I am middle aged, I look with dismay at the fad that has been going on for a few years with so many younger people getting them. In my day the only people I knew with tattoos were either ex servicemen (navy mostly) or very hard people.
I think a good business to be in in about 10-15 years would be a tattoo removal service. can’t help but think that many may regret what they have had (almost) indelibly placed on their previously lovely and unblemished bodies.
Do you have one or more? Are you thinking of getting one?
Uncle Wheaty says
There was a youngish chap on Homes Under The Hammer today who was bald and had half of his face and scalp tattooed so he hasn’t even got the option to hide it with his own hair.
Bizarre.
Moose the Mooche says
The only person besides Mrs Moose* who is ever going to see my body is the mortician.
I can see this particularly luckless person saying…”This is weird…Where’s his tattoos?”
(*and not even her, if she can help it)
Gatz says
I have nothing against them on other people. My other half’s daughter had one on her 18th birthday, and now has several. We only managed to hold her off that long by persuading her to wait until she could go somewhere legit where they would do good work rather than get a half-arsed job from someone who would take her money underage.
But I think that human skin and tattoo ink is a pretty ropey medium for art, and have only ever seen a few tattoos which I thought impressive. A couple of years ago I saw a woman at work with ivy tattooed all down one arm, and it was very stylishly done. When it comes to style though I would prefer something which I could change when I decided.
I think too many people have their thinking the wrong way round. Instead of something meaning a lot to them and deciding that a tattoo is the way to commemorate it, they decide they want a tattoo then try to think of something that means a lot to them. Some time ago I saw a definite example of the former, a woman of about 70 on the bus. Along the outstretched arm holding on to her shopping cart she has ‘LESSON LEARNED’ in two inch high gothic script. I would have been interested to hear the story behind that one. For me, if something means so much that I need to remember it but somehow think I might forget then I’ll jot it down on a post-it note instead.
dai says
My 14 year old has already told me she is planning to get one as soon as she legally can 🙁
davebigpicture says
I don’t like them. My son got a (we think) poor one a couple of years ago and we went mental, even though he was old enough. He has to wear long sleeves when he sees his grandad because I can’t face the conversation that would follow. We don’t mention it now and neither does he.
davebigpicture says
Slight update: What really pissed us off about his tattoo was
a) the design looked, to us, quite amateurish
b) he had it done on the inside of his arm, between his elbow and wrist so less chance of covering it up should he need to. Had he had it between elbow and shoulder, we probably wouldn’t have made such a big deal of it.
I know attitudes have changed but it wasn’t that long ago since technicians with tattoos and piercings couldn’t be sent into places like merchant banks for jobs as they didn’t fit the image of the organisation, they would be considered too rock n roll, even if they were wearing a shirt and tie. I’d say that in the two household name companies I used to do work for pre covid, tattoos and piercings are uncommon or non existent above a certain employee level so these things are probably still noticed.
Arthur Cowslip says
“Instead of something meaning a lot to them and deciding that a tattoo is the way to commemorate it, they decide they want a tattoo then try to think of something that means a lot to them. ” – Brilliant observation. That’s it in a nutshell.
Jackthebiscuit says
It will come as no surprise to anyone here to learn that I have many tattoos & I do not regret a single one of them.
My first was in 1973 a few months after I joined my first ship.
My most recent tattoo was winking eyes on my arse when I was 56.
No regrets whatsoever, I fucking love my tatts..,
Nick L says
Well said Jack, I’ve got four, all on my arms, and I love mine too. They were all done in my forties, and I’m now 53, so relatively recent. Could not give a monkey’s what anyone else thinks.
Sour Crout says
Well said Nick and Jack. Who cares what other people think. I have a lot of Tattoos and as very recent cancer survivor I’m having “F*** Cancer” tattooed on me and the U is a skull and crossbones. I can’t see why anyone would not allow to do that to myself. I had my first at 17 and am 57. Can’t wait to have enough energy to go back skateboarding and restart my boxing training as well.
thecheshirecat says
Hurrah!
It does make me smile when people loftily judge that all tattoos will be regretted. How do they explain to themselves the rather obvious fact that rather a lot of people clearly have regretted their first tattoo so much that they have had another, and another, and another?
