Tattoos, Piercings?

[CS]

Not a fan of either.

[vezkor]

This is a fascinating thread. Thanks for posting the OP, Olaz.

I have three rather large tattoos. In regular business-casual dress: you'd never see them. In regular business activities: you'd never know I had them because I wouldn't ever allude to being tattooed. There is a definite social stigma (especially among older folk who have the ability to help or hinder your career) and I have always acknowledged this fact.

From the age of 16-17 I decided I wanted exactly 3 tattoos, and I knew exactly what I wanted them to be and where I wanted them located (one on each shoulder/deltoid muscle and one in the middle of my back between the shoulderblades/trapezius. I got the shoulder tattoos at age 18 when it became legal, 6 months apart. My artist moved out of state shortly after, though, so I didn't get my backpiece done until he returned for a visit almost 4 years later.

Now at age 26, I can say that I still love my tattoos. I have no regrets or disappointments about my decision made almost 10 years ago. They are meaningful artwork that I will regularly spend a few moments looking at in the mirror and smiling while remembering the kind of person who got those tattoos. I have changed SIGNIFICANTLY since then. I collaborated with my artist (Ryan Szadyr if you want to look him up) on the designs. We sent prints and sketches back and forth until we came to an agreement, so the direction came from me but the style is all his. I absolutely love them.

Would I get them again if I didn't have them? No. ONLY because I'm too frugal to justify the expense of a high-quality large tattoo. The artwork was worth it at the time, given my frame of mind... but I am no longer in the market for artwork.

I love the perspective of the crowd given that ERE is one of the most open-minded communities I've come across. It is clear that many members of the forum were never a part of the tattoo culture of the early 2000's. It's definitely a fad, in my opinion. Many tattoo shops within 25 miles of my home town have gone out of business recently and it seems like the 18-24 year old demographic gets less tattoos overall than they did in 2005-2010. This might just be anecdotal, though. One last thought: Most of my friends were self-destructive idiots back in 2005-2010. The subculture that regularly gets lots of tattoos and piercings (especially on the face, neck, hands etc.) are almost invariably complete fools. 95% of the tattoos that got put on somebodies skin were asinine and will absolutely be regretted. Meaningful tattoos are rare, and I like to consider myself an exception to the norm in this regard. In general, tattooed people have earned the stigmas and stereotypes.

[MZMpac]

I have one, on my upper arm, that's now 17 years old. My wife has several not visible with clothing.

In general, though, I'm not a fan, for reasons others have listed. Tattoos used to be sort of a counter-culture thing, and if well-done could be really eye-catching. But nowadays they are as common as blue jeans. Almost every millennial I see has visible tattoos or colorful arm sleeves, usually containing the same grab bag of artistic "expressions". They have lost their appeal, and no one really cares.

Plus, IMHO, I think excessive or poorly placed tattoos on women look absolutely awful. Trashy and unfeminine. Some guys are into it, I suppose. Not me.

[fiby41]

One of my distant cousins also got a tattoo of Om
ॐ last week in black and red. A Roman Catholic school friend also got Aum ॐ on his hand between the thumb and index finger from a stall during a Catholic festival.

Seems like we are seeing a trend developing here...

The most common tattoos I've seen are: stars, butterfly, scorpion.

Religious symbols like Aum ॐ or swastik seems the least risky bet for having tattoos. The symbols do not lose their meaning, people do not change their religions, especially those committed to get a tattoos of it.

[ShriekingFeralHatred]

blah

[DonaldButler]

Even I am not that fond of tatoos! But its a personal choice, if you like it then get it!

[fiby41]

blah

Your unedited reply stated that your (past) religion didn't allow tattoos?

Jeez people nowadays hop in and out of religions like relationships.

[enigmaT120]

Yeah, it's in the Old Testament. It startled me since I've read that many times but hadn't noticed that particular little rule until recently. I think it's in the same section that forbids wearing cloth made from two different materials, like wool and cotton blended together.

[C40]

Yeah, it's in the Old Testament. It startled me since I've read that many times but hadn't noticed that particular little rule until recently. I think it's in the same section that forbids wearing cloth made from two different materials, like wool and cotton blended together.

