I have 2 tattoos, one on my leg that's clearly visable. I don't mind people commenting unless it's a negative. Like, why would you do that to yourself. If that's what you think that's fine but you can keep your judgment to yourself. I would just ignore the person.

I appreciate the art and will tell people when the have "nice art."

I did pick tattoos that meant something to me or were pretty to me.

Do you ask to see? Well that depends on where they are. Yes if I can see part of one and want to see I will say let me see that then show them mine.

What I wouldn't ask but would love to know is "how much did that cost?" The new one I picked out is over a thousand, I can't love a tattoo that much.

I can't add anything..because I've never really commented to someone personally..or cared if they were covered with them ..or even had them....

My teen son (he'll be 17) in April..has already designed his first tatoo that he'll get. At this point he seems so infatuated with having it/them..I'd guess on the day he turns 18, because I won't "take" him before that.
The suprise was that it included me. I don't know if I should be honored or not. LOL
The only other request I've made of him(other than waiting until he's "legal")..Is that he needs to find a REALLY good artist, that is familar with brown skin pigment and lastability.(I know not a word.) There are so many guys that can afford quality tatoos, that get inked up...and then they just look like a muddy mess. ~watch a college or NBA basketball game~

I agree with Kim on a lot of points. I have 6 tattoos and they all mean something to me. I even have the token Navy tattoo on my back. Gotta have one of those.. LOL!

I agree that placement is key when asking what it is or can I see it. I also have one on my leg and have also heard.. why do you do that to yourself? Are you me? No, not last time I checked.

I think it's appropriate to ask.. what are your tattoos and why did you choose that? People that are inked should be happy to discuss their body art. I mean, they did just post their story on the OUTSIDE of their bodies.. LOL!

Good luck with your article!

Terri.. choosing a good tattoo artist is very important. Given your son's age, he may be more likely to go to Johnny-on-the-spot and yes.. end up with a mess. I've even see fair skinned people with tattoos that look like my dog drew it. Shame because it's NOT cheap to remove. Just a thought but since he's gonna do it anyway, get him a gift certificate to a GOOD parlor. That way he will be steered in the right direction and it will help out with cost. ;)

I have one near my should blade. it's rarely visible because I don't wear clothes that show skin often. Just at the beach or pool. My tattoo is very personal to me. I did it for me and no one else.

When the subject comes up I let people know and it's usually women who ask to see it. Males are just not as apt to ask as women about these things I guess.

I always comment on visible art work when I like it just as I would on someone's hair or dress.

I have a story. When I was the mother of school aged kids I had a neighbor who projected totally straight laced suburban mom. Fast forward about 10 years. I see her at the bar I used to go to. She tells me she's divorced. OK. We hadn't seen each other for at least a half dozen years. Within minutes of meeting she grabs my hand and pulls me into the bathroom,drops pants and shows me her butt tattoo.LOL Next I have to check out her newly tattooed nipples. She'd had minor breast reconstruction after a bout with cancer. But still....

So my etiquette advice is to just go with the flow. I complimented her on the nice work and went on my way.

When I am curious about how much a tattoo costs I will usually say "if you don't mind my asking could you tell me approximately how much that size tattoo cost?" People usually have no problem with that approach.

As for myself I have been wanting to get tattooed for years but still haven't gotten mine. I plan on getting a triquatra symbol on my chest area, an Omega symbol with the Roman Numeral 4 in the center on my ankle, and a celtic knot design around my wrist.

SamKaren
your resident DJ

I have 2....one on my ankle and one on my tummy...I love for people to comment on it...(the ankle one) rarely does anyone see my tummy as I don't wear a bikni now....just my hubby......
I don't mind people asking what the cost was either...I love my art....stacy

SamKaren, Mine is about two inches tall. It has five colors including flesh tones and white. I think it was $150. I went to an artist who is a clean freak. I wanted someone who did good line work. I stopped someone on the street who had a tiny tat that was extremely delicate and clear. Then I researched him some more though apparently not enough. I wanted someone who didn't do my friends. Traveled to another town to get my tat. Lo and behold we had way too many friends in common. LOL I made him sign in his own blood that he'd keep his mouth shut and never do the same tat on anyone else. LOL

wildchild
Mine would just be black and I don't want them very big. I've experimented on my ankle by drawing my omega symbol to see if I would like it or not. When I do get mine it will be one at a time.

Samkaren
your resident DJ

I worked with a guy who had a huge one on the back of his neck. It was some symbol or something - I innocently asked what it was and he just about bit my head off. I don't care if you have a tattoo, but if you have one that shows, people just might ask about it? I would think if it were that personal, I'd put it somewhere where no one would ask me about it.

I was in the grocery store one day and a young gal was showing the checker her huge tattoo that she had on her back. I told her when she was my age, she would be sorry she had that done. She said that is what her grandma said, too...:o)

Kent, go to the *Decorating Forum* and click over to 'Conversations' instead of 'discussions'. There have been whole threads pro and con about tattoos over there. Some of the tattooed gals like to talk about them and even post photos. Read the archived threads. Then start a new discussion?

I just asked a cashier about her tattoos the other day. She had all kinds of cartoon characters up both arms and I questioned her on the meaning, if any, of them. I don't care for tattoos but I think some of them are a beautiful work of art. She was very excited to tell me about them. I wouldn't ask to see someone's tramp stamp (refers to the ones right above your butt crack) if I saw it peeking out of shorts or bathing suits, though.