Loads of my colleagues are still adding to their collection in middle age; the judgmental will scream ‘midlife crisis’, but I can assure them that we are all thoroughly easy and comfortable in our choice. I’m up to four, acquired with sensible, non-impetuous gaps between them; I wouldn’t rule out a fifth; I might treat myself for my 60th.
dai says
Not sure anyone is saying they all will be regretted. I am sure some will be though. Especially when you tattoo your current girlfriend’s (or boyfriend’s) name on your neck or something
thecheshirecat says
Oh, believe me, I have come across that belief plenty of times, even on this site, when this subject came up a few years ago.
hedgepig says
One of my friends tattooed her boyfriend’s name on her wrist when she was 17. Over the years, it’s morphed into a rather beautiful flowers/leaves motif. I think a lot of people do similar: it’s not like you’re necessarily stuck with it in its original form forever. I don’t know why people are bothered by what other people choose to do with their bodies.
Nick L says
Yes, this is absolutely true. In fact, one of mine (right lower part of the arm) is kind of purposely designed to be added to or updated.
garyt says
It’s interesting watching the re-runs of classic MOTD & The Big Match games on BT sports that none of the players had tattoos. These days, it seems all of the players look like they spend every spare minute at the tattoo parlour.
Ardnort says
Harry Kane being a notable exception.
Moose the Mooche says
…as well as the otherwise deeply dickheadish Ronaldo. (The tall one, not the goofy one)
hedgepig says
They’re not for me, but I’m not sure I particularly buy the idea that young people who get them are going necessarily to regret them. Live and let live, I say.
Moose the Mooche says
I’m far more alarmed by the spectacle of young people wearing tank tops.
Have we learned nothing from history?
Freddy Steady says
Live and let live of course but I’d sooner lick the abbatoir floor.
Moose the Mooche says
I assume this is in response to my comment about tank tops.
Freddy Steady says
You’ve been on fire today Moose!
Moose the Mooche says
Thank you, I must get this tank-top off.
retropath2 says
I had a green man on etched on my left deltoid for my 60th and a thistle on my right last year. Love ‘em. Hidden unless I take my shirt off, something I rarely do, other than at home. But a joy to see the look of surprise offered by the nurse when I had my Covid vax.
fentonsteve says
I hate tattoos. I went to the Edinburgh one and it rained all night.
davebigpicture says
Plus bagpipes…..
Moose the Mooche says
Help ma boab!
Beezer says
They’re not for me and I don’t like them, but fad or not people can do what they like with their bodies and their money.
Close up some can look remarkable but from distance all of them seem like awful blemishes.
My brother and sister, both far older than me, recently got themselves inked. My sister had four stars tattooed on her right foot. Apparently these represent her four nieces and nephews. And my brother had a circular wheel-like graphic tattooed on his forearm. For no particular reason he can describe.
They have every right and I can stick my bewilderment with them up my arse but they’d never have given these ideas head room if this current trend wasn’t still on the go.
simon22367 says
Just got my first one at the ripe old age of 54. Not so much mid life crisis as mid life why the hell not.
We started watching various tattoo shows a few years ago and became fascinated by the art work and what they are able to create with a few needles and skin.
Talked for ages about getting one and came up with various designs and came up with a record label called A. W. S. M. Records. The awsm being mine and wife and kids initials. The label is surrounded by a stylised slab of vinyl.
Didn’t want to get an off the shelf one, but something more personal. My daughter got one on the same day as me (at a different studio), and my wife’s getting one in a couple of months.
I enjoyed the experience, but can’t imagine getting another, but who knows.
In my 20’s I wouldn’t have dreamt of getting one (not that I could have afforded it), but it’s hard to judge them youngsters that do. Although the face ones give me the willies a bit.
Locust says
I have three and have three more planned, but that project has gotten postponed (due to needing the money for other things, and my former tattoo-artist moving away). I love them, got the first one for myself as a 40th birthday gift. I wanted tattoos since I was a wee girl, it just took me 40 years to have the money to spare and a good idea for what I wanted to tattoo.
