What do you think of tatoos?

United States
June 3, 2007 5:30pm CST
My sister got a large and expensive tatoo in the middle of her back. It is all in color and is roses with a scroll between them. The scroll has a saying but for the life of me I can't remember what she had put on it. I love the tatoo on her and think it is good on her. I would never be able to get one because I would never be able to have the needle that close to my skin. What do you think about tatoos? Would you ever get one? Do you have any tatoos currently?
5 people like this
36 responses
@tamskie (388)
• Philippines
3 Jun 07
What I think about tattoos is that it looks dirty especially for tattoos on the ladies. I will never get one even a scratch of tattoo. I do not have any tattoos in my body and I never want to get one. It will just make me feel like an ex-convict.
3 people like this
• United States
5 Jun 07
Thank you for the comment. I think sometimes they can be interesting but for the most part I tend to agree with you. I do not think they are very ladylike. Also the position they put hers in was not the best. If she ever decides to have children and wants an epidural they would probably never do it because the tatoo is right in the area where the epidural would go.
@habiryn (51)
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
The art of tattoo always fascinate me, but i believe it is somewhat painful yet they say it is addictive. I really want one but my parents won't let me. No offense to those who have tattoo but here in our country, tattoo is most likely to be found to ex-con. My parents don't want other people get the impression that they have an ex-con son. But i really really want one. Maybe someday when the cats are away and the mouse can play.
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jun 07
No suggestions but I think that they are fascinating to look at. The artists are very skilled to do some of the work they will do.
• United States
5 Jun 07
You know they used to have that connotation here too. But now that more people are getting them, they are more commonplace and most people don't really even notice them so much any more.
• Philippines
5 Jun 07
I was just watching travel and living miami ink, i am reallly fascinated how the tattoo all those people, the free-hand artwork and even the tattooing itself. It is really tempting to come up with a great design and have it printed in my skin. Well, just for future referrence and suggestions for a tattoo design?
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I realy don't care much for them on ether men or women. This could be because I'm an old fuddy duddy. But i thinl that some of the young women that get them will regret it when gravity start taking it's toll. They will be saging look droopy some day.
2 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
5 Jun 07
Tatoos have never held an appeal for me.
2 people like this
• United States
5 Jun 07
I do tend to agree with you there. Gravity is already starting to take a toll on me and I am sure I would regret it if I ever had the nerve to get one.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 07
That's alright though. Some people never really do like them.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
5 Jun 07
I dont have one but always wanted one but like you not sure of that darn needle Loved the ones my hubby had. Matter of fact thats some of what drawed me to him lol
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jun 07
That fear of needles becomes a major problem when you go to get tatoos. LOL
• United States
4 Jun 07
i absolutely ADORE tattoos. i think that if they are done well and have meaing to the person they are abolutely beautiful. i currently do not have one, but that is only because i am not well enoguh to get one. As soon as i AM well enough, you bet i will be getting them! i was supposed to get my first one the weekend after i got hurt. i never made it.
• United States
5 Jun 07
I am sorry to hear that youo have not gotten any yet. Hopefully you will be all healed up and able to do what you want very soon.
• Romania
24 Feb 08
I agree. It will be with your forever and you should get something that would mean something to you. Therefore, you know that you wouldn't get sick of it.
@gizmo528 (731)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I like tattoos and I currently have two but I think that eventually I will get some more. Both of mine are located on my spinal cord area. My parents and my husband have tattoos as well and I actually got my first tattoo with my dad getting his last one. I guess you could say it was a family affair.
2 people like this
• United States
5 Jun 07
Doesn't it hurt more when they are done on the spinal area. I have heard that those hurt more since they are done on the bones.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 07
Thanks for the further response.
@gizmo528 (731)
• United States
5 Jun 07
It is supposed to be the more sensitive area but it didn't really bother me too much. I guess it just depends on the person. I remember that my mom slept through two of her tattoos that were done on her shoulder blades and the guy doing her tattoo was telling us that he just gave his 86 year old grandmother a tattoo for her birthday because that's what she wanted. The next one I get will probably be on my lower back or the back of my neck.
