GrayCatLove

My dad told me this morning while I was dropping off his cheese-free McMuffins that I reminded him of Amy Winehouse. Because of the tattoos and emotional turmoil.
He actually says he understands now why I don't conform. I thought it was kind of an interesting conversation with an old conservative.

Dumb shit? If Mr. Muscles called my tattoos "dumb shit," or "almost did," he'd be on the next thing smoking out of my life. Do you see where he's twisting his opinions into yours?
It doesn't matter if they match up. He doesn't get to push you around. He's not going to change, and if he doesn't have the communication skills to talk to you or the trust to assume you wouldn't make major body changes without talking to him, he's not a nice person.
You deserve someone who accepts what you want to do with your body in the future. It shouldn't be a "hoping and praying he'll still accept me" deal. You're better than that.
When he can say, "It's your body, and I love you and respect your decisions no matter what," then you'll know he's the right man. Until then, you need to reconsider. Sounds like he's toying with your feelings and wants to control you.
If you were selfishly tattooing without considering his feelings and discussion, then I'd be jumping on you. He sounds immature and mean-spirited.

The guy I'm seeing is really into lifting. Has one tattoo, and we're the odd couple... He's ethnic, I'm Hitler's wet dream. He's athletic and I couldn't even hit a curve ball in high school. He's a nice guy, and I'm, well...
Anyway, my left side is pretty well covered, big lower abdominal tattoo, and a little side tattoo. And I intend to get a lot more. I mentioned getting another tattoo on my left side and he says, "Oh, it's so crowded already; you don't want to overdo it." Then I mention it's Lucy's dagger from TCoN, and he starts going on how daggers are cool and I should do it if I really want to.
Support is nice. I'm okay with individual taste, and if I was 50 and in a point in my career where I was considering half-sleeves and my other half said, "Please, I really don't want this," I'd listen to them. It's a matter of how it's presented. Forbidding me to "give up an obsession with tattooing" is not going to end well, but I respect the wishes of my partner, as he respects mine to continue getting tattoos.

He's not. And let me tell you, life is too short to be with someone who doesn't love every bit of you.

Take it from an old salt: This is an insult on your body. RUN! This is like a boyfriend that tells you you're too fat, thin, breasts are too small, that YOU are not good enough, and that YOU need to conform to his standards.
Let's rephrase this: "You're getting kind of fat. Would you stop eating so much if I put on a few?" See the change in language? Reconsider if this guy is a real champ.

My mother, who believes I only have one tattoo from undergrad, was openly rude to a young girl at a book store, asked her how she intended to get a real job, this store would be gone in five years, etc. I said nothing at the moment, but when we got in the car, I went in, apologized, told her my career and showed her my tattoos under the guise of getting something from the bookstore bakery. I hadn't eaten in 24+ hours which is common with my shift/food choices.
When I went to the next store,l with her, some girl had a sparrow on her arm. And Mom just has to look at her and say, "Jesus Christ! Isn't that cute?" At this point, I lose my temper and say, "You were Queen Mormon until one of your kids comes out as gay. You said yourself.times are changing. Maybe you need to change on this, too."
Then I had to hear how I act like a ten year old. Yeah. I'm the one pointing and going, "Ewww, gross!" and I'm immature. Okay.

@Synesthesia
As a woman who just got a traditional tiger tattoo, which I guess is more on the masculine end of the spectrum, I understand your trepidation. We are who we are: Masculine, feminine, androgynous. Tattoos don't change the execution of your gender, or more importantly, YOU.
Keep in mind that subject matter is all about artistic liberty and has a great impact on how masculine or feminine it looks. (I kind of think my tiger looks like a big old queen, but that's cool. I like him.)
Your family is right. Your body will ruin. It will age, eat itself, cells will stop degenerating, and your skin isn't going to look like you're 23 forever. Guess what? Happens to the people without tattoos, too. Don't base opinions about your body on what others think, because you're going to have a lot of people in your life who care about you for you, not for the ink or lack of.

I can relate to this so well working in emergency medicine and being a woman. Though most of my ink is hidden, occasionally I have to change in the shower or something like that happens. 98% of people think it's interesting. 2% think it's a license to say something obnoxious.
Staring is fine. Commentary is unheeded and unneeded.