I don’t understand why it bothers people so much that other people have them, and I don’t understand why they think it’s OK to go on about how awful and ugly this is. Quite a few of you (I suspect) would get very upset if I wrote a post saying “bald men are ugly” or “fat people – why don’t they go on a diet?” Tattoo-art has been around since we lost our ape fur, so get used to it already… 😉
duco01 says
Re: “bald men are ugly” or “fat people – why don’t they go on a diet?”
Oj … jag känner mig träffad – TVÅ gånger….
Locust says
Ha! Använda som exempel, inte mina åsikter!
Slug says
Some of us still have our ape fur. Any tattoo on most of me would probably require continual body shaving to make it visible, and I can’t be arsed with that nonsense.
Timbar says
Some of us have crap skin. A tattoo on me would look as though it’s accompanied by a description in Braille.
Sewer Robot says
I’m getting a chubby..
Moose the Mooche says
You’ll go blind!
…er….
Gary says
I don’t think the “bald/fat” analogy really holds up. There’s no element of choice in baldness or, arguably, fatness. A better analogy would be plastic surgery. Michael Jackson, Donatella Versace, Joan Rivers, Mickey Rourke etc etc seem happy to transform their faces from what I would call beautiful to what I would call ugly. Totally their choice and good luck to them, but it’s quite natural that people should judge the result (not the person).
deramdaze says
The other day I did the long circular walk (you know the one!) and proceeded to pick up litter. There wasn’t much of it, but an hour’s walk garnered about a bag full. At the start I thought “hmm, what am I picking up?” and concluded it would be anything man made.
When I see an actor etc. I’m always more inclined to think they’re looking good if they haven’t added to their appearance. I always think Twiggy, now in her early 70s, looks great… plain sweater, jeans, pumps, subtle jewelry, minimal make-up, hair combed down. The less “man made“ the better.
Compare that to World Cup and European Championship Quarter Finalist David Beckham.
Gary says
Yep.
I’d say Beckham has transformed himself from what I’d call “very handsome” into what I consider “a bit ugly” via his tattoos. That doesn’t affect what I think of him as a celeb/person, but I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t have aesthetic preferences.
Mike_H says
Is that opinion based on “because he has tattoos” or “because of the tattoos that he has”?
I dislike ugly and/or stupid (my opinion, both of those) tats. Plenty of those about. I have yet to see a face tattoo that looks good.
On the other hand, some tats look really beautiful (my opinion again) and I regard them as an enhancement.
Not liking tats at all on anyone, full stop, is a bit like thinking people over 40 shouldn’t wear jeans. They’re entitled to their opinion but I don’t think their opinion really matters.
Moose the Mooche says
Jeans have recently become generationally defined all over again. look around – people under 30 don’t wear them much.
Gary says
Here’s a fascinating fact about me for your collection: I’ve never worn jeans ever. Don’t like ’em. Too common, too uncomfortable.
I’ve also never drunk coffee, cut my fingernails with scissors, knowingly heard Richard Thompson, sent a tweet or been to Scotland.
Moose the Mooche says
I would hope that there isn’t anyone on the Afterword so on their uppers as to have to attend to their own nails. Can there be such poverty?
Gary says
Because of the amount, I’d say. I don’t know what his tattoos are, all I see is an enormous amount of ink, which I find a tad uggers.
You’re very right to say that other people’s opinions don’t really matter, but what with it being a thread about tattoos and all I thought I’d give mine on the subject a rare airing.
Sitheref2409 says
By the end of our tour here, I’ll have at least three:
US/Saltire flag intertwined
The Northern Territory flag.
Depending on how I feel, I may add the Tricolore and a Hampshire Tudor Rose.
SteveT says
My daughter and my son both have them. For a long time I was against them but my antipathy was illogical. Their body their choice. I have now decided after a request by my son that I will get one with him when I eventually get to visit him in Iceland. Cut a long story short when he was little his grandad used to make him paper aeroplanes of a particular design. He and I are going to have a tattoo of a paper aeroplane in memory of the old man.
Nick L says
What a lovely and touching idea Steve. Well done you, and your son.
