Tattoos and piercings - why?

[Mobilman44]

Ok, I'll lighten things up with a tattoo story......
In the mid '70s I worked in the office of a large oil refinery located on the outskirts of Joliet (Illinois). One of my coworkers (John) was in his early '60s and ready to retire. He and I and two others were officed in the same room. He was a really nice guy, and had the values of most folks of his age back then.

We had a mail room clerk who was quite young, maybe 20, and a really pretty, well dressed, sweet "country girl". One time she was in our area and somehow the subject of tattoos came up. She said, "I have one". Well, even with her short skirt (it was mid '70s) there was no visible tattoo.

I don't recall what was said, but John looked at her with skepticism for there was nothing on her arms, etc. Anyway, she walked over to John's desk, looked around, and raised the back of her skirt, showing a small heart tattoo on her one cheek.

Well, John turned beet red, and I thought he would fall out of his chair. I'll never forget the look on his face, and I guess "shocked" is the best way to describe it. Have to say, the rest of us enjoyed the show.

 

[TennVet]

During a business meeting a very revered senior executive in our organization was asked if he had anything on his bucket list to complete. He replied that he wanted to go skydiving and to get a butterfly tattoo. The meeting ended early and the meeting's host met this man at the door where a limo was waiting to take him to an airport to go skydiving. At the age of 74 he went that day with a tandem assistant, I seen a very good video of his jump. To this day I don't know about the tattoo, and kind of like the idea of not knowing.

 

[WhatInThe]

Well they tell their kids they have a tattoo when they start asking, why would that be an issue??

And, no, mothers don't stop being real people when they have kids - if they are interested in fashion why shouldn't they keep doing so?

Not really talking about those that have 'a' tattoo . Im talking about 30ish moms who have at least 2 of their extremities covered in tats. As much as I see it it's still not the norm yet. Kids know when things are different and/or start talking with each other.

And to top it off most them don't seem like happy people. If I see them out with their kids they act like it's a chore. They have a look don't come near me or I'll cut you look. They seem like miserable people. Yet other new moms proudly are out with their children are out enjoying the day and their kids.

When people start covering their bodies with tats there's more going on than a fashion statement or trying to be a hipster especially when one is around 30. Hopefully it doesn't transfer to the children in their life.

 

[Dave03]

I can only speak for myself, but I got my ear pierced in the 80s, and within 6 months stopped fooling with it. Too much work.

As far as tattoos, I have one on my forearm of a rose that says 'Mama Kin', after an Aerosmith song. Probably the single dumbest thing I've ever done in my entire life. To this day, every once in a while, I'll catch a glimpse of it while brushing my teeth or something, and I think there's a splotch of dirt on my arm.

I don't begrudge anyone with what they want to do with their body. It just wasn't for me.

 

[jet]

well i have 12 tattoos,i dont regret any,first was when 15,last was at 24,no body mentions them,and i dont look at them regretting any,they are part of me,,i also have a sleeper earing in my left ear,been there for 45 yrs,was my daughters,only time i know its there,is if i snag it with a towel.

 

[January]

Not really talking about those that have 'a' tattoo . Im talking about 30ish moms who have at least 2 of their extremities covered in tats. As much as I see it it's still not the norm yet. Kids know when things are different and/or start talking with each other.

And to top it off most them don't seem like happy people. If I see them out with their kids they act like it's a chore. They have a look don't come near me or I'll cut you look. They seem like miserable people. Yet other new moms proudly are out with their children are out enjoying the day and their kids.

When people start covering their bodies with tats there's more going on than a fashion statement or trying to be a hipster especially when one is around 30. Hopefully it doesn't transfer to the children in their life.

But again, if the kids ask, the mothers will just tell them they are tattoos, still no issue about that. Everyone doesn't have to be the same and kids can understand that.

I get it, you don't like tattoos - and that is probably causing some confirmation bias in perceptions like " mothers with tattoos all look unhappy and have a don't come near me look"

Everyone gets tattoos for different reasons, whatever their age - but, no, there isn't ' more going on' just because you do not like them.

 

[Manatee]

Got mine in 1958 in San Diego where I was in the Navy. They were very common on my ship. It was just something sailors did.

Back in civilian life I did see a man who has been in a concentration camp during WW2. He had an id number on his forearm. He was fortunate in that he was still alive.

 

[hollydolly]

Look at this idiot....

this is what he looked like Prior..


Now he wants them removed,,,,and is undergoing painful removal from his face

'It hurts a lot more than doing it,' he said. 'It hurts three times more than doing it. Even with anesthesia, the process is very painful.'


Link to the video here... Man who was covered in tattoos shares incredible transformation

 

[Pepper]

Sickos, IMO