Tattoo's

[briannacd11]

At this point I feel totaly comfortable when im dressed, and feel passable or semi passable. Im happy with my body, my makeup and the fit of my clothes.

the only problem I am dealing with at this point are the tattoo's I have. I have a sleeve on my left arm and two sparrows on my shoulder blades. the sparrows are fine and part of my sleeve on my left arm is colorful and could pass as somewhat fem as it has roses and pretty colors. but as i go up my arm the tattoo i have is somewhat masculine and i feel really self concious about it. so much that i cover it up with long sleeves when im dressed in public. I just want to wear a sleevles dress when I go out but am afraid of being judged becuase of my tattoos.

I guess what im wondering is how you all feel about tattoos on girls like us. I see pics posted here and dont see many girls with tattoos. Im debating whether I should start the removal process on at least one of my tattoos on my arm.

any feedback would be appreciated, thanks

Bri

[Shananigans]

This girl is a fox:
http://www3.whig.com/whig/blogs/ihavealottoshare/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/FP9475Kat-Von-D-Posters.jpg

I can't even count how many tattoos she has

[busker]

Brianna, my opinion on all tattoos is that they have no place on viewable skin and I just can't imagine wanting one in any case.[Even though the King of Sweden has a dragon on his back, doesn't mean everyone should have one. There is a long tradition for that and may also serve as positive ID in case of death.] that said, while I see more than just a few girls with mega tattoos covering their breasts and arms among other places, I always wonder, what the hell were they thinking. One can never know one's future, and to despoil your visible anatomy with tattoos, I can only wonder if so many people have such low self-esteem these days. I see them as a poor decision--for guys as well.
You are probably OK with yours even if they are viewable unless they are really "MALE" types, then I think they would be a giveaway, so removal would be wise. The old removal way left quite a bit of scar tissue, but laser removal may not be so bad.
Tattoos, even for the Japanese, were more or less consigned to the lower classes, and their religion did not condone them--sacred body issues.. I'm not trying to lecture you here,but people have become so enamored with them this past decade.
Good luck which ever you decide.

[morgan51]

I'm thinking a good coverup is in order, now to find the best artist! Sorry busker. Come out in the lighht so we can enjoy them Bri.

[CaitlynRenee]

Actually, tattoos go back many thousands of years. Sometimes they were for religious reasons, the sacred marking of the sacred body. At other times, they designated status in society or warrior classes and also for tribal affiliation. My only tattoo at the time is a tiny dot on my right hand middle finger where I stabbed myself with my pen once. Still, I wouldn't rule out a tattoo though. My brother didn't get one until he was in his fifties, way after his three kids had theirs. Now he and his wife each have one.

My daughter said someday she will, but it will have to be the right ink for the right purpose. I myself haven't ruled it out.

If you are uncomfortable with your tattoos, ask yourself why and ask if they really DO look bad. If you are uncomfortable with them (any of them), ask your doctor about removal. I've seen some really masculine looking tattoos on women and they didn't look half bad after I found out their meanings for the folks who had them.

[donnalee]

Something that people who get tattoos don't consider is that they change from artwork into bruise-like discolorations as the person ages. That youthful lark becomes a mature regret.

[JenniferR771]

Find a better tattoo artist. With a little luck he (or she) can add or modify your art to make it more feminine. Birds, flowers, butterflys, fem dragon, flying ponies...?
Can anyone find an online suggestion?

[Jessica Keys]

Brianna, my opinion on all tattoos is that they have no place on viewable skin ............
That is why I have mine (rose) on my hip...(butt) lol

[Michelle.M]

Unnecessary harsh criticism notwithstanding, this is why I never got any tats. Decades in the military and a biker to boot and I still don't have any, but I was born different. Probably why I am here in the first place.

Shenanigans is right, Kat Von D has done more to make tattoos on women look sexy than anyone. If you followed her show there were some episodes where she went for a photo shoot to launch her perfume line, and for the photo shoot they did some shots of her with her tats totally concealed. It's all in the makeup.

I am also a photographer and one issue those of us who do fashion and glamour photography have to deal with is tattooed women (unheard of when I started my career). So what to do?