Mrbellows says
Personally I find them ugly but whatever floats your boat. I feel the same way with nose rings and ear lobes holes but again it doesn’t effect my life not one jot. So go ahead. It’s your body after all.
Gary says
My feelings too (they are ugly!). I used to associate them with outsiders, misfits, tough guys like fishermen and the armed forces. Now I associate them with One Direction, Justin Bieber and herd mentality/fashion. They used to be for people who actively wanted to stand out as different from everyone else. Now they’re for people who want to be the same as everyone else.
retropath2 says
Well that is generalised and opinionated claptrap, dear boy.
Nick L says
Isn’t it just. I genuinely don’t give a shit about being the same as everyone else, or different or whatever. I just like them, have thought about getting one since about 1983 and didn’t have the spare cash (good ones don’t come cheap) or the right designs until I was older, like has been said elsewhere. I just thought the tatts I chose (all completely bespoke) reflected me and my interests. Simple really.
Gary says
Opinionated? Yep, them’s my opinions on tattoos alright. Generalised? Yep again, after all not everyone gets them done just cos it’s fashionable (I haven’t even asked everyone); but you’d be hard pushed to argue that they’re not fashionable right now and the very nature of fashion is the herd following the lead. We all conform to what fashion allows/expects/promotes to some degree or another and right now getting a tatt has become a thang.
One thing I don’t understand is why people are sensitive about the issue. It’s not a problem if one expresses disdain for certain house decorations or hairstyles or clothes, but say you hate tatts or point out the fact that they’re dead fashionable right now and all of sudden you risk getting told off.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
You been making a lot of sense on this thread – everything OK?
Gary says
Some might find a hint of impertinence in the juxtaposition of your observation with that implicitly consequential question. Not I.
Moose the Mooche says
Don’t be such a ponce, twat ‘im!
Hoops McCann says
Two of my three sons have them and both love them, and are planning further additions. While I have no inclination myself to get one I rather like all of my sons’ artwork although to be fair both sought out the tattoo artist with the best reputation and were prepared to pay a little more.
Jaygee says
No great fan of tats myself, but what other people choose to do with their bodies
is ultimately none of my business.
Uncle Wheaty says
I agree.
See no point in them or want the pain.
I feel sorry for the sad losers that have their 3 wives tattooed and removed during their life!
hedgepig says
Sad losers? Mate. Unnecessary.
Uncle Wheaty says
Three wives could be changed to sports teams or whatever else the person believed in at the time. Same opinion applies.
Sorry if the comment personally affected you though.
Moose the Mooche says
Three favourite guitar solos?
Uncle Wheaty says
I would love to have the solo to Judas Priest’s ‘Living After Midnight’ tattooed on my….
Long enough and perfect!
Moose the Mooche says
I’ll have the solo from Mega Armageddon Death tattooed on mine…
Mike_H says
“That tattoo doesn’t say Ludo, it says Llandudno.”
Rigid Digit says
Wendy?
No, Welcome To Westward Ho! Have A nice day
GCU Grey Area says
HMS? No, Hammersmith. . .
Sitheref2409 says
Well, no.
The ones I’ve referenced above are where I have lived and have good memories of living.
Absent: Surrey.
Nothing to do with transient beliefs. I have trouble understanding people’s antipathy. If it isn’t something you would do, then great, don’t do it. But coming across as judging of others who do frankly just makes you look like a sanctimonious prick.
hedgepig says
It didn’t affect me personally. One wife and no tattoos. I just think calling people you don’t know “sad losers” because you don’t like their life choices probably says more about you than them, in its unkindness.
Uncle Wheaty says
I agree.
Shows I made the right choices compared to the apocryphal people I reference.
Sour Crout says
sad losers ! you like NWOBHM ,way worse in my book
Freddy Steady says
But how come no-one has mentioned THE PAIN?
I presume there is THE PAIN?
duco01 says
Re: THE PAIN.
Listen to Mr Steady on this point.
Moose the Mooche says
Isn’t the pain part of the appeal? Beckham, who is the patron saint of modern tatts, said he was addicted to the pain.
The rest of us are wusses, and boring, and ‘straight’ of course.
