Body Art

Thewalkingman2Thewalkingman2
in General

I'm just curious as to why so many people choose to get tattoos or piercings on their body? There is no judgement on my part, but I am of an older generation, and I see younger people in general, and cuddlers specifically, with various forms of body art that don't seem to add to the beauty of one's body.

«1345

Comments

  • BrandiBrandi
    edited May 6

    As they say beauty is within the eye of the beholder :) what may not seem to add beauty to you, to others it’s art and beautiful/funny/attractive whatever the case may be. I always say I’m only gonna have this meat suit for 90 sum years if I’m lucky. Why not express myself and decorate it the way I like 😌 it’s not harming anyone and it lifts my confidence. And I’ve never really been the kind of person to care what others think about me/do things just to please others. it’s not my issue if someone else finds it unattractive, if they are willing to dislike something I decide to do with my body and judge me for it, so be it. they aren’t the type of person I’d want to be around anyways 🤷‍♀️ I’m glad we seem to be trending towards a generation that doesn’t care as much as far as professions go. Life doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. 😌🤪

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne
    edited May 6

    @JohnnyVV Why do people make choices about their own appearance? 🤔

    Ancient Egyptian body art dates back about 4,000 yrs according to Google. And that’s just one example. This is not an only “young people” thing.
    Artistic and decorative self expression have been popular with people our age and of ALL ages for a very long time.

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972

    @Brandi - Well said. I have chosen other ways to express myself but I 100% support that right for everyone to make their own decisions about body art.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @JohnnyVV I am sorry but I cringed when you falsely assume that it is a generational viewpoint. No, it is your perspective, not people your age. And don’t kid yourself, you are judging despite your assertion you are not because when you make the assessment that it does not add beauty to one’s body that is a judgement.

    Please leave other people your age out of it. I am in my 60s and I hold none of those opinions you offered. Claiming a large group of people think like you is nothing more than a smokescreen for making a statement that you know is either wrong, offensive, or both. There is nothing wrong in disliking tattoos as a personal preference, but it is only that—a personal preference, not a generational one.

  • mauvefoxmauvefox

    I recently saw a video of a retired navy vet who got his first ever tattoo. He was in his mid 80s and he was ecstatically happy about it. To the point of tears. He thought it was beautiful. I thought he was beautiful.

    This is not a generational thing. People have been adding adornments to their bodies throughout the eons.

    Different cultures and generations certainly have different “standards of beauty”. Some of them quite bizarre. (Looking at you 18th-century with your giant puffed wigs, full of head lice.)

    This is absolutely a judgement, you’re questioning why we would bother because something doesn’t fit your preferred aesthetic. There was a different way to ask that, out of just curiosity. But you had to add your opinion (code word for judgment) that it does not add beauty.

    For me, someone’s personality actually does a lot to either enhance it or detract from what I find beautiful about them.

  • Sheena123Sheena123

    I have two tattoos and I have them to serve as a memory for people I love. One passed way and the other is for my sister, she is my whole world so every time I look at the tattoo, I think of her. And she has a matching tattoo for me. I choose tattoos for the sentimental side.

    My husband has about 15 tattoos. Some are for our musical interests, others to show love for certain family members, and some he added for fun or to give himself a laugh every time he looks at it.

    It may not be your thing but everyone with a tattoo has a reason and it’s for their own enjoyment.

  • SpicyNSweetSpicyNSweet

    Tattoos and piercings aren't a new thing. And your opinion about how they look is just that, a subjective viewpoint. 🤷😘

  • xandriarainxandriarain

    I see people and establishments with big box store artwork that doesn’t add to the beauty of their space all the time but I generally keep my mouth shut

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    @xandriarain priceless! 😂

  • MeltMyWayMeltMyWay
    edited May 6

    Tattoos are such a personal choice and for so many different reasons. I have 10 and each has its own reason behind them. 3 are memorials for lives ones that passed. One is my nanny tattoo I have a small bird for each child I have nannied, 1 I got to remind me to have faith when I was diagnosed w my 1st brain tumor, another for strength when my bone tumor was diagnosed and a 3rd for my 2nd brain tumor. The others have personal spiritual meanings for me.

  • NefertitiCuddleNefertitiCuddle
    edited May 6

    @MeltMyWay Oh girl , thanks for sharing your journey 🗣️ and voicing it by the art your choice. God is so amazing

  • lovingspoonfulllovingspoonfull

    I think I align more with a few thoughts I heard here.

