Relationships and Tattoes

@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
May 6, 2009 3:53pm CST
This is partly a discussion about relationships, and partly about tattoes. My daughter was very upset recently when she learned that her son had gotten a tattoo of the name of a girl he is currently involved with. I was not overly concerned - until I saw the size of the thing. It covers the inner arm from the elbow down. Now, we all know that relationships between young people in their early twenties or so, might not be lasting ones, so I had to remind him of this. Do you think he might have cause to regret this, say, when he is thirty? While I'm not a big fan of any kind of tattoo, I can tolerate small ones when they are tastefully done, but I draw the line at the ones that take up large portions of the skin. What are your feelings on this? Has a family member ever gotten a tattoo that you didn't approve of?
4 people like this
28 responses
• United States
6 May 09
When I was 25, I got a tattoo with my husbands (who I was seeing for about 4 months at the time) and my childrens name on my back. It covers a good portion of my back. AS for regrets, no I do not have any. My only regret is that it is on my back and well how often do you see your back? :)If my mom ever saw it though she would be very upset with me.
2 people like this
• Canada
6 May 09
That's awesome that you don't regret having your hubby's name tattooed on you ... I hope for your sake it stays that way!
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
What you say just goes to show, imajerseygirl, that not all such decisions are poor ones. I'm happy it worked out well for you.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
6 May 09
I have a friend who is over 50 and covered with tattoos. You can see them working their way up her neck and down her arms even when she's dressed nicely...which may be why she hasn't been able to find an office job since graduating from college 20 years ago. I liked the first couple of ones that she got but then she became too engrossed in them, IMO.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
I think that they can be beautiful, spalladino - in moderation. It is hard for me to understand why anyone would want to be so covered with them though.
@celticeagle (165954)
• Boise, Idaho
7 May 09
I agree about tatoos and have never gotten any. Today things are so different that I think if he should decide to later on he could get the taken off. He may regret getting it and it will be a learning experience. Now days tatoos are pretty 'cool' stuff and all the young people have them it seems. Every one to their own design. Atleast he out doing something against the law or being beligerant. It is his life.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
I go along with what you say, celticeagle, because getting a tattoo is considered a "cool" thing to do these days, but I am also aware that there can be drawbacks to having them if you're trying to find a job. My main objection here though is that I don't like the idea of anyone branding themselves.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (165954)
• Boise, Idaho
9 May 09
But sometimes we have to let our kids be individuals and do what they want. And, again, it is his life. could be alot worse.
@Ozarkgirl (774)
• United States
6 May 09
He will regret getting her name so big so it cannot be covered. How old is he? He will also have a hard time finding another girl that will date him or be involved with him with another girls name on his arm. You might suggest to him to tell all future women that the girls name on his arm is what he wants his daughter to be named that is if he wants children, and a girl, and if the name is something tasteless then suggest it as a nickname or middle name.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
He is twenty-three, Ozarkgirl, and I'm pretty sure he will come to regret his decision in the future. I can see where such a thing would put another girl off from dating him also.
• United States
7 May 09
Okay I did what he did but it was for my husband at the time. And yes I did end up getting it covered up by another tattoo but I didn't get a huge one mine was on my wrist and easy to cover up. I know that at the time he got it he was madly in love and yes sometimes relationships don't work out but you can't tell him that it was a bad idea. He's just expressing his love and when you're young you do stupid things. I did I didn't completely regret it I mostly got it covered up because I started a new relationship and it bothered my partner more than me. Now my siblings ont he other hand have tattoos that are just ridiculously untasteful and make no sense all of mine have meaning behind them. Now that is a sad story to tell the truth my lil brother has a door hinge inside his elbow now that's ridiculous. p.s. I hope it works out for him.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
Yes, littleme, it is a bad idea to have the name of someone you are involved with carved into your skin. For me this would be true on the premise that it signifies ownership in some ways. I would not like to be "branded" in such a way.
• United States
7 May 09
Never did I say it was completely bad idea! I don't see it as "showing ownership" for some people this is a symbol of their love. I still believe that I really do and I'd probably do it again in the long run I don't think it's bad it's just how some people show their love.
• Finland
7 May 09
I wouldn´t mind any kind of tattoo family member (well some kind of politic symbol thingy but i suppose i would allready know there politic and woudn´t mind the tatoo at that point as only I know 2 politic symbols that would apply here (and this is basicly what i know about politc symbols)...i will stop now...
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
You might one day change your mind, Buzzman, if your daughter came home one day with some guy's name etched into her skin.
• Finland
7 May 09
sure i would prolly be upset at first...but in the long term a non-issue seeing as i can´t actually relate its really a mutepoint....
• Finland
7 May 09
don´t mind my sisters tatoo it´s not a name but still
• India
7 May 09
Well it certainly is his personal decision as to what he does with which part of his body (as far as I am concerned people could have tattoes down 'there' if they can tolerate the pain) but certainly he might be regretting with his next girlfriend, that's something to think about
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
Personal decisions, sudiptacallingu, don't always turn out to be wise ones.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
7 May 09
I do not like large tattooes either. I do not want any on my body, no matter what it is. I think he will eventually regret it, especially if he goes to apply for an executive job or something liek that. I think businesses look down on things like that. My husband got a small, tasteful one on his arm and it is not shown unless he takes his shirt off or wears cut off sleeves or tank tops.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
You're right, stephcjh, because no company will want to hire someone whom it seems is prone to making unwise choices -such as large tattoos on their body.
