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tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:24 am
by BIG SEXY
i have a couple of tattoos that are hidden by a t-shirt, im thinking of getting a forearm sleeve incororpating my childrens names. as im self employed im not sure it would go down to well with my customers as i do alot of face to face work. my partner in business isnt too keen on the idea either. i was hoping to get a bit of an idea from the people in here as to what their sentiments are towards visible tattoos on people, does it affect the way you think of them, ie do you see ink and instantly say they are feral etc?
thanks for your input.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:46 am
by Footy Chick
Cant say Im a big fan of them myself, just don't see the need for them really. (I would never get one, Im needlephobic)


I know a lot of good blokes with varying amounts of tattoo's and I don't think any different of them but wouldn't go out with someone with tatoo's plastered all over them. It's just a personal choice thing.. the only example where I prefer a "cleanskin" :lol:

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:47 am
by Dogwatcher
crushinator wrote: my partner in business isnt too keen on the idea either.


Ie: your father???


As for you looking feral with tatts, no one's going to change their opinion of your because of visible tatts mate ;)

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:55 am
by Footy Chick
Especially if its something as simple as your kids' names.

When you start tatooing naked chicks and nazi symbols into your arm, then your partner would have something to worry about (no offence to anyone who may have either of these already!)

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:10 am
by Dirko
Crush, I have my kids tattooed on my inner forearm, between my elbow and stops about 10 cm above my wrist.
It's a fair size, and I have never had a negative comment about them. I do the school drop/pick up every day and
the Mums thinks it's great (a private Catholic school). As I am a stay at home Dad, I also do work in the school
canteen, and am on the P & F committee. No complaints.
I also do volunteer work for the council in taking a elderly lady shopping once a fortnight, and the lady I take
shopping likes it too!
My Mum & Dad like it, in fact my Mum points it out to her friends if I see them ! My wife bought the tattoo for Fathers Day as my present so she has no problem with it !
The one thing I did ensure was that, for my return to the workforce, was I could wear a business shirt rolled up a couple
of times and it'd hide it. As FC said unless you get something obscene most people nowadays don't care about them, although
there are a few establishment that don't allow exposed tatts.

It's a personnel thing and what's right for one may not be right for another but it's your choice IMO.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:25 am
by JK
Ive made sure the majority of mine aren't visible as I've always considered them to be very private in meaning, but I can relate to your concern over perception, similarly, for business reasons.

Personally I still think some older people can be influenced by appearance, particularly when it comes to the ink and piercings, however many have accepted that it's commonplace, and the next generation coming through have grown up with these things being the norm.

Also, as FC has alluded to, some people react differently to what they perceive as tasteful or otherwise.

At the end of the day as is always the case with these things, the decision will have to be yours alone ... Will be interested to hear which way you decide to go though.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:29 am
by tigersupporter
our favourite show on foxtel at the moment is miami tattoo, and LA tattoo. we dont have any, but the show removes the stereo type normally associated with people with tattoos. Now my wife wants one, and i also want one (a big tiger across my shoulder and arm) but i know id s..t myself.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:38 am
by BIG SEXY
yeah it is my old man d.w, he doesnt have a problem with my other tats, just ones people can see, thinks they will harm rep of the business.
i like the idea thats in my head, and i want my kids names somewhere i can see all the time to remind me why im here and to keep me going, so i dont want it hidden up on my shoulder somewhere. i think i might draw something up and put it on to see if it alleviates any concerns as its probably one of the classier tat ideas i have seen, no naked ladies, nazi stuff or anything like that, simple celtic with kids names and flowers around my daughters name, not sure what to put around my 2 sons names though....while we are going any ideas?
eldest son nearly 3 breaks lots of things if that helps

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:41 am
by Footy Chick
how about his star sign?

or that bull dozer from bob the builder? :wink:

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:59 am
by smac
The flowers are a nice touch, but remember in 15 years time your 3 year old son will not be the cute kid who breaks stuff... He will be the pain in the @rse you have to pick up at 2am 'cos he's still on his P's and got half pi55ed at a mates place!

Personally, I love tattos (have one on my ankle, considering another somewhere but no real thought into it at this stage), but keep mine in spots I can hide for professional reasons.

Keep us posted on your decision, and your old man's reaction if you do get it done. :wink:

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:32 am
by Pseudo

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:25 am
by Ecky
Take two people - identical in every other way except that one has tattoos and one doesn't.
Take random members of the public and ask them "which of these two people would you trust more?"
I would say 95%+ would say the one without the tattoos.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:06 pm
by BIG SEXY
ecky 95% seems a bit high to me, it would be interesting to do an experiment though, with make up artist etc.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:29 pm
by Strawb
i have one tattoo on my right should if i wear a white shirt with no t shirt underneath you will see it nobody complains when they see it because it has a meaning and also it is baby taz.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:04 pm
by Magpiespower
Each to their own but I hate the bloody things.

Very popular around where I live though.

Had to do a story a while back on Star Wars tatts.

People covered from head-to-toe in Luke/Leia/vader/Yoda/Chewie etc ink.

One bloke had his whole back as Bespin Cloud City (from Empire Strikes Back).

Now they were some hardcore SW fans...

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:15 pm
by Dog_ger
Tattoos.....?

Ring'n in my ears is my dad say'n, Get a tattoo and the cops will getcha.....

I was about 5.....

and very innocent & impressionable.....

Never got a tattoo....

Earings are for Girls......

Never got one of them either.....

At 5 you listen to your dad.....

I'm 51.....

I still listen to my dad.... lol....

He's 90 this year.

I thank him from the bottom of my heart for not using a condom......

Family Joke... :lol: :lol: :lol:

He still drives to Darwin every Christmas......

Give way to him, he drives a New RED 4 Cylinder Holden Thingy......

He is a horible driver......

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:35 pm
by Psyber
Yes, but not for the reason given. Tattoos do give me doubts about he person's class, good sense, judgment, and taste. I might hire them to dig a hole, but not as an accountant for example.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:37 pm
by JAS
I don't think you can answer a simple yes or no. I wouldn't have one but then I don't think they look good on women and like FC... :( needles. I agree with most of what's been said...it depends very much on what the tatt is and where it is. A subtle one with your kids names would probably be fine. Might also depend on what you do for a living. I'd be a little concerned if I had kids and their teacher looked like this :lol:

Image

Just remember it'll probably be with you for life so try to imagine how it will look when you're 70.

Regards
JAS

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:13 pm
by rod_rooster
Psyber wrote:Tattoos do give me doubts about he person's class, good sense, judgment, and taste.


I don't have tattoos but where do i start to point out how much of a stuck up snobby w@nker that makes you sound like.

Re: tattoos

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:51 pm
by spell_check
Trying to intertwine a few comments into my reply here, but Ecky is right (not sure about the exact %, but I'd say the majority of people) - I'm assuming it's just any two persons to grab and say which one do you trust. Two strangers, I mean. However, what SJABC has shown, if people know you and how you are as a person, it doesn't matter - it's you that counts, not the tatts. So, I guess, if say you, crushinator, deal with regular customers that know you, there wouldn't be much of a hassle - after all, they are only your kids names and not nazi symbols! But some people will look at you will a little bit of apprehension if you meet them for the first time.

As for me, well, I'm with FC on tatts - I hate needles! :)