Tattoos and piercings are not ugly. They are a type of art, just as grafitti can be a type of art. It really just depends on the person and the types of things they appreciate. Simpler people don't like these kinds of things, where as more open people agree to these types.



Of course, this is just my opinion though.

o.o ok no need to rant this is a debating thread not letting off steam

personally i would love to have tattoos
for me the tattoos i want to get have symbols that mean a lot to me
a dragon resembles to me as a guardian and protector of my spirit also the leaping white tiger
a witch's pentagram representing my beliefs on the earth
Courage and Tiger in Kanji as a reminder of what i have to do in life

sure why get them when you can have pictures of them on your wall
it's just personal reasons, i thinking the scaring occurs when you take the tattoo off but also at what stage in your life did you get them
if you got the tattoos when you were young, and doing bad things then you would
however, if they were like me and thought them through and considered what could and may happen and accept the consequences then there shouldn't be a problem

same thing goes with piercings

i just don't see the big deal about it
it's to the person and who and where they get it done
if they want to risk it that's their own fault
if you go to a sterilized tattoo parlor where they are trained there would be a little risk of infection if they give the appropriate advice

NEWSFLASH: Having tattoos and piercings isn't stupid. Bashing people, who have different tastes from your own, IS stupid.

I'm not personally into tattoos or piercings, and probably will never get one, but I've seen people with very nice-looking tattoos and piercings. I've also seen people with very ugly ones, but it's their business, it's not my problem. Having a tattoo or piercing isn't always about showing off or trying to be "kool". Sometimes they can carry an important message.

For example, a guy I know has a HUGE tattoo on his back. It depicts a female angel holding a baby in her arms. This guy took that tattoo after he lost his wife and 1-year-old son in a car accident (a drunk driver hit their car). The tattoo keeps reminding him of his beloved wife and son. Would you face this guy and tell him he's trying to "show off and be unique"?

:P I'll pierce whatever I wanna whenever I wanna. My body, not yours. -lol- Dun be a control freak and insist everyone else have your pref.

Just like some people wear high heels though it can cause you to trip and fall and break your neck...others, choose to have piercings or tattoos. It's a personal pref. and it's not really to please you or anyone but the wearer, actually. Even moreso with piercings because not all of them are visible.

First of all, my tattoos are beautiful. They are not ugly. All 8 of them. That includes my arm sleeve. No one else has my tattoos. It is my self expression. And sure, someone could get to know me, but this is my way of expressing myself. Each of them mean something to me. I considered each one for a very long time and took time to design them.

Second, it is not *self-mutilation* as you want to call it. It is art. My body is a temple, and I am going to decorate it as I please, thanks. ^_^

Third, I do not plan on being a criminal. And I do not plan on removing my tattoos either.

I also have four piercings. All in my ears. But I have had my lip and my eyebrow done as well. Piercings are nothing like putting a bullet in your stomach, that is just absurd.

Lastly, I do not get tattoos because that is *the style* I do it because that is me. And if you think about it, tattoos really are not all that accepted yet.

so i guess because i have a tattoo and my ears are pierced that makes me an ugly person?

I think not.

I have my name tattoo'd on my left back upper shoulder
and i love it.
i didnt get it becuase it was a fad, i got it becuase i wanted it. I dont show it off, heck my boyfriend didnt even know i had one till we went to the lake, this was before he became my boyfriend, but i had been talking to him for 4 months, but he had no clue.

I think Tattoos are a form of expressing art, if you dont like them then dont get one.
But dont put other people down for getting them.

and dont associate every person who gets a tattoo as a soon to be criminal, thats stereotyping heard of it much?

Originally Posted by Kuri Chan

First of all, my tattoos are beautiful. They are not ugly. All 8 of them. That includes my arm sleeve. No one else has my tattoos. It is my self expression. And sure, someone could get to know me, but this is my way of expressing myself. Each of them mean something to me. I considered each one for a very long time and took time to design them.

Second, it is not *self-mutilation* as you want to call it. It is art. My body is a temple, and I am going to decorate it as I please, thanks. ^_^

Third, I do not plan on being a criminal. And I do not plan on removing my tattoos either.

I also have four piercings. All in my ears. But I have had my lip and my eyebrow done as well. Piercings are nothing like putting a bullet in your stomach, that is just absurd.

Lastly, I do not get tattoos because that is *the style* I do it because that is me. And if you think about it, tattoos really are not all that accepted yet.

Pix or it didn't happen! Just kidding ^^ But I love tattoos, and I always like seeing what people choose to express themselves. It's always interesting.

