Tattoos.

[Smithy]

That's a cracker Søren and a lovely tribute to his granddad.

I enjoy looking at all the fantastic body art here in this thread but wouldn't do it myself.

I'm too ingrained with my granddad's old words,

"Boy, the only ones who need tattoos are Maoris and sailors"

 

[Puzzicato]

That's because they are from the days when HCV was not yet specifically diagnosed--known at most as non-A non-B hepatitis. The tattooed HCV positive patients I know are 1) at least in their late 50s, and 2) are either mostly (unfortunately) yakuza, and certain groups of traditional carpenters.

The more prevalent source of collective HCV infections were the organized mass immunizations given at schools. This now, also, is seen in only in the over 40 generations. Of course, sterilization of medical/surgical instruments was/is standard procedure, but prevalent use of disposable instruments is relatively new. It may have been already in place in your lifetime, but it wasn't yet completely enforced when I started med school.

One can't really compare what were standard procedures 40-50 years ago to what they are now, and make some kind of judgement. Especially with issues that show up long after the fact. What is turning up now is due to what took place years ago when either knowledge or supply, or both were not sufficient.

Here, tattoos are still widely associated with yakuza, so visible tattoos are still frowned upon. A lot of the gyms, public pools, and the public baths and hot spas have signs that say "no tattoos". A foreigner wouldn't be in the danger of being judged as belonging to a criminal group, but you may still experience embarassing moments by being refused admission to such places as above if you have visible tattoos, though I suppose the final decision will be up to the managers.

Ah, thank you for explaining! I understand now. I wasn't thinking of new diagnoses of long-pre-existing conditions.

Actually a friend of mine was refused entry to an onsen a couple of years ago because of her tattoos. She initially thought they may have had problems with tattooed Westerners behaving inappropriately, but then someone told her about the yakuza connection. She wasn't embarrassed, just disappointed to have missed out on the experience.

 

[Romy Overdorp]

My grandpa was a sailor but he has no tats at all, he doesn't like them.
I on the other hand have 5 tattoo's, and in my experience it didn't hurt that much.
So prepare for some pics...

This was my first one on my right arm. I designed it myself

Second one on my left shoulderblade (mirrored)

Bird on my right shoulderblade, Corey Miller inspired

Sailor on my left arm, I designed this one as well.

Last one for now...music! inside of my left arm. and yet another design of my own! with a bit of help from my tat artist

 

[shazzabanazza]

Don't care too much for tattos myself, but I must say that this young man - a grandson of a famous pilot from Battle of Britain (Albert "Zulu" Lewis) - has a special tribute to his granddad, by having his plane on his arm.
And a nice piece of art too - with the poppies and clouds.

Now that is tasteful!

 

[shazzabanazza]

That's a cracker Søren and a lovely tribute to his granddad.

I enjoy looking at all the fantastic body art here in this thread but wouldn't do it myself.

I'm too ingrained with my granddad's old words,

"Boy, the only ones who need tattoos are Maoris and sailors"

:rofl:

 

[shazzabanazza]

My grandpa was a sailor but he has no tats at all, he doesn't like them.
I on the other hand have 5 tattoo's, and in my experience it didn't hurt that much.
So prepare for some pics...

This was my first one on my right arm. I designed it myself

Second one on my left shoulderblade (mirrored)

Bird on my right shoulderblade, Corey Miller inspired

Sailor on my left arm, I designed this one as well.

Last one for now...music! inside of my left arm. and yet another design of my own! with a bit of help from my tat artist

Nice tats Romy! I love the bird and the sailor :love:

 

[Romy Overdorp]

Thank you

 

[kyboots]

I still would suggest "knowing" the tattoo parlor you are planning to use and discuss how they use "Universal Precautions". Tattoos still can be a source for Hepatitis C and MRSA in this country as most states to this date do not have close regulation of tattoo parlors.It still is a problem, and it is a current "not over 40" problem so please know who is doing the job!---One additional note on the military that was brought up earlier. You are NOT able to be an officer in some braches with visable tattoos on the arms.That policy still goes.---John

 

[Romy Overdorp]

I still would suggest "knowing" the tattoo parlor you are planning to use and discuss how they use "Universal Precautions". Tattoos still can be a source for Hepatitis C and MRSA in this country as most states to this date do not have close regulation of tattoo parlors.It still is a problem, and it is a current "not over 40" problem so please know who is doing the job!---One additional note on the military that was brought up earlier. You are NOT able to be an officer in some braches with visable tattoos on the arms.That policy still goes.---John

I agree, you can watch them work first to see how they handle the equipment and what they do with it afterwards.
My tattoo artist is a friend of ours and works very sterile, otherwise I would kindly decline any tattoos from him.

 

[HungaryTom]

http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/11/2005/hm11_3_30.html

2500 years old tattoo:

 

[Feraud]

Very interesting. Thanks for the link.

 

[Steve]

I have a love/hate relationship with tattoos. Various experiences, from my martial arts background to a very impacting trip to India have periodically made me consider having an emblem put on my arm or chest, but something always holds me back.

