Tattoos

[caseyg]

As far as employment, they're accepted as commonplace in many, but not all, sectors today. However, if you're worried about it, there are many places to get them where they won't be seen. I am fortunate enough to have a job where body modification is accepted, but many aren't so lucky - check with HR if you're not sure.

I have two tattoos currently, a small bass clef on my inner left wrist and its partner, a small treble clef on my inner right wrist- meaningful to me, but even if they weren't, I see nothing against getting a few things just because they're fun and you like the way they look. It's your life, and it's a short one, why not do what makes you happy? [Within reason, not advocating murder or anything ] Music got me through some very difficult times, and it's my way of expressing that it has always been/is always/will always be with me, no matter what. Future plans include the infinity sign, some latin script, and other things, some meaningful, some just "pretty scribbles" type stuff to others.

[shasah]

Music got me through some very difficult times, and it's my way of expressing that it has always been/is always/will always be with me, no matter what.

My next tattoo that I plan for September will be a quarter note with a yin/yang sign as the base. Music also helped me through 2 extremely difficult times of my life and I cannot imagine what life would be like without it. I also like the balance of the yin/yang and hope that my life will reflect that balance.

[KtotheB]

I have two 3/4 sleeves and two more tattoos on my back... This is me (in the black shirt) with my friend, Lara.




So obviously, I love tattoos.

My advice is, go to an artist with a wait list... the best indication that they are good at what they do!

xo

kb

[brendannz]

Originally Posted by KtotheB

I have two 3/4 sleeves and two more tattoos on my back... This is me (in the black shirt) with my friend, Lara.

So obviously, I love tattoos.

I probably won't get tattooed, but I think your tattoos are really cool..

[Brown Eyed Mystic]

I have two 3/4 sleeves and two more tattoos on my back... This is me (in the black shirt) with my friend, Lara.

Cool one KtotheB. But then, as pointed earlier by some in this thread, how do you manage work/school/or whatever that takes your presence...Just curious, is it OK to have those creative things at your place...?

[cosmicgirl]

I have a half sleeve on my right arm - I work in a High School (that ages 13 to 18) in a fairly senior non-teaching role and don't cover my tattoo up. I think it's good for the students to see that one doesn't have to conform to the corporate image to do a good job - books and covers etc ...

Here's a pic


It means a great deal to me, the claddagh symbolises love, friendship and loyalty and the foliage shows the changing, cyclical nature of the seasons - when winter comes, spring cannot be far behind - although saying that, when I was designing it, I was struggling to find native british summer flowers but autumn and winter was easy!

I would echo what others have said re the artist - there are some really fabulous artists out there, don't settle for a naff tattoo just because they're close\cheap\can do it tomorrow (or worse... now!). I had to wait nearly six months and it cost me a fortune - however, it was all done freehand and I love it to bits.

x

[brendannz]

cosmicgirl,

that's a great tattoo, you should check out the artwork (non tattoo) of Daniel B Holeman;
Awaken Visions - Spiritual Visionary Art of Daniel B. Holeman

[cosmicgirl]

ooh - love the 'visions of space' stuff!!

[brendannz]

cosmicgirl,

the tattoo reminded me of stuff in the first gallery

[blossom]

I think I was only stating my oppinion about these things. If it offended anyone, that wasn't my intention...that's just what I THINK...and I'm entitled to my oppinion, just as Hywel Teague is entitled to think that my comment was being closed minded, when I was really retorting to another persons narrow-minded statement previously, that all people with tattoos are free-thinkers"...which I think is plain wrong. There are people with tattoos who think for themselves, and people with tatts who don't and who are sheep, just as it goes for people without tatts!
I am aware that tattooing is a form of expression...if you actually read my entire post, it stated that I enjoy some tattoos on some people, it's just not for me... I don't think there was anything particularly inflammatory or unP.C in my words, and if the person who wears an asian tattoo for his own reasons took offense...well that is regrettable and I could have phrased it a little less generally...but again, it's just what I think! Who cares......I still have my own preferences and thoughts about it, and shouldn't have to 'watch my language' as though I'm close to being on someones shitlist for saying what I think! I'm allowed to express my thoughts without diluting or sugar-coating them to please others.

