How do you feel about tattoos?

[Tech198]

View attachment 767666
It’s hard to make an ankle look good.

View attachment 767664
Approved!


View attachment 767663
Impressive, but ugg.

View attachment 767661
To negative to be sexy.

View attachment 767662
My gawd, hopefully not permanent.
​

Bloody hell !!

 

[0388631]

I think they're terrible for the most part. As I understand, some cultures have traditional and rather exquisite tattoos and not the sort of stuff us westerners would get.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of my employees have tattoos. It's a fairly conservative field of work and it seems to be a way to express yourself while hiding in plain site, so to speak.


Edit: One of the other owners does have a tattoo alongside his ribcage, IIRC. No idea what it says as it's in another language, and one I can't read nor understand. My guess is his kids' names.

 

[skottichan]

The impact on future employment as previously mentioned is drastic.

This is a misconception. Many employers don't give a ****, as long as the ink can be covered by professional clothing.

I did a lot of tattoo work when I went back to school for my design degree, I did about 30% of my uncle's total work (he's got two sleeves and a back piece (non-Yak style)). He's upper management for AEP. Over the past 20 years, tattoos have become more acceptable in the corporate world, as 50-60 year olds are fully taking charge, those old punk/GenXers are generally tattooed up.

My girlfriend has started getting her arm piece, and I've finally gotten around to starting my back piece.

I will admit, it still amazes me when I see the 70-somethings that show up at art show openings with tattoos. (Yeah, that's pretty prejudiced of me towards the elderly)

 

[Huntn]

This is a misconception. Many employers don't give a ****, as long as the ink can be covered by professional clothing.

I did a lot of tattoo work when I went back to school for my design degree, I did about 30% of my uncle's total work (he's got two sleeves and a back piece (non-Yak style)). He's upper management for AEP. Over the past 20 years, tattoos have become more acceptable in the corporate world, as 50-60 year olds are fully taking charge, those old punk/GenXers are generally tattooed up.

My girlfriend has started getting her arm piece, and I've finally gotten around to starting my back piece.

I will admit, it still amazes me when I see the 70-somethings that show up at art show openings with tattoos. (Yeah, that's pretty prejudiced of me towards the elderly)

I meant tats that can't be covered, especially on the face.

 

[skottichan]

I meant tats that can't be covered, especially on the face.

Yeah, when I did tattoo work, I gently declined doing face or genital tattoos.

And, in full disclosure, face tattoos are the exception when it comes to tattooing, you're looking at maybe 1 out of 100 tattoos are above the collar.

 

[bopajuice]

When I was younger I wanted a few tattoos. Was not as common then, and people with tattoos were considered outsiders.

Now everyone has tattoos. I think Ill stay tattoo free. Will eventually become one of the outsiders for not having tattoos.

 

[Huntn]

When I was younger I wanted a few tattoos. Was not as common then, and people with tattoos were considered outsiders.

Now everyone has tattoos. I think Ill stay tattoo free. Will eventually become one of the outsiders for not having tattoos.

There might develop a virgin body perk.
[doublepost=1530075027][/doublepost]

Yeah, when I did tattoo work, I gently declined doing face or genital tattoos.

And, in full disclosure, face tattoos are the exception when it comes to tattooing, you're looking at maybe 1 out of 100 tattoos are above the collar.

Ouch to both, I assume more so.

 

[D.T.]

Yeah, when I did tattoo work, I gently declined doing face or genital tattoos.

If I may be allowed a joke that's a touch racy

I'll put it in a spoiler tag and use the appropriate term for the male anatomy

Spoiler: Slightly naughty tattoo / genital joke :D

A guy is getting married and his buddies take him out for a wild bachelor party - after some time a strip club, where the groom is notably aroused, they wind up stumbling into a tattoo shop, where he winds up with the name of his bride to be WENDY, on his penis.

The next morning, he wakes up groggy and unaroused, and chuckles that the tattoo in this state shows WY, Wendy winds up thinking it's funny, they get married and head off to Jamaica for their honeymoon.

Being the playful couple they are, they wind up at a nude beach. The guy is standing at a bar waiting for some drinks, and a tall Jamaican man walks up, naked - he glances down and notices the man's penis has a WY on it!

He says, "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare, but I noticed your penis has a WY, I have the same! When it's erect, it says WENDY, does yours say the same?"

