Tattoos, Piercings.. A cry for attention?

My wifes tat is high enough on her leg she'd have to be wearing really short shorts to show it off. The only person who usually sees it is me & if it's visible she already has my attention, no tat required, even though I did design it.

I totally agree. I have a small tattoo and my belly button pierced. I chose to get this done because I liked the way they looked. I couldnt care less what anyone says about them. Why exactly do people think they are a cry for attention? So many people have them nowadays that no one even makes comments on them anymore.

my right ear is peirced 7 times.. all of which mark another pointin my own personal history. planning another to make it an even 8 along with a brow peircing, all again, will stand for something important to ME. same with the ink i have.. (butterfly on my shoulderblade, and a celtic wolf on my left ankle) rights of passage.. ritualistic miltstones etc. plans for a pheonix across the base of my spine (tramp stamp LOL) and a dragon on the back of my left hand wrapping up my wrist. cries for attention? no.. all planned out meticulously for my own reasonings and marks to remember things accomplished & achieved. *nod*

Well, people do a lot of things to attract attention that's for sure. And some do have tattoos on their body to attract attention (what a painful way to attract attention), but some, like you, aren't really after all the attention. We don't really know what's a person intention for doing something. A tattoo, just like others, is a form of self-expression. You don't need to approach every person you meet on the road and say "look, you might think I have these tattoos to attract attention, it's not true! I have them because..." that would be tiresome isn't it. I really don't understand why some people think tried to act like experts and think that they know everything by putting words on other people's mouth. Just let them be, as long as you know you're not hurting or bothering anybody, you don't have to explain a thing.

I don't think it has anything to do with attention seeking.... people are just expressing themselves. I currently have one tattoo of a wolf's head on my right shoulder and am planning 2 more- a dragon and a hawk. The tattoo I have and the ones I am planning are getting are my spirit animals so they are religious symbols for me. And I have it on my shoulder so no one sees it unless I dress for it to be seen. I am a bit puzzled by all the people who have tattoos that are visible and wonder why they can't get jobs though.

Moonlit- These types of documentaries/shows truly annoy me. I'm a part of the modified world and all of my piercings and tattoos have spiritual connections. It is this very type of "yellow journalism" that truly makes my stomach turn. Just because I have tattoos and piercings has nothing to do with getting attention. I receive plenty of love from those who truly care for me with or without modifications. I sometimes feel that those who state this are simply ignorant, but also perhaps a tad jealous. It seems that perhaps they are the ones wanting to be free enough to express themselves but have not the backbone to do so. I plan to have a full body tattoo when I'm done getting all my ink, and it will tell the story of my life, my beliefs, and who I am. Did you know that in Japan they actually have a beautifully perserved skin of full body art? It's a bit creepy at first (I saw it in a documentary on tattoos), but it's neat that they were able to remove the skin after this man passed on to perserve his beautiful artwork. Thanks for posting this as it's an issue that needs to be addressed. The modified community is no different then anyone else in terms of morals, etc. We obey the law. We work. We have kids. We're educated. We're people! Namaste-Anora

I didnt think ear piercings were a cry for attention nor are other piercings. Some tattoos could be considered a cry for attention but I thought most people go them for themselves, and that they are more art than anything else. Ok maybe the big fancy jewels on piercings are more a cry for attention than the actual piercing itself...look at me i got some fancy jewels!

No, I agree with you. Tattoos and piercings are just a way of expressing yourself externally, much like your clothes or your hairstyle. I don't think they're a cry for attention at all. Some people are just disapproving of things that they don't understand, and it makes them feel better to think that people only get these things because they have some kind of problem; ie. some attention deficiency! It's obviously the people who have these views who have a problem. They should be more open-minded and try to actually get to know people before judging them.

I don't know...I used to think so, too, and I still do if someone has them ALL over their body. But I do have a friend who has a couple, and he is one of those people that hates attention. In fact, some other female friends and I embarrassed the heck out of him by making him show us his latest one. (It was on his shoulder). So maybe it is not just for attention, but just because the person likes the design, or whatever. I know I wouldn't do it, but then again I do have two holes in each ear.

I don't think tattoos and piercings are cry for attention. I have a piercing on my left ear but it has been many years since the last time I've worn an ear ring. Tattoos are okay with me. I am even planning of getting one placed on my navel. It's hidden when I am wearing a shirt. So is that a cry fro attention. People should get rid of their clouded minds.