Check out the Ben Nye cosmetic line. They specialize in stage makeup and have a variety of heavily pigmented makeups and concealers so effective you can cover anything -

http://www.fantasycostume.net/fantasy/concealers.html

Dermablend also makes some pretty effective cover-ups. Go to Ulta. They have a pretty good selection of Dermablend products.

[Shananigans]

I just don't think tattoos detract from femininity. That's just so 50 years ago.

Look at Angelina Jolie, look at Megan Fox, look at Kat Von D. These are sex idols, people...they look damned good with some tattoos on them.

I personally think that if you have tattoos, work 'em. Go for a bit of a "bad girl" look. Channel your inner Angelina Jolie.

OH, and Angie's tattoos are ANYTHING but feminine. They are strong and fearless, just like she is. Your tattoos aren't supposed to be placed on your body to live up to society's ideals. They are put on your body to act as a canvas...they kind of buck society to a greater degree...they are supposed to be meaningful. I would never get a dumbass flower or butterfly on me. Why? Because it's stupid and it means nothing. If I got something it would be something that hit close to home.

So, yeah. I have greater respect for beautiful women who have meaningful tattoos. I think they are damn Sexy. What's not sexy? Stupid little bimbos who get butterflies on their ass crack just because that is what every other bimbo gets on their ass crack. If by some miracle you could tell me the greater meaning of the butterfly on your ass, you might win back my respect.

You got those tats for a reason. You shouldn't let dressing feminine turn you into this different person. You are channeling your inner femininity and your inner self, right? So, you got those tattoos for a reason, hopefully. Why does your feminine side have to be so different than who you actually are? Women are strong...we are not fragile. Channel the strong women that you see NOW and not the weaker sex from 50 years ago. Angelina Jolie has about a million tattoos on back, arms, hands, you name it....she is the sexiest woman I have ever laid eyes on. Now, go forth and be strong and sexy.

[Debra Russell]

In general I don't care for tattoo's but I know they have a place just not on my bod. The best I ever saw on a woman, a customer that came into my business -- she was a "madam" from a respectable men's club in San Francisco she was wearing shorts and tank top & flip flops. On her ankle - in living color was tattooed the bird of paradise that wound up her leg across her back around her side and over one breast and under the other -- when I (as an artist) enthusiastically conveyed my interest she gladly beared all :o:heehee: it was great --beautifully done! She left me with a post card with her on it-- and Oh the stories she had to tell:eek:

[briannacd11]

thanks for the feedback. Shananigans, i like what you had to say, all my tattoos were done by some of the best artist in southern california, and the best in the country for that matter. They are all really high grade tattoos, and I consider them art. They were not cheap, they are not your tasteless cheap green, plain, sloppy tattoos. I would compare them with kat von d, or any suicide girl model's type of tattoos. There is just the one in question that im wondering about. It is somewhat masculine, its a tall ship kinda tradtitional style. I have seen them on genetic girls before and am thinking of adding some more color and some roses or rose pedels to it to fem it up a bit. I think I will be fine and yesterday when i posted was dressing up to go out and wanted to wear this black sleeve less dress and was feeling a bit self concious. I did end up wearing it and got many compliments on my art work. As a matter of fact a friend I was with said i get most of the attention when were out becuase of my body art.

again thanks for everyones opinions, I would never get rid of my body art, and i dont think its tasteless or a sign of being in a lower class of society, or religiously tasteless. I know some of you would not get tattoos, I myself would never photo shop my face out of my profile picture on a CD/TS forum lol


Bri

[Loni]

you can in some cases go to a special dermatologist and get a "skin" colored ink applied to cover it over, and then there is a very pricey and painful lazer way of removing them.
i am not into changing the way the skin should look, so trying to give good input with out getting down on it.

Loni

.

[Stitch]

Why so much hate for tattoos? I have 4 and I'm getting 5th one this morning actually. (I'm so excited!) I certainly don't feel any less feminine with them and I can say men have never complained either. I adore my tattoos, its like my soul is seeping through my skin. If people don't like them, well then that's there problem not mine. They'll just have to deal. I didn't get them for other people, I got them for me. Not to look sexy even, but because I feel most alive when surrounded by colour.