• Canada
6 May 09
I honestly think that putting anyone's name other then your children's name is a bad idea! Reason being that you just never know how a relationship is going to be years from the time of getting the tattoo!
1 person likes this
• Canada
11 May 09
I guess some people just think that they will be together forever, especially when their young!
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
That is exactly what I said to my grandson, purple! To have something etched into your skin should be considered permanent.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
7 May 09
You can't stop kids from doing what they want nowadyas, especially when it comes to tatoo and relationship. They never use their brians to think that when the gal left him how he gonna wash away the tatoo??
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
You are so right, k1virus!
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
7 May 09
Several of my children have tattoos. Honestly, they are an adult now and it's their body. If they regret it later on, then it is their lesson learned, not mine. I don't mind tattoos. Honestly I think they get a bad rap, but having a person's name on you I agree with you there. If he has regrets later, if the relationship doesn't work out, then again; it's his lesson to learn. His regret. He's a young man now and has to make his own mistakes.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
It seems to be very easy to rationalize and say let them make their own mistakes, kprof, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• United States
7 May 09
thankfully my kids have been smart enough to never tattoo someone's name on their body. my oldest daughter has many tattoos and she is a very petite person and i feel some of her tattos are stupid. i get tired of my haircolor and i change it. i don't think i could deal with a tattoo because i am sure i would someday regret it. i don't think that younger people think how long forever is. omg, i sound ancient but even though it is possible to have one removed, it is not without pain or expense. all 4 of my adult children have tattoos and most are tasteful.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
Two of my daughters also have tattos, NM, as well as all of my grandchildren(adults), but none of them ever had someone's name tattoed on them before.
• United States
7 May 09
Everyone I have ever known that has gotten a bf/gf's name on them has had their relationship end badly.. I guess I am superstitious about it I won't get my husband's name on me and I asked him not to EVER get my name on him either... I have my oldest son's name on me and plan to get my youngest son put on me soon... My husband has our oldest sons name and his step daughter fomr a previous marriage... Long story but I know the mother and the child and they are both very sweet hubby and her weren't right married
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
It does make a difference, Aithne, in the case of a child's name or your mom, etc.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
7 May 09
I've seen this many times. Although I don't think there is any superstitious reason for it. Perhaps it's a sign that instead of marrying someone, which shows more of a commitment, they are settling for a cheap marking up of their body? Maybe it's a sign of how shallow the relationship is, instead of doing something more meaningful? I do not know for certain, but it does seem odd the number I've known that plastered "Babe's name" on themselves, and then break up.
• United States
7 May 09
I think that he will regret it, but we all live and learn. I have my children's names tattoed on me. But as for my husband NO WAY! I love him dearly but I won't put his name on me. He feels the same way.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
I must say that I agree with you, lilmom, because the act of putting someone's name on you, to me, signifies ownership.
• United States
7 May 09
As long as this person is an adult, there isn't much I can say to them however I feel like if you are going to get someone's name on you, you have to really know what you are doing. My boyfriend got my name put on his chest (not too big but you will notice it when his shirt is off) and he did that when we were in high school. I have his name on my arm with our son just a few months ago and nobody had a problem with it from my family. I say that to say this guy really could love that girl enough to do that. I mean, he had to. I don't mind tattoos at all and I often tell my friends before they get one (depending on what it is) be sure you know what you are doing...This guy might regret it when he is thirty. He might regret it if they break up..but it will be a very big lesson to him...
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
I suppose, Scarlet, that like most parents or grandparents, we only wish to spare him from having to experience regret over his choice.
@GardenGerty (160488)
• United States
7 May 09
No one in the family has a tattoo. A nephew of my first husband did have a large cross, very plain, done on his left shoulder. It is about four by two or two and a half, I think. I am also not wild about too many piercings. Especially the tongue. My opinions.I hope that no one gets outraged about them.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
Well, GG, I'm all for leaving the body alone as much as possible. In my opinion, they make jewelry and clothing to adorn and decorate the body - and that's enough!
• United States
7 May 09
My husband and I have the same symbol tattooed on us. He had his for many years before we even met, and I had been married to him for two years before I decided to add the tattoo as our connection. My first tattoo was my triquetra on my right shoulder. My husband and I share the Seal of the Necronomicon, mine is on my left shoulder. We also both have lotus blossoms on our feet. I have mine with the OM on my right foot. He designed his own for his left foot. I plan to be completely covered one day in tattoos from the neck down excluding my hands. It will be a long time going though, it's a long process. Each one of my tattoos has deep meaning to me and I don't take any of them lightly. I also have no regrets. Most of the people I know with tattoos don't regret any of their tattoos either. Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
I guess you are a tattoo enthusiast, Anora_Eldorath, and that's okay, but my problem with my grandsone is that he is just strating out in life and should have given more careful thought to making such a decision.
• India
7 May 09
Tattoo are permanent while love relationships are not. lol. I have seen many people regretted having it after break-ups. So i'm strongly against this. Even though i love my bf and i love tattoo.. I'll never try to combine both. Long live to all relationships..
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 May 09
That was very well stated, della.
• India
7 May 09
so far i have'nt gone through any sort of tatto,but i did like to engrave some kinda tatto's on my teeths
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jul 09
It seems that when a person gets another one's name on them it just spells trouble. Splitsville or even divorce happens and you are stuck with that name. The only names that you should get are names of children, mom or dad or a pet. At least those people are permanent.