Tattoos, Piercings, Other Body Modifications

[kubikub]

So what is the general consensus here on bodyart? Do any of you have any of the above?


I, obviously, am a supporter.
Not that ears count much, but mine are pierced and stretched to a 4g. Not going any larger, I tend to dislike the look of huge plugs.
I have my septum pierced (yes, the bull-ring). I seriously love this piercing. I've noticed it becoming more common lately, but it has always struck me (personally, at least) as one of the more extreme-looking piercings that wouldn't get you arrested for displaying in public-- yet you have the convenience of being able to cleanly tuck it up into your nose, out of public sight, for work and family gatherings. It also works nicely to intimidate any would-be talkative passerbys from saying hi to you.
I also have a tattoo on my wrist. I won't go into the meaning but it's an antique-ish key, the top of which is an eye.
[I'll post an image if I can figure out how to work this tihng >_> I'm semi forum-retarded. Plain HMTL won't show up in a post, right?]

 

[JUN]

Hm, well, I want to get a 3/4 sleeve on my right arm of the sky with some bird figures on it with cables coming from an electric pylon... Finishing up in two blue stripes.

Anyway, I have a piercing too, I'd like to get some more (nipples etc.) but I'll have to wait until i am 18 and have my own money since my mom isn't a big fan of these things, here's the one i have though (it's not a ring, it's a banana shaped thingie):

Oh and I totally support that people should do whatever they want with their bodies.

Oh, and as you might notice i used to have another piercing on the other side of my lip, but i got tired of it so i took it out.

 

[nickgray]

I think it's pretty ridiculous that people want to have metal alloys embedded in their bodies, or just hanging from some body parts. Really, it's quite strange. As for the tattoos - yeah, they can be nice, but 90-95 percent of them tend to suck, people often choose some generic tattoo that gets done by some semi-professional artist. But if done properly they can be awesome.

 

[Toad]

I regret all my tattoos...

 

[Mr.W]

I wanted a lip piercing in high school. My friends had gotten them and I thought they looked pretty neat. I never actually got any piercings, but I still consider getting a simple ear piercing one of these days.

As for tattoos, I don't really care for them myself. I don't mind them, but I don't really encourage them. I've always seen the human body as the pinnacle of artistic form, and to put something so permanent as a tattoo on it would be like putting graffiti on the Mona Lisa. The graffiti could be beautiful in its own right, but still, it's the Mona Lisa. I've never seen a tattoo add anything to an already wonderful form.

 

[Aiss]

What I don't like about tattoos is that they're permanent. I mean, the best decision made is the one easily changed, right?

I'm happy with an earring in each ear. I considered having more in one ear, but decided against it in the end.

 

[Cogwulf]

I've been thinking about getting a lip piercing for a while now but I'll probably never make my mind up.
As for tattoos, I would get one if I thought of a perfect tattoo for me, and I found the perfect artist to do it, otherwise I would be certain to regret it later

 

[Artifice Orisit]

Once considered getting a tattoo of a black-furred (hence male) kitsune, dressed in a samurai’s robes and wielding two blades in accordance with Miyamoto Musashi's "Two Heavens" sword-fighting style, on my back.

I never went through with it, just as well I suppose.

 

[JUN]

Whoa... that would be one seriously cheesy tattoo.
I hope you're kidding.

 

[Artifice Orisit]

I figured that out myself.

<- I didn't always have such good taste

 

[Anthile]

I figured out that every tattoo I would want to have would be most likely only recognized by, well, me. I'm not that vain.
However, I thought about getting a tattoo of the Chinese Si on my back, more as a talisman though.

 

[bytehead]

I have none, desire none.

My daughter is gauging her ears, has her tongue pierced, a Marilyn Monroe, and what Ranondrugs has, except hers is right in the middle of her lip. She says she doesn't want her nipples pierced, she wants to breast feed her kids when she has them (which she doesn't yet, thank G[h]od[d][ess][[e]s]. I wouldn't be surprised if she got a labia pierced at some point.

All four of my kids have tattoos now.

 

[Trebuchet]

I've never so much as gotten my ears pierced, let alone a tattoo, but I very often admire and enjoy the artworks others have applied to their bodies. I certainly can't see anything wrong with it, even if it isn't for me.

 

[Yellow]

My parents made me wait until I was 18 to get anything (they were hoping I'd grow out of it) and I wasn't gonna have anything done by amatuers. I just have my nose pierced now. I also had my lip/labret pierced for about 4 years, but most schools frown upon teachers with piercings and I had to remove it. No tattoos. There two I would want (it took me a while to come up with some great ideas), but my husband isn't a fan of anything 'unnatural'.