I'm sure you got yours for yourself briannacd11, so don't let haters bother you. They're never going to understand anyway. Its always people who don't have tattoos that get on peoples cases for having them, but you never meet someone with tattoos who cares that some people don't have any.
I'd personally love to see your tattoos. I always stop to admire tattoos when ever I see them. I even do double takes sometimes.

People who think that tattoos make people somehow a lower being need to get with times. Also how judgemental is it to look down your nose at another demographic of people. I thought we all wanted love, acceptance and respect here.

[Chloe Renee]

I have seen many gg's with what could easily be considered masculine tattoo's. A well done tattoo can look good on just about any subject, male or female. The only issue I ever have with tattoo's is when the art is shotty. Enjoy your art where it with pride, or if you truly feel you need to ben nye cover up is a great product.
That being said
I don't see the problem with a woman having art on their body, there is and will always be people who think tattoo's are trashy. They have a right to their opinion, and they seem to shout it when ever a thread like this pops up. To me the willingness to jump on the get it (the tattoo) removed bandwagon is crazy. Take note people who say tattoo's aren't femmine, the gg's in this thread dont seem to share those thoughts.

And yes, I have a tattoo. No, you cannot see it. And when i have some spare change i will get another one, bills come first.

[morgan51]

I saw a young female [20's] at graduation in our small wyoming town with a tallship sleve tattoo it was simply stunning this was her only visible tattoo. The tattoo did include some fantastic color. Tatts Rock! Just my opinion. I have mine for me no one else. I will get some changed for more feminine work as time and money permits. Acceptance would be nice! But not required. Hugs ... Morgan

[TGMarla]

I just don't think tattoos detract from femininity. That's just so 50 years ago.

Umm...yeah, if you say so. I'll respectfully disagree. One of the best things about a woman is her skin, and marring it with tatoos does nothing for it. I don't like tatoos to begin with, and I like them even less on women. Simply because there has been a trend in the past ten years or so of self-mutilation that includes tattoos and piercings, that doesn't mean it's a good thing. I'm guessing there is going to be a whole lot of buyers' regret when these women get older. Tattoos are permanent, and you can't change them to suit your mood. I would not want to wear the same thing every day, over and over again. And when I see a woman wearing a nice dress, the last thing I want to see is tatoos all over her legs or arms....or anywhere else for that matter.

[Stitch]

Umm...yeah, if you say so. I'll respectfully disagree. One of the best things about a woman is her skin, and marring it with tatoos does nothing for it. I don't like tatoos to begin with, and I like them even less on women. Simply because there has been a trend in the past ten years or so of self-mutilation that includes tattoos and piercings, that doesn't mean it's a good thing. I'm guessing there is going to be a whole lot of buyers' regret when these women get older. Tattoos are permanent, and you can't change them to suit your mood. I would not want to wear the same thing every day, over and over again. And when I see a woman wearing a nice dress, the last thing I want to see is tatoos all over her legs or arms....or anywhere else for that matter.

I love the way you said "respectfully disagree" when I don't consider what you wrote to be respectful at all. It's one thing to have an opinion but to put others down is hardly respectful. As for your "last thing you want to see" I'm pretty sure those women with tattoos all over their arms and legs don't care whether you want to see them or not. It's their bodies and they can do what they like with them. If you don't like it, well then just don't look. I hardly think they care about whether you approve or not.

I'm sure if someone voiced this type of opinion about CDers there'd be a riot here. I mean the *Urgh! That's the last thing I want to see!* Type attitude. Acceptance comes in many forms.

[Chloe Renee]

great post stitch, you summed my reocuring issue with this subject perfectly

[Rachel Mari]

I'm sure if someone voiced this type of opinion about CDers there'd be a riot here. I mean the *Urgh! That's the last thing I want to see!* Type attitude. Acceptance comes in many forms.

Yeah. So what if that's a man in a skirt.. I mean a woman with a tatoo.

[Sarah_Jane]

I have to agree with some of the, presumably, younger element here who thinks tattoos can be damn sexy. In the end it boils down to what you want/need. If it stops you from being comfortable then do away with it or cover it up, if you can get by without worrying about what other think then keep them, I'm sure they hold special meaning and you would not have gotten them otherwise. Just my two cents.

[Sandra]

Well this GG, who's 49in a few days, has just had her 4th tat done and I don't care what others think about it, it's my body and I'll do what the hell I like with it.