I see tattoos as a was to express yourself, and as a way to remember or commemorate parts of your life. For example, one of my friends was considering getting a stright-edge "XXX" tattoo. Everyone was like "That's so dumb, what happens when you're not straight-edge anymore? what a stupid idea." He responds with the fact that even if he decides not to be, it was still a big part of his life, and there's nothing wrong with remembering that.

I really want to get a music tattoo. I've been thinking about getting a very light, or even white tattoo of a treble clef on my left wrist, so that it would be barely visible, but it would still be there for me to see, or show at my discretion.

Heh, when my friend asked me which direction he should get his tattoo on his wrist to read, I asked him if it was for him, or for other people. He then decided to get it so he could read it, (with the top of the letters at the base of his wrist, and the bottom of the letters further down his wrist) rather than the bottom of the letters being at the base of the wrist.

I happen to love tattoos and piercings. I have three tattoos at the moment and they all have a meaning behind them. I plan to get a few more all with reasons behind them too. All of my tattoos are wonderful, I don't find a thing ugly about them. I feel the same way about my piercings. I'd had several done, although I only have two I wear on a regualr basis now. I didn't get my tattoos or piercings done to be cool, or fit in or try to be unique. I got them done because it is something I find beautiful.

Not everybody has to agree with how tattoos and piercings look. I'll admit, if I see someone with a huge back piece/chest piece done, I wonder why they want to have so many tattoos covering their body. Or if I see someone with an extreme amount of facial piercings, I wonder the same thing. But, it's not my place to judge them. It was their choice, it makes them happy. To each his own. ^_^

Piercings and tattoos are beautiful things, when done correctly. I mean, yeah, getting Nintendo in big bold black letters across your upper chest isn't so smart.. but what about people who get their rosary done on their arm/leg?
Or in my case, I plan to get an incredibly unique piece of art on my shoulder, my RIP for my stepdad who drew it, it was practically his signature, this little creature.

Say that all you want, but what about those of us who have personal stories and feelings behind it?

Later today, I intend to have my ears pierced in six more places, beyond the normal two holes I currently have (which I'm currently stretching). In six days, I'm also going to have my lip pierced. I currently have a fake tattoo that I wrote on myself two weeks ago, and while I have no intention of having it done for real where it currently is (left arm, right above the wrist), I just may do it somewhere else...but I'm waiting, because it's permanent, and it's writing (specifically, the character 雅, meaning elegant/graceful)...which means good chance of regretting it. I'm kind of in the state of mind where that COULD be a problem.

But the thing is, the reason I'm getting those piercings done? It's NOT to look cool, and it's NOT for expressing myself to anyone else. It's for ME. It's my way of constantly reminding myself that there's always something to work for. I'm having something done very similar to someone who has been a huge inspiration to me, especially lately...and having that there is my way of always reminding myself of the lessons he taught me.

You think it's ugly? Fine by me. It's not your body anyway. You don't have to look at me if you don't want to. The way I see it, it's not mutilation, it's an art form. My body isn't me, it's the vessel that holds me to Earth, as silly as that may sound. If I'm allowed to customize my car, furnish my house, decorate my computer case, put stickers on my guitar, then I should be allowed to customize my body.

And for the record - no, I have no intention of ever becoming a criminal. EVER. In fact...everything I'm having done will serve to remind me NOT to. It will serve to remind me that I have too many reasons NOT to throw my life away like that.

If you have a problem with that, well then, we never have to meet in real life. I just hope to god I never meet anyone who stereotypes so much because of it.

Originally Posted by wing_goddess

Newsflash: Tattoos and piercings aren't cute. They aren't kool. They're just as ugly as graffiti on a wall. They hurt and scar for life. There is no point whatsoever. Tis just another attempt to show off and be unique. If you're truly unique, people would know it by getting to know you as a person, not by looking at you and seeing what self-mutilation you did.

that's your OPINION and you're entitled to it. doesn't make you right. i find tattoos and piercings beautiful and artistic.

Thinking you may be a criminal in the future? Not if you have tattoos. Police can identify you by your tattoo, no matter what hair and face changes you do. Of course you can always get it removed, but that's painful and costs money, just as getting it did to put it there in the first place. Why get a tattoo if you might remove it?

your point?

Piercings can get infected, and I don't even see a point to getting ears pierced; tis just as bad as any other piercing. There are tons of other kinds of jewelry you can wear without hurting yourself to do it. Piercing is just as bad as putting a bullet through your stomach and putting a pole through it. If that was the new style, would you do it?

your point again? anything can get infected. and you're very ignorant on piercings. it's NOT the same thing as getting shot. a needle through your flesh hurts a LOT less than getting a bullet through your flesh.

