Tatoos

Tattoos can be a beautiful artistic expression of ones inner self and symbolic of something important to you or they can be a crude drawing spoiling the skin. If the tattoist is good then the tatt should be an enhancement of the body.

Most of them will be full of regret someday, Pat. Many will be distorted by age and weight. Many will be totally inappropriate. And even when fresh, they look sort of immature and stupid.

I think there comes a point well people have to accept things. People should accept the person and not solely base their judgement on their tatoos. Everyone has a different motive for doing something and if a tatoo makes sense to someone, they should be given respect for it. Some people getting tatoos for fun and some for a deeper cause or meaning. It has everything to do with personal preference.

Tattoos are good. It way people express themselves. My ex husband had a fit when my daughter got hers. But this is what she wanted. So I signed for her to get it. It's there body and its nothing we can do about it. But to answer your question I feel ok about the situstion. I have one myself.

I have two. Both are in places that are easily hidden. Neither can be seen as inappropriate. Both have special meaning to me. One is about my moral beliefs and family roots... the words "Harm None" around an Irish symbol that means Love, Loyalty and friendship. The other is a moon (my husband) with three stars (my sons) and three butterflies (my daughters) and two tear drops coming off the moon (my lost babies) There may be real reasons behind the tattoos. I think people should be sure about what they want to put on their bodies. I think taste and work should be taken into thought. I mean a kindergarten teacher shouldn't have a tattoo of a skull on their hand where all the little kids can see it.

I personally love tatoos. It's gives people a way to express themselves. For some people that might mean alot. I only have one. The one I have right now is a celtic design, dedicated to my grandmother, who I never met but feel like I know because my mother always told us so much about her as we were growing up. It's a way of showing that I'm proud to have Irish blood in me. I also want to get another. It's also celtic. It stands for a mothers endless love. It would mean alot for me to have this done because I am a mother to a beautiful 5 year old girl and we have been through hell and back. It's my way of saying to the world "Hurt my daughter and I will never stop until justice is done" or "I'm a mother first before anything else." Well, that's my opinion anyway.

I think it is something they want to do with their boyd it's their decision. I have three tattoos at the moment, and I would like a few more, but don't know what they will be. I think the younger generation isn't worried about how it looks, but what they like, whereas the older generation find it to be destroying our bodies or something.

I love tattoos. they can be very beautiful and very expressive.

I personally don't like to get any tattoos in my body for other people I think it's fine as long as it doesn't look too dirty and is not offensive to anybody. My brother had the name of his wife and daughter tattooed in his ankle. I think it looked pretty nice.

Well it depends for me, I would never get a tattoo because I don't want that kind of permanent change done to my body... I don't like most tattoos, like the common skulls, stars, and tribal art... but I have seen some that are really interesting, like peacock feathers, etc. If someone is pretty confident that their interests will not change too much, then they should go for it, as long as it does not inhibit them. I know that I am ever changing as time goes on, so I am not so sure I could trust myself to think I would not change my mind later.

I am not that much older (26) than your Granddaughter, and I only have one tattoo. I have a butterfly with my name drawn in cursive across the wings and body. I chose this because it was relative to me and not something that I would regret later in life or someone's name I'd have to get surgically removed later. I love butterflies and my name will always be just that. So, I feel I made a wise choice! However, I have a cousin, who, like you Granddaughter, has multiple tattoos. From her arms, to her back, to her legs, just everywhere! And although they are relative to her, (with her, her brother, and her children's names)I feel she went over board. Tattoos are a symbol of artistic self expression done on one's body. But too much self expression is Gaudy and detracts from the "art". For you as her grandparents, try to sit her down and weigh the pros and cons of multiple tattoos. Like getting a job, or later marrying someone who does not care for them and having to pay the thousands of dollars in laser surgery to remove them. She may reconsider once she sees it's out of love you are speaking to her, and that it may be for her own good to limit her "self expression" :)

I guess it depends... I have a few myself, but am always careful of what I choose because we are always changing. I would only put something that truly represent me or express me and I love it as an art form too. My ex had my name tattooed and some cartoon character he loved at the time, I often wonder what he'll do about them.

Hi. I am 41 years old and have no tattoos. If I were in my 20's, I would probably have a little butterfly, heart or something like that. One or 2 'tatts' are OK by me...but when the entire is practically covered, it's a little freaky to me. FYI. I went to a wedding last month where the bride wore a very pretty strapless wedding gown....it just seemed to take away from the elegance of it when she had a big, dark tattoo of a horse barrell racing on her shoulder. She looked elegant and trashy at the same time. Just my opinion. Nadine

I am 25 and have 2. My grandfather only knows about the small one on my ankle because when he saw it he said I looked like white trash. This man also is racist and uses the N word constantly so its not like his views are "up to date". I personally love both of them and can't ever see not liking the choices. I have plans for another one that will turn into a LOT more. Be careful they are like potato chips......you can have just one.

Hi Savypat, It depends on the individual and what tattoos they choose to have done, one of my daughters has two quite discreet ones that look good and another friend has a wolf scene which is a complete work of art accross her back but I have seen tatoos on some people that make them look grubby and dirty especially one guy I know who has them on his neck skull and face but another guy I know also has tattoos on his skull bu no facial or neck area and as just black ink look okay. I personaly do not like to see too many on women as they can fade and look grubby when they get older, I have one myself though but again in a discreet area so I can still wear a dress without anyone knowing. The only advice I have ever given my children is that if they want them fine but they have to consider it is for life and their tastes could change, I also tell them to go to a reputable tattooist to have done and explain the dangers of infection etc if not looked after when first done. Huggles. Ellie :D

well I don't really like tatoos,,it sometimes looks like the one on the boy's and girl's streets bodies ,but, it would be good for occasions and parties.

Well, i see nothing wrong with people getting a tattoo.. i mean, it's his/her choice.. if you don't want to get one for yourself then don't.. as for me, i don't want to get a tattoo because i just don't feel like getting one plus my parents would kill me if they found out.. i prefer getting a cute henna tattoo which lasts for a week or two.. in fact, last month, i had a colorful butterfly henna tattoo(with glitters) at my arms and it looks so cool!

The problem with tattoos is that they are permanent. While you might find them attractive today, will you feel the same five years down the line? Far better to use stencils that can wash away. That said, I'm all in favour of the live and let live saying. Offer your advice and wisdom and then let her make her own mistakes and find a way to live with them.

I think tattoo is becoming very popular these days. Almost everyone gets one.

Tattoos can be so decieving on what others think of you. If you place the tat's right so they don't controdict your life is the way that i went. All of my tattoo's are hiden you can't see them unless i uncover them or show them to you. I strongly agree with hiding them and revealing them to the people i choose.