Right now, as a professional, my tattoos are in places that can be covered by shorts and a tank top. I consider myself fashion-forward, and tattoos are a great way to cover scars and flaws that I can't correct through exercise or other body modifications, and it's a great enhancer and conversation piece.
I'm slowly branching out into more tattoos to where if I went out in casual fun clothes instead of business attire, maybe you'd spot one. ;) But overall, I like to keep it classy, highbrow, and visually interesting.

I have a fascination with Russian prison tattoos. They're just amazing. Great post.

@Synesthesia
As a woman who just got a traditional tiger tattoo, which I guess is more on the masculine end of the spectrum, I understand your trepidation. We are who we are: Masculine, feminine, androgynous. Tattoos don't change the execution of your gender, or more importantly, YOU.
Keep in mind that subject matter is all about artistic liberty and has a great impact on how masculine or feminine it looks. (I kind of think my tiger looks like a big old queen, but that's cool. I like him.)
Your family is right. Your body will ruin. It will age, eat itself, cells will stop degenerating, and your skin isn't going to look like you're 23 forever. Guess what? Happens to the people without tattoos, too. Don't base opinions about your body on what others think, because you're going to have a lot of people in your life who care about you for you, not for the ink or lack of.

My dad told me this morning while I was dropping off his cheese-free McMuffins that I reminded him of Amy Winehouse. Because of the tattoos and emotional turmoil.
He actually says he understands now why I don't conform. I thought it was kind of an interesting conversation with an old conservative.

Take it from an old salt: This is an insult on your body. RUN! This is like a boyfriend that tells you you're too fat, thin, breasts are too small, that YOU are not good enough, and that YOU need to conform to his standards.
Let's rephrase this: "You're getting kind of fat. Would you stop eating so much if I put on a few?" See the change in language? Reconsider if this guy is a real champ.

@Synesthesia
As a woman who just got a traditional tiger tattoo, which I guess is more on the masculine end of the spectrum, I understand your trepidation. We are who we are: Masculine, feminine, androgynous. Tattoos don't change the execution of your gender, or more importantly, YOU.
Keep in mind that subject matter is all about artistic liberty and has a great impact on how masculine or feminine it looks. (I kind of think my tiger looks like a big old queen, but that's cool. I like him.)
Your family is right. Your body will ruin. It will age, eat itself, cells will stop degenerating, and your skin isn't going to look like you're 23 forever. Guess what? Happens to the people without tattoos, too. Don't base opinions about your body on what others think, because you're going to have a lot of people in your life who care about you for you, not for the ink or lack of.

I can relate to this so well working in emergency medicine and being a woman. Though most of my ink is hidden, occasionally I have to change in the shower or something like that happens. 98% of people think it's interesting. 2% think it's a license to say something obnoxious.
Staring is fine. Commentary is unheeded and unneeded.

I'm good on the fleshy parts, but where those little ridges of bone shoot out from the pelvic bone... Christ, that hurts.

Close to the pubic bone on the bottom half is pretty rough.

Same reason people make poor nutritional choices.
Same reason people dress like shit for their body type.
Same reason people make any number of bad decisions every day.
If only bad decisions stopped at terrible tattoos...

Same reason people make poor nutritional choices.
Same reason people dress like shit for their body type.
Same reason people make any number of bad decisions every day.
If only bad decisions stopped at terrible tattoos...

Turns out I may be moving soon. Before I do so, I need repairs on a recently done tattoo as previously mentioned, but I really want the guy who's done a bunch of my tattoos to pick out one more tattoo to do before I leave the state. It would be a fun way to leave.

Same reason people make poor nutritional choices.
Same reason people dress like shit for their body type.
Same reason people make any number of bad decisions every day.
If only bad decisions stopped at terrible tattoos...

Eh, not really interested in a work related tattoo. I love what I do, but I feel like there needs to be separation between my work and private life. Tattoos are about art and escape for me. If I wanted a constant reminder of work, I'd pick up extra shifts.

It's a permanent choice on your body. If someone gets hurt feelings, that's his or her problem.

Alcohol based sanitizers will cut oils and dry rapidly. I like to use it before I handle my older books.

Turns out I may be moving soon. Before I do so, I need repairs on a recently done tattoo as previously mentioned, but I really want the guy who's done a bunch of my tattoos to pick out one more tattoo to do before I leave the state. It would be a fun way to leave.