Getting your ears pierced isn't to show off.
It's very common around where I live.
Piercing and Tattoos are fashion for me.
The way you say it make it sound like people who have piercings or tattoos are loser showoffs.

i have my belly button peirced because i find them cute and why not do it now while im young enough to show off my tummy
i also have my nose peirced but i did that for a friend she wanted hers and i told her i would get mine too shortly after that she got hit by a car so i feel that it connects me and her other than the feelings in my heart and soul

That's just an opinion thing. Some people may think they are ugly, but others may think they are cute.

I love them.
I think they're beautiful, when done correctly.

They make someone unique in they're own way, like a birthmark.
Its truely body "art" to me.

Comparing them to grafiti (sp), odd. I accually love the random drawings when I take the train to the city, or walk around. Not the stupid things, but the full on beautiful drawings. They are very artistic. And my tattoo is not to be cure or to be cool, it has a meaning to me. I only have one tattoo and I love it. It gives out a sence of who I am to people since it is a symbol of me. As for piercings. I have many of them and won't restrict myself on those. My reason? Tattoos, you need to go surgically remove them blah blah blah...where as piercings, you take them out and they heal up in no time. I had a third eyebrow ring I took out cause it got infected cause I got cocky about cleaning it, and now no one knows I used to have a third. I have my lip, my eyebrow twice, and my tongue done along with my ears gaged. I love them and if one day perhaps I don't love them anymore, I can take them out and let them heal. They are not just there because I was like "Oh man, I wanna get a piercing". They are there because I enjoy them. The look they give me...whether cute or not. Many people love my piercings and the little rings I always wear. I know lots of people who like the look, but hate the idea of the way of getting it done.

I guess we all have our own opinions. I am sorry if people are offended by my piercings, but they are who I am for now. They are just like my dyed hair and all my jewelry...they are part of me and not going away for a while. I still function in life with them...as a matter of fact, I hold two jobs with all of this.

I wasn't going to say anything but there is nothing wrong with tattoos. My house mate has them most of hers are symbols for strength and protection because things in her life have made her feel she has no strength and needs protection so she has those symbols tattooed on her wrists...my brothers friend has 2 angels tattooed on his back with the names of his baby twins that died under them, does that make him ugly because he had angels tattooed on him for his babies who died?

Just because you don't like them doesn't mean that your opinion is any better than anyone else's, I wouldn't get a tattoo myself and yes some don't look good but some do.

Most people don't get piercings or tattoos to be 'cute.' If anything, the stereotype for them is 'badass.' Badasses aren't supposed to be cute. xD

I'm pretty much going to repeat what I said in the 'stupid girls' thread. Everyone is different. Things get easier when you realize this.

Piercings can get infected. So can a scrape on your knee if you fall. Don't live in fear. If you take good care of yourself, you're a lot less likely to encounter any problems, either from a piercing, tattoo, or scrape.

I think tattoos and piercings are perfectly fine. I personally don't like tattoos, and the only piercings I don't like are gaging, simply because they look horrible as you age. When you're 80, and your skin is sagging, do you really want a wrinkly old tattoo?

I don't mind as long as they're not offensive. I have a few discreet piercings and one tattoo. The tattoo is a pentacle (single point up) surrounded by a crescent moon. This is actually a protection symbol and I've wanted it done for a while. It's also a custom.

I'm just waiting for some ignorant person to call it a satanic symbol so I can tell them the truth. Whether they get it or not I don't care.

Originally Posted by Fullmetal Phantom

But the thing is, the reason I'm getting those piercings done? It's NOT to look cool, and it's NOT for expressing myself to anyone else. It's for ME. It's my way of constantly reminding myself that there's always something to work for. I'm having something done very similar to someone who has been a huge inspiration to me, especially lately...and having that there is my way of always reminding myself of the lessons he taught me.

You think it's ugly? Fine by me. It's not your body anyway. You don't have to look at me if you don't want to. The way I see it, it's not mutilation, it's an art form. My body isn't me, it's the vessel that holds me to Earth, as silly as that may sound. If I'm allowed to customize my car, furnish my house, decorate my computer case, put stickers on my guitar, then I should be allowed to customize my body.

I agree with everything you've said here. :3
I only have the regular ear piercings, one on each ear, but I'd love to get more. Unfortunetly I'm only 17 and my parents refuse to let me get anything done. It's the whole, "I don't want you to ruin your face!" thing.

It's not like I've considered it lightly. I've been thinking over it since about 12 or so, and I've always liked the idea of a tattoo. Maybe 5 years isn't that long, but to a teenager who reconsiders frequently... that kind of means a lot.