 

[Tunesimah]

I do not get the appeal of this at all. I don't hate on people who get this stuff done, but I have no idea why this stuff happens or even why it is getting more popular.

I even don't like ears pierced... it makes no sense...

 

[JUN]

I have none, desire none.

My daughter is gauging her ears, has her tongue pierced, a Marilyn Monroe, and what Ranondrugs has, except hers is right in the middle of her lip. She says she doesn't want her nipples pierced, she wants to breast feed her kids when she has them (which she doesn't yet, thank G[h]od[d][ess][[e]s]. I wouldn't be surprised if she got a labia pierced at some point.

All four of my kids have tattoos now.

You're an awesome dad, totally respect you <3

 

[kubikub]

My personal reasons for liking this sort of thing vary from pure aesthetics to participating in a "taboo" artform performed by mankind for thousands of years, in many different ancient and tribal cultures.

 

[Yellow]

I do not get the appeal of this at all. I don't hate on people who get this stuff done, but I have no idea why this stuff happens or even why it is getting more popular.

I even don't like ears pierced... it makes no sense...

I just think its pretty... sometimes.

 

[Kidege]

Female children get their ears pierced as babies in my culture. My mother left my ears untouched, much to the chagrin of family members.

I decided to keep them that way, because

a)getting earrings seemed too conformist,

b)getting something else, something I liked, would have caused too many woes

quote Kid's mom: "oh, those things people put through their noses, as if they were expecting someone to drag them like cows"

I never considered piercing my nose, but you get the idea.

(As an aside, it's funny how families who pierce their kids' ears oppose to kids who get any other piercings)

I think I'm the only non male person I know with unpierced ears.

As for other body modifications, I'm too fickle in my tastes when it comes to design.

 

[Chimera]

As for other body modifications, I'm too fickle in my tastes when it comes to design.

That was my winning argument against myself. I used to want a tattoo and some ear piercings. Now I'm totally fine just drawing on myself instead; it's much easier to change. And I still have no piercings. ​

 

[Toad]

I hate the attention my tattoos give me now. Everybody I meet judges me by my tattoo. I got my tattoo to express myself (and cuz girls dig tattoos), but now when I go somewhere formal or work, I have to wear long sleeve shirts.

It's particularly embarrassing when I meet my Asian relatives...they are very harsh when it comes tattoos.

 

[Chimera]

What are your tattoos, Toad? ​

 

[Deleted member 1424]

I'd never get a tattoo, for pretty much the same reasons as people have said. I had a friend who got a devil and angel fox on her hips (and she intends to have like 5 kids ). It was the kind of image you'd see on those really gaudy stickers. It took all of my self control not to make any sarcastic comments while she was under the needle, although it probably helped that she had my hand in a vice-like grip. I'm support self expression and such, but some people get really stupid tattoos.

Piercings are not so permanent and I have a number them; 6 in all. I have the usual set on my ears, a secondary set behind those, and a cartilage piercing on my left ear. I also had my tongue pierced on semi-impulse with the friend I mentioned above. It took awhile to get used to, but I really like it now. It's interesting watching how people react to it. I went to church one last time of my own accord, for the sole purpose of horrifying old ladies who knew me.

 

[flow]

No tattoos or piercings at this point (aged 23), but I'm still open to both.. I doubt it though.

 

[Jennywocky]

I got a navel piercing two weeks ago.

That is pretty tame, considering what most people do nowadays -- then again, I'm forty and a mom of three preteen/teen kids.

I'm open to getting more at some point, and even a tattoo somewhere. But yes, like others have said, the piercings aren't really "permanent" while the tattoo, you should be pretty sure about it.

 

[Toad]

I have the typical japanese style koi fish sleeves (comes full with waves of water). A dragon on my chest that runs through my back and arm. I also have a tiger on the left side of my back and some chinese letters here and there.

Typical asian crap...I feel like such a stereotype. But in my defense I was much younger and less wise then I am now.

 

[Cavallier]

I've got the usual pierced ears when I was in junior high. I wanted to get more at the time but since I was in Alabama there wasn't anybody around who did anything other than ears. Most girl infants get their ears pierced down there. I never understood that.

