Ink as in Tattoos...

There are a lot of things people do and spend money on that I don't understand. That doesn't mean I think they have an addiction, though. If you don't like tatoos, don't get one. But why worry about what other people do?

People get tattoos for lots of reasons. For the fun of it, someone dared them to, to commemorate something/someone, because they like how it looks, and others. Some may actually be "addicted" to it, either the experience or the actual pain, but there is no psychological proof of that.

I have one that I got 25 years ago, when it was a lot rarer than it is now. It was partly because my husband dared me to, partly because I liked how it looked, a little bit because it was "daring". I was the good student, the good girl, the first college grad in my family, with a professional job, etc.

Now, it's less rare and less "daring" but I get why people like to do it. My ex and my stepdaughter each have three and they all have meaning to them.

They want them for the same reason you don't; you like your skin without and they like their skin with.

Is NOT having tattoos an addiction? The absolute need and conviction to have bare skin? Nope. Just personal preference.

Is there some kind of underlying issue? Possibly. You may have a deep seated need to avoid permanence, or have commitment issues, and anything beyond disposable objects, adornments, and relationships in your life is intolerable and inconceivable and possibly holistically painful. Or you may be an intensely private person who doesn't want aspects of your personal life on display. You may be a spy, and tattoos could blow your cover. You may have been scarred for life against forms of visual art because of a traumatic event at a museum. You may have sensory integration issues that imparts visual art with no intrinsic meaning.

But PROBABLY none of the above is true. You just don't like tattoos.

One can try and find "deeper meaning" or "causal factors" that determine why one person does something we wouldn't... but usually, occam's razor wins out and all things being equal; the cigar is just a cigar. No addictions. No deep seated psychological issues. No traumas. Nothing complicated. You don't like them. They do.

There are many personal reasons to get tattoos...loosing a loved one, military, happy experience in your life you want to honor, etc. If you don't like them don't get them. You don't have to understand why others do chose to get them just respect that it is their body and their decision and they will respect your decision to not have any as well.

I have a tattoo on my wrist (fairly new) and I get asked about it all the time. It is three Chinese symbols. When reading them, they state the three most important roles I play in my life, in order of importance.

Friend
Mother
Lover

They are written in such a way so that when I am on my motorcycle and I give my upside down peace sign to other bikers ("the bikers wave") they can see it. So yeah, I'm a biker with a tat...and that probably explains it all in your mind.

On the other hand, my husband is also a biker and doesn't have a single tat and has no desire to get one.

It's not an addiction. It's an accessory. I used them to decorate my body and I plan mine for at least 6 months to a year before I get them. I haven't regretted a single one. I'm sorry you don't understand it, but it's just a part of who we are. Don't assume we have an addiction when all we want is to be beautiful in our own eyes.

I don't understand why women spend so much money on shoes, purses, hair, nails, clothes, massages, drinks....ect. But, that's what they want to spend their money on then who am I? Some women/men want tattoos....some want to spend their money on something else. I don't have to justify my tattoos to you just like you don't have to justify your shoes (or other purchases) to me.
L.

I have a butterfly on the back of my neck, it wasn't some rash decision...I wasn't drunk...I was 30 years old when I got it, so you can't say I was young and stupid...I did it for me...for me it is symbolic, a sign that I can still change. When I see it in the mirror it makes me smile...it reminds me that I am in charge of me...and I need that reminder.
One day when money is not something I worry about so much I plan on getting another one on my foot. I don't plan on being covered head to toe...but I certainly don't think I would call it an addiction. I would like to see someone tell my mom the next time she buys ANOTHER pair of shoes that she has a shoe addiction = )

I beleive it is another form of personal expression. Some people voice their thoughts, others draw or write, others sing or write poetry. People can also use clothing, hair style or decorations in their homes and offices. Tattoos are just another way to express something.

Mine is an outward manifestation of a permanent change I went through. It is like a focal point in Lamaze or a power crystal that I can't loose to remind me of my inner strength.

The act of getting the tat was an adrenaline rush and it was very tempting to go back and do it again. I have decided to wait. It's been 11 years since I got my first, and when I am done breastfeeding, I will get my next. Again, it will be representative of a permanent change I have undergone that has no visible sign. Like emotional battle scars, for me at least.

I have a tattoo of my dog I love it. I had the artist design the picture just for me. When I'm not pregnant anymore I'll get a tattoo to represent my soon to be two kids.

As far as your question it's art. I guess different people find different kinds of art beautiful.

I have my totem inked on my calf. It's a butterfly and the wings are done in a flame motif. Like any other type of bodily ornamentation, it's just a matter of personal preference.

I consider mine to be a decoration. The same as putting on jewelry. I have mine in places where I can cover them up or show them off depending on what I wear. (Shoulder and ankle)

I don't think its an addiction per say, but once you get one, you keep finding more and more things that you'd like to add. :)

Maybe you have so much " free time" ...to be thinking on something you don't like . We are individuals and as individuals we are diferente and like different things. I'm sorry but I don't see the meaning of your question..