The Jamaican, smiles, chuckles and says, "No mon, mine says ... WELCOME TO JAMAICA, HAVE A NICE DAY"

 

[Strider64]

I don't mind tattoos if they aren't in locations that are obvious. The neatest location in my opinion for a tattoo is the inside of the arm for you really can't tell the person has a tattoo unless they are flailing their arms around. An example of what I'm talking about is Linus of Linus Tech Tips. On women I don't mind small ones or a strategically place tattoo, but when they start looking like a murals or a walking billboard that is when I get turned off.

 

[Huntn]

I don't mind tattoos if they aren't in locations that are obvious. The neatest location in my opinion for a tattoo is the inside of the arm for you really can't tell the person has a tattoo unless they are flailing their arms around. An example of what I'm talking about is Linus of Linus Tech Tips. On women I don't mind small ones or a strategically place tattoo, but when they start looking like a murals or a walking billboard that is when I get turned off.

I wonder what percentage of people commit to a tattoo and later regret it? I’ve always disliked sleeves precisely because it strikes me as too much, although some are impressive works of art.

 

[rhett7660]

I wonder what percentage of people commit to a tattoo and later regret it? I’ve always disliked sleeves precisely because it strikes me as too much, although some are impressive works of art.

I would think there is a good number of people who regret it since there are lot of tattoo removal locations popping up and I know the tattooer I go to has seen an increase in tattoo cover ups over the past five or so years.

 

[D.T.]

I would think there is a good number of people who regret it since there are lot of tattoo removal locations popping up and I know the tattooer I go to has seen an increase in tattoo cover ups over the past five or so years.

I think there's a lot of "Run out and get a tattoo" people, where there's little to no planning, it's spur of the moment, it's possible motivated by consumption/friends/environment. I imagine the tattoo itself has a big impact on this too: the name of someone, a product logo, a band name - you know, things that are potentially fleeting, and you're stuck with some irrelevant, and possibly embarrassing mark on your body.

Everyone I know took time, loved what they got, have some meaningful story behind it, some even did their own pretty fantastic designs (designers by profession).

 

[rhett7660]

I think there's a lot of "Run out and get a tattoo" people, where there's little to no planning, it's spur of the moment, it's possible motivated by consumption/friends/environment. I imagine the tattoo itself has a big impact on this too: the name of someone, a product logo, a band name - you know, things that are potentially fleeting, and you're stuck with some irrelevant, and possibly embarrassing mark on your body.

Everyone I know took time, loved what they got, have some meaningful story behind it, some even did their own pretty fantastic designs (designers by profession).

Agreed on both statements above. Lots of planning, looking at, seeing if I like it in a few months to a year later. Yup, agreed!

 

[AlliFlowers]

Thing is, once you get a mastectomy there are no nips. Theoretically, I could now go topless at a non nude beach. Fortunately for the world I'm not a beach goer.

Two photos in the door, so as not to offend. The first is the outline. Second is with the color.

Spoiler

Such a great post. Umm, I _think_ it would be OK to post, assuming there's no n***** (men and women usually have them, but the latter can't show them for some reason ...)

I have some "private photos" showing off some work on someone, I'd post, but I'd hate for Huntn to have a heart attack.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It's not at all my taste, but it's not something I judge people on. I've seen interesting ones and artistic ones, but never anything I'd want to permanently alter my body with.

BTW, this may seem a bit odd, but I also won't date women with tattoos. There again, I don't have a problem with them in general but I just don't like them personally. It's one of those things I find out about early in a relationship(not just current but future) and it's just one of those little things that's a deal breaker for me. I know I'll probably get crucified for saying that, but at the same time I'm not going to try and change someone's mind or keep them from getting one. I just like to choose people who feel the same way as I do about that particular topic(of course it's down behind a lot of things I consider more important).

Funny you should say that.

I don't have a problem with women wearing tattoos, stories such as @AlliFlowers are powerful and personal testimony, and sometimes it is also an act of rebellion against what can be stifling societal norms.

However, I would not be comfortable with a guy with tattoos.

Now that you mention it - for reasons of the context of tattoos (most who have posted here see it in terms of an individual choice, often undertaken when young and/or intoxicated) but, certainly among the men I have seen who were heavily tattooed, many had military backgrounds, and still worked in the security area, whereas others that I have read about include outfits such as Hell's Angels', or - for example, Russian criminal or prison gangs.

