tattoos attract or disgust

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I have been wondering about this all my life, what is the attraction for people to mutilate their body with tattoos?

I respect other people and their opinion about things but I cant get my head round the obsession of people to have the desire to have tattoos

Personally I don't see the benefit of having anything on my body that shouldn't be there, your body is your temple and should be kept and maintained as it is,

I can understand jewellery, hairstyles and clothing to add to an appearance but that's about it,

I am living in the UK where tattoos are a must for mainly everyone together with having at least 3 kids before you turn 20,

But I don't get the tattoo bit, why mutilate your body with something that's only fashionable for a short period of time?

I personally freak out over tattoos and talking to people who expose them makes me want to run off instantly,

So my question; do tattoos attract or disgust?

Well, first keep in mind that some people have tattoos because they like them, not to "attract or disgust" anyone else. It may not be about other people at all, it may be about themselves.
Also, not everyone sees tattoos as "mutilations." Tattoos are often called "body art" and that's what it is for some people - an interesting art form they might like to be involved with. From that perspective many tattoos, when done skilfully, can be quite beautiful.
Also, tattooing may very well not be about what's "fashionable." Many people get tattoos for different reasons - some get them as memorials of people they knew, some get the names of their kids to symbolise that they are always with them, others get pictures that are meaningful to them, possibly culturally or religiously.
Personally I get tattoos based on spiritual concepts. These ideals are important to me. And even if my path changes over time, they will still be ideals from the past that held meaning.
My tattoos are also only where they can be easily covered. I'm not out to show them off to anyone - they're about me and my beliefs. They also help me relate to my body in a positive way - I have a lot of scars and I have incorporated some of these into the tattoos, to make an area of my body that once held negative associations hold positive, deliberate, beautiful associations instead and it helps me feel better about how my body looks.
Does that give you some alternate perspective?

I hate ugly tattoos, which might mean just old tattoos as well as badly made ones.

My nephew got a tiny shamrock and seemed to feel that he was establishing his identity. He was in his late teens and seemed to feel more secure. I wouldn't deny anybody that.

Although I do wonder at huge tattoos. If they're not masterfully done, then they're ugly - but if somebody wants to be ugly, or evil, or whatever - it's not my business. I just have to accept people as they are.

I like those artificial tattoo sleeves, used occasionally.

Irony for me is I find tattoos mostly unattractive on women, yet am attracted to the types that would often have them. Piercings are worse to me. I see girls with pretty faces with all these piercings and just don't get it.

I don't have any myself, did at one point sort of want something, but never wanted to commit to it. I'm not against it, and it can be tastefully done on anyone, but when people are covered it doesn't look good to me.

I do get the idea of using it as a form of self expression, but most people seem to get tattoos of the stupidest s**t.

I'm a great fan of tattoo art.

It's artwork on your body...I certainly can see the appeal though I don't have any tattoos myself. If you come from the tattoo parlor 'mutilated' they didn't tattoo you right, as far as I understand. Also tattoos aren't really about fashion so much as meaning something to the person who has them or to symbolize something important to them.

You should probably worry a little less what other people do when it doesn't effect you, no ones telling you to get a tattoo so not really fair to judge someone as a disgusting person just because they have a tattoo.

Also, while you think it's a mutilation that taints the 'temple' that is your body....body modifications including tattooing have been done for spiritual reasons throughout history and even currently so depending on perspective some probably see it as enhancing this 'temple.'

I myself don't really regard my body in that manner however so cant really relate to that mindset.

I do not find them attractive

I want a couple. One of a portcullis and another of a fortress, but I am unable to consent to something like that and doubt my parents would be keen on allowing it. Tattoos are fascinating to look at. You get a glimpse into the wearer's life without ever speaking to them.

I do not care one way or another if people have tattoos. It depends on the person and the tattoo if I find it attractive or not so much. I have seen some that I find wonderful and others make me scratch my head and wonder what the person was thinking. I tend to view tattoos as art, so I'm not be a fan of things like a Tasmanian Devil on a calf. I fail to understand why anyone would want that, but hey to each their own.

That said... I happen to have tattoos. One of them is large and in the center of my back. I got mine later in life as a way to honor a childhood friend of mine who shot himself. It's a very personal thing to me that I put a lot of time in while drawing it and then finding a person who was willing to put it on me without too much modification of the original design. I lucked out and the guy who tattooed me was a mutual friend of both me and my dead friend... the artist was actually my friend's tattoo artist. So yeah, for me, putting these things on my body is a way to externally express something that has had a major internal impact on me. It's kinda like therapy or an outlet to me.

thank you all for your opinions

I see them as a warning that I'll probably end up with a broken bone or two at the very best if I get close to the person.

Tattoos are a bit uncommon here due to some sort of dress code that one should not have (at least a visible) tattoo to get hired. Men with piercings are not allowed to donate blood, and piercings on forms other than the classic earlobes are even rarer.


In my opinion? Sure it can catch my attention sometimes. But attractive or not, it's their gain or loss and their body. Who am I to judge?

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Pretty much everyone has tattoos here. I certainly see the appeal, though I think it should be considered something that's going to be rather permanent, and as such I think people's standard for what they have tattooed on them in worryingly low. I've considered getting one from time to time, but I haven't found a motif that appeals to me enough yet.

I don't know, it mostly depends on what it looks like. I really don't feel comfortable when I see a large, strong man with HELL tattooed on his knuckles, especially when he has an explosive temper due to a head injury. This happened when I lived in a group home years ago. He didn't stay for long, though.

Most people get tattoos when they're young and never think how permanent they are. They're still going to be around even when you're old and grey. You might think having Yosemite Sam on your arm is cool now, but how do you know you'll still like Yosemite Sam when you're 50, let alone the rest of your life? Also your skin changes as you get older and the tattoo might get all shriveled and look like a blob.

And tattoos of current bf/gf names, politicians, and family portraits - forget it!