Fucking hell, man. Of all the things I'm supposedly going to hell for, I never imagined that wearing socks containing wool and polyester would be on the list.

[enigmaT120]

But Merino wool with polyester feels good....

[EdithKeeler]

Appears maybe the trend is reversing a little?
http://www.northjersey.com/story/entert ... /95058206/

And it's not just ear piercing. Many are seeking to reverse the impulsive, perhaps keg-fueled decisions of their not-quite-lost youths. That tongue piercing, that bone through the nose, that conspicuously placed tattoo you got in college may not go over so big now in a job interview, or in the board room. It's time to conform to the real world.

[fiby41]

Apparently I'm not that crazy for thinking of having the verse explaining Karma Phala Siddhant (Relationship between action and it's fruits/consequences) tattooed.

Seems like we are seeing a trend developing here...

Another professor has this entire verse of the Maha Mrutyunjay Mantra (Mantra of Victory over death) from the RugVed 7.59.12 on his arm

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे
सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्|
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनां
मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्।|

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrutyor Mukshiya Maamritat

Om, we worship the Three-Eyed One (Lord Shiva)
Who with his fragrant essence nourishes life.
May He severe our bondage to Samsara (worldly life),
like a ripe cucumber (severed from the bondage of its creeper) by the gardener
Thus liberate us from the fear of death, (by making us) realize (that we are) never separated from our immortal nature.

Also a person who has survived and escaped from a near/almost certain death experience is called Mrutyunjay.

[SustainableHappiness]

Tattoos should only be gotten while extremely wasted. Trust me, I did it and ended up with a Canadian maple leaf on my back (tequila didn't make me any more imaginative). I now don't see how getting a tattoo or piercing while really, really drunk could go badly. Minus the blood, you always gotta minus the blood.

[fiby41]

Another professor has this entire verse of the Maha Mrutyunjay Mantra (Mantra of Victory over death) from the RugVed 7.59.12 on his arm.

Came across a better & more realistic translation today:

The Marut are also the presiding deity for hymn in which the very popular Mrtyunjaya mantra occurs.

Rig-Veda Mandala 7, Sukta 59, Rishi: Vasishta Maitra-Varuni, Devta: Marutagana:

तर्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम |
उर्वारुकमिवबन्धनान मर्त्योर्मुक्षीय माम्र्तात |

Tryambaka we worship, sweet augmenter of prosperity.
As from its stem the cucumber, so may I be released from death, not reft of immortality.

Here, Tryambaka is often always mistranslated as "three-eyed" by most people, "ambaka" does not mean eye by any means. According Shatapatha Brahmana the word derives its root from Stri and Ambika, addressed to the sister of Rudra Ambika. According to other scholars the word Tryambaka - literally "of three ambas/mothers" denotes the three elder sisters of Rudra from the Yajur-Veda i.e. Amba, Ambika and Ambalika; the word Tryambaka could be taken as Rudra's name as he's the brother of the three elder sisters(the three ambas/mothers).

[chenda]

I think jewellery can be an alternative to tattoos. I've worn my avatar as a necklace for years. Friends and family know it as my symbol and it occasionally gets embossed on birthday presents I've received. If you want to get self-expressive you don't have resort to ink, lots of etsy craftsman will make something up for you.

[slowtraveler]

No tats. I had 2 ear piercings that my sister convinced to me get a long time ago, I'm pretty sure they've closed back up by now but my left ear hurt for years when I touched the piercing spot. I think it had a light infection that went away.

Tats and piercings cost money and time, start up and ongoing. They also introduce health risks. As a hippy-the ink has toxins that constantly leach into your bloodstream. As a biologist-there is infection risk in both.

I generally prefer against tats/piercings on girls but it's not a deal breaker. I'm neutral to a couple of piercings in the ear, stomach, or lip. Multiple exes had either a butterfly or bald eagle or some other tattoo on their left (or maybe right?) shoulder blade and almost all had ear piercings at some point in life, most still used earrings once in a while and those can look damn good.

[fiby41]

Realistic tatoos

Holy Jesus, these tatoos are so realistic
Tag friends who love tatoos!

I especially liked the Spiderman and Mayan ones.