Nick L says
They hurt in different ways, depending on what is being done and where. None of it was completely unbearable though. My largest one, and the longest sitting, (three and a half hours) became a bit of an endurance towards the end but the parlour made me a sweet tea during a 15 min break and it felt OK to carry on. For me, lines are the most painful, shading a bit less so. I guess opinions may differ on this.
Gatz says
Yes, The Light’s daughter as mentioned above said by far the most painful was a lamassu, a Babylonian winged lion / man hybrid, across her lower back which is all lines (most of her tattoos have an ancient history element). To honest it’s also by far her worst and the man part looks like Tintin with a penis on his head, so it’s probably just as well this one isn’t on general display.
Barry Blue says
‘Tintin with a penis on his head’ brought to mind the utterly NSFW Teeside Tintin, whose foul mouthed adventures can be found up the youtube.
Moose the Mooche says
Last Belgian knobhead I saw was singing “Ça plane pour moi”
Sour Crout says
yep Outlines are the worst but shading you don’t know they are doing it half the time. Certain areas of the body hurt, the ribs are a mother.
thecheshirecat says
Really not that bad, though of course it depends where. Apparently chests are one of the more sensitive spots, yet that didn’t faze me in the slightest, whereas a scale and polish at the dentist has me screaming for the morphine.
simon22367 says
Mine was degrees of uncomfortableness rather than actual pain. Some spots were a bit more noticeable, but I don’t remember exclaiming “ow you phucker, that hurt!” Feet are the most painful apparently.
Arthur Cowslip says
I love some tattoos and hate others. I think arm tattoos usually seem really good – it feels like the “right place” for a tattoo to be. I can never see the point of face or neck tattoos, and some over-elaborate ones give me the heebie-jeebies.
Some of the comments above have made me pause and wonder if I am being too judgemental. I suppose I am. If it helps, I absolutely support the choice of anyone to get a tattoo.
I’m amazed at how ubiquitous they are these days. In my workplace I am one of the older ones, and I can’t think of a single person younger than me who doesn’t have at least one tattoo somewhere. In fact, it worries me to think of it as a fashion thing just to keep up with the in-crowd. What happens once they go out of fashion?
Would I ever get one? Nah, I doubt it. I always thought I would get a couple of tattoos when I reach my fifties. In my head I have this idea of a mid-life rebellious phase. But I don’t think I could ever decide on a design or symbol I would want permanently on me. I am quite flighty and I would just change my mind afterwards. Imagine having to choose your favourite album or book and then stick with that choice forever. I just couldn’t do it.
Plus they are so expensive! As soon as I looked at the price it put me off. Why get a tattoo when you can buy a new guitar??
Nah, not for me.
Gary says
Full neck-only tattoos are the worst for me. They actually look uncomfortable! I have to consciously remind myself that they aren’t restricting the neck at all.
“I don’t think I could ever decide on a design or symbol I would want permanently on me. I am quite flighty and I would just change my mind afterwards.” Same here. I can’t commit to a painting I would want on my wall every day, let alone one on my body for life.
thecheshirecat says
I think the point of face and neck tattoos is that, now that nice polite safe people have tatts, it’s all that’s left for the real headcases to show that they are edgy.
Sour Crout says
fair point,my brother has had a full neck tattoo since the early 90s but even then he wouldn’t dream of getting a face tattoo
Gary says
Vulpes Vulpes says
For me, a tattoo has to be unique to the inked.
I know loads of people – blokes especially – who have generic ‘celtic’ armbands tattooed on; they have no discernible reason for having had this done to themselves, and neither can they give one in explanation except to say that their mates had one done and they thought it looked cool. Too many people watching The Vikings or Game Of Thrones (I’m guessing, having seen neither of these) I suspect, or seeing Beckham in all his typography, and then getting the tattoo done by Sid Rollup down the market one Saturday afternoon.
On the other hand, I know people with imaginative and subtle tattoos – big or small – that mean something to them personally, and I’ve been tempted myself from time to time. But in the end I prefer to just keep a clean sheet – that’s my choice, as much as their signature decorations are theirs.