Stitch love your post hun.

[Farrah Rose]

I agree with Shananigans, there isnt a problem with tattoos, Kat Von D is hot and i think times are changing in regards to tattoos

[Angie G]

I have none And I glad I never did.My son as a number of them Wish I'm okay with it's his choice. I think some are really nice. Maybe you can get yours reworked to something not so macho.:hugs:
Angie

[Jorja]

I had planed to get a tattoo at one time at Pinky's in Hong Kong. A Chinese dragon on my right shoulder blade. I was waiting in line and was next. All of a sudden, the door hit the floor and about 20 screaming chinamen came rushing in swing meat cleavers and chains. I bailed out the door. To this day I still have no idea why it happened. Two guys that I knew got injured in the maddness. One needed 238 stiches in his thigh. The other got 134 stiches in his head. Needless to say that cured my desire for a tattoo.

I have seen many tattoos that are absolutely gorgeous. Still, you won't catch me hanging out in a tattoo parlor again.

[TGMarla]

I hardly think they care about whether you approve or not.

And I never insinuated that anyone with all these tats did care whether I approve or not. I notice a whole lot of "I don't care" attitudes flying about these days. I also notice that you are very quick to take offense when none is intended. Why is that? I said I respectfully disagree, but when I try to explain my viewpoint, you toss this barrage of hate at me simply because I don't much care for tattoos. I didn't put anyone down, despite what you accuse me of. If you want to go and ink up, go ahead. I think that after 20 years or so, you might have a few days when you wish they weren't there, or that your tattoo said or showed something different than it has for the past 20 years. Hey, I might be wrong about that, but I doubt it. Tats are often a reflection of one's attitudes at the time, but attitudes change over time. Tats don't. And I might be in the minority on this thread, but I don't much like them. Isn't that what a forum is for? So you can get more than just one opinion on any given topic? You don't have to like my opinion, but I'm not spewing hate at you simply because you see things differently than I do. Geez, lighten up.

[busker]

At this point I feel totaly comfortable when im dressed, and feel passable or semi passable. Im happy with my body, my makeup and the fit of my clothes.

the only problem I am dealing with at this point are the tattoo's I have. I have a sleeve on my left arm and two sparrows on my shoulder blades. the sparrows are fine and part of my sleeve on my left arm is colorful and could pass as somewhat fem as it has roses and pretty colors. but as i go up my arm the tattoo i have is somewhat masculine and i feel really self concious about it. so much that i cover it up with long sleeves when im dressed in public. I just want to wear a sleevles dress when I go out but am afraid of being judged becuase of my tattoos.

I guess what im wondering is how you all feel about tattoos on girls like us. I see pics posted here and dont see many girls with tattoos. Im debating whether I should start the removal process on at least one of my tattoos on my arm.

any feedback would be appreciated, thanks

Bri

It would seem that perhaps our opinion wasn't wanted after all. Since you asked, those of us who don't like them said so. Wasn't that the point. Or , did you just want confirmation that tattoos are great. I wasn't trying to belittle anyone, just stating my opinion. Those of you who wish to read further about tattoos in Japan, Google the term IREZUMI and you will see what the Japanese say about them. Both Shinto and Buddhism look at the body in a way that is different from Western culture. I'm totally lost as to how "SEXY" can be applied to a tattoo.
Anyway, best of luck with your tattoos.

[Rianna Humble]

I just don't think tattoos detract from femininity. That's just so 50 years ago.
...
Angelina Jolie has about a million tattoos on back, arms, hands, you name it....she is the sexiest woman I have ever laid eyes on. Now, go forth and be strong and sexy.

Well said


Why so much hate for tattoos? I have 4 and I'm getting 5th one this morning actually. (I'm so excited!) I certainly don't feel any less feminine with them and I can say men have never complained either.

I'm afraid that some men are simply sexist when it comes to tattoos. I remember a colleague who thinks that he is open-minded and progressive asking me to help him prevent someone from becoming mayor of our town because the person's wife had a tattoo. :eek:


Its always people who don't have tattoos that get on peoples cases for having them, but you never meet someone with tattoos who cares that some people don't have any.

I think that you have hit the nail on the head here, the intolerance is all one-sided.