People get tattoos for lots of reasons. Why don't you ask some of your lady friends why they get theirs? You might get some interesting insight you wouldn't normally have.

For some people it's a very therapeutic, cathartic, healing thing; could be from a physical trauma, scar, cancer etc... to an emotional shift and growth. Some people love the art on their bodies. Other people think it's cool and want to make a statement... there's lots of reasons.

Personally I love tattoos. I have 2 and am getting work done on the first one that I got this weekend. I don't have a burning need to have sleeves up and down my arms or cover every inch of my body in them. Mine are very personal as most are to people that I know that have them.

Maybe they are an addiction to some. It sounds as though you don't think they are attractive, and that's your prerogative. Sometimes a glimpse of understanding can lessen judgement about what other people do.

Why does this bother you so much... you obviously do not like tattoos and that is your opinion. Seems like you are spending a lot of time worrying about others who don't need to be worried about. There is no reason to judge anyone for having tattoos or not having tattoos.

I know people who have a lot of ink and a little ink and there are many reasons for the ink. I have a small tattoo myself and I have never regretted it. I was in my 30's when I got it, completely sober and I had worn a fake tattoo for months to make sure I was ok with my design.

Don't spend so much time worrying about what others do and why when you have your own family to deal with. If you speak about this so much and so negatively, you'll probably end up making one or all of your children get one because you make it sound so bad.

As far as it being a addiction there's way worse things to be addicted to like oh idk drugs! So I don't care if you don't like my sleeves or my tattoos on my legs or feet it's not your body it's mine and i will do as I please because I think tattoos are BEAUTIFUL and like insaid if you don't like them DON'T LOOK @Shari I hope you read over you response and see how ignorant it is...I have many tattoos not one do I think it ugly nor does it make me ugly. In fact I can't wait for my children to turn 18 so I can take them to go get one! What people do to their body shouldnt matter to you or anyone else we have our reasons for getting tattoos. If you don't like them don't look! Having tattoos doesn't hurt you right? So don't try and hurt other people with your harsh words..oh and by the way if you look at pics of older people with tattoos they usually don't have wrinkles because the ink helps keep the skin tight

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1325237/

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048919...

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4011946...

http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/211/

My husband has a tattoo, personally I really don't care for it. I have to disagree with the other poster that they don't wrinkle, I grew up on a beach, and I have seen PLENTY of wrinkled blurry tattoos. I don't understand this kind of permanent disfigurement myself, but I don't judge. Above are some articles that may cause one to "think before they ink"......there are plenty more where that came from!

I feel EXACTLY the same way as you!! I HATE tattoos! They are ugly and detract from a beautiful woman or man. Only Holocaust survivors should have them because that was done against their will. People should boycott tattoos if they studied the history of what was done to the Jews. Wait till people get older, they will look disgusting as skin changes as we age.

An outward symbol of who I am on the inside or what is close to my heart. I understand some people don't understand the tattoo thing, but it's not an addiction for most, even a lot of people who have sleeves. They get them for various reasons. I have tattoos on my wrists and intend to get an eagle, globe, and anchor and turn my right arm into a sleeve. It isn't an addiction, I feel like it's an outward masterpiece of phases of my life that were important to me. I'm not jones-ing for a tattoo. It's a choice and no one should have to justify it or have a reason for getting a butterfly or cat or whatever on them.

Addiction is the wrong word. It's a passion and a creation. Try listening to the reasons and what the tattoos represent to the person. It may not be something you would do, but the stories behind them are meaningful.

Anything can become an addiciton...but why do you care what someone else puts on their body? It just doesn't seem to be something worth thinking about. I have no tattoos, but have total respect for people that do. I just am not getting why this is even posted??

i guess i would rather buy a new dress or SHoes!! or experiment with new haircolor. somethign less permanent. So i'm with you.

E.,

I don't understand it either. Since many people seem to end up getting more and more, I think it might be some sort of an addictive tendency. I am guessing here and don't have any science to back it up. I think our society (especially in the U.S.) has just lost all sense of manners and decorum. Did you see the fuss that went up about Kate Middleton wearing hose? Of course, a lady wears hose when she wears a dress to special events. Even if it is hot. And no, I am not a senior citizen - I am 37 and was raised properly. You were hose to church, weddings, the office, funerals, nice events. It is perfectly okay to wear a dress without hose when it is a casual dress and casual function. Perhaps a lot of this is because so many people want to "buck establishment" and go against the rules.

Personally, I am in a hiring position. If someone wanted a job from me and came in with a lot of tattoos - I would not hire them. If you have any sense at all and you get a tattoo, it should be somewhere that only you and your spouse will know.

My last thought is from my husband - I was asking his thoughts as I replied. The bible says that you should not self decorate, and explicitly says no tattoos - Leviticus - Chapter 19 verse 28. Leviticus is from the Old Testament in the Christian bible and from the third book of the Torah for those who are Jewish.

I would love to hear what your friends say. None of my friends have tattoos that I can see...even at the pool.

Cheers,
C.