Tattoos

United States
August 30, 2009 2:03pm CST
A couple came into the store where I work yesterday. They were covered in tattoos from their neck to their feet. I know this because the young lady was trying on the last of the bathing suits. They both had very attractive faces but I kept wanting to read what was on their neck, arm or leg. I got really distracted by all that color and, the writings. He had bible verses, naked woman,snakes, ritual armbands and sayings as far as I could see. She had a winged dragon on her chest, another going up her leg,a big betty boop on her back, some names,and dates and, who knows what else. This couple was in their early 20's. Aren't these tattoos expensive? Why do people do this to themselves? Isn't there upkeep on these body paintings? Why do people have to have so many? I have seen some very beautiful ones and some truly awful ones? Is it addictive? Do you have a tattoo? If so, please tell me about yours, and if possible answer a few of these questions.
3 people like this
17 responses
@delkar (1712)
• Romania
30 Aug 09
i think that the artists really deserve that price . It`s hard to make a tatoo . But i really don`t understand thouse that are full of tatoo`s .. but everyone has the right to choose . I don`t have any tatoo , but i was thinking to make one, but not permanent , on my back , a scorpion . It`s my zodiac sign . I really am proud of that. I love scorpions . But i`m thinking that one day , that tatoo will make me some problems, maybe i will not be able to apply for a job, just beacause of that tatoo. But, i would love to make one just for some months .
• United States
30 Aug 09
I think it's like anything else. Too much of a good thing can be , well too much. I have 3 tattoos, and think about getting one more. I live in Mexico where they don't cost that much to have done . I have taken my son and daughter for their first tattoos when they were in their 20's . I like them because they are a form of expresion and they make me feel unique .
• United States
31 Aug 09
I only have one tattoo. It is a tribal design that is in memorial to my great-grandmother who was full-blood Lakota. I have also had people tell me that tattoos are addictive, but not to me. I don't have any desire to get another one. I am proud of my tattoo, but I have had a lot of grief about it over the years. I actually had to change churches because of it! Thankfully, though, I got it put in a place that can be easily hidden in certain situations.....on my thigh.
@dreamr802 (985)
• United States
31 Aug 09
I have heard that tattoos are addicting. I don't have any tattoos but then again I am afraid of needles. I do think tattoos can be sexy, depending on what it is...but, personally I do not think that being tattooed from neck to toes is attractive at all...plus I do know that some tattoos aren't expensive but if they are really detailed then they are really expensive.
• United Kingdom
31 Aug 09
Once upon a time I would have said that I'm not that keen on tattoos but my thinking has changed now! I only have one tattoo on my left forearm and it's basically a small skull! I went through a phase of loving everything horror and so I got this, maybe I wasn't thinking straight at the time I don't know but I have it and I'm stuck with it for the rest of my days. I don't have any regrets anyhow. I won't ever be getting another tattoo though, those days are over! I think that it can be too much when someone is completely covered in tattoos from head to toe, just imagine all that pain that they had to go through! Well, I'm not embarrassed about having my tattoo, I'm stuck with it so I just have to accept it. Andrew
@carlas (198)
• United States
31 Aug 09
I have about 15 tattoo's and I am a female in my 20's as well. I think that much like everyone else has their own personal hobbies, and ideas-- having tattoos is also one of these things. I love my tattoo's, and I love that it is a way for people to express themselves! I think that mentally tattoo's are addicting because the technology has come a long way, and tattoo's have recently become more and more beautiful. Oh, and they are really expensive, but it is an investment that will stick with you your whole life.
31 Aug 09
I don't have tattoos but I know that they're quite expensive especially if the artist is well known. Tattoos are like a piece of art that can bring out an individual's personality and make them feel good about themselves. hehehe...this is just my opinion. cheers!
• Philippines
31 Aug 09
I don't have any tattoos on my body and I will never get one, never. I used to be maltreated when I was younger so I don't like to get any type of physical pain on my body anymore. Tattoos are considered as a skin art and its very expensive in the same time. Some people who belong to an ethnic group have tattoos as its also considered as a skin art during the early civilizations. In my country in the past few decades, people with tattoos are those who have been to the prison not until it became a skin art to the public. Some people like to have tattoos on their bodies as they think it looks very cool to look on their skin. Others like receiving pain so they opt to have tattoos on themselves. I have seen on tv a few years ago about a woman having a tattoo all over her body, she has psoriasis which is a kind of non-contagious skin disease and she decided to put tattoos on her face and body to cover it up. I met a guy before in a party and he showed me his tattoos on his back, his name was being tattooed on it. I met the guy again after 2 years but I couldn't recall his first name though I told him that I can still remember his last name and refreshed his memory that we met in a party. He has recalled me as well after I told him that.
