What does a tattoo say about a person?

[DreadFish]

Where I go, they have several pictures of what you can expect if you decide to go with a discount/cheap tattoo. They aren't pretty and honestly I would probably regret it to if I had something that looked that bad on me. They also have a sign that clearly states "if you a drunk, high, or ****** up on anything, come back when you aren't." I do not see myself ever doing business with a parlor that is not at least as equally serious as the one I go to now. You can tell as soon as you walk in, they are professionals who are running a professional business.
And the culture of it is another major part. People who typically get tattoos or piercings also typically belong to a sub-culture where you will be hard pressed to find someone who isn't pierced and tattooed. In many ways, they serve as a sort of potential "kinship marker" that can help group members more easily identify each other.

Yeah, I imagine that, if anything were to make me wish I didn't have a tattoo, it would be being absolutely surrounded by a culture that totally disapproves of tattoos. That, I will try to avoid.

When a person is surrounded by people with the same culture that fully accepts and celebrates tattoos, there is absolutely no reason to regret a good tattoo.

On the topic of Japan, lately I have been curious. Do you think a Japanese person would react the same to a tattoo that is obviously not Japanese style? Irezumi is a distinct style and I have never heard of Yakuza getting foreign style tattoos. So, do you think that would make a difference for a foreigner with an obviously not Japanese tattoo, or do you think that the average Japanese person wouldn't really notice a difference anyway?

I've recently met and spent time with a few Japanese people on a regular basis. They have not reacted negatively to my tattoos. Of course, it is very possible that they have had thoughts about it, but are too polite to say anything or act like it. I did have one of them tell me the Japanese word for tattoo and then explain that, in Japan, only Yakuza get them; just as a sharing of cultural information.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

On the topic of Japan, lately I have been curious. Do you think a Japanese person would react the same to a tattoo that is obviously not Japanese style? Irezumi is a distinct style and I have never heard of Yakuza getting foreign style tattoos. So, do you think that would make a difference for a foreigner with an obviously not Japanese tattoo, or do you think that the average Japanese person wouldn't really notice a difference anyway?

I've recently met and spent time with a few Japanese people on a regular basis. They have not reacted negatively to my tattoos. Of course, it is very possible that they have had thoughts about it, but are too polite to say anything or act like it. I did have one of them tell me the Japanese word for tattoo and then explain that, in Japan, only Yakuza get them; just as a sharing of cultural information.

I've wondered about that. From what I have heard/read the Japanese very strongly frown upon tattoos and they still very strongly associate them with the Yakuza. But at the same time, would they make the same associations with, say, a punk with several sketchy-cartoony looking tattoos on his/her arms because it would be obvious this person is not Yakuza (even a single out of place tattoo would disprove Yakuza membership)? Death metal enjoys popularity in Japan, and metal heads are often tattooed, so would this also be looked down on?
I guess I'll find out when I finally get there.

 

[DreadFish]

I've wondered about that. From what I have heard/read the Japanese very strongly frown upon tattoos and they still very strongly associate them with the Yakuza. But at the same time, would they make the same associations with, say, a punk with several sketchy-cartoony looking tattoos on his/her arms because it would be obvious this person is not Yakuza (even a single out of place tattoo would disprove Yakuza membership)? Death metal enjoys popularity in Japan, and metal heads are often tattooed, so would this also be looked down on?
I guess I'll find out when I finally get there.

I'll try to remember to ask my Japanese friends/acquaintances tomorrow and then report back with my findings

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Not a bad approach, but do you think that at a tattooless 70 you'd be wishing you had gotten tattoos?         Who knows, I guess.

It probably depends on the person. If someone really wanted their tattoo, then they could definitely regret not getting it.

I'm curious about something, though: what percentage of the people in your stats took basic precautions to avoid regretting their tattoos (e.g. not getting one on an impulse, carefully researching their local artists before selecting one)?

I ask because people who got their tattoos while drunk, or were pressured by friends, or just wandered into a tattoo parlour and picked a piece of flash that they kinda sorta liked are pretty much irrelevant to whether someone will regret their tattoo after wanting it for a long time and then working with an artist they trust to come up with a design they really like... such as most of the tattooed people in this thread.

 

[Nymphs]

I'm sure it can be a factor.

Not particularly. When my tattoos cost $200+ each time, the vicinity of a tattoo parlor doesn't really factor in.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Not particularly. When my tattoos cost $200+ each time, the vicinity of a tattoo parlor doesn't really factor in.

When I got my tattoo, I lived 2 hours away from where I got it done. Now I live more than 4 hours away. I have to admit that this has been a factor in why I haven't been in for a touch-up yet.

 

[Nymphs]

When I got my tattoo, I lived 2 hours away from where I got it done. Now I live more than 4 hours away. I have to admit that this has been a factor in why I haven't been in for a touch-up yet.

For some it might be, but definitely not me. In fact, I live within a 2-3 miles distance of about 4 different tattoo parlors.

 

[DreadFish]

It probably depends on the person. If someone really wanted their tattoo, then they could definitely regret not getting it.

I'm curious about something, though: what percentage of the people in your stats took basic precautions to avoid regretting their tattoos (e.g. not getting one on an impulse, carefully researching their local artists before selecting one)?

I ask because people who got their tattoos while drunk, or were pressured by friends, or just wandered into a tattoo parlour and picked a piece of flash that they kinda sorta liked are pretty much irrelevant to whether someone will regret their tattoo after wanting it for a long time and then working with an artist they trust to come up with a design they really like... such as most of the tattooed people in this thread.

Yes, this.