Among the many incongruities that are embedded in the gender roles between men and women are
permanent tattoos. I had some time to mull over how I felt about them when I recently accompanied a friend to an appointment she made with a tattoo artist. She's a girl, and she wanted a large cross on her back in monochrome. Not even a few days after the appointment and the subsequent healing process, she immediately said she was full of regret. And it got me thinking, are certain tattoos
ever a good idea?
First, I feel like I should say this as a guy: I find certain tattoos on women bold and sexy. There's a prevailing thought that women with tattoos are sluts, with comparisons to adult film stars abound. But as with everything else about people, it's really not that simplistic. I've always found that certain tattoos can show a real sincerity and confidence. When I look at a really nice tattoo, the hopeless-romantic-sissy in me brings me back to sentimental moments with friends and loved ones. I've never understood why it was considered "trashy" for women to simply express themselves in this way. I mean, if the Internet is proof, for every woman with a "trashy" tattoo, there's an oafish guy with
an even trashier tattoo.
But I do believe that there are limits. Notice how I've sprinkled the previous paragraph with the word "certain." What my friend did was absolutely moronic, and she admits that. The main problem I have with her situation is the lack of thought she put into it. Honestly, she mainly got the tattoo out of peer pressure. She's an artist herself so she designed the cross on large sketch paper a day before the appointment. I wasn't a fan of the design, but I didn't have time to give my input. In fact,
nobody she knew did because she wanted to keep it a secret until everything was finished. I asked her why she wanted a cross of all things and especially of that size and she simply responded with "it looked cool."
By
certain tattoos, I mean anything that was given at least a modicum of thought. Tattoos are a huge commitment, both financially and socially. Anything that's too big seems more like a cry for attention than an accessory. Do tattoos have to be personally meaningful? That again depends on the person, but I think it's safe to say that it's always a good idea to avoid cliches like Asian symbols and Disney characters.
So I want to foster a discussion for the few guys who are in the same boat that I am - guys who find tattoos on women attractive if done tastefully. I would ask the same question to women who find men with tattoos attractive, but our chauvinistic society lets us men get away with these things more easily.
If you're a fan of tattoos on the opposite sex, what are some parameters you set on what constitutes a "tolerable" tattoo?
If you're not a fan and tattoos are a deal-breaker for you, what would be some minimum requirements for you to change your mind?
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Comments (70)
I love tattoos on both men and women, I know I want to get a couple tattoos but mine will have actual meanings to them. Some of hard points in my life like my childhood, I hate the cliche tattoos also I think most tattoos sould have a meaning to you and your life.
I have 2, and i'm debating on a 3rd tattoo.
1) Is the amount of tattoo's on a girl representing her image as "trashy" "slutty" or damn "ugly"? Please advise...
2) If you're a "born again Christian", does that mean if you get a Tattoo now, would it be disapproved or reflected badly on your religion beliefs?
E.N.
My boyfriend is covered in old school tattoos. We spent an hour once where I was pointing to a tattoo and he could tell me the meaning behind every single one. Which is important. If you get a tattoo for the hell of it, it kind of ruins the meaning of tattoos. I think tattoos are incredible and people who get them for meaningful reasons are beautiful. Now, if a person gets a tribal tattoo and tries to explain the significant meaning, hold your breath. I can't stand tribal tattoos. Maybe they mean something to a person, but they look tacky. I guess that's a little hypocritical. I just think tattoos are meant to define someone and they're meant to tell stories. They aren't just there for decoration or to be cool.
I love tattoos on men. I think one on the chest or the back or around the bicep is sexy, but I think a guy just looks silly when it's over-done or he's covered in tatts. 'Less is more' is a cliche because it's true, lol ;)
I love, love, love tattoos on both girls and guys -- but only if they're meaningful, look good, and aren't dumb. I know the latter two are open to interpretation, but I'd say a good rule of thumb is to avoid brand logos, bodily functions, too many cliches, and names of former flings. As far as attractiveness, whatever the number of tats that a person has, I don't like when they take away from the rest of the person's appearance. By this I mean that I want to notice him/her first, and then the tattoos; not the other way around. :)
Tattoos on girls can be okay, but generally I just think men with tattoos look like jerks.
I don't hate tattoos or look down on people who get them, but a tattoo is something I would never personally get, meaning or not. I love art/ drawing, and draw all the time on paper and other places. And I believe it's important for people to express themselves. Tattoos to me are just a bit gaudy; for a couple of reasons. Maybe because I, for one, try my hardest not to have blemishes on my skin (but of course they're there) and also because it's permanent, ink under the skin. I know that tattoos are popular nowadays though. I guess some things can be nice, like a small symbol or maybe a symmetrical pattern in a place it looks good. But pictures of people's faces or odd cartoons just look weird... i dunno, my two cents
And I also, for the most part think that tattoos should have meaning. Also, as many people say, they can be art, so if not meaningful maybe just to enhance. I'm glad my boyfriend doesn't have a tattoo. The look of an ink-less body is just refreshing to me. And what if a person with a tattoo changed their mind and regretted it later? I just wouldn't spend the money..