Groups that bond over violence (licensed or not), often with right wing and misogynistic attitudes as well, do nothing for me, I must admit, and, in any relationship that was not strictly professional, I would give them a wide berth.

Maori culture is a different story as well, where the tattoos are part of a specific cultural & ethnic identity.

I think they're terrible for the most part. As I understand, some cultures have traditional and rather exquisite tattoos and not the sort of stuff us westerners would get.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of my employees have tattoos. It's a fairly conservative field of work and it seems to be a way to express yourself while hiding in plain site, so to speak.


Edit: One of the other owners does have a tattoo alongside his ribcage, IIRC. No idea what it says as it's in another language, and one I can't read nor understand. My guess is his kids' names.

To some extent, I'm in agreement with you.

Thing is, once you get a mastectomy there are no nips. Theoretically, I could now go topless at a non nude beach. Fortunately for the world I'm not a beach goer.

Two photos in the door, so as not to offend. The first is the outline. Second is with the color.

Spoiler

View attachment 767988 View attachment 767989

Once again, thanks for sharing; this is fantastic and an amazing - and rather moving - story.

 

[D.T.]

Thing is, once you get a mastectomy there are no nips. Theoretically, I could now go topless at a non nude beach. Fortunately for the world I'm not a beach goer.

Two photos in the door, so as not to offend. The first is the outline. Second is with the color.

You said the N word

Wow, that is BEAUTIFUL, it doesn't even look real, the colors are so powerful. Thanks very much for sharing!

 

[SoggyCheese]

However, I would not be comfortable with a guy with tattoos.

Now that you mention it - for reasons of the context of tattoos (most who have posted here see it in terms of an individual choice, often undertaken when young and/or intoxicated) but, certainly among the men I have seen who were heavily tattooed, many had military backgrounds, and still worked in the security area, whereas others that I have read about include outfits such as Hell's Angels', or - for example, Russian criminal or prison gangs.

In the UK tattoos are just part of the culture. Some attribute it to our seafaring heritage. It’s not at all related to violence, instead it’s mostly seen as an art form. Several of the guys I work with have tattoos, quite a lot of them in total.

Technically I do work in security though.....network security in an IT department

But my main point is that context is important. Not everyone grew up amongst biker gangs or in Russian prisons.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

In the UK tattoos are just part of the culture. Some attribute it to our seafaring heritage. It’s not at all related to violence, instead it’s mostly seen as an art form. Several of the guys I work with have tattoos, quite a lot of them in total.

Technically I do work in security though.....network security in an IT department

But my main point is that context is important. Not everyone grew up amongst biker gangs or in Russian prisons.

My main point was that context is important, too.

I mentioned prison gangs and biker gangs (and the military) to put male tattoos into a wider context, one that is not solely a matter of individual choice, but of a specifically culturally informed individual choice.

And, yes, I know the seafaring heritage of the UK - I'm from that corner or north west Europe myself - but, in my personal experience, guys who are tattooed tend to have come from military (or seafaring) backgrounds, aren't especially well educated, and a great many of them - in my experience - hold rather right wing views on matters such as race (and women). Now, they are excellent and exceptionally experienced in adjudicating on security matters.

As a woman, I note this; in my professional life, I have to develop a good working relationship with some of these guys - and I do - but the relationship is professional, never personal.

 

[Huntn]

In the UK tattoos are just part of the culture. Some attribute it to our seafaring heritage. It’s not at all related to violence, instead it’s mostly seen as an art form. Several of the guys I work with have tattoos, quite a lot of them in total.

Technically I do work in security though.....network security in an IT department

But my main point is that context is important. Not everyone grew up amongst biker gangs or in Russian prisons.

This made me think of Ironman 2 :

 

[SoggyCheese]

My main point was that context is important, too.

I mentioned prison gangs and biker gangs (and the military) to put male tattoos into a wider context, one that is not solely a matter of individual choice, but of a specifically culturally informed individual choice.

And, yes, I know the seafaring heritage of the UK - I'm from that corner or north west Europe myself - but, in my personal experience, guys who are tattooed tend to have come from military (or seafaring) backgrounds, aren't especially well educated, and a great many of them - in my experience - hold right rather wing views on matters such as race (and women). Now, they are excellent and exceptionally experienced in adjudicating on security matters.

