The DU Lounge

MiHale

(12,364 posts)

11. Wanted one...have none...why?

Wed Nov 5, 2025, 03:15 PM

Nov 5

My favorite uncle was an Army guy….lifer….taught at West Point also drill instructor there. This was back in the 50’s/60’s he was tattooed and I was entranced by the permanent markings…couple of his were already starting to fade. I asked him if it hurt much…he didn’t remember…probably an alcohol haze.

But…he said …paraphrasing from the dust of time…Remember if you get one, you’d better love it because you’re stuck with it …for the rest of your life…I joined the service in the Army…never found a tattoo that I could love…for the rest of my life.

I wonder if some of the young people getting tats think what they will look like as they age…sagging flesh, wrinkles, hoping they don’t get damaged if an operation needs to be done. Have a friend that had back surgery and the back tattoo he had never lined up again.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

86 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

what is your opinion about tattoos? [View all] CTyankee Nov 5 OP

Lots of them here in the AZ borderlands too Attilatheblond Nov 5 #1

my daughter may have done some of them! She is a tattoo artist in Phoenix yellowdogintexas Nov 7 #70

Lots of folks love tattoos Alice Kramden Nov 5 #2

I wouldn't pollute my body Coldwater Nov 5 #3

Some have amazing artwork/designs. I suppose that is "wearable art" and I'm wondering about tattoos in other cultures, CTyankee Nov 5 #5

I remember when they discover the remains of Otzi Coldwater Nov 5 #10

Lots of maga have them, quote Leviticus about gay men, never read Leviticus about tattoos. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Nov 6 #35

Mixed Ligyron Nov 5 #4

my daughter does beautiful florals in pastels, in the Japanese style yellowdogintexas Nov 7 #76

There are some really talented artist that do tattoos, for sure. Tikki Nov 7 #81

On a gut level, I perceive them as flesh wounds. Mister Ed Nov 5 #6

My grandkids snowybirdie Nov 5 #7

I think they're hideous, but to each his own... Ocelot II Nov 5 #8

I like some more than others. multigraincracker Nov 5 #9

Wanted one...have none...why? MiHale Nov 5 #11

I never heard of a back tattoo....that seems strange to me, for some reason... CTyankee Nov 5 #12

It was some kinda dragon ... MiHale Nov 5 #15

How about an above the buttocks tat (aka tramp stamp)? quaint Nov 5 #17

GASP! CTyankee Nov 6 #23

You should read Parker's Back, by Flannery O'Connor Tanuki Nov 6 #28

Roger Stone has a giant face of Richard Nixon tattooed on his back. Now that is strange. Midnight Writer Nov 6 #38

I have a Celtic cross on my back bottomofthehill Nov 6 #39

So it is your cross to bear? CTyankee Nov 6 #40

Proudly, a believer that I am my brothers keeper. bottomofthehill Nov 6 #42

Back tattoos are generally large and detailed. yellowdogintexas Nov 7 #71

I can't feature myself getting one. When I consider the changes the decades have wrought on my skin, I can only Dorothy V Nov 5 #13

I really dislike them. To me they are uglier than ugly. Polly Hennessey Nov 5 #14

tattoos should not be buried or destroyed at death rurallib Nov 5 #16

Continuing in your vein, ... Bernardo de La Paz Nov 6 #34

Sure - whatever the family feels is an appropriate commemoration. rurallib Nov 6 #41

OMG Srkdqltr Nov 6 #51

When I see a person with tattoos, my first thought is bif Nov 5 #18

I like them fine. OldBaldy1701E Nov 5 #19

I don't have any but sometimes people go overboard. debm55 Nov 5 #20

I'm not a big fan of tattoos PghTiny Nov 5 #21

To me, most of them look like ugly graffity on a once beautiful human body. Intractable Nov 5 #22

a good way to put it, but if it is an art form, I have to consider it as such... CTyankee Nov 6 #24