[brendannz]

Originally Posted by blossom

I think I was only stating my oppinion about these things. If it offended anyone, that wasn't my intention...that's just what I THINK...and I'm entitled to my oppinion, just as Hywel Teague is entitled to think that my comment was being closed minded, when I was really retorting to another persons narrow-minded statement previously, that all people with tattoos are free-thinkers"...which I think is plain wrong. There are people with tattoos who think for themselves, and people with tatts who don't and who are sheep, just as it goes for people without tatts!
I am aware that tattooing is a form of expression...if you actually read my entire post, it stated that I enjoy some tattoos on some people, it's just not for me... I don't think there was anything particularly inflammatory or unP.C in my words, and if the person who wears an asian tattoo for his own reasons took offense...well that is regrettable and I could have phrased it a little less generally...but again, it's just what I think! Who cares......I still have my own preferences and thoughts about it, and shouldn't have to 'watch my language' as though I'm close to being on someones shitlist for saying what I think! I'm allowed to express my thoughts without diluting or sugar-coating them to please others.

You didn't offend me.. I was just saying it's worth being more careful with your comments. For example if someone in the room is wearing a red jersey, then saying "I think people who wear red jerseys are idiots" is not a good idea. (In my opinion) But yeah, everybody's got different tastes so as long as the asian tattooed man likes his asian tattoo, then probably noone was offended.

[blossom]

I agree. The comment was made about NON-asians wearing asian tatts, if you remember! If an asian man wants an asian tattoo and he understands what it means...it's not just part of a fad that he's been swept up in, then that's different, and good for him...it's meaningful to him as it is part of his heritage. I just think it's silly for someone who isn't even asian to wear an asian symbol that means "peace" or whatever! Only asians who see it will understand what it means (or non-asians who speak asian)

[cosmicgirl]

I have to admit, I wouldn't have anything tattooed on me that I couldn't read but each to their own ...

[brendannz]

Originally Posted by blossom

I agree. The comment was made about NON-asians wearing asian tatts, if you remember! If an asian man wants an asian tattoo and he understands what it means...it's not just part of a fad that he's been swept up in, then that's different, and good for him...it's meaningful to him as it is part of his heritage. I just think it's silly for someone who isn't even asian to wear an asian symbol that means "peace" or whatever! Only asians who see it will understand what it means (or non-asians who speak asian)

The Kanji symbols were originally pictures which evolved into abstracted painted artistic symbols for words... but if they mean nothing to you, then I guess they don't really have to..

[tyrocks00]

I agree with what everyone said here...

Do whatever makes you happy. Yes, in the professional workplace tattoos are often viewed as unprofessional...but unless you're covered in skulls I don't think it'll make or break your chance at getting the job. Honestly, if I were older I probably wouldn't want a tattoo just because I might get all saggy and it'll look bad (hahaha) so that might be why people say it was a teenager phase. But I'm planning on getting a tiny tattoo on the inside of my wrist just because it'll make me happy. My friend wants one on the side of her stomach and when I asked her "why? no one will see it" she just said it's just for her. Makes sense, right?

[borisg]

but they look like **** on old people

[blossom]

It's not that they don't mean anything to me...I think you are misunderstanding what I'm saying, Brendannz. What I'm saying is that I question whether the people who pay for these symbols actually know the origins and meaning behind them! Nine times out of ten, I would say they don't...they have just gone and randomly got a cute symbol because they saw it on someone else and thought it was the latest trendy thing to do for fashion...maybe not all of them, but certainly alot of people who get these symbols don't know the first thing about their origins and don't want to know either...that's why I think it's a wank!
It sounds like you do know alot about their origins and study these things, and it would be an interesting thing to study I'm sure. Personally, I''m not into japanese or chinese calligraphy symbols, but that doesn't mean I don't find them interesting. I just think it's more meaningful for a person who actually has that heritage to present a symbol on their body because they know intimately what it means...as opposed to a westerner who doesn't, other than what they read on the tattooists design page catalogue!

[shasah]

Originally Posted by borisg

but they look like **** on old people

Define old. I'm 45 but I'm in better shape than most 20 year olds. And I plan on keeping it that way.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks if it has special meaning or gives pleasure to the one wearing it.

[blossom]

That's true!

[KtotheB]

Cosmicgirl - I LOVE your tattoo! It's awesome.

Originally Posted by Brown Eyed Mystic

Cool one KtotheB. But then, as pointed earlier by some in this thread, how do you manage work/school/or whatever that takes your presence...Just curious, is it OK to have those creative things at your place...?

I am my own boss, so it's no big deal. But I do wear long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve shirts if I'm going to be somewhere "professional"

[FazK]

Tattoos are great (especially on girls) But only in small doses. I think having your entire body covered is a bit stupid. It also depends on your reason for getting the tattoo. If you're doing it just to look "cool" or follow the crowd then you shouldn't get them. Also remember what you thought would be a great tattoo right now might not seem so great ten years down the line. So think hard before you get one