1 person likes this
@haji1985 (94)
• India
4 Jun 07
hi luintaurien , personally i think that tatoo is good to show one's personality through art,if only in the body.i don't think your sister has done a wrong thing but the right one reflecting her personality. yes i too have a tatoo and it symbolises two doves flying representing freedom and love i possess for my loved one. you should too go for a tatoo of your choice.it does no harm if done from a reliable shop
• United States
19 Jun 07
Thank you for your comments. I might just have to do that when I get the money to get one done. Thanks again.
• United States
4 Jun 07
I do not have any. They were not so much in fashion when I was younger, it was only sailors and bikers that had them. The ones I have seen on my family are quite beautiful and actually look like attractive artwork.
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jun 07
Thanks for the comments. I think that the artwork is beautiful.
@Galena (9110)
4 Jun 07
I love them. at the moment I have one, and it's really beautiful. I designed it myself and every time I see it I love it. my partner has a really beautiful, large, intricate, brightly coloured phoenix on one arm, and I love that one too. some phoenixes I don't like, but this one has so many colours. as well as reds and oranges and yellows there are purples, blues, greens and so on. it's stunning. it took 4 hours. mine is a bat on my lower back, but very stylised, rather like gothic architechture. I want at least 2 more. a borage flower on my hip and an anklet of moonphases, done quite pale so it is very subtle.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jun 07
So did the one on your back hurt? I have a friend who got one on her ankle and said it was quite painful. i think that as long as they are well done they are very nice to look at. I have seen some that look like they were done in prison and probably were.
• United States
14 Jun 07
Thanks for the information. it does make it easier to think more about designs and such now that I think I could handle it.
@Galena (9110)
6 Jun 07
not really. the outline stings quite a bit, because they use a single needle for outlines. the filling in feels lovely, and they use several needles at once for that. basically the outline feels like a hot point on your skin, and the filling in is just like scratching back and forth with your fingernail. afterwards it feels like sunburn for a day or two, then you keep it well moisturised for a few weeks, and all is well. if you keep the skin moisturised and well protected from the sun (tattoos burn more easily than normal skin) then they shouldn't fade or sag badly. basically the skin can feel a little drier than the surrounding skin, so you do need to moisturise regularly.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
i think people just want some individuality. To make a difference, they just showing their personality. And some of us think when we see people with tatoos their kind of wild and weird, but theres no truth to that, wild and weird are in the way they think, not the way of their actions. Me, i admit im pretty afraid of the people with large tatoos because they look like they are comes from jail, but as i grow old i realized people are all different, and i learned to respect them, but i still used to avoid them...haha.
2 people like this
• United States
5 Jun 07
I agree. People use tattoos to be individuals. They may be a little different but that is ok too.
• United States
4 Jun 07
I like tatoos my son in-law has a tatoo that starts on his right wrist and goes clear up his arm to his chest to his left wrist. It is colored and has a tiger and a dragon. He has flowers and other things on it. I like all the art work. I have to wonder of the cost of the tatoo. My daughter and his mother loves the artwork and loves the tats.
• United States
19 Jun 07
That is one of the main things that stops me from getting a tatoo right now: the cost. I just can't afford it.
@Daremyth (49)
• Venezuela
4 Jun 07
I think that some tattoo artists make true art works of art, I like them individually, maybe because I'm studying graphic design and love drawings, picture and stuff like that, but the impression I get when I see someone covered from head to toe with tattoos is that they're dirty... like when someone is painting and get paint all over that they have to wash out. So I guess I can admire the drawing, coloring and shading of a determined tattoo, but tattooing every single inch of the skin is over-doing it. I wouldn't tattoo myself, not even one tatto, mostly because I like to change and a tatto is something permanent that you can only get rid off with an expensive procedure, I love art but I don't like to see the same thing day after day, that's why I wouldn't do it (I even change my desktop wallpaper several times a day).
• United States
5 Jun 07
You are right of course. If you like change then tattoos would not be a very good idea. For me it would have to be something I plan to have forever and I can't think of anything that would be that important yet.