I'd love to get a lip piercing, and maybe a bridge piercing. If I ever lost a significant amount of weight, maybe a bellybutton. Eventually I want to get a sunflower on my back.... not just because they're my favorite flower, but because they have a deep meaning to me. It all started withthe song Sunflowers by Everclear... since then they've been a symbol of unbridled happiness and the will to keep living. I want the tattoo as a constant reminder of what I've been through and an image to live by. I want the tattoo so I can have the 'sun on my back', no matter where I go.

And if anybody thinks that's stupid or ugly, they can go to hell.

Originally Posted by Lollipop_Spazz

I think tattoos and piercings are perfectly fine. I personally don't like tattoos, and the only piercings I don't like are gaging, simply because they look horrible as you age. When you're 80, and your skin is sagging, do you really want a wrinkly old tattoo?

Hey...the way I see it, when I'm that old, there are gonna be things a lot more important than what I look like. XD I'm not exactly gonna look too great anyway...I wouldn't mind having things there from stuff I did when I was younger. Might be fun to look back on everything, after all. :yes:

For the record, I did in fact have my ears pierced 16 days ago, and my lip pierced 9 days ago. My left ear is a bit unhappy because of an accident at a concert and the fact that I didn't know piercing guns were so bad...but hell if I care past some mild annoyance with the discomfort and the fact that I had to spend $100 on earrings to remedy the situation. XD; My lip is healing nicely; I've already purchased a smaller ring for it, and I'm downsizing as soon as it comes to protect my teeth and keep it from moving around so much (which should make it heal a good bit better).

So to the points about infection - hell yeah, there's a risk. But it's actually very low if you exercise a bit of common sense. I actually did some pretty crazy and seemingly stupid stuff shortly after I had mine done (like I said, concerts), but I've been making damn sure to clean them well since, and I've had no problems except some irritation on my left ear.

These things are serving their intended purpose very nicely - they're reminding me of the best feelings I've ever had, and the lessons I've learned over the past two months. They're protecting me from my mother's toxic negativity. They're reminding me of why I need to keep working for everything...and I personally think they look great.

The pain, especially of the lip piercing, was actually...a rather enlightening experience, because I was built up for it to be absolutely BLINDINGLY bad...it was next to nothing, and the feeling of relief was amazing. And I feel closer to someone who has greatly motivated me.

Furthermore, I'm trying to come up with a nice tattoo design that I can see myself living with for the rest of my life. I do have a message that I want to keep with me at all times...now it's just a matter of figuring out how I want to do it. Right now I'm considering something like Lanackse mentioned she had, with some writing around the outside of it. I'm debating the wording, position, full design, all kinds of things - and I'm going to see to it that I'm happy with the idea for at LEAST six months before I do anything permanent, most likely by first drawing/writing it there in Sharpie and keeping it there for that long.

I'll probably have it in a place that I can see at any time, but can be hidden by clothes...or maybe somewhere that needs makeup to hide, but either way, it's going to be somewhere where I can look at it at any time.

Which brings me back to my point from 2.5 weeks ago - more often than not, people DON'T get tattoos or piercings to show off. And those who DO get them just to show off deserve to get hepatitis and have migrating or ink running problems from having it done in an unsafe parlor, because they're corrupting the way the world views people who have something done for THEMSELVES.

But just as a small but substantial number of people need to stop GETTING these things for shallow reasons, a small but substantial number of people - INCLUDING the OP - need to stop being so horribly judgmental. As a whole, the gene pool doesn't need such a massive shallow end.

Remember, as corny as it may sound, to assume is to make an ass out of u and me. ;) Don't go assuming I got my piercings just to look "badass" - unless you LIKE the thought of fainting when I stop to help a lost kid when I'm already late for work.

You have good points, but people use those as a form of expression. It's in the eye of the beholder and your own opinion. I think some tattoos and piercings are nice and can still seem professional looking. Of course of someone came into an office wanting a job with a bunch of tattoos and piercings on I'd either reject them right then and there or if possible help find a way to cover them up.

i totaly agree because you can get infections and inkpoisening from them:o and it is kinnda scary to see tattoos on old people :insane: :o so i really don't like them but i think it is ok to have one earpercing in each ear that isn't to bad

Originally Posted by Heirii

i totaly agree because you can get infections and inkpoisening from them:o and it is kinnda scary to see tattoos on old people :insane: :o so i really don't like them but i think it is ok to have one earpercing in each ear that isn't to bad

um, unless the tattoo is done by an unlicensed artist with a dirty tattoo gun, the chances of infection are slim to none. and what's scary about seeing tattoos on "old people"? my dad has three of them, one of them was redone from an old one he got in the 70's, and the others were new. i've seen plenty of older people with tattoos and they look just fine and dandy.