The Jitterbug?

[Angelicious]

I wonder if ladies getting tattoos ever consider how they will look when they grow old. Rather preposterous, I think.

Well, I certainly did. Mine are all in areas that aren't hugely affected by age, or are not easily seen. I grew up with people with tattoos, and was under no illusion that they would remain clear, smooth, and attractive as I got older - I took aging into consideration at the time, and am still satisfied with the decision.

I certainly don't understand women who get big colourful things plastered over their stomachs, behinds, and décolletage... I've seen how those things look when you're 50, and it ain't pretty. Why, if you want a tattoo, would you get one in a place that will stretch like a rubber band as you age, and if you get pregnant, and is visible to all and sundry unless you dress like a puritan? [huh]

If someone actually believes that a tattoo is attractive, why not just go for one of those temporary ones which wash or eventually wear off?

Well, that rather undermines the entire reason many cultures use tattoos - as rites of passage and commemoration of life stages. Mine certainly weren't chosen as artistic statements for public display, or demonstrations of youthful rebellion...

Besides, if I wanted something temporary to make a "unique statement", it wouldn't be a tacky temporary tattoo... I have henna, bindis, body paint, makeup, and stick-on Swarovski crystals for that.

 

[Angelicious]

But as for tattoos being somehow "unique," I don't buy it. Anyone can look like a biker or a stripper - just look around at all the sheep who already do.

*L* Are you saying I look like a biker or a stripper? Just kidding, although it's funny... My mother always accuses me of dressing like Exclusive Brethren or Amish, and I've had people on the street ask me if I'm a conservative Jew. Once I happened to wear a headscarf and someone thought I was Muslim. Must be the long skirts and lack of skin on show...

I guess it's a cultural thing too. In Polynesia, tattooing is a traditional part of attaining maturity. You see plenty of Maori around here with ta moko on their faces, and Samoans with tattooed legs. Many NZers of European descent are hearkening back to their Celtic or Nordic ancestors with traditional designs that aren't simply part of the "tribal" fashion. But I agree tattoos are socially and culturally inappropriate in many parts of the world (I was talking today to a Texan friend, who mentioned her friend's dad threatening dire consequences if the friend ever dared to pierce her ears!).

 

[Johnnysan]

*L* Are you saying I look like a biker or a stripper? Just kidding, although it's funny... My mother always accuses me of dressing like Exclusive Brethren or Amish, and I've had people on the street ask me if I'm a conservative Jew. Once I happened to wear a headscarf and someone thought I was Muslim. Must be the long skirts and lack of skin on show...

...without a photo at a minimum, I'd be remiss to suggest that you look like anything at all!

However, you do raise a point upon which I was previously silent...that being the clash of implied values between a retro lifestyle and tattoos/piercings. My parents came of age in the 1930's and 40's - one here in the States and one in Europe - so I don't have far to go to get first-hand advice on what was socially acceptable or appropriate on either side of the pond.

I can tell you as a matter-of-fact, tattoos on a women of either American or Western European descent were virtually unheard of in the 30's and 40's. If you had one and it became known (let alone seen), you would likely find your social standing damaged beyond repair. Most references to tattooed women during WWII were contained within jokes that ended with something about the names of the men of the 7th Fleet and someone’s backside.

I guess it's a cultural thing too. In Polynesia, tattooing is a traditional part of attaining maturity. You see plenty of Maori around here with ta moko on their faces, and Samoans with tattooed legs. Many NZers of European descent are hearkening back to their Celtic or Nordic ancestors with traditional designs that aren't simply part of the "tribal" fashion. But I agree tattoos are socially and culturally inappropriate in many parts of the world (I was talking today to a Texan friend, who mentioned her friend's dad threatening dire consequences if the friend ever dared to pierce her ears!).

You mentioned the "cultural thing" in your last two posts, so let me say, that IF a person has a tattoo that has true cultural significance to them based upon their ethnicity, I'm all for it. I think that people who are proud of their cultural heritage and respect tradition are to be commended. Having said that, I also believe that excludes about 90% of the people that I come into contact with and I'll be damned if I can establish the cultural significance of Betty Boop inked on the hip of a Caucasian woman.

Mine are all in areas that aren't hugely affected by age, or are not easily seen.

You obviously have the gift of forethought, Angel, but sadly, I've got to continue to sound like the crotchety old guy in the mix. When people fall back on this argument, it's as though they seem to expect to go through the world without ever being seen naked by another human being..."these are mine, no one will ever see them, no one will ever know." As Nero Wolfe was so fond of saying: "Pfui!"

