a union made with heaven.

They don't say to respect your elders because they're pretty. They say to respect your elders because of what they've seen, and what they know.

Like a blurry photograph of a childhood past, a tattoo marks a place in time.

Answer 1

Cassie, keep this up and we're nominating you for sainthood.

I've always "liked" the old comment. How amazingly afraid of aging these people must be! I've seen some of them. I turn 41 in a few days, and in my group of extended friends I've seen quite a few hit that magic 40 mark and, frankly, they flip out. I've known them a fairly long time - generally since college, so 20+ years in some cases. The ones who wig are generally those who've made similar comments. Invariably, as noticed by others, they also smoke, are overweight/obese, are workaholics, tan a lot... if they were so worried about aging, these would be far higher in their list of things to change.

... Especially the last bit. Tanning ages & messes up your skin far faster than time does.

Addendum: Zeebya has it right, even ignoring the issue of subjectivity. And very cool on your first inking, plus a happy early birthday.

Answer 2

Here's what I think, and I've put a lot of thought into this because I'm one of those people you'd think would never, ever, ever get one.

I think, if you've thought about it enough, if it will mean enough to you ten years from now, then a tattoo can be a beautiful thing, regardless of its condition in the future.

Sure, there are people who get tattooed just for the sake of it, or because they want it off to people, but I find the most meaningful ones the most beautiful.

To me, a tattoo is a memory of all of the thought that went into it, as well as of the day you actually got it, and when you're old, and alone, it will be nice to see that mark on your body, and remember who you were, and the things that shaped you back then.

And, on a different note, who is checking out old people? If you're going to get old and wrinkled anyway, does it matter what else is on your skin?

The only downside to getting one, is that most of society still doesn't approve, but if it means enough to you, you can get it somewhere where it won't cause a controversy.

Answer 3

It's an absurd argument I mean everything is going to look that way when you are old. And if you base everything you do on what will happen when you are old then you aren't really living your life. I mean how many people live their life and do everything a certain way because of what it will be like when they are old. I found it laughable when I started talking about wanting a tattoo the person who made this arguement is a BIG drinker, smoker and overeater. I mean what is that Big cheeseburger and fries doing to their arteries when they are old??? The tattoo isn't fatal. And you might not even live to be old and wrinkly and if you do then be proud... I'd rather be old and wrinkly than dead. You can always get it touched up if the color starts to fade, lets face it nothing on this earth lasts forever including us, so do what makes you happy and don't even bother worrying about the people who don't understand.

Live for today!

Answer 4

I designed my tattoo 4 years ago - and I plan on getting it tomorrow, in commemoration of my first book being published. In a sense, I've lived with it for a long time already. In an impermanent world (7 years from now not a single atom in your body will be the same!) sometimes it helps to add something solid to your life.
I'm lucky enough to work in an accepting industry (video games). As for the growing old thing - I completely agree to the above well thought out posts about remembering who you were. If you choose something that is meaningful to you, then it will help you and bring you back to better days, no matter where in time you are (a la "The Fountain" - great movie).

Answer 5

I don't think they look bad on old people. They just fade out. But they are awesome and I love them. Most people's arms and legs are not all wrinkly when they are old, My grandmother still has great legs and she is 86. So forget those people that say that. It is your choice. I just have stuff done that will never change. Like, I have Mother in Chinese on my ankle. I will always be a mom. On the back of my neck, I have a cresent moon, a star, a cloud, and an M (for Michelle, which is my name) and I have a stupid one of my arm but everyone says it is cute. I don't really care what other people think. I work at a school and my boss told me she loves my tattoo.

Thanks,
michelle

Answer 6

I agree with you and thats what I keep telling people. everyone will get old and wrinkly at some point...tattoo or not and at least when I'm 70 I'll have memories of my younger days kept right with me. I'm not ashamed of my tattoos and never will be. I dont have regrets. people who say hat are usually jealous that they dont have the guys to do it...or they dont want tattoos and feel better about their decision to not get tattooed by putting down others who have them. I figure I should juct let people say what they want becuase I'm them only one who needs to like my tattoos and I am at least happy enough with who I am that I dont need to sit around on yahoo answers and try and tell people what they should and shouldnt do with their body.

Answer 7

As to everyone looking wrinkled at 70, Rock Hudson and Cary Grant both looked fantastic at that age. So, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'm going to get my very first tattoo when I turn 50 next year!
Have a colorful life!

Answer 8

I dont see why it would matter to people that you get tattoos, who cares what it will look like when you get real old :P You only live your life once, so do whatever u wanna do :) Anyways I don't think when you get that old you would really care a whole lot of what peopl think about you

Answer 9

By the time your 70, i don't think you or the people around you will care too much. Don't fret so much...it causes stress.

You should get a boy on a swing on your bicep so if you get saggy arms when your older you can swing him back and forth. hehe

Answer 10

I agree and I also like your comment, "Frankly, I'd rather be colorful. That way I remember how colorful my life was."