I'd love to have a tattoo of a gnarled tree running the length of my back. I love trees and I've always enjoyed/identified with the tree of knowledge symbolism. I'd like to incorporate a lotus as well. The tree of knowledge and enlightenment bound together. It ties into my personal philosophical ideals. There is a wonderful artist here in town that specializes in trees and other flora. I'll go to her as soon as I've got the money.

I've never really liked the look of lots of little tattoos spread all across people's bodies though. They just look cobbled together and unrelated. Like a piece of paper someone has doodled on during a boring conference meeting. I like the look of giant tattoos that take up an entire back or mid drift. Being female brings the possibility of being pregnant some day so I don't want a stomach or hip tattoo because of stretching.

@Toad: Oooh! I love koi. They are beautiful. That's a fair amount of work you've had done. I'm sorry you regret it now.

 

[Dormouse]

I have no problem with these piercings, but they aren't convienient if you do many sports.
Tatoos are alright, but permanency bothers me. I love the airbrush ones.

 

[Tunesimah]

Female children get their ears pierced as babies in my culture. My mother left my ears untouched, much to the chagrin of family members.

I decided to keep them that way, because

a)getting earrings seemed too conformist,

b)getting something else, something I liked, would have caused too many woes

quote Kid's mom: "oh, those things people put through their noses, as if they were expecting someone to drag them like cows"

I never considered piercing my nose, but you get the idea.

(As an aside, it's funny how families who pierce their kids' ears oppose to kids who get any other piercings)

I think I'm the only non male person I know with unpierced ears.

As for other body modifications, I'm too fickle in my tastes when it comes to design.

That's pretty messed up, people are okay with pierced ears... and force their babies to get it done... but then complain about other piercing.

Isn't having a child's ear pierced just consumerism run amok? "Oh no we need to buy more things, lets put holes in our babies and fill em with stuff..."

Aesthetics wise, I like the natural look much more. But I can't really argue if others find it aesthetically pleasing.

I can see wanting to be a non-comformist though, I have long hair.

 

[preilemus]

I'm not really against it, and I personally think the idea of body art is pretty cool, but in execution it often looks dumb as hell to me. I think it's because many people view the human body as a canvas where isolated beacons of ink or metal can be arbitrarily placed, but I view it as a work of art itself, so any tattoo/piercing I would ever consider would have to flow with the natural aesthetics of my body, if that's at all possible.

 

[bytehead]

You're an awesome dad, totally respect you <3

I'm a step dad for starters. Her first piercing was in her tongue at 16, which my wife got very pissed about, and threatened to do a whole body search for other piercings if she didn't spit it out and keep it out. She must have had 10 tongue rings, cause my wife kept out and out destroying them. After they turned 18, she got a tattoo, and piercings. She's 19 now. Without a job, no school, and skating on being thrown out.

At least known of my kids have gotten drunk enough to do something so stupid that requires pants for the rest of their life. A friend of my dad's won bets by betting that he had a cock that hung below his knee. The tattoo showed a rope going down his thigh to his calf, where the rooster was being hanged.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

I might have considered it in an earlier age before it got so popular. Now it is almost conformist to do some kind of modification it seems. It was just beginning to get popular as I was coming up in the 80s and I only breifly considered it. Of course my doing it now would just be ridiculous (mid life crisis!!!!??!??)

 

[SEPKA]

I am against it because of many reason: ("tatoo" will means all form of permanent body modification in this post, and "permanent" means it is difficult and dangerous to remove from body)
1. Some people do it without thinking and come to regret it later, especial there are those that make some very dumb tatoo (such as one of my ex classmate who tatoo his girlfriend name with a arrow pierce through the heart, and cry his head off when his girlfriend dumb him).
2. As some have said this, human body are a beauty by itself; it is fine if you get a good tatoo, but if you get a horrible one many people's right will be violated because they will feel disturbed when they should be enjoy themselves (compare a bad tatoo on a normal body to a pile of poo on a beauty spot).
3. Some tatoo artist have poor technology, and some just want to rip you off without concerning about your health.
4. It is much easier to get a temporary tatoo which can be changed or keep or erase at will, and it looks the same at the permanent counterpart (there are airbrush tatoo, fake piercing, etc.).
5. Allow it would make it much easier for organization to force its member to have tatoo, which will lead to the above problem, which would be abusive.
EDIT: 6. It cause difficulty in doing certain job. For example, a ring piercing will get you more likely to get stuck with machinery and equipment, and will almost certainly cause serious injury.

