Nope, and don't plan to. If my father did, I would probably have though just out of imitation. I just think tattoos are juvenile, just my opinion though.

So by that reasoning, anyone who has one is "juvenile"? To make such a blanket statement is juvenile in and of itself.

I apologize for coming of rude, and I respect you're opinion, but surely you can see how someone would be offended by it.

You're totally right, it's an ignorant opinion based on nothing but my own shallow perception

No hard feelings here. This is a forum meant for discussion, the flow of thought and exchange of ideas.

I retract my earlier statement and want to clarify. I'm in my 20s and it just seems like most of the tattoos by people my age come off as juvenile. It's foreign for me to think that someone can go into a parlor with no thought in their head as to what they want, look through a binder and get something. My brother got a tiger on his neck one day, while under the influence, my sister has a tattoo of some guy she dated for like a week. But a lot of tatts are amazing and have deep meaning. It's just not my thing. I can appreciate the art and appeal though.

edit: I began writing this before Derk & vkimo's most recent replies. Nice to see you're openminded vkimo, although it's no surprise. /

It's all about your life experiences. In my home town it's rare. Tattoos are much more common than they were 100 years ago. Yet there are still parts of the country and world where they are only seen on punk rockers, vagrants, junkies, convicts, and other people who are not...considered respectable, as it were. Not to say there aren't people who stumble drunkenly into a tattoo shop at 2 AM demanding an Ed Hardy knockoff. And I do think the kanji tats and tribal signs are uninspired and stupid if they do not reflect one's actual heritage. There are impulsive, uncreative people in every segment of society.

But I know many awesome and responsible people who have tattoos. Like much fashion, the prominence of tattoos is influenced by music, youth culture, and art. Those of us who grew up listening to or playing rock music (or around other people who did) may be more inclined to get tattoos. Like the people I choose to surround myself with. Even though many of us are now homeowners, involved in community development, etc. Mrs stake has the most of all, and she is a 'manager of special events' and one of the most organized people I know. My boss at work also has a couple.

I have a schematic diagram covering my right arm from wrist to shoulder, all the way around. I carefully considered the choice for years before I got it. I might like to have more, but I have other, more important things to spend money on right now. I also don't really know what else I would get. I have an idea or two. I'm not about to go to a parlor and pick something out of the book.

Ha. I can see why you regret it and that's not something I would want.

But I was talking about white Euromericans who are like "this represents who I AM, man" and thinking it's all deep and spiritual because it's an inscrutable symbol that will invite conversation to talk about themselves. To some degree all tattoos do attract attention. It's art, in the best cases, and people want to ask questions...why they do that for tattoos but not for a painting on your wall, I don't know...
Doing that on purpose is something I don't understand. It seems narcissistic to me. I'm sure it's very heartfelt for the people who have those. I just can't relate and as I said it looks unoriginal.

But that, teasing your dead friend. To remember him. That is a better reason. At least it's more unique than "Peace" or "Strength" or "Warrior".

Nope, I could never find anything I wanted on my body for the rest of my life.

It all boils down to each his own. I appreciate and can see the appeal. Maybe if they make a temporary tattoo that fades in like a year, I'll try one.

I think that's my whole dilemma with tattoos. They're on for life. People age. A tattoo looks AMAZING on a young person. I'm pretty built, and a tattoo on my shoulder would look great. However, I don't want to be an old man with a young man's mark on me. You don't really see older people all inked up, because as stated earlier, its a relatively newer thing (Getting a lot of tattoo work I mean) and seeing a 80 year old man with full sleeves would be a bit out of the ordinary.

It all boils down to each his own. I appreciate and can see the appeal. Maybe if they make a temporary tattoo that fades in like a year, I'll try one.