To each their own! I have a few. My daughter has full sleeves both arms. Floyd R. Turbo Nov 6 #25

Are they words or artwork or both? CTyankee Nov 6 #26

Not sure I'd call it artwork, but no words! Floyd R. Turbo Nov 6 #27

Preface by saying taught high school for 20 years -- be careful what you get JT45242 Nov 6 #29

I think that there are going o be a lot of really ugly tats on older people in coming decades... Moostache Nov 6 #30

I'm verifiably OLD John Coktosten Nov 6 #31

It's not for me either. But I wonder if that is just a prejudice I have leftover from my upbringing. CTyankee Nov 6 #36

in Texas you have to prove you are over 18 to get a tattoo, even with parent present and giving permission nt yellowdogintexas Nov 7 #72

Face and neck tattoos let you know about the intelligence of the bearer. . . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Nov 6 #32

Many cultures in world history practiced body modification. Americanme Nov 6 #33

If a culture feels it is a form of art, I think we have to respect that. However, tattooing seems not to be that because CTyankee Nov 6 #44

Don't really think about them , none myself dweller Nov 6 #37

I always wanted a smallish one MuseRider Nov 6 #43

I'm fine with them as long as they're not on me. Talitha Nov 6 #45

Not a fan. Xavier Breath Nov 6 #46

mixed. AllaN01Bear Nov 6 #47

My friend says she hate hers and tried to sand it off. When she got it the person who did it signed it. She efhmc Nov 6 #48

I don't care for them, to each their own Skittles Nov 6 #49

Fine for you. Not for me. Iggo Nov 6 #50

I support people being themselves and their self-expression. Tattoos are a part of that. Ol Janx Spirit Nov 6 #52

I have been in a nursing home in Missouri for the past 17 months. Almost all of the employees have tblue37 Nov 6 #53

But you can change your clothes or your hairstyle. tblue37 Nov 6 #54

Personally... choie Nov 6 #55

Nope Bayard Nov 6 #56

I have no problem with tattoos, but I think many people overdo it. patphil Nov 6 #57

I think they are fine, if well thought out and applied in moderation DBoon Nov 6 #58

They look good on some people and terrible on others. Middle-aged men who have gotten elaborate tattoo "Sleeves".... FadedMullet Nov 6 #59

I have a small one on my back oberle Nov 6 #60

not for me RainCaster Nov 7 #61

I don't care for them. bamagal62 Nov 7 #62

Tattoos are not for me. LudwigPastorius Nov 7 #63

Don't like them. I think they're trashy-looking. (nt) Paladin Nov 7 #64

My opinion is that it's none of my business. malthaussen Nov 7 #65

I don't care for them, and I have one. Emile Nov 7 #66

Certainly Not For Me ProfessorGAC Nov 7 #67

Well, yes. But then I hear a similar argument made about black folks spending money on their hair... CTyankee Nov 7 #68

I Get Your Point, But... ProfessorGAC Nov 7 #69

I don't like to spend the money any more. Hubby wants my hair long and I just want it chopped (artfully) off. CTyankee Nov 7 #73

My Wife Goes Back & Forth ProfessorGAC Nov 7 #85

If find an interesting art subject I print it, frame it and hang it on the wall. Tikki Nov 7 #74

Well, that has a bit of just about everything... CTyankee Nov 7 #75

Because my adult child has several, I think they're beautiful. chia Nov 7 #77

That is wonderful, chia. I am glad for him/her and you. As I said, it is art (that you wear on your skin). CTyankee Nov 7 #78

❤️ chia Nov 7 #79

I like them on young people but after seeing doc03 Nov 7 #80

Hate them. Sibelius Fan Nov 7 #82

I'm mostly ok with them. I have one CanonRay Nov 7 #83

Never wanted one, however.... LLC Nov 7 #84

It seems when I was young, tattoos meant something, more than they do now FullySupportDems Nov 7 #86