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Tattoos - why?

post #1 of 81
12/13/09 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 
Sirs,

I have a question, rhetorical in nature: why do individuals decorate their bodies with absurd, ugly tattoos?
The answer, of course, is obvious: they are deluded into thinking they have something 'cool' about them.

Cliched pictures of women, daggers, horses and the like are simply laughable, of course. More recent trends in having strange scripts (their names, possibly, or some pithy apothegm by the famous homosexualist Wilde?) in arabic, latin, and the like are the new millennium cliches lining up to be ridiculed in a few years' time, or even sooner by those of us who see through such superficial and tasteless vanities.

What is wrong with these people? The mania by the young to have such indelible markings made is easier to understand than such a decision by anyone over forty. They probably believe such actions will give them a certain cachet, as do the deficient sport specimens (Beckman) and musical incubuses who populate the media of our world.

If any of you care to offer an attempt at a different explanation, I would be pleased to consider it for several seconds before ready dismissal.

Yours, as always,

Smith.
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post #2 of 81
12/13/09 at 1:48pm
maybe they can't remember the scripts so they have to perma-write them on their skin? i would personally prefer to purchase a piece of paper, write the script on that, and carry it in my wallet in case the saying needed to be read. but i guess some people prefer the perma-write on epidermis route.
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post #3 of 81
12/13/09 at 1:58pm
Why do you wear the clothes you wear, the jewellery you've got around your neck or wrists?

Believe it or not there is a lot of sentiment to a lot of tattoos. It's a way of holding very valuable symbols close to you.
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post #4 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newo View Post
Believe it or not there is a lot of sentiment to a lot of tattoos. It's a way of holding very valuable symbols close to you.
That's not a benefit.
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post #5 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newo View Post
Why do you wear the clothes you wear, the jewellery you've got around your neck or wrists?

to present a desired image i think would be the answer for most


Quote:
Originally Posted by Newo View Post
Believe it or not there is a lot of sentiment to a lot of tattoos. It's a way of holding very valuable symbols close to you.

this is the part that i've never really understood. if a particular notion, way of thinking or living life (that perhaps is reflected in a saying or symbol) is important to me... i would want to keep it in my mind (and hopefully my actions). the only reason i can imagine to write it on my skin is if i knew i was going to develop dementia. unless this part also ties back to the answer to your first question, which i think it does for a lot of people that get these types of markings.
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post #6 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by why View Post
That's not a benefit.

Your opinion =/= the opinion of people with Tattoos, tbh the only reason I'm replying to you here is so you read over what you said and call yourself an idiot, because I'm too friendly to do it on my own.

Quote:
Originally Posted by imhotep View Post
to present a desired image i think would be the answer for most

this is the part that i've never really understood. if a particular notion, way of thinking or living life (that perhaps is reflected in a saying or symbol) is important to me... i would want to keep it in my mind (and hopefully my actions). the only reason i can imagine to write it on my skin is if i knew i was going to develop dementia. unless this part also ties back to the answer to your first question, which i think it does for a lot of people that get these types of markings.

And these tattoos do tie back to the whole jewelery concept again, they are presenting a desired image to other people, and for the most part show real dedication to the character that the ink inhibits.

It's fair to say for a lot of people tattoos are just a way of looking cool, don't get me wrong, the concept get juxtaposed with douchebaggery quite a bit, but a lot of people have different intentions.
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post #7 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrSmith2U View Post
Sirs,

I have a question, rhetorical in nature: why do individuals decorate their bodies with absurd, ugly tattoos?
The answer, of course, is obvious: they are deluded into thinking they have something 'cool' about them.

Cliched pictures of women, daggers, horses and the like are simply laughable, of course. More recent trends in having strange scripts (their names, possibly, or some pithy apothegm by the famous homosexualist Wilde?) in arabic, latin, and the like are the new millennium cliches lining up to be ridiculed in a few years' time, or even sooner by those of us who see through such superficial and tasteless vanities.

What is wrong with these people? The mania by the young to have such indelible markings made is easier to understand than such a decision by anyone over forty. They probably believe such actions will give them a certain cachet, as do the deficient sport specimens (Beckman) and musical incubuses who populate the media of our world.

If any of you care to offer an attempt at a different explanation, I would be pleased to consider it for several seconds before ready dismissal.

Yours, as always,

Smith.

I think we do it to piss people like you off...apparently its worked.
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post #8 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newo View Post
And these tattoos do tie back to the whole jewelery concept again, they are presenting a desired image to other people, and for the most part show real dedication to the character that the ink inhibits.
i agree with you. they want to show other people what they believe, and try to express the strength of their belief. hence, the external and permanent marking, which is considered quite a step to make. real personal dedication/conviction/belief/whatever on the other hand is shown in actions and the way one lives life, not in external markings. which is suppose is the ink-free but tougher way to show people what you are all about.
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post #9 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newo View Post
Your opinion =/= the opinion of people with Tattoos, tbh the only reason I'm replying to you here is so you read over what you said and call yourself an idiot, because I'm too friendly to do it on my own.

Expressing an overflow of sentimentality is not a benefit. Tattoos can look good, but I wish people would stop attributing some deeper meaning to what's best viewed as art in itself.
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post #10 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:45pm
OP: Post some pics of your bare arms/torso and we'll vote on whether they would look better with a little art.
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post #11 of 81
12/13/09 at 2:55pm
I'd argue the more relevant question would be why does the OP care why I or anyone else has a tattoo? Besides, he makes it apparent that he already has it figured out - we've all deluded ourselves into believing we're cool.

I'm just super bummed that he's on to me. The secret is out.

Damn it.
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post #12 of 81
12/13/09 at 3:11pm
nb4dum
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post #13 of 81
12/13/09 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MsMcGillicuddy View Post
I'd argue the more relevant question would be why does the OP care why I or anyone else has a tattoo? Besides, he makes it apparent that he already has it figured out - we've all deluded ourselves into believing we're cool. I'm just super bummed that he's on to me. The secret is out. Damn it.
So what's your reason? That's an honest question. (Yes I know this is a troll thread.)
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post #14 of 81
12/13/09 at 3:32pm
I have two - both are symbols that I've had a strong affinity for throughout my adult life. I didn't get them to fit in (a couple of my friends have tattoos, but by no means most or even many), and I don't really expect them to mean or say anything to other people, but I like them.

Good thing, too, because they'll be there forever.

I doubt I'd get along with the OP, but I do fully understand and recognize that many people either don't understand why anyone would want to get a tattoo, or don't agree with the reasons given. That's fine - I figure if someone thinks less of me because of some idea they have of who someone (especially a woman) is because they have tattoos, then obviously they aren't someone I want to know.
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post #15 of 81
12/13/09 at 3:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by why View Post
Expressing an overflow of sentimentality is not a benefit. Tattoos can look good, but I wish people would stop attributing some deeper meaning to what's best viewed as art in itself.

This for sure. I have a half sleeve I waited 6 months to get due to the artists popularity; I just wanted something that looked very good around a theme I liked, so I did it.
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