As a woman, I note this; in my professional life, I have to develop a good working relationship with some of these guys - and I do - but the relationship is professional, never personal.

I think what you are saying is probably correct for those above a certain age, but it’s not the same with the twenty-somethings. Most of the tattooed guys I know are of the hipster variety, typically quite well educated. Tattoos have picked up a new audience as I see it.
[doublepost=1530136436][/doublepost]

This made me think of Ironman 2 :

Yeah, he does desktop support

(Not actually true)

 

[rhett7660]

My main point was that context is important, too.

I mentioned prison gangs and biker gangs (and the military) to put male tattoos into a wider context, one that is not solely a matter of individual choice, but of a specifically culturally informed individual choice.

And, yes, I know the seafaring heritage of the UK - I'm from that corner or north west Europe myself - but, in my personal experience, guys who are tattooed tend to have come from military (or seafaring) backgrounds, aren't especially well educated, and a great many of them - in my experience - hold right rather wing views on matters such as race (and women). Now, they are excellent and exceptionally experienced in adjudicating on security matters.

As a woman, I note this; in my professional life, I have to develop a good working relationship with some of these guys - and I do - but the relationship is professional, never personal.

Yikes, I would hate to see the folks you are dealing with if that is your experience with tattoo's and males. Especially given how many 20 to 30 year old hipster types who are tattooed, well educated, and lean to the extreme left I have come across and seen.

There are still your typical gangster style tattoo's and biker tattoo's. That is not going away anytime soon and those would seem to fit the profile you are describing.

I would also take a look at tattoos from artist such as:

Steve Butcher and no this is not photoshop

Paul Booth

Freddy Negrete

Or Bob Tyrrell

Chris Nunez

These guys are some of the better known.

And yes there are some tattoos that even I look at and have to scratch my head at.

 

[D.T.]

I only have one word/symbol which is "water" since my name has a water element. on my bicep, it is small and part of a Sashimono (Flag used to display clan symbols). My forearm tattoo is posted in one of the picture threads. The rest I haven't posted. My left arm has a few pieces that are not Japanese, the rest is all Japanese.

Oh yeah, so not to sound stalker-y ... but I found your photo in the Pictures >> Tattoos thread, very cool.

 

[rhett7660]

Oh yeah, so not to sound stalker-y ... but I found your photo in the Pictures >> Tattoos thread, very cool.

Ha.. that is only a small part. That one is what sent me down the long road of getting the rest of my tattoos!

I uploaded a work in progress shot of my back piece in that thread...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I think what you are saying is probably correct for those above a certain age, but it’s not the same with the twenty-somethings. Most of the tattooed guys I know are of the hipster variety, typically quite well educated. Tattoos have picked up a new audience as I see it.
......

Yikes, I would hate to see the folks you are dealing with if that is your experience with tattoo's and males. Especially given how many 20 to 30 year old hipster types who are tattooed, well educated, and lean to the extreme left I have come across and seen.

There are still your typical gangster style tattoo's and biker tattoo's. That is not going away anytime soon and those would seem to fit the profile you are describing.

..............
And yes there are some tattoos that even I look at and have to scratch my head at.

Perhaps it is a generational thing, for I'm middle-aged and these days work mostly internationally, and, since I left the proverbial groves of academe, I no longer have any encounters with young people, least of all young hipsters.

However, in the context of tattoos worn by men I have worked with (they were mostly in the security business and were ex-military) - male bonding, and an occasional culture where male violence or the capacity for male violence - was - at the very least respected - allied to the expression right wing views on women and race and the fact that these were not usually all that well educated, (in practice, the heavily tattooed from military backgrounds tended not to have been officers but had been enlisted men).

Taken together, not an especially alluring prospect.

And, while I applaud tattoos on women, (though it is not something that I, personally, would contemplate), I find them unattractive on men.

But, each to their own.

 

[D.T.]

Perhaps it is a generational thing ...

I think you're definitely onto something, I believe more recently, tattoos got into mainstream culture and eventually were so accepted that they crossed pretty much every demographic, including all professions as well.

As just a bit of anecdotal FYI, the people with tattoos from my very small group of friends include: tech entrepreneur X 2, doctor (medical), restauranter, author, engineer, all with what I'd guess as an under-grad degree as the average education (if not a touch higher) and probably $125K-150K average income.