On the other hand, as a photographer, tattoos on models annoy me. I don't photograph styles where tattoos are really an asset to the image, and especially when I'm casting for a B&W fine art project, it's getting harder and harder to find models who don't aren't heavily inked. The tattoos call too much attention to themselves, hence my distaste.

 

[Romy Overdorp]

http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/11/2005/hm11_3_30.html

2500 years old tattoo:

so it DOES stay on forever

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Good afternoon, I think good tattoos on men are fine, I have seen some very good ones, but I must admit I don't like to see them on ladies, I feel the same way with body piercings too. However I think it's upto the person concerned, it's their body so as long as they are happy, that's the main thing. Rgds.

 

[Edward]

Exciting What are you thinking of getting done?

An arched, black cat on my right upper arm. I feel a very strong affinity with the feline kind; were I a different sort of animal than the humanoid, I'd be a cat (assuming I got to choose, that is). If I do in future get more, the left upper arm is reserved for a phoenix rising from the flames, which is of religious significance. both of these in a late Forties, vintage 'Sailor Jerry' style. I haven't got the finalised versions of the designs yet, but I do have a parlour in mind, having done a bit of research. Ideally I would also like a row of cat pawprints up my back too; these done in the 'realist' style, as the intention would be to have prints made of my own cats' paws and then copied. I'll have to see how expensive it would be, though, as well as whether I'm physically up for it.

Oh... there's just one more I want: one on the rear of my left leg, at the widest point of the calf. This would be the Mandarin symbol for LaoWai (foreigner), which is a word the Chinese use as a term of abuse for outsiders (especially Europeans or those of European descent), typically meant in fun (I forget the Mandarin word, but if they really don't like you they call you a White Devil). I've made quite a few trips to China, and will continue to do so both for work and pleasure, and adore the place. This was going to be my first tattoo a couple of years ago, but I decided in the end that I'd rather wait and have one doe at home first so that I know exactly what I'm dong with aftercare and so on. I have researched and found some good places to have one done eventually in the Sanlitun area of Beijing; having it done out there is part of the point with this one.

 

[Zombie_61]

so it DOES stay on forever

As long as the skin is preserved in some manner, yes. I went to a mummy exhibit here in Los Angeles last year, and two of the mummies on display had tribal tattoos ("tribal" in the traditional sense, that is, not the modern day definition).

 

[Romy Overdorp]

I think that is really interesting! I would love to see that, too bad I don't live in the US.

 

[shazzabanazza]

An arched, black cat on my right upper arm. I feel a very strong affinity with the feline kind; were I a different sort of animal than the humanoid, I'd be a cat (assuming I got to choose, that is). If I do in future get more, the left upper arm is reserved for a phoenix rising from the flames, which is of religious significance. both of these in a late Forties, vintage 'Sailor Jerry' style. I haven't got the finalised versions of the designs yet, but I do have a parlour in mind, having done a bit of research. Ideally I would also like a row of cat pawprints up my back too; these done in the 'realist' style, as the intention would be to have prints made of my own cats' paws and then copied. I'll have to see how expensive it would be, though, as well as whether I'm physically up for it.

Oh... there's just one more I want: one on the rear of my left leg, at the widest point of the calf. This would be the Mandarin symbol for LaoWai (foreigner), which is a word the Chinese use as a term of abuse for outsiders (especially Europeans or those of European descent), typically meant in fun (I forget the Mandarin word, but if they really don't like you they call you a White Devil). I've made quite a few trips to China, and will continue to do so both for work and pleasure, and adore the place. This was going to be my first tattoo a couple of years ago, but I decided in the end that I'd rather wait and have one doe at home first so that I know exactly what I'm dong with aftercare and so on. I have researched and found some good places to have one done eventually in the Sanlitun area of Beijing; having it done out there is part of the point with this one.

You learn something new everyday! Id love to go to China someday...hope they dont think Im a "White Devil" :lol: What do you do for a job?

Catman eh..Awsome. Im not so fond of cats myself. I grew up with cats. We had 2 Siamese cats who I adored, we also "inherited" the neighbours cat Benson. They got a dog and a forgot about poor ol' Benson so he moved into our place. So I guess you could say Im kinda over cats...

I love your ideas for your tats... hope to see a pic one day soon!

 

[Edward]

You learn something new everyday! Id love to go to China someday...hope they dont think Im a "White Devil" :lol: What do you do for a job?

I'm an academic, in the law field. Specialising in media law. The University for which I work has a partnership with one of the big universities in Beijing, and I have been on a few teaching trips out there.

Catman eh..Awsome. Im not so fond of cats myself. I grew up with cats. We had 2 Siamese cats who I adored, we also "inherited" the neighbours cat Benson. They got a dog and a forgot about poor ol' Benson so he moved into our place. So I guess you could say Im kinda over cats...

I grew up with cats from the age of six. I'll never get over them. To be honest, I've never met a cat I couldn't like. Humans, on the other hand....

I love your ideas for your tats... hope to see a pic one day soon!

Hopefully I'll have at least one before 2011 is out.

 

[shazzabanazza]

Nice one Edward