To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo

robd · Aug 14, 2015

JohnK said:
It's out there now. Not a pretty sight.

Just like the rest of your body at that age.

JessicaTam · Aug 14, 2015

chicka said:
As someone who has stretched their lower ear piercings on both sides, I can confirm that whether surgery is needed to fully close the lobe is one hundred percent dependant on the person, I've had friends who have had their ears stretched to more than 25mm(diameter) that have decided they no longer want their lobes stretched or in some cases needed them closed due to joining the navy and they have successfully just removed the jewellery and it has closed completely.

I don't see how stretching my ear piercings or anyone doing it for that matter is "mutilation", its a body modification that can be completely reversible one way or another.

Welcome to AFF chicka.

I hope your decision to do what you like with your body is treated with the respect it deserves. On AFF, and elsewhere.

rocketboy · Aug 14, 2015

I like them and have two myself - though no one can see them unless I am shirtless. Also well into my 50's and no regrets. But then I waited along time to find the ink that I liked and which had significant meaning for me. Perhaps it was fortunate I had to meet grooming standards that would not permit them to be visible. I can certainly understand that the ones acquired in haste - perhaps too much booze, peer pressure or simply because they are fashionable - may be regretted in time. Removal services will certainly be business opportunities when the fashion cycle moves on - if they aren't already. In the meantime I'll enjoy the good ones and appreciate the skill of the artists who created them.

Ewing · Aug 14, 2015

rocketboy said:
Perhaps it was fortunate I had to meet grooming standards that would not permit them to be visible.

I'm the same.

Mine aren't visible when I'm dressed for work (I wear a suit most days). I work in some rather conservative corporate environments so would never get anything that can't be covered up with clothing.

Having said that I wear the occasional short sleeve polo on casual Friday when I can't be bothered ironing. Besides some initial curiosity from colleagues that didn't realise I was tattooed nobody has batted an eyelid.

Where I am now tattoos must never be visible if you're customer facing or wearing the corporate uniform. I'm neither.

Ausbt · Aug 15, 2015

chicka said:
As someone who has stretched their lower ear piercings on both sides, I can confirm that whether surgery is needed to fully close the lobe is one hundred percent dependant on the person
.

Thanks, I'd always wondered. I'd be worried about getting them caught on something, but then I'm pretty clumsy - even when wearing headphones I often have them yanked out of my ears by the cord. Is it time to move this thread onto body hair yet?

frankie · Aug 15, 2015

Ausbt said:
Thanks, I'd always wondered. I'd be worried about getting them caught on something, but then I'm pretty clumsy - even when wearing headphones I often have them yanked out of my ears by the cord. Is it time to move this thread onto body hair yet?

Funnily enough its actually quite difficult to accidentally remove them/get them caught on something because single flare (only one side has a lip of 0.5-1mm more than the diameter of the wearable) jewellery are usually secured with a silicone or nitrile o-ring and double flare jewellery is held in due to having one lip on either side of the ear.

JohnK · Aug 16, 2015

robd said:
Just like the rest of your body at that age.

My body is not a pretty sight at any age.

But we were discussing opinions on tattoos?

Warks · Aug 18, 2015

I would never get one as I'd get very tired of looking at the same thing day after day for the rest of my life. Easily bored I guess. But it's not for me to judge others. Well it probably is but I'll keep my judgments to myself...

What amazes me is how little thought some people appear to put into something that's for life. There are millions of amazing designs possible and yet every second person seems to have almost the same tatt - star on the elbow, tribal pattern on arm, flames etc. They may be trying to say "I'm different" to which you could add "like everybody else". Oh what did I say about being judgmental? Whoops.

When I was in Santa Monica a month or so back I saw one woman with "Los Angeles" on her decolletage. Then I saw a woman with "Bad luck is better than no luck" crudely inked on her leg. I still don't know what that means.

Foreigner · Aug 18, 2015

Warks said:
Then I saw a woman with "Bad luck is better than no luck" crudely inked on her leg. I still don't know what that means.

Reminds me of Albert King's lyrics:

Born under a bad sign
Been down since I began to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck
You know, I wouldn't have no luck at all

Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?

Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.

Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

blackcat20 · Aug 19, 2015

Ewing said:
I'm the same.

Mine aren't visible when I'm dressed for work (I wear a suit most days). I work in some rather conservative corporate environments so would never get anything that can't be covered up with clothing.

Having said that I wear the occasional short sleeve polo on casual Friday when I can't be bothered ironing. Besides some initial curiosity from colleagues that didn't realise I was tattooed nobody has batted an eyelid.

Where I am now tattoos must never be visible if you're customer facing or wearing the corporate uniform. I'm neither.

There are definite perks to working in science; no one batts an eyelid at tattoos (and I get to wear jeans to work).

Warks said:
I would never get one as I'd get very tired of looking at the same thing day after day for the rest of my life.

I cant see mine without a bit of effort, so not likely to get tired of it.

JohnK · Sep 21, 2015

Re: The totally off-topic thread

A friend took his wife and 3 young kids to Wet and Wild in Sydney recently.

They had a photograph taken but had to wait ~1 hour in line for the photo. In front of him was this young(ish early 20's) lady with a young boy. On her lower back/buttocks was tattooed 'In God I trust'. On her upper arm was tattooed a skull and dagger.

Is she documenting the various phases in her life with tattoos? I can only laugh but that's probably not appropriate.

straitman · Sep 21, 2015