I have to confess that when people are completely covered in inkings I find it somehow slightly disturbing. And as for facial tattoos, oooh, no thank you. I could share some photos here of tattoos that would impress you and tattoos that would give you the willies – my photographer brother in law has photographed a lot of extensively tattooed bodies – but they are his copyright images so they can’t be seen here.
My grandad, a navy stoker all his life, kept his forearms hidden most of the time due to ghastly inkings likely done in a rum stupor in some dingy mediterranean port by a dodgy foreign matelot drinking partner with a sharply pointed knife and a squint. From early childhood memory, I think they were of my grandma’s name, but by that time you could no longer really tell.
Vincent says
Don’t like them (or piercings or body mutilation like earlobe stretches, etc). In civilians it looks fickle. On sailors, builders and bikers, it works. But modestly, not the “my body is a canvas” extensive covering. I also note how ubiquitous thry are, and how likely people will eventually pay good money to have something removed whrn it looks like a horses bite due to the ravages of time. Hope the fashion passes. Not that it’s my business how people chose to, at worse, disfigure themselves.
Jaygee says
As with so many things in life, the golden rule about going ahead and having a tattoo is to make sure you don’t live to regert it
https://www.google.com/search?channel=mac_bm&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=tattoos+that+went+horribly+wrong&client=safari&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZpJXX7-vvAhUXVRUIHXi2CM4QjJkEegQIBBAB&biw=1335&bih=678
Razor Boy says
I got a black ink tattoo done last September on the inside of my forearm…it’s a branch of Willow leaves and the name/date of my grandson who was stillborn last May in The Willow Suite of the hospital.
It’s the only one I have and I kiss it every morning in his memory. I give no fucks what anyone thinks or that I was 58 when I had it done. It brings me a little comfort to have it, I have no idea why.
I was expecting a lot of pain when the inking started but the reality was that it was really nothing much and I hate needles. I’m sure that other body parts hurt a lot more if done.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Lovely – unique to the inked. I’d do that.
SteveT says
Brilliant – good for you. Cant imagine anyone having any objection to that and as you say it’s fuck all to do with them.
Twang says
Dust…
dai says
This I can understand. Sorry for your family’s loss.
Sour Crout says
What a lovely way to remember your grandson. I have tribute tattoos. A lot of Latino people have the portraits of family members who have passed tattooed on them as a tribute and to keep their memory alive. I will have one done of my Mother when she was younger when she passes though she’ll outlive me the way I’m going
Guiri says
Don’t have one and never will I reckon. What would I put? No idea. Feel kind of alternative with my lack of piercings/tattoos these days. But have encountered a few over the years and they can be attractive when subtle let’s be honest.
But there’s a generation gap. My girls both say ‘when I get my first tattoo.’ A statement of fact, no question. Already agreed that the eldest will get one for her 18th next year. I’ve said no sleeves or face or neck. Her current favourite option is a Bowie stripe on the wrist. That sounds OK.
GCU Grey Area says
I’ve been fancying one for a while, and had done some asking-around about local artists, and then lockdown 1 happened. I’m going to have the Uffington Horse on the upper side of my right forearm.
thecheshirecat says
I’ve beaten you to it, once you rearrange the words to ‘side of my right upper arm’.
Kid Dynamite says
I was thinking about it as a chest piece!
Twang says
Don’t have one, think lots of them look horrible but I’m not judging, if the person wearing it likes it good for them. I remember seeing Dale Watson, old school country dude, explaining his tats and he has musical scores round each impressive bicep. “The first wuuurn is the first lahnn of mah first number one, and the other is a line from a sawng written by mah Daddy”. Cool.
Visible here.
deramdaze says
I guess someone might be influenced to have a tattoo if a famous person they like has one.
My problem is that I don’t think anyone I like actually has!
Think: 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll to Jimi…
I suspect Jerry Lee Lewis might, Did Gene Vincent? Janis Joplin definitely. Dylan? John? George? Keith? Has Paul had one? If he has, I’m sure it must be relatively recent.
It’s only Janis isn’t it?
Tattoos in the 60s, outside the military, appear to be as commonplace as going to a gym. Did anyone other than body-builders or boxers do that either? Have you ever heard of Dylan or a Beatle taking time out from touring or recording c. 1966 to pump some iron?