Vlad said it best in an earlier post when he claimed to find it a "bit disturbing that so many young women think that getting wierd piercings and tattoos will make them more attractive. *** It just creeps me out." I can't speak for others, but back in my youthful, single days, my interest in young women was to discover what the gene pool gave them - not, what Stoney above the pool hall gave them.

In a moment of intimacy, the last thing I want to see - let alone focus on - is three lines of Chinese script, the Harley-Davidson eagle, or a dancing SpongeBob SquarePants. And while meaning no offense to ITG (a member whom I hold in high regard), the mental imagery offered at a moment like that by "Winnie the Pooh" is too creepy to put into words...let's just say that to me, Pooh belongs in the story books that I read to my two-year old.

The true appreciation of beauty is to know it when you see it and realize that it cannot be further embellished by man.

 

[Angelicious]

However, you do raise a point upon which I was previously silent...that being the clash of implied values between a retro lifestyle and tattoos/piercings.

Ah yes... I make no claims to a retro lifestyle (only a strong historical interest), and so can't really comment beyond the obvious fact that ladies, the 30s/40s, and tattoos generally do not mix.

I'll be damned if I can establish the cultural significance of Betty Boop inked on the hip of a Caucasian woman.

*ROFL* :clap Too true...

One might wonder what I'm doing with a Japanese tattoo, since I'm not Japanese, but it's in tribute to a friend who was. The others are all me...

You obviously have the gift of forethought, Angel, but sadly, I've got to continue to sound like the crotchety old guy in the mix.

Fair enough. It's a very valid viewpoint, and I'm glad you're sharing it.

When people fall back on this argument, it's as though they seem to expect to go through the world without ever being seen naked by another human being..."these are mine, no one will ever see them, no one will ever know." As Nero Wolfe was so fond of saying: "Pfui!"

Again, I see your point, but personally I don't care if anyone sees mine. It's just that I didn't get them specifically to show them off in public.

Since I'm surrounded by people with tattoos, it doesn't seem a big issue locally. And if I meet a guy who likes me, but won't stick around because he is freaked by my tattoos, then I think that's a good thing. I think of it as an early warning system - if he's scared off by three small patches of ink in my skin, he'll go paralytic when he meets some of my friends There's nothing more awkward that having a Significant Other that you can't socialise with except by avoiding your friends and family.

(I don't mean to argue here, by the way. I'm not necessarily "pro-tattoo", I just don't really understand the reaction some people have to them, and am enjoying exploring the topic with you all. )

 

[Johnnysan]

I don't mean to argue here, by the way. I'm not necessarily "pro-tattoo", I just don't really understand the reaction some people have to them, and am enjoying exploring the topic with you all.

Not at all...in fact, I rather expected to get batted around a bit given my viewpoint. It's really refreshing to be able to discuss a topic like this with someone whose viewpoint is somewhat different from my own without it breaking down to an argument. That's the real beauty of this forum...the quality of its members.

I've learned a lot from your posts and it has certainly broadened my perspective. Given the fact that most everyone who knows me will tell you that I'm terribly set in my ways, I'd say that that makes you a rather remarkable young lady.

Thanks for your thoughtful posts!

 

[John in Covina]

Unicorn / Giraffe

I can't remember who it was, but it was a lady musician, who had said she was always interested in getting a tattoo of a Unicorn on her breast. What stopped her from doing it was the realization that sometime in the future her grandchildren would ask why the giraffe had such a big horn.

 

[Powerhouse]

I can't remember who it was, but it was a lady musician, who had said she was always interested in getting a tattoo of a Unicorn on her breast. What stopped her from doing it was the realization that sometime in the future her grandchildren would ask why the giraffe had such a big horn.

HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Giraffe, That was Great!

I've been kickin' the tatoo idea around. Can't decide on what yet. I don't want to get branded and then not like it. That's part of the fun for some people... not me. At one point I was going for a trylon and perisphere, but now I can't stand to look it so much anymore. Long story. I am now leaning towards a monogrammed sunburst. Being a modernist designer it's tough deciding on what to get. So much too think about. Well, back to the old drawing board. Ciao.

 

[resortes805]

at long last. . .

The Jitterbug!

 

[Trickeration]

UPDATE

It's been over a year since this thread was posted in, but it's time for an update. I'm not trying to re-start the great debate on whether or not women should get tattoos. This is just an update for those folks who are still around and wanted me to post a picture whenever I got the tattoo. Well, I finally did, nearly 2 years later . The jitterbug is from a 1930's issue of Esquire magazine, and for me represents the music and dance style I've loved since I was little. This design has been on my mind for several years. I had it done by a great local artist and dancer, Peter Loggins. I hope you like it. And lets not get the debate going again. There's nothing left of that dead horse to beat.

PS: If I'm not mistaken, that's Lucky Kat's arm in the last post. Great minds think alike!

My first ink!