People who think that tattoos make people somehow a lower being need to get with times. Also how judgemental is it to look down your nose at another demographic of people. I thought we all wanted love, acceptance and respect here.

The thinking seems to be "If you are different from others in a way that I approve, everyone must accept you , but if I don't like the way that you are different, then you should not be accepted by anyone" there is a word for that, it sounds a bit similar to the oath sworn by doctors, now what was that word?

[Aeva]

I think a tall ship is pretty neutral. I wouldn't mess it up by trying to "fem it up".

You're over scrutinizing it. Rock the look instead.

[pennylee]

I had a pair of lips put under my panties'

[Samantha43]

I have no tatoos and will probably never get one even though my wife wants me to. It's just not me. She has three of them, is in her late 40's and they look fantastic on her. She loves them and so do I. Two are visible when she wears shorts and a tank top. She shows them off whenever she has a chance. She's even talking about getting another one. I support her 100% if that's what she wants.

[Phoebe P.]

It's obviously more widespread now than in the past. Personally I'm happy I never got one. I almost got one in college, my fraternity letters on my ankle, but couldn't do that to my body. It is what it is, work with what you have and I wouldn't worry a/b making it more feminine. I made a pot of chili in college that was too salty so I added some sugar, but then it was too sweet, so I added some salt. Then it was too salty so I added some sugar. Then it was too sweet so I added some salt... Eventually I threw out the whole pot of chili. My advice is either leave it alone or throw it out.

[MAJESTYK]

Just MY opinion mind you but, I am a collection of the things that make up my life. The parts of my life when I was tattooed are part of me. I am self conscious of my tats and I dress every day as I am trans but, I do NOT completely hide them and they are anything but feminine. I feel if people have an opinion of my tats, they are entitled to it just as I am entitled to have one about them not having them. I come from a line of warriors of one kind or another, these are my right as one and I am proud of them.
I do find it very odd that anyone on here would be so brave as to say anyone is not "normal" merely because they have tats. We are here to be accept-ed why can we not be accept-ing?

[Rianna Humble]

I made a pot of chili in college that was too salty so I added some sugar, but then it was too sweet,

That was your mistake - you don't use sugar in a savoury dish to reduce the saltiness. Once you start down the road of using the wrong stuff, you are very likely to get to the outcome you mentioned.

[Scotty]

Umm...yeah, if you say so. I'll respectfully disagree. One of the best things about a woman is her skin, and marring it with tatoos does nothing for it. I don't like tatoos to begin with

and you can't change them to suit your mood. I would not want to wear the same thing every day, over and over again. And when I see a woman wearing a nice dress, the last thing I want to see is tatoos all over her legs or arms....or anywhere else for that matter.


Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~Confucius

[msginaadoll]

I dont care much for tatoos on me or on other people. But thats just me. I do hope it is ok to have that opinion here. Sure some tattoos are allright looking- too me, but Im not a fan of them. Your opinion may differ and I do hope we all are aloud to have differing opinions. But then I have a hard time commiting to a bumper sticker on my car.

[Kittykitty]

For a time I second guessed mine, even got tat cover to hide it... I've never even opened the bottles.

Suddenly I remembered when I got it, starting school the next summer and seeing MANY girls with a very similar tattoo (let's call it a jungle cat.) That put me in a much better frame of mind about the whole thing. After a year and a half on HRT (yes, a permanent body modifying cocktail,) my arms have thinned enough that it looks hot. It has a rainbow in it, and to me, it was always comforting, even when I had to shave my head and look like a man for 10 years, as it reminded me of who I really was underneath.

A mommy came through our shop last week, literally 1 minute after the woman I had been talking to was downing people with tattoo's in the workplace (she took off out the door like a shot.) The mommy had almost her entire body covered, and I guarantee you 99% of us on this board would kill to look like her. She was an overwhelmingly positive person, and after talking to her for a bit, she admitted she wished she had more body to cover with tats, as she was running out of room. As a self employed painter, she has the freedom to look however she wants... and isn't that what most of here are longing/working towards?

My mentor's words ring in my ears, "Never miss an opportunity to rock it!"

[Shananigans]

I don't like tatoos to begin with, and I like them even less on women. And when I see a woman wearing a nice dress, the last thing I want to see is tatoos all over her legs or arms....or anywhere else for that matter.