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Whilst, of course, everyone has the right to tattoo themselves as little or as much as they like I suspect in the years to come tattoos, like 18th century wigs or 1970’s loon pants, will be viewed as “WTF were they thinking of?”
Moose the Mooche says
Wait…. loon pants are out?
No way! Heaveeee!
hedgepig says
Cuh, yeah I look back on 18th century wigs with such contempt. Who doesn’t?
Gary says
Jacob Rees-Mogg.
hubert rawlinson says
However you could remove loon pants and 18th century wigs easily and consign them to the forgotten drawer of fashion.
I contemplated getting a tattoo years ago and never got round to it can’t be bothered now, my son has a beer hop on his arm which is fine.
A large wig recently.
Gary says
It’s more than fine, it’s a neat party trick.
hubert rawlinson says
Breaks the ice at parties.
thecheshirecat says
not to mention the candelabras.
Vincent says
If tats are fashionable and people are going to face a lifetime of regret as that facial/ neck combo fails to look so good in 35 years, just imagine how those who regret gender reassignment will feel.
dai says
People are seemingly making decisions at a very early age these days. A 13 yr old friend of my daughter’s declared herself to be “bisexual” fairly recently. At that age I would have been told it was just a phase …
Moose the Mooche says
Let’s face it, saying it’s just a phase means “we don’t want this to be true”.
Everyone on the AW was told this by their parents when they started listening to frightful beat groups.
Kid Dynamite says
Another one for the getting inked over 40 club. I have a cherry tree branch and blossom down my left arm, shoulder to elbow (keen KD observers will recall that I once lived in Japan). I like it a lot, and will be getting at least one more once this bloody war is over. It took about seven hours, but honestly didn’t hurt that much, or even itch as it healed.
Ardnort says
The GLW used to working in an old peoples home, and the sight of faded, saggy skinned tatt’s as she dressed the inmates put her off the idea.
Moose the Mooche says
Any luck persuading her to go to Cropready?
Ardnort says
Ha! A step too far.
thecheshirecat says
and where would you like this tattoo of a hamper inking, Mr Dai?
dai says
On my penis.
Moose the Mooche says
Your future nickname will be Ol’ Chicken Cock.
hubert rawlinson says
Is this a good time to mention the London/ Llandudno tattoo joke?
Twang says
I was thinking of the Wendy joke.
eddie g says
Tattoos are all ugly in my opinion. I adopt an (admittedly irrational and prejudicial) attitude of intellectual superiority whenever I encounter a tattooed person. And to people who chew gum and call me ‘man’ or ‘dude’. I’m also wary of people who aren’t professional players wearing baseball caps (especially when driving). Going outdoors can be such a minefield. I’ll miss the lockdown.
Hamlet says
I’m still haunted by a lady I saw at an airport many years ago. She had a Winnie the Pooh tattoo on her arm; presumably, this was done in the firmer tones of youth. Poor Pooh had sadly sagged over the years, as her arm had got looser/flabbier. Pooh genuinely looked like he’d had a stroke.
retropath2 says
In fairness, Pooh is 100 in August himself….
Jaygee says
Pooh is also banned in the People’s Republic China for the heinous crime of looking like the appalling Xi Jinping.
The ban is likely to endure for quite a few yeas as the despotic tosspot has declared himself President for life.
Moose the Mooche says
Well, the little bastard shouldn’t be wandering around the woods eating honey when it’s his patriotic duty to be in a factory making iPhones for a quid a week.
fortuneight says
A Chinese colleague once asked me why so many western women had what I’ve heard rather unkindly called “tramp stamps”. She struggled to find the right words, finally settling on “ares antlers”. Which I think works very well.
Gatz says
I think arse antlers is the Australian term for what are called tramp stamps in the UK.
Moose the Mooche says
As a moose, I have heard this expression before.
Or maybe it was “antlered arse”
Jaygee says
@fortuneight
In Chinese culture, tats were long considered to be the exclusive preserve of triad gangsters. Things have only really started to change in the last 20 years or so.
Have you spent any time in HK/China, F?
Your use of eight (a very lucky number for the Chinese as it sounds like ‘rich’) in your board name would seem to imply you have