    It’s an old and very personal practice and thought process.

    Where I’m judgmental (despite trying not to be) is more along the lines of the fad and “big box mentality” mentioned. Unique expressions of art and beauty are awesome. Personal remembrance is touching.

    Getting something because it’s culturally expected? Trying to be relevant and cool? I try to shrug and internally say, “your choice”. But keep my opinions quiet unless requested.

  • MeltMyWayMeltMyWay

    @NefertitiCuddle thanks 🫂

  • [Deleted User]Bluzy (deleted user)

    Body art is awesome. I want more than the few I currently have. At my age though when all of my joints, etc. are falling apart, it’s a race to keep up or match my tattoos with my growing list of surgical and other scars (hips, ankles, knees, back and wrists).

  • MeltMyWayMeltMyWay

    @Bluzy I've seen some cool art involving people's scars. I plan to use mine on my hip for a future project

  • [Deleted User]Bluzy (deleted user)

    @MeltMyWay … I’ve thought of checking that out. I know a lot of women who have mastectomies who choose not to do reconstruction will incorporate their scars with tats.

  • MeltMyWayMeltMyWay

    @Bluzy They say wait a year but I'm going to give mine 3 years so I have 2 more to go

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    Saying "no judgement on my part" after a judgemental statement does not negate the impact or intent 🤦🏻‍♀️ That's the equivalent of saying something offensive then following with "no offense" - you KNOW it is judgemental/offensive, which is why you're even bothering with a disclaimer to try to avoid being held accountable for saying it. If it truly wasn't offensive/judgemental, you wouldn't have to say so.

    Body art isn't even a new thing for white western European society 🙄 as others have said, self expression through adornments is as old as humanity itself. One of the coolest things I've ever seen as a history & art nerd was the bog bodies in Ireland. Multiple of them had still visible tattoos, and they did elaborate hairstyles including bleaching, braiding, and using a hair gel equivalent for unnatural height 😂 it's fun to imagine ancient folks with punk mohawks, piercings, and tattoos. Trends always come back!

    If you don't like body art, don't get any. If you don't find it attractive, don't date people who have it. But don't try to place your own aesthetic preferences on the rest of us 🤷🏻‍♀️

  • trysdettrysdet

    I don't care anymore. No I don't care anymore...

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    I don’t know if what about to say is relevant to this thread but I have a cousin who unfortunately went to prison, while in prison, he had most of his body tattoed. These tattooes are quite nice. When he got out of prison, he had a hard time finding a job, no one wanted to hire a felon. He strolled into a Toyota dealership one day, met the owner and asked him for a sales job. It didn’t take very long for my Cousin to become their top sales person, a title he has held for a very long time now. The feedback from most of his customers always that his appearance made him look more like a genuine person rather than someone that was just trying to get a sale.

    I love body art ❤️

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod
    edited May 6

    Tattoos, eh?

    From an award-winning British TV sketch show which was very popular some years ago. The punchline is right at the very end. 2'49"

    Catherine Tate, playing the tattooee, went on to feature in Dr Who and The Office (US). The 'Am I bovvered?' motif was the catchphrase of the character and temporarily entered the national vocabulary.

    Catherine Tate Show
    BBC

  • Thewalkingman2Thewalkingman2

    Thank you all, or at least most of you for the constructive input on Body Art. It is informative and insightful, and I appreciate your answers. What I don't appreciate is being accused of being judgmental by asking a question, or by giving my opinion, even by me specifically saying that I'm not being judgmental. I said that purposefully because I knew there would always be some who would accuse me of being just that. When I go to the grocery store, to work, to church, to the park, etc...who do I see with the piercings and tattoos? Is it the older folks or the younger ones? I'm just saying that's what I have observed. Maybe you observe something different where you go, but don’t attack me for what I’m saying. And yes, I said body art doesn’t seem to add to the beauty of one’s body, but did I try to add my preferences to anyone else? That was my opinion and it is unnecessary to talk down to or put down someone just because you don’t agree with a statement they make. Isn’t it possible to respect others and their opinions, even if you disagree with them?

    To @TheFunCartel and @cuddlefaery I don't appreciate your judgement of me. I'm telling you what I have observed and for you to accuse me of being judgmental when you are doing the same to me is hypocritical on your part.