@jambi462 (4576)
• United States
31 Aug 09
I think it's good for people to express themselves but I also agree that there are some pretty dumb tattoo's out there. There is one that I particularly don't like and that is when people get there last name tattooed onto their forearm or anywhere else on their body. It's not really creative to get your last name to tattooed on to yourself. I have a tattoo and it's an ohm symbol. It's a tibetan symbol for God and it also helps with cosmic vibrations while meditating. It is also the noise that created the universe. Of course this may mean nothing to some people but to me it means a lot. I think that is why you see a lot of people with tattoos. Hopefully at least they are getting them because they mean something rather then trying to gain an image.
@VANILLAREY (1470)
• India
31 Aug 09
I don't have tattoos on my body and don't intend to have them drilled into my skin. I have not checked the price to get the tattoos done. I don't understand ehy people cover their body with tattoos. Having one or two small tattoo may look fine but having them all over the body makes it seem like someone scribbled on their body.
@tundeemma (894)
• South Africa
31 Aug 09
i am not really a fan of tattoos but some have really being fascinating to me and i actually think of getting my name or a Manchester united logo on my arm soonest, i will also like to get a tattoo of my name on my hand soonest and that is really fine for me
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
31 Aug 09
I think Tattoos are pretty expensive to get. I wouldn't want to get a tattoo on my body and later on regret that I did. I noticed that people that cover their whole body with tattoos are usually the Tattoo artist that puts on the tattoo onto other people. I think its up to them whether they want to have a tattoo. I don't see anything wrong with having a tattoo as long as its not tasteless and has bad words or pictures on it.
• Philippines
31 Aug 09
I don't know why they prefer to spend their fir those useless tattoos dirtying their body but my father used have one of those and I asked him why does he want to place tattoos on his body? he said because it looks cool.
• United States
31 Aug 09
I do not have any tattoos but I think I would get a small one, some word or image that means something to me. But for me it would be in a discreet place, I think. Personally I absolutely respect the right of people to do as they wish and express themselves in this way, but, just for me, I fins the whole head to toe thing really unattractive, and I can't help thinking that you may believe you will never tire of the look or whatever, but you WILLstill be head to toe tattooed when you are 80 plus and do you really want that?! However as I say, maybe you do, and I know people who think it looks amazing so they should go for it if it works for them.
@Chortaga (97)
• United States
31 Aug 09
So, to answer your questions. Tattoos can be very expensive. Although, usually when you go and get a bunch, you'll get to know the artist pretty well and get some nice discounts. It's a form or art and expression, this is why people do it. Yes there is some upkeep, as you get older the tattoos will fade together. It can be addictive. It's painful but a good pain. It is hard to explain. The amount of beauty that goes into the tattoo mainly depends on how good of an artist the tattoo artist is. It also depends on how experienced the artist is. Tattooing is much different than drawing or painting. It's a skill in of itself. I have one tattoo, it's an evil angel who's wings go from hipbone to hipbone and is about an inch below my belly button on my front.
• India
30 Aug 09
Tattoos r my favourite but only sticker one.Ido not like those tattoos which people make on their body,though it looks beautiful it is very painful.How people bear the pain.
• United States
30 Aug 09
I have 6 tattos as of right now. I am currently working on a full back piece. Tattoos to me at least are a way of self expression. the same as what kind of car you decide to buy or what kind of house you choose to live in. Each of my tattoos symbolizes a point of time in my life. there is a deep story behind each one of mine. As for the upkeep if you get them done from a very well tallented artist the upkeep is very minimal. also whether or not you decide to get black and white or colored ones. Tattos can be very tasteful if thought out before getting them and making sure to choose the right artist to do it.
• Philippines
31 Aug 09
I really don't have any idea how much a tattoo costs and if an upkeep is needed. People have their reasons on having tattoos just as we have our reasons why we pierce earrings on tongues or navels. I don't have any tattoo and never intend to have one. I am sorry to say but I don't like tattoos maybe because a lot of people in our place connote having tattoos as those who have served time in prison. Most people in our place pass time in prison by creating tattoos on their bodies. It creates a negative impression to the public ... that is my own opinion.