My oldest son has a "story" all over his body. His choice.
He likes showing them to people who ask.
{{!gwi}}

I have two tattoos. I got them this summer and my cousin did them. They are visible because one is on the inside of my wrist and the other is on the inside of my forearm. The one on my wrist is a little lizard I found online, which I thought was cute. He added some leaves to it to complete it. The one on my forearm is a star that is filled with stars and stripes of the flag, so it looks like I have the flag under my skin. I also have my signature under it. I LOVE that one. I will have it added to at some point.

And I am flattered when I am asked about them. I have never encountered anyone that was rude about mine. However, when we were in Couer d'Alene, standing in a little burger joint, an older gentleman was quite loud and opinionated about all the tattoos my cousin has. He has them all over his arms and legs and they too, tell a story. But none that can't be completely covered. He was wearing a short sleeved shirt and shorts. This older man was saying rather loudly, "if my kid did that I would disown him", "what the hell are these kids thinking when they get all that **** put all over their bodies?". Needless to say, I was peeved. As he was walking out, I told him he should really keep his opinions to himself.

I don't really think there is an "etiquette" about them. If a person doesn't want to be asked about them, then I don't feel they should get them. After all, they DO draw attention.

My oldest DD has one from shoulder to shoulder, and another from ankle to hip. These are just the ones I can see! They are beautifully done, and I know she likes them.
I have one on my ankle a small heart and flower that me and my best friend got back in '77 when we both passed our board exams to celebrate. We both had them updated in '97 to enhance the colors, and celebrate our 20 years of friendship.
Just a funny note, that the original shop we had our tats done in was full of cages of snakes, and the walls papered with traffic tickets from the owner and his Harley. The artist had hair to his waist and turquoise jewelry on every finger. The second place we went to was like a fancy parlour setting, with very ornate art on the walls, and soft leather chairs.The artist there had his head shaved and wore expensive gold and silver jewelry.
Things changed slightly in 20 years.....

Trin

I read where many businesses don't hire if the person has tattoos. The article was talking about keeping the "art?" work on places that can be hidden.

My son has some...he has kept his where a shirt sleeve will cover them.

I personally would NOT have one...

It hasn't ever slowed my son's career, he just wears a long sleeve shirt. While I was aghast at first, his tattoos are all based on Pacific NW Indian Artwork.
{{!gwi}}
My middle son has a chinese tattoo on one leg, (goes all around) but with long slacks and socks it never shows. Both of my sons are in managment positions. I guess the tattoos were of a different type and offensive then a employer might consider it in hiring.

My friend who rehabs raccoons has a raccoon pawprint tattooed on the inside of her arm. At least it is original...I've never seen any like it.

my son has several. two are in memory of family members, one is the tribal band on his upper arm (not connected per instructions his lt. advised) his daughter's name and another one that is a dragon or something. (i'm trying to visualize). he started that sleeve thing, but i guess money is a little tight! i paid for one or two of them. i think he would keep going, but money is an issue. he did hold a job at one point where he was required to keep them covered.

i have a friend that is covered from his neck down. most of them are gross in my opinion. naked ladies, dumb pix - things that had some stupid meaning to him back in the day when he was probably stoned out of his mind. they are not attractive at all. i could almost understand if his body told some story "in art", but it's just a bunch of random tats. i have asked him "why" and i know for a fact others have as well.

my DIL has an ornate one of her daughter's name and recently i see she's added some "art" to it. it's not yet colored in, i guess again money is an issue.

my neice and all her friends seem to have them as well - mostly at their panty line (you see it when they bend over - heck, you see everything).

the one question i have always asked is "did it hurt". i don't ask the price, because like i said, i've paid for my son's so i basically know what a particular size can cost.

good luck with your article.

maryanne

I have four tattos (a butterfly on my hip, another butterfly b/w my shoulder blades, a small chinese symbol meaning "soul" on one of my shoulder blades, and a sun on the bottom of my back). You can't see any of them when I'm dressed, so only if tattoos come up in conversation do people know I even have them. I know nothing taboo about asking people about their tattoos, most people will happily tell you about theirs.

Would I get all the same tattoos now if I had never gotten them? Probably not, but they all meant something to me when I got them, and now I don't even think twice about them. I look at them the same way as any other part of my body. If I ever get pregnant, the one on my hip/abdomen is sure to stretch out, but I don't mind, it's hidden anyways. I also really don't get the whole, "you won't like it when you're old" thing, because when I'm older, everything else will be wrinkled and saggy anyways, so my tattoos might as well be too, LOL. The only tattoos I've ever really heard of people regretting are things like names.

I have 3 tattoos, I have always wanted one, so in my mid 40's I had 3 done. I also have mine where they are not seen unless I have very little on. The first one was a beautiful rose on my abdomen just above my bikini line...I wanted to show that one off when I was swimming. The second one is very low where only my husband sees, it is 3 cherries with a bite out of one. I can't remember what the reason for that was other than I do like cherries! Then I was informed by DH, he thought I had enough ink on my body...that made me want to do one more. The 3rd one is a toe ring, I was always losing my toe rings in the swimming pool! Not any more.