Someone once told me that tattoos were addictive. Once you are brave enough to get one, you want more. I believe this. We have a big family and the older girls both have piercings and tattoos. One boys girl friend is the same way. I don't think that tattoos and peircings should define a person. If it does, then it's to give them credit for wanting something different than the norm. They are unafraid to be different. They aren't afraid to stand out in a crowd if one of them is noticed. I don't see this as a cry for a attention, I see it as a person who knows who they are and isn't afraid to being different than the people around them.

Mine are meaningful to me. They are high up on my arm but can be seen if I wear a sleeveless shirt... so three months out of the year. I like to see others and talk to them about them if they are open to it only because I like to know if they too have stories with them. One I got for a divorce gift from my sister. It's based on my faith and who I like to think I am. It is an Irish (like me) symbol that means Love, Loyalty, and Friendship. Written with it is the words "Harm None" The other is a quarter moon (my hubby) with 3 stars (my boys) and 3 butterflies (my girls) and 2 tears off the tip (for my babies that I lost) I got that a year ago as a birthday gift. I won't put names on my body but wanted something that was for my family. I don't have any piercings but only because I don't trust myself to take care of them as they should be... not because I have anything against them.

Ugh. Why people need to put labels on things and categorize everything is beyond me. Everyone has their own personal reasons why they do or don't get a tattoo or a piercing. Sometimes it's in memory of something/someone. Sometimes it's a rite of passage. Sometimes it's a dare! Of course some people do it for attention. And some people walk around with their butt hanging out of their jeans! I find it just as ridiculous to say that everyone who has a tattoo/piercing is begging for attention as it is to say everyone who's tall is good at basketball. LOL.

I got a feeling you're angry because you have tattoos or piercings everywhere? haha, If i'm wrong, i'm sorry mate. But I too don't really think that it's a cry for attention just because those people went and had piercings all over his/her body. Some people like the pain, that's what they say, and some people say they look nice on the tongue, the eyebrow, the nose and whatsoever body part. They're like clothes to you see... You can't really say that a person is crying out for attention just because he/she has taken a liking to a set of clothings right? That would just seem unreasonable.

People who say tattoos and piercings are a cry for attention are probably people who want piercings and tattoos but are too scared to get them. I have tattoos and I love them. Only one is visible, if I'm wearing a short sleeved shirt and you're looking from the right angle. I got my tattoos for myself and no one else. How stupid would you be to get a tattoo to please other people? I plan on getting more and will put them wherever on my body that I feel comfotrable with, and I don't care one iota if anyone sees them or not.

I don't think it's a cry for attention. I don't have any tattoos and only the basic and boring single piercing in each ear. LOL I like being able to wear earrings, if I want to. It doesn't mean I'm crying out for attention. I don't know where these people come up with such documentaries. But it sounds rather preposterous to me! LOL

anyone who had a tattoo or piercing to get attention is an idiot. it's a stupid reason, and probably a choice they'll grow to regret. most people get tattoos and piercings through nothing more than a desire to decorate their bodies as a means of expression. it doesn't matter if someone else sees it or not. a lot of the time my tattoos are covered under my clothes, but that doesn't mean I love them any less. every time I see them, I smile at how beautiful they are. it's about how they make me feel, not about how other people respond.

that's a bunch of nonsense. i got my tats for me and no other reason. some of these researchers over analyse stuff to the point of ridiculousness.

I guess the reaon why that they are saying this is because of the attention that it draws on ones body part. Tattoes on the body gets more attention than the ears. But, I have seen many people that has piercings all over a part of their body. I don't have any tattoes. I am never planning on getting any either. I know that if I was to ever get any, I would get something that is very pretty and one that I would forever want on my body.

For the most part no i don't think its a cry for attention. The reason i got one on my shoulder was because its a place i can hide it. If i dont want you to see it you dont, and if i want it seen its shows. Now the one on my wrist...i think i had a moment of insanity, but still i can cover it. If i was doing it for attention i would always want them displayed. And it embarrasses me when someone says something about my tongue ring. I view my tattoos and piercings as an expression of who i am, and my tattoos have meaning, not something that just says HEY LOOK AT ME!!!