A lot of I, I, I...me, me, me... A lot of being caught up in the physical aspects of a person. I'd rather have someone that respected my thoughts, my feelings, and who I am at a deeper level...if someone were to not give me a second glance just because I have a tattoo, I wouldn't want to be associated with that person anyway. It's people that can look beyond physical manifestations of a person and see them at a deeper level that really have it figured out, in my very respectful opinion.

I think the OP shouldn't worry about her tattoos. She got them for a reason. She doesn't deserve to worry about people saying, "You are trying to look like a woman...women have soft, clear skin. You have screwed everything up and will never be the 'ideal woman.'" I think the 'ideal' woman is within and cannot be reached by changing yourself physically. Therefore, it's not the tattoos that I would be worrying about, but who I am on the inside.

If I had gotten the tattoos (presumably because they meant something to me), I wouldn't worry about changing them to suit the feminine self that comes from within. If the feminine self really came from within then whatever came from within ALSO wanted you to get those tattoos. Hope that makes sense. :)


I love the way you said "respectfully disagree" when I don't consider what you wrote to be respectful at all. It's one thing to have an opinion but to put others down is hardly respectful. As for your "last thing you want to see" I'm pretty sure those women with tattoos all over their arms and legs don't care whether you want to see them or not. It's their bodies and they can do what they like with them. If you don't like it, well then just don't look. I hardly think they care about whether you approve or not.

I'm sure if someone voiced this type of opinion about CDers there'd be a riot here. I mean the *Urgh! That's the last thing I want to see!* Type attitude. Acceptance comes in many forms.

:clap:


Those of you who wish to read further about tattoos in Japan, Google the term IREZUMI and you will see what the Japanese say about them. Both Shinto and Buddhism look at the body in a way that is different from Western culture. I'm totally lost as to how "SEXY" can be applied to a tattoo.
Anyway, best of luck with your tattoos.

Been studying Buddhism about 5 years. Still a newbie to the Path. However, I can tell you that some people see tattooing as spiritual, others see it as wrong and going against "Right Action." The funny thing about Buddhism is that you are encouraged to look within yourself for the answers. No one is going to tell you if it is right or wrong. As far as getting tattoos for "sexiness." I truly doubt that the celebrities that I have mentioned and the OP was doing it for that matter. In a Buddhist context, it would be considered feeding the ego if you were so hooked to adding tattoos for a sexiness factor. However, many people get tattoos that are symbolically very meaningful to them. And, with the whole idea of impermanence, why would your skin be too precious to have a visible reminder to you of something that may have taught you a life lesson. Now, if other people find your tattoos appealing to look at and enjoy hearing about Why you go them (which is really what I love about people with tattoos), then I don't see anything wrong with that. It's just another way to reach out to those people around you...you are in Fact sharing something that was very personal and special to you and putting it on your body for people to see. Just my two cents.

[Rianna Humble]

I'd rather have someone that respected my thoughts, my feelings, and who I am at a deeper level...if someone were to not give me a second glance just because I have a tattoo, I wouldn't want to be associated with that person anyway. It's people that can look beyond physical manifestations of a person and see them at a deeper level that really have it figured out, in my very respectful opinion.

I always get dismayed when I see people who confuse prettiness or comelines with beauty. Someone can be as pretty on the outside as can be yet still not be a beautiful person because true beauty comes from within and any outward sign is just a poor reflection of what is in the heart.

I respect anyone's right not to like tattoos, provided that those people are prepared to respect the opinion of others who disagree with them.

As far as Brianna's question goes, I don't think that she should feel embarrassed to have tattoos. My new manager has both arms covered with sleeve-like tattoos and she is very definitely both feminine and pretty.

[Megan Thomas]

Whether you like them or not, I suggest you all buy shares in companies engaged in tattoo removal methods, for that will be big business in years to come.

