Tattoos

[cabinetman]

I escaped three years in the 101st Airborne without the obligatory parachute or jump wings.

When my son was around six, he's 26 now, we scared the bejesus out of his mother with these transfers.

That's funny. I remember the 'lick-n-sticks' when I was a kid.

.

[Mr__Bill]

Not a bad idea, but what if I move?

.

Same as when you change wives, line out the old and ink in the new....

[JR]

I'm not a big fan of tats, but I think every navy man should have one of those anchor ones on his arm. It just seems right to me.

JR

[JimD]

I told my daughter that the young men she brought home should not be pierced anywhere - at least that I could see. I reminded her I had diagonal cutting pliers that could remove such things. She and her mother didn't like my comments. She will be married in November to a young man with no piercings or tatoos, at least that I can see.

Now that my wife had died (approaching 3 years now), I have resumed dating (a little). I guess I could go out with somebody with a few discrete tatoos but I haven't yet and would prefer not to. I don't see them as sending any positive message.

Let me also say, I do not dislike people with tatoos, I just do not find them attractive. I will say that I see them as more prevalent on lower income people. That may be an inaccurate prejudice but that's what I think. (I will also add that my growing up years were lower middle class and I still do not consider myself rich) I can see why there might be good reasons that some people get them but I don't need any.

Jim

[Richard in Smithville]

I have two-one on the back of each leg. To decide on what to get, I thought long and hard on something that had meaning. The first was a Dalek and this summer I got a TARDIS( surprised right?). This is something big from my childhood and it's also important to my children. Also, I haven't seen either tattoo one anyone else.

[dbhost]

I don't care for them. They seem like a mullet to me. Considered fashionable for a time but eeventually if you keep it for too long you'll look like you belong in a trailer park...

[cwsmith]

I think Hank Lee summed up my feelings. I simply don't understand it either.

It sort of leaves me wondering, "What were you thinking!?"

Maybe it's just that I'm getting too old, but it seems to me that tatoo's were once in the age of my pre-WWII uncles who lost their heads in a drunkin night in Subic Bay or somewhere.

I especially don't like them on women... especially lovely young women! Sort of like ruining a beautiful canvas with idiot scribblings....

What were you thinking!

CWS

[Mildoc]

My stepson is a tattooist, has been for years, and yep, he's got 'em all over. He's also a very accomplished artist and designs many too. Do I like them or want one? Uh, no. But they're his thing, as they are to many others.

There's a few "rules" he says folks should follow:

1. NEVER get one when drunk or high
2. NEVER get one just to impress someone else
3. NEVER get a tattoo "on a whim." Think about it seriously. It may well be there for life
4. RARELY get the name of a wife or other lover. (He once had a guy been married for 40 years, got his wife's name on his arm for his 40th anniversary. They divorced 4 years later. And even when removable (some inks not so well) it never looks good)
5. Get a tattoo on an area that isn't (hopefully) going to "sag" too much as you age
6. If you tend to gain weight, be aware of #4 and the changes to the tattoo that can happen
7. and, remember that over time it will fade

Some reasons to get a tattoo:
1. In memory of something past or someone deceased or a special event
2. As a tribute to something (service, etc)
3. Because you have really, really thought about it

And some precautions:
1. ask to see an autoclave certificate (used for sterilization - no autoclave, no tattoo); but some places now use one-use disposable needles so that's OK
2. make sure the artist wears gloves
3. all things used (ink, ointment, water, etc) should be ONE TIME USE
4. watch them remove needles from an autoclave bag (if not disposable)
5. ask to see PHOTOS of completed work, not just drawn examples on the wall
6. ask just how experienced the artist is
7. if you see a tattoo you "think" you love, ask for a photo (or remember it) and come back the next day. That is, think about it again

And for those not sure if they want one or not, he recommends this quiz:

http://teenadvice.about.com/library/...tooyouquiz.htm

Several years ago I asked him for what to ask and know since I had teens ask me about getting one quite a few times.

[lrogers]

I have a dragon on my upper right arm that I got about three years ago. I like it. After I get my ultra light up and flying, I'll probably get one on my upper left arm aircfraft related.

[wardprobst]

Not to hijack the thread but I have a question for those who have tattoos. Does it affect you in business? I don't have any but it's getting hard to hire temp help that doesn't have them. I guess I'm showing my age and personal prejudice but most of my work is done for a pretty upscale and/or religious clientele in a very conservative area of the country. One young fellow had done some hard time and had several self administered tattoos. I usually request he wear long sleeves when we were delivering a piano. Am I being overly cautious?
DP

[cabinetman]

Not to hijack the thread but I have a question for those who have tattoos. Does it affect you in business? I don't have any but it's getting hard to hire temp help that doesn't have them. I guess I'm showing my age and personal prejudice but most of my work is done for a pretty upscale and/or religious clientele in a very conservative area of the country. One young fellow had done some hard time and had several self administered tattoos. I usually request he wear long sleeves when we were delivering a piano. Am I being overly cautious?
DP

I don't think so. It's your business and your clients. I think you have the right to protect your image if you think it's a detriment.

.

[Long Shadow]

Tattoos

What CWS said +1
I try to tell my Granddaughter, whenever she will listen: Tatoos make pretty girls ugly and ugly girls uglier. I hope she stays pretty.

Dan

[Richard in Smithville]

Tatoos make pretty girls ugly and ugly girls uglier. I hope she stays pretty.

Dan

My wife has a small stylized heart on the back of her shoulder. I love seeing it and it really turns........well, we won't go there

[cwsmith]

Funny, I was just telling my wife this morning how much I appreciate her and that I hope nothing ever separates us, because frankly I don't think I'd care to date someone with a tattoo... and OMG, they are everywhere!

(I think that goes back to when I was a little kid and used to go shopping with my Mom. I always noticed that in the meat dept, some of those roasts had purple blotches on them and were spoiled. Once I could read, I realized that it was a USDA stamp, but still, I didn't want that branded piece on my plate either. )

But we all have different likes, that's what makes America great. "Different strokes, for different folks" as we used to say. I just prefer "unadorned" I guess... no ink, no plastic, no silicone, and certainly no metal attachments; and please keep the chemical and powder coatings to a minimum please.



CWS

[SteveO]

I never wanted one, but I came across a very sentimental image that changed my mind.

My dad died when I was 12, and I only met him once - long story...

Unfortunately, all of the pictures and movies that had him in them had been burned by a jealous jerk of a stepdad. I had always wondered what he looked like, especially since all the relatives said I look so much like him.

It turns out my grandma had one photo stashed away. My dad had a series of 19 Corvettes that he raced back in the 50s and 60s, and every one of them had a "Mr. Horsepower" logo on them from Clay Smith racing cams. The photo she found had him standing next to a beautiful 59 Vette with that logo on the car, right under the checkered flag emblem.

I have engines and racing in my blood so it seemed like the perfect homage. My oldest brother and I each got one on our lefts arms, high enough that they can't be seen under a normal shirt. My second oldest brother got one several years later, so now all the boys have them.

I love mine and have never regretted it for a moment.