I got a female friend who have never have tatoo before suddenly decided to pierce her ear at a whim when she saw a nice earing. I find the shop dubious, but I keep trying to think of argument and statistics to convince her, but before I could get it done she finished. She end up getting infected and have to skip 1 year of school.

I'm not sure if piercings are permanent or not, but similar to what I said above, it is easier, safer and cheaper to get a temporary one when it looks the same.

 

[Artifice Orisit]

Speaking of "other body modifications" I'd like to get some augmentations.

Link Here

 

[Deleted member 1424]

I would like to address this whole 'nonconformist' attitude that keeps popping up in this thread. Whether you are following the trends directly or inversely, you're still letting society dictate your actions. If you want to do something, do it. If not, then don't. Simple. Disliking something merely because the populace likes it is pretentious and is not a valid form of reasoning. It's the same as disliking a popular band, that you'd otherwise love if they were less mainstream. Hypocritical no?

The whole 'non-conformist' ideology is the height of stupidity to me. It usually stems from people who try to seem different, without actually being different. Assuming society is always wrong is just as ignorant as assuming they're always right.

Be different, chose for your goddamn self.

disclaimer: This does not apply to people who actually have a real reason (ethical probably) for boycotting something. That would be choosing for yourself, so more power to you.

 

[Cavallier]

Be different, chose for your goddamn self.

Amen!

I think that piercing an infant's ears, but denying other alterations when the child gets older, has more to do with gender than consumerism. The parents pierce the infant girl's ears. I feels it's done out of a desire to stamp a gender on an otherwise small newly born genderless creature. I don't thinks kids have much of a sense of gender until they get older and society or their parents dictate it for them. For some reason parents feel the need to make sure everybody knows their infant is a girl or boy from day one. That also explains the weird need to cover an infant in either pink or blue and shout "it's a..."when the child is born. I don't really know why people care so much.

 

[Adymus]

Nope, don't believe in them...

They don't exist, and you're a fucking liar.

 

[Kidege]

Be different, chose for your goddamn self

*nods*

The parents pierce the infant girl's ears

I disagreed with earrings as a sign of gender. Conforming to gender expectations to the extent of making holes in my body seemed too much to me.

 

[Ombat]

I got a female friend who have never have tatoo before suddenly decided to pierce her ear at a whim when she saw a nice earing. I find the shop dubious, but I keep trying to think of argument and statistics to convince her, but before I could get it done she finished. She end up getting infected and have to skip 1 year of school.

From an earring infection? *skeptical*

I have 3 ear piercings (one and two) And I may want a fourth to even them out, but I would never get a tattoo. It's too permanent.

Also, I don't understand the "if the piercing's on this side it means your gay" nonsense. Who makes this shit up?

I've seen my share of crazy tattoos. I wish I knew what went into the mindset of some people... For example, my physics teacher's entire left arm is encased in astronomy tattoos. All colorful from shoulder to wrist. How do you decide to permantly change your body like this?
I'm not against tattoos, just want to understand.

 

[SEPKA]

From an earring infection? *skeptical*

I have 3 ear piercings (one and two) And I may want a fourth to even them out, but I would never get a tattoo. It's too permanent.

Also, I don't understand the "if the piercing's on this side it means your gay" nonsense. Who makes this shit up?

I've seen my share of crazy tattoos. I wish I knew what went into the mindset of some people... For example, my physics teacher's entire left arm is encased in astronomy tattoos. All colorful from shoulder to wrist. How do you decide to permantly change your body like this?
I'm not against tattoos, just want to understand.

I don't think it is just a normal infection, since she stays in hosital for nearly 1 month. School system is quite harsh, lost more than 1 month and you have to repeat the whole year, unless you got a lot of money to bribe the official.

But why is piercing not permanent? You means if you remove the piercing the hole will fill itself up?

Many people got tatoo as a pledge that they will stay committed to whatever it represented for the whole life, since tatoo is quite permanent. In the USSR (former) there are people who tatoo figure representing Stalin or communist. People who tatoo their lover's name are also common. Your teacher probably love astronomy so much that she want to stay commited to it her whole life.

 

[Ombat]

I don't think it is just a normal infection, since she stays in hosital for nearly 1 month. School system is quite harsh, lost more than 1 month and you have to repeat the whole year, unless you got a lot of money to bribe the official.

But why is piercing not permanent? You means if you remove the piercing the hole will fill itself up?

wow, that's very unfortunate.

I think it depends on how long you've had the piercing or where it is. Some earring holes close up. Anyway, a tiny hole is much less noticeable tban a tattoo.

