Here at Mount Royal, many students have tattoos, and also teachers. You simply just have to look around your classroom or in the hallway to gain evidence of this. I bet a good portion of our writing class has at least one tattoo. I have always loved them! I think they are art and are a wonderful form of self-expression. My father disagrees though. He has told me many times that I am not allowed to get a tattoo until I move out. I am extremely tempted to get one anyway, as University is quite expensive and I don’t see myself moving out anytime soon. My mom says I will probably regret getting a tattoo when I'm older (like celebrity Demi Lovato). I won’t though. Even if I get a tattoo now, and I become a totally different person in a couple years, I feel that I could still look at it and smile – remembering who I used to be.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still going to choose my tattoo really, really carefully. I made the mistake of getting my belly button pierced at a place called Blood Ink and Steel, when I was fifteen year’s old. My best friend and I decided that it would be a wonderful idea. My mom begged me not to go there and even offered to take me to reputable place when I turned sixteen, but nope I wanted to get it done right away and for cheap. My belly button ended up getting so infected that I had to go to the hospital. So I think I learned my lesson! I also decided to spontaneously shave a chunk of hair off the left side of my head last summer, and I am still awkwardly waiting for it to grow out properly.
Note: PLEASE DO NOT GO TO BLOOD INK AND STEEL! Frankly, I am surprised that it is still open for business.
I realize that a tattoo lasts forever. I also understand that getting a tattoo can hinder your opportunities for jobs, especially as you become older. In my opinion though, a discreet tattoo on your ankle, or on your hip is quite different then an arm sleeve or a tattoo on your neck. An arm or neck tattoo can be difficult to cover, whereas I doubt I would ever wear a mid-drift shirt to work, or no shoes. Tattoos are even said to be becoming more socially acceptable!
Even if they are becoming more acceptable in the
workplace, I still can’t see myself ever having more then three tattoos. There are those people though, who seem to be addicted to getting tattoos, just like a drug or alcohol addiction. My mother’s friend has a daughter who has
around eight tattoos, at the young age of 21.
Her latest tattoo is a giant image of Medusa on her chest. She has been denied jobs because of it and is
now looking into getting it removed.
Kat Von D, which many of you would recognize from TLC’s old show New York Ink, doesn’t regret any of her tattoos! Each one is meaningful to her. I can’t wait to finally have a meaningful one as well. Something that I will look at every day and love!
I am 25 and I got my tattoo with my best friend the summer that we turned 18. I don't regret it at all. However, my parents still don't know about it, it's meaningful to me, and it's in a place where no one ever sees it, which I think are the reasons that I still like it. My best friend on the other hand hated hers so much that she got it covered up with another tattoo a year later. She also got in a HUGE conflict with her Dad when he discovered it a year after that!
ReplyDeleteAnother friend of mine is getting the giant cross on his back removed, but still loves the drunken tattoo he and my boyfriend got together at the full moon party in Thailand. Even with all the planning in the world it's really hard to know what you will like and dislike years from now (or what will still be meaningful.)
I can probably name equal amounts of my friends who like their tattoos and who hate them, so it's obviously a very personal thing. But I think if something is worth getting you can wait for it (especially when it's permanent!) My recommendation, put what you think you will get in a spot where you will see it every single day (maybe tape the image to your bathroom mirror) then wait a year and if you're still not sick of it then go for it.
That's a good idea, thanks Allie!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with what Allie said in regards to waiting.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 18 I moved to Paris and there is an expression in France used to describe strong and confident women. This expression is 'joie de vivre' though the direct translation is 'the joy of living'. People were always telling me that I had this 'joie de vivre' and that's when I began to think about getting it as a tattoo. Growing up I struggled a lot with depression and suicide, so the direct translation 'the joy of living' was extremely meaningful to me as well.
Though I decided when I was 18 to get this tattoo, I waited 5 years. I wasn't sure where I wanted to put the tattoo, so I would use a thin Sharpie and write it on myself in different locations to see where I preferred it. It sounds silly, but I would definitely suggest that! Like I said, I waited 5 years to get it, and I'm glad I did.
For me, it's more than a tattoo, it's a way of life. I look at it every day and it's a little reminder to enjoy the little things in each day. But if it really means something to you, it won't matter when you get it. Nobody ever regrets waiting!
I love the idea of your tattoo Dani. That would be a great reminder to enjoy life! I also like your sharpie idea ... maybe I should try that.
ReplyDeleteTattoos are definitely a work of art. I got my first one last year on the back of my neck. That way I can still hide it if I need to and show it off when I want to. I got my moms initials and her dates on the back so I know it won't be something that I will end up regretting. You're totally right about how people grow and looking back at a tattoo will be reminiscent of who you were in the past. Parents will get over it, my dad has gotten over all of my piercings and tattoos that I've gotten.
ReplyDelete