    I knew I shouldn’t have even asked the question in the first place, because I have seen too many people unwilling to just give their unbiased opinions without interjecting their own form of self righteousness into their responses. Why with these forum responses do people have to continually attack the individual stating their opinions or asking the questions? I wonder how many more people would participate if there wasn’t so much condemnation or put downs against others who just want to give their opinion?

  • Goonie4lifeGoonie4life

    @JohnnyVV I don't think you're being judgemental with your line of questioning for one. Personally, I was raised Mormon and stayed active in the religion until I was 36. I was taught that tattoos were a bad thing, yet I always enjoyed seeing tattoos people would choose to get. It's definitely an expression of art.

    That said.....I have 5 colorful tattoos now and still plan on getting more. I prefer tattoos over piercings. I've never had any piercings and don't plan to....just not my style

  • cozycuddler4youcozycuddler4you

    No need for folks to bully OP. He simply asked a question and shared his general age and personal observations for context. His question is completely fair and in my opinion, a great topic of discussion in a community like this, with such diverse members. Lots of perspectives to learn from.

    He never said he is speaking on behalf of his entire generation. (Chill, @TheFunCartel … we get it, you’re hip and modern..) OP did not judge anyone - he shared his OPINION; he never made a value or moral JUDGMENT based on that opinion. @cuddlefaery, no need to inappropriately extrapolate his words to something they’re not.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel
    edited May 7

    @cozycuddler4you when you say this

    but I am of an older generation

    The assumption is others in the older generation are like him. It’s a way of saying I am not judging tattoos because I am from a generation that doesn’t see tattoos as adding beauty as he concluded with

    body art that don't seem to add to the beauty of one's body.

    which is a judgement. He claimed he wasn’t being judgemental but then added judgement. Words matter. One can only go by the words and context and if he did not want it to come across that way then simply ask it as:

    “I am older and I guess I do not understand why so many people have tattoos these days. I would love to hear why people get tattoos.”

    But don’t frame it in the lens of beauty as he did, because beauty is subjective and to say that tattoos do not add beauty is his opinion based in objectification. I am not bullying, I am responding to the meaning of his exact words. Words are not hip or modern as you disparagingly said about me—they are what they mean.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @Goonie4life Wow. I never would have known you were Mormon for so long after meeting you at the M&G. I have so many questions when I see you again as I go to the Colorado ones whenever I can.

  • cozycuddler4youcozycuddler4you

    @the(not)funcartel - no need to be pedantic. Can we assume good intentions first and not jump to assuming ill intent because a post isn’t phrased exactly how you prefer?

    My turn to be pedantic. Stating your generation does NOT imply speaking on behalf of it. And stating an opinion on what enhances aesthetic is NOT judgment. It would be a judgment if he said “people with tattoos/piercings are morally inferior than those without them.” Big difference. Stop confusing the two.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel
    edited May 7

    @cozycuddler4you I explained why, and you are offering your opinion which I disagree with. I am not going to engage you or your personal insults any further.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    This is absolutely a judgement, you’re questioning why we would bother because something doesn’t fit your preferred aesthetic. There was a different way to ask that, out of just curiosity. But you had to add your opinion (code word for judgment) that it does not add beauty.

    @mauvefox well stated.

  • mauvefoxmauvefox

    @JohnnyVV
    I'm sorry you've felt bullied on here. But I'm not sure that's what is happening either. There was a way to word your question as one of curiosity, but that is not what you did.

    What you did, was publicize a judgement. Judgements and Opinions are actually very interchangeable when it comes to personal belief. Some have distinguished it this way: an opinion is something held privately, a judgment is made public. Others have distinguished it as a judgment being different if it presents an absolute truth, imposes a personal standard, or evaluates morality or value.

    Your initial question did all of those things.

    You said yourself that you added the disclaimer out of concern that the forum would not take the question well, but it was the wording of the question that was problematic. If it was coming out of true curiosity, you could have simply asked, "I'm curious why others make the choice to get tattoos as it's not something I understand and would not do myself."

    However, you then made public your thoughts on it adding beauty (value) to the human form. By any of those definitions, that's a judgment.

    And it's the judgment people are reacting to, not the idea of the question, and not you as a person for asking it.

Sign In or Register to comment.