[TGMarla]

I can tell you that some people see tattooing as spiritual

Yeah, I'm sure most people who get tattoos do so with some higher spiritual context in mind. I see all kinds of low-lifes and gang members in this city who are covered with tattoos. It's nice to know they all had some kind of spiritual awakening when they got them. Now notice, I did not equate these people to the members here who have tattoos, but if you're going to make blanket statements one way, then you'll need to put up with them in other ways, too. The OP wanted opinions, but apparently dissenting opinions are not wanted or warranted around here. I stated that I dislike tattoos, and gave my reasons why I didn't like them. Then later, I defended my statements, and was roundly ignored in favor of further blasting on my initial comments. You are welcome to your tattoos. I don't care. I don't like them, and I prefer for the women I am with to not have them either. One's idea of beauty may be as valid as another, but that works two ways, doesn't it? There are aboriginal tribes in New Guinea who have some rather strange ideas of feminine beauty that include hundreds of piercings, neck rings that extend a woman's neck to varying degrees, and all kinds of beauty marks that mean something to their culture. That doesn't mean I want to date any of them.

It seems to me, if you were truly comfortable with all your ink, you wouldn't be so quick to crucify those who disagree with your opinions of them.

[Shananigans]

Well, in that context, the gang members Did put something on their bodies that was very dear to them on a personal level. It may not be something that I agree with, but that doesn't make it any less powerful to them.

It's fine to not like tattoos. But, I think you can say you don't like the look of something without belittling people...that was my main problem.

P.S. I don't have a single tattoo. I think tattoos can be beautiful on other people and i love to hear stories behind them. However, I have not gotten any as it's hard for me to put an image to what is dear to me. Anyway, I'll leave you with the old statements on assuming things. And, the fact that just because you respect someone's right to something does not necessarily mean you ascribe to it yourself.

Best, Shannon


Yeah, I'm sure most people who get tattoos do so with some higher spiritual context in mind. I see all kinds of low-lifes and gang members in this city who are covered with tattoos. It's nice to know they all had some kind of spiritual awakening when they got them. Now notice, I did not equate these people to the members here who have tattoos, but if you're going to make blanket statements one way, then you'll need to put up with them in other ways, too. The OP wanted opinions, but apparently dissenting opinions are not wanted or warranted around here. I stated that I dislike tattoos, and gave my reasons why I didn't like them. Then later, I defended my statements, and was roundly ignored in favor of further blasting on my initial comments. You are welcome to your tattoos. I don't care. I don't like them, and I prefer for the women I am with to not have them either. One's idea of beauty may be as valid as another, but that works two ways, doesn't it? There are aboriginal tribes in New Guinea who have some rather strange ideas of feminine beauty that include hundreds of piercings, neck rings that extend a woman's neck to varying degrees, and all kinds of beauty marks that mean something to their culture. That doesn't mean I want to date any of them.

It seems to me, if you were truly comfortable with all your ink, you wouldn't be so quick to crucify those who disagree with your opinions of them.

[TGMarla]

And, the fact that just because you respect someone's right to something does not necessarily mean you ascribe to it yourself.

Fair enough. This was really where I was at with it all in the first place. And I did not mean to single you out. Your comments were not nearly as acerbic as many of the others, who chose to cherry pick my statements and assign prejudice and bigotry to me over them. I stand by my last comment about comfort versus crucifixion.

[Shananigans]

Fair enough. This was really where I was at with it all in the first place. And I did not mean to single you out. Your comments were not nearly as acerbic as many of the others, who chose to cherry pick my statements and assign prejudice and bigotry to me over them. I stand by my last comment about comfort versus crucifixion.

I didn't mean to either. I'll give you the comfort versus crucifixion as long as you don't voice too harshly against people with tattoos who may be breaking social taboos, just as much as CDs are breaking social taboos. (I like that line under your avatar, BTW). :hugs:

[Jessica86]

As either side, I think tatoos are a complete turn off. Tatoos are certainly not feminine. That's just my opinion. I can't count how many times friends of mine have seen a girl go by in a club, and tell her "Wow, you look hot!" Then when she walks off, they turn and laugh going "You see that tramp stamp? That's just gross!" Public thinks its done out of desperation for attention, which in my opinion, on a woman, I can agree. A tatoo on a woman's ankle is one thing, but when it is across your back, down your arms, legs, and even above a certain area, that's not for me.

[Schatten Lupus]

I'm eventually going to get mine covered up/converted into a dream catcher with a fairy on it. Not that I regret getting a tattoo, it's just the one I have is so bland that I just have to get it turned into something more glamorous.