 

[Seducer of the Homeless]

piercings...not for me, not at all. purely because it would be a pain in the ass, and it doesn't appeal at all to me.

tattoos, well, i intend to get some as i journey through life, stuff that means a lot to me, immortal elements in my internal existence, but i would only get ones that mean a lot to me, and that are wonderfully artistic, i will probably design my own one day, take it to a real artist. but people who are 21 and are covered in tattoos are idiots. to me to tattoo is literally wearing your heart on your sleeve, always a good thing. people say "oh, you will regret them" - not if they mean something, not if it is your life.

 

[Jennywocky]

I would like to address this whole 'nonconformist' attitude that keeps popping up in this thread. Whether you are following the trends directly or inversely, you're still letting society dictate your actions. If you want to do something, do it. If not, then don't. Simple. Disliking something merely because the populace likes it is pretentious and is not a valid form of reasoning. It's the same as disliking a popular band, that you'd otherwise love if they were less mainstream. Hypocritical no?

The whole 'non-conformist' ideology is the height of stupidity to me. It usually stems from people who try to seem different, without actually being different. Assuming society is always wrong is just as ignorant as assuming they're always right.

Pretty much you've got it here.

Even when some people try to act "outside the system," the reasons for their rebellion still make them a part of that system, they're still acting within that framework of reference. But I think the whole term "non-conformist" is bad because of that, it means you're not conforming in order to not conform, so you're still being controlled by an outside agenda, you're still letting yourself by driven by something other than 'you.'

So a non-conformer is still, ironically, a conformer.

If you do something because you happen to personally like it, whether or not it happens to fit with trends, then you're being independent and following your own muse.

 

[Minuend]

I have two piercings in each ear. But I often forget/ don't bother to put jewelry in. When I were younger, I wanted a tattoo. Sometimes I still want a tattoo, other times I don't care. Think perhaps I will get one someday. Or maybe not, I dunno.

So, I have nothing against it.

 

[Carnap]

I have a quarter sleeve tattoo. I like it. Sometimes I don't though. I'm pretty immune to it, I guess.

 

[beastie]

I have my ears pierced several times but dont wear earrings - I find them annoying. I have a navel piercing that I got when I was in my mid 30s. I had wanted one since I was a kid coz the jewels in the navel thing facinated me and I would pull apart costume jewellery and ram the "jewel" in my bellybutton. No tattoos - I would probably changed my mind the second after I got one done.
I took my son when he was younger (about 10 years ago) to a body art exhibition at an art gallery. He watched numerous piercings and tattooing on video with facination and intently "studied" the history behind body art.
To date he has no piercings or tattoos but sometimes talks about doing so - most of his friends have facial piercings. I have advised him to wait, to see what he would really like if he so chooses to go ahead - when he was younger he was into The Power Rangers and I said if I'd let him get a tattoo then he'd look like a complete toss now. I think (hope) I made my point. He probably looks like a non-conformist around his friends coz he hasnt had anything done.

 

[Cavallier]

I disagreed with earrings as a sign of gender. Conforming to gender expectations to the extent of making holes in my body seemed too much to me.

I really don't understand why parents feel the need to stamp their children with marquees declaring their gender. I asked my aunt why she had her girl's ears pierced when they were a week old and she said, "well, they're girls! I don't want people mistaking my baby girls for baby boys". Why? When they are a week old does it matter?

Also, why do people get so upset when I mistake the gender of their pets? Does it matter? It's an adorable fluffy kitten! Who cares if it's a boy or girl?!?!?

/derail

 

[floccinaucci]

I have snake bites, my septum pierced and streatched to a 10 gauge and my ears are at double zero now. I was actually about to streatch up to 7/16" today. I set a personal goal to stop streatching my ears once I can get my index fingers through them, just cause.

 

[Zero]

I have tattoos and piercings. I planned my tattoos and designed them. So I don't regret them, I forget about them most of the time. I plan to get more, to finish the whole piece. I just have my ears pierced, I'm gauging my lower ear piercings, my others I kind of leave at 18s or whatever they are now.

 

[Rhys]

Currently I have no body mods. Personally I have no problem with people doing it, however it makes you wonder why people would get it done for no reason at such a young age. If I were to get it done, it would definitely be about something personally meaningful. I have thought about it, specifically a tattoo; if I were to get one it would probably go from above my wrist to the tip of my fingers. I'm a computer lover and plan on going into the industry, so I may as well have it somewhere I'm constantly looking.