I really don't care who has a tattoo of what, how much "thought" went into it, or where it's located. It's not my body, so why should I judge? I love tattoos in every shape and size. I've got two already, and four more planned for the future, one idea a pretty large one. People who don;t like tattoos can just keep on disliking them, but seriously, judging people doesn't make you any better. As for women with tattoos, call it trashy if you want, but I can garantee there are guys in the world with far trashier art on their bodies.
Nice post.
I'm not a tattoo fan. Unless it's very unique, classy, & well thought out.
I do dig that butterfly, however.
@milkplus_synthemesc@xanga - Yup. I usually think so too.
I'm a girl. I have four tattoos. I plan on getting at least two more. Why? Because each one I have represents a different lifelong passion, and I find tattoos an attractive and artistic way to express those loves. I've planned every one thus far for a minimum of a year before getting it inked, even going so far as to have my art major roommate draw a "test run" on me so I can see if I like the look.
I have always been especially offended by the stereotype that women with tattoos are trashy or tacky. I can name twice as many women off the top of my head who don't have tattoos and yet are entirely devoid of class, just as I can name several classy, well-educated women who do have tattoos.
I personally think tattoos on a guy can be very attractive. That, of course, depends on the tattoos themselves, and I've never really been attracted to anyone who's covered in tats. I'm just as likely to be attracted to someone who doesn't have tattoos, but since I have some ink of my own I already have a great conversation starter for any tattooed hotties.
By the way, did you know that Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock, and Penelope Cruz are tattooed? Just sayin'.
@Erroneous@xanga - I'm a Christian, and I've got four tattoos at the moment. The subject of tattooing has a history of being a bit controversial amongst Christians, but the vast majority agree that being tattooed is not a sin, nor will it reflect poorly upon you.
It's trashy because it is a permanent scar and reckless. Besides, I find it defect (naturally) and devoid of meaning.
See and that's why I waited five years (I was in highschool when I decided I first wanted it) to get my tattoo. I made sure that I WANTED it before I got it and to this day have no regrets. I've had the hots for guys with no tats and for guys covered it tats... I think it all depends on what the individual can pull off. I don't mind tats as long as their artsy, well inked and have meaning. I think getting a tattoo just because you can is uninspired and I'm not a fan of that.
Peace and Love
Monochrome tats are nasty on anyone especially the fairer gender. colored is fine for the most part. Also: nothing large or catholic looking.
There's such a big stigma on certain tattoos because they seem "cliche." A good example would be the Asian character symbols or the infamous "tramp stamp." However with the character symbols just see it as overdone, and the tramp stamp people assume the girl is a slut which is not at all a reasonable assumption to make. You can't judge someone's personality based on their tattoo until they tell you why they got it.
I personally have a "tramp stamp" (which serious tattoo artists don't even call it that, I learned) however mine has meaning. The print signifies my sign (fire) and the power that is associated with it. The core of the design is a symbol from texts passed down in my family on mythology.
Do I regret getting it? No. Do I regret putting it where I put it? No. Do I regret having to deal with idiots that assume it's a pointless symbol made only to attract the opposite sex? Yes.
On my wrist I have another tattoo, the devil's heart with wings - my best friend since toddlerhood and I got the same tattoo on the same day. It signifies the bond we'll forever share and reminds us that even if we fight that we can't really escape each other.
The tattoo that's a work in progress (artists are still working on the concept) is going to go on my arm, it's the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, the cryptic one not the cartoon one. Alice in Wonderland has always been my favorite book since I was a child: I know it line by line. And no, I did not decide upon this after watching Alice in Wonderland the movie (I've actually never gotten the chance to see it). Other than the book being near and dear to me, I've always been compared to the rabbit and have had such nicknames associated with me.
Personally I don't care what the opposite sex finds attractive on my body: I'm not doing it for them. If someone finds themselves turned off by my ink that's fine, I don't think I would particularly care.
I mostly agreee with you. Tattoos should have somewhat of a meaning to them. For every tattoo, there should be a story behind it.
btw, it really bothers me when people get tattoos of chinese characters that don't make any sense.
@TheLobsterQuadrille@xanga - Thanks for the reply!
@Erroneous@xanga - You're quite welcome. ^_^
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