Tattoos and Piercings

United States
September 19, 2008 8:15am CST
Okay, I've read a couple of short discussions on here about tattoos and piercings, and I must say I am very surprised at how people still judge someone by the way they look! Are we still living in the 18th century here? Until recently, when I joined myLot, I thought tattoos and piercings had become the norm rather than an anomaly (sp?). After reading some posts on here, I see I am dead wrong. Come on people, have you ever tried to get to know anyone tattooed or pierced? Did you know that one of the Queens of England was tattooed? I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and more power to them as far as I'm concerned. But don't label us all hooligans just because we have tattoos or piercings. I agree that some people do go overboard with their "artwork" and I don't like facial tattoos or piercings myself but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to get to know these people. I would find it interesting to discover what drove them to that extreme. I really get tired of the questions like "Why did you do that to your body?" and "Didn't that hurt?". Ask me instead, "What does that tattoo mean to you?". There are some tattoos I have I regret getting; but they are there to stay and I have learned to live with that decision in my life. The worst thing ever said to me was by a Wal-Mart greeter who grabbed my arm and pulled me off to the side and told me I was a sinner because the Bible says you shouldn't tattoo your body. Well, she no longer works for Wal-Mart. Seems she used that job for her own personal campaign against tattoos. Okay all my tattoed and pierced buddies out there, are you finding that people discriminate against you because of your artwork? I'm also interested to hear from people who have formed opinions of tattoed/pierced people before and after you got to know them. But please, let's not turn this into a mud slinging fest. I'd like intelligent, well thought out responses please.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@NrgDfenZ (1810)
• Belgium
19 Sep 08
I don't have a ny tattoo's or piercings.. But I would like a tattoo around my wrists :D Must hurt like hell I think :) Have a nice day :)
• United States
19 Sep 08
I have a tattoo around my wrist and the inside is what really hurt like crazy. That's a very tender spot. May I recommend you don't get one that is not easily hidden? Especially for your first one. And try a spot that is not close to a bone! LOL. BTW, the tattoo the Queen that I mentioned had was around her wrist. Thank you and I hope your day is a good one.
• Canada
19 Sep 08
I have two tattoos and both of them mean something like you said . A tattoo is a way of expressing yourself . Those that knew me were surprised when I got my first tatto because they never figured I would go through the pain of it , but to be honest they really don't hurt that much . I am surprised by the way others would judge for something that really harms no one and is just a way to express how you feel towards something . My first tatto0 , which I have on my shoulder is a heart with the word mom wrote in it as being a mom is the most important thing in my life . My second tattoo which I have on my leg is a picture of two dolphins , below this is a four leaf clover made out of hearts with each of my childrens names in the hearts , around the hearts are little flowers that indicate my children that I miscarried and under this is the water which symbolizes my daughter that is not my child by blood but a child I took in as a teenager when her own family didn't want her . The dolphins stand for my husband and I because he is a fisherman . My whole tattoo signifies something that is very important to me in my life and I don't know why anyone would judge me for showing what has meaning in my life in an artful way . My mother was horrified when she found out I had tattoos and wanted to know why I would ruin my body by doing something so distateful and my father doesn't care to see them either . Many of my friends were shocked that I did this but to me it was something I always wanted to do . I have always like the look of tattoos but was too scared because of what every else would say about them . Then a couple of summers ago , I decided that it didn't matter what everyone else thought , this was something I wanted to do , and it was going to hurt no one , so I went ahead and made an appointment . I have never regretted my decision and would like to get one more to symbolize my best friend . She and I have talked about this and we would like to get something that shows what are friendship to each other has been like . We don't want names or anything like that just something that will have meaning to both of us !!
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Sep 08
Oh wow, I got goose bumps reading your description of your dolphin tattoo! What a well thought out idea. I would love to see it. My best friend and I want one to symbolize our friendship also but have yet to come up with the perfect idea. Two hearts or circles entwined seem kind of ordinary to us. Thanks for your input and if you ever post a picture of that tat, let me know. Have a great day!
@klaudine (3650)
• Indonesia
19 Sep 08
I am glad someone has made this discussion. I also have seen more than five discussions about "what do you think about tattoo?" in myLot since my first coming here two months ago. Your discussion is really funny and I am happy that the wall mart lady has been fired from her job of the campaign against tattoo. LOL. I haven't meet such people so far, because I have my tatto in the back and people can't see it unless I wear a backless top that could show my tattoo. But if I wear just an ordinary outfit, people would not be able to see it clearly. Some of my friends think that it is really cool, but I know some people that would freaked out when they see tattoos. My parents hate my tattoo LOL, but there's nothing that they can do. It's permanent LOL
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Sep 08
I am proud to say I am the reason the Wal-Mart lady was fired. I started to ignore it and then said to myself "I don't have to put up with this" so I complained to the manager. The next time I went shopping, she was gone and another employee told me she had been fired. It seemed I wasn't the only one complaining about her. My parents hate my tattooes too but they still love me for who I am. Thanks for the response and have a wonderful day klaudine!