• United States
4 Jun 07
Tattoos are really not that unbareable to get! Its actually like a tingly, scratchy feeling. Well at least to me it is! I love tattoos but I DO feel that if you get one, it should be something that is VERY meaningful to you and always will be. After all that will stay with you forever, unless you pay the outrageous amount of money to try n get it removed! I currently have just one tattoo and plan on maybe one or two more. I myself also have one on my lower middle back. It is of the hawaiian islands because that is where I am from, that is my home and always will be, no matter where I end up in this world! Thats my take on it.
2 people like this
• United States
5 Jun 07
Cool. Thanks for sharing. I think that would be a great tatoo.
• Malaysia
4 Jun 07
For me,tattoo is a waste of money and it is irrational.Why spend money to get torture? I really can't understand it.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 07
I don't think that the people that get them thionk thay are a waste of money. Granted right now I don' have the money to get one, but if I did have the money and wanted one then it wouldn't be a waste of money to me either.
@Galena (9110)
4 Jun 07
not really. it lasts forever. and it really isn't torture. it's actually quite a nice feeling.
1 person likes this
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
8 Jun 07
it is nice to look at tattoes, it is a work of art! it may look cool to wear one nowadays unlike the old days because it means you are not to be trusted.what the guys who has tattoes does not want to admit is that they will get sick and tired of it after a while, believe me they will not admit that! it is like looking at a very nice picture or a poster for a very long time and that's all you see,now tell me ,do you still want to look at it? most of them would love to take it off after a while but since it is a permanent mark then they don't have any choice but to like it whether they want it or not.no offense to those who has tattoes,this just the reality i have witnessed with a lot of friends who has one.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 07
Thanks for the comments. I think that this is why i would find it hard to do. I am not sure if I could find something that I would want to have forever.
@Corezz (1013)
• Netherlands Antilles
19 Jun 07
Well personaly I don't like tatoos because they can't be removed. But if it isn't my skin I don't have to be woried :P. I think is nice for her if it suits heyr well. It makes a person more cool and it takes guts to make a tatoo so think yout sister was very courajous.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 07
So do I actually. I would not have ahd the nerve to get a tatoo all the way across my back like she did. I wouldn't be able to lie still that long.
@franziska (410)
• Italy
19 Jun 07
I don't have a tatoo and I don't like tatoos. I think it can be dangerous because there is a certain probability to be infected by the needles used to do the tatoo.Then it's difficult to cancel them.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jun 07
Good points. Thanks for replying.
@windhair (498)
• Germany
5 Jun 07
I do not have any now, but I have think about it several times. But finally I find it is a difficult thing. What I like now may be what I hate in the future, but tatoo will last my whole life. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 07
That is what has stopped me besides the needles: the permanent tatoo issue. It costs more to get rid of them than it is worth so you are stuck with it if you don't like it.
• United States
6 Jun 07
Hey, I love them. I have one I will not lie it was painful, but so worth it. I think it is something that should be decided very carefully and not something to just do on a whim. Or not entirely on a whim. You want to remember you will have this for the rest of your life (although, you can have them removed now, but they don't look so great when you do that). So, think about it and make sure it is what you really want and would like on your body.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jun 07
Thanks for the comments. That is waht has kept me from it the most is not wanting to make a mistake.
@mayogi (74)
• Spain
19 Jun 07
I don't have any tatoos - yet. *lol* My husband doesn't want me to have any tatoos done, he thinks it makes you look like a convict. I don't like tatoos on faces and necks but for the rest I think it's up to the one who wants it. I wouldn't mind having a small tatoo somewhere only my husband could see but he wouldn't accept me going to a male tatoo artist. *lol* He's a bit jealous. One thing that scares me about tatoos is that people seem to go to any person who says he knows how to do it without checking if he really does know how to do it and if he knows how to do it in a safe way. You could get a lot of infections and illnesses if he's not taking the right measures. After all, your blood will be exposed and you could get a lot of diseases that way....
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jun 07
Thank you for your reply. i do agree with you on this. They are supposed to cchange the needles but if they don't know what they are doing it might not get done.