To anyone willing to mar their body with a tattoo .......?

Question

especially at a young age and MOST especially people who do it in obvious places like their face, how can it NOT occur to you that somewhere down the road on life's journey, you might think-- "hey-- I don't want this thing on me anymore? Now that I have more sense, it looks pretty stupid". Never occur to you that people often, you know, "change" over the years?

You can "think" about it until you're blue in the face. You have know idea how your thoughts and feelings will be a year, five, 10, 20, 30 years down the road. At 16 you may have thought a car was the greatest thing in the world. At 40 you might think it's the biggest pain in the as$$ in the world. At 25 you may have thought your spouse WAS the world. At 45 you may loath him/her. Most people dramatically change through life about even very profound things.

starrchylde_117 - People may well get tattoos for commemoration or remembrance. They may always feel the same about the thing they are commemorating but that doesn't mean they will always want it across their foreheads. Also, people feel very differently at the time of an event from how they feel later. Someone may die and a loved one may say "I'll never be happy again", but as time passes, the person wants to get on with their life and not see the thing they did to commemorate a death every time they look in the mirror.

Answer 1

What? Give some thought to tomorrow? You don't know the human mentality very well.

Answer 2

Actually it did occur to me. Thats why I force myself to sit there and think about each tattoo idea I come up with for at least a year before I put it on my body. Also, I really don't believe in regret. My dear friend (who has designed several of my tattoos) has this to say on the subject. "And as far as regretting tattoos, I think that's silly. Even if you think it was a stupid thing to do one day... why regret it? It was a big part of who you were at one time and a constant reminder of where you've come. " - Alanna Lastly, way to be all hostile. You know, our personal choices in no way affect you, random anonymous stranger I am unlikely to ever meet, so hows about you get over it. We really aren't worth your frustration, cause none of us really care what you have to say. EDIT: Perhaps people wouldn't be so defensive if you didn't word your question like it's an attack. Because that's what you're really doing, attacking our personal choices in the "clever" guise of a question. Anyway, this is all pointless. I know from years of experience with friends and family that disapprove of tattoos, that people that just don't understand why people get tattoos, will never understand. If they can't rationalize it for themselves, they certainly can't place themselves in the shoes of a tattooed person. Furthermore, you can't change the mind of someone who loves tattoos by telling them that they might eventually regret something. We do what we love, what makes us happy, and if it really comes down to regret, there are many options these days for removing or covering tattoos.

Answer 3

It's true that people change. People who get tattooed, like myself, do consider this. That's why it's generally good for people to wait atleast a year between tattoos.

Also, have you considered the people who get tattoos in commemoration or remembrance? Some people get tattoos in order to mark a change in their lives.

I agree that faces really aren't a smart place for tattoos for practical reasons. It's better to get them in places where they can be easily concealed, atleast for people in certain career fields or those who are uncertain of their career paths.

One other point I'd like to make is that you see tattooing as "marring" the body. Obviously, people with tattoos feel otherwise. Tattoos definitely aren't for everyone, but I think they should be considered art when they're done and received with care.

Answer 4

I think that young people should REALLY THINK about their tattoos, but adults (sometimes) make better choices....I recently miscarried, and I'm planning on having an angel tattooed on my back (my first tattoo, small, inconspicuous)in memory of the baby. It is meaningful and I don't think that will change over time.....that's the most important thing to consider when getting "inked", is it meaningful and will it continue to be so in the future? Also, people need to consider that their tattoos, where they put them and the content/context, WILL affect their lives in terms of job/career opportunities and (most don't care about this) what people think of them and the way they will be treated.

Answer 5

While that is true in cases where people get tatooes either because of peer pressure or because they are drunk, most people that are willing to get a tattoo in a very obvious place live a lifestyle (and plan to always live a lifestyle) where that would be acceptible.

I know people who are major tatoo enthusiasts and also hold normal, professional jobs. If you are creative and plan well enough when you get the tatoo, it can be hidden when need be.

Answer 6

My step-dad had a tattoo from his Navy days in WW11. It looked terrible has he aged,the lady in the bathingsuit started to look real old.
It can be hard to get certain jobs later in life with a tattoo, I work in casino's and they make anyone with a tattoo cover it up.
My brother has tons of tattoo's but he is happy being a rocker at age 40.
I have no tattoos and will never get one.

Answer 7

I got one on the front that my bathing suit covers up but I still hate it even through no one can see it. When you are old and rocking in your chair that "mar" is still going to be there. I hate it. Should've thought about it before I did it.

Answer 8

Yes, that's why I wait 6 months in between wanting a certain one and getting it, so that I make sure it is not just a fad.

Answer 9

I hear the tattoo removal business is booming these days.

Answer 10

I think a share of folks who do alot of these extremes don't see themselves alive in 5-10 years and therefor there is no recourse or problem with doing whatever it is they do today.