Job Discussion Forums

[Teacher in Rome]

I like tattoos. I know that some people consider them as temporary fashion statements, but I like the fact that you've got a piece of art on your body. I have a small seahorse on my inner ankle and if I had time and money, I'd probably return to the UK to get another one - a gecko, I think.

I once travelled in Asia with a girl who had a lot of tattoos, and wherever we went, people would strike up conversation. It seems a bit strange that they are so taboo in the ME.

[Sara Avalon]

[dmb]

You are correct Sara about the not altering the body. But I just had a thought. I don't mean to turn this into yet another interpretation of the Koran/Islam thing. But does it only apply to the the outside of the body. For example destorying the inner body by smoking-a popular pastime in the ME. (No criticism as I'm a heavy smoker)

[FGT]

What about circumcision? That's altering the body that Allah gave you isn't it?

[lozwich]

[naturegirl321]

[James_T_Kirk]

[foster]

My ex-fiance has a dragon on his chest that is the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life. He got it when in the AirForce on course in Quebec. I swore I would never get a tattoo....

THEN, I taught with a guy on a reserve and he had about 5 at the time. I asked him why and he told me that each one told a story about a time in his life he never wanted to forget and that he reckoned all tattoos should say the same thing. He said never a tattoo if you are drunk or doing it because everyone else is. Make sure that in 10, 20, 30 years when someone sees your wrinkled, discoloured body art, you have a story that you remember WHY you have this.

Mine is a homage to my parents and the weekend I met my birthmother...something I will never forget. Yeah, it is a frog, but that is because I like frogs and I am/was a French teacher. But he is a frog with personality, like my dad and mum. I have told students the story of said tattoo and they agree it is a good one...not that I need approval from anyone. It is my body and my choice.
I recently found a Chinese character that means foster or adopted daughter, which will most likely be the next tattoo...sometime in the future.

[nicdoering]

I have a navel bar and a nipple ring (ooooouuuuuch). I think it was more of a dare to myself to go through with it, especially the nipple ring - as no one can see them, and nobody even knows, I don't think it's a fashion thing.

Never had my ears pierced, though, I hate the thought of it, don't know why!

Nic

[articulate_ink]

Both ears pierced: one very thin gold loop in each.

Navel pierced, 4 or 5 years now. Started with a hoop but it didn't heal well. Replaced it with a barbell and now I mostly forget it's there.

Eight tattoos. The idea of getting tatted as a trendy fashion statement amuses me. I wanted tattoos as a little kid and once I turned 18, I started getting them. Back then, it was not something you saw very often, or at least it wasn't in eastern North Carolina, except on military guys. Each of them does tell a story, even if it's "I was 18 and on painkillers and this was my first tattoo." Subsequent tattoos and stories are much better. Will probably get No. 9 and perhaps no. 10 in the coming months.

May get my nose pierced too. I keep flirting with the idea, and keep not getting around to it. But right now, while I have a cold, would not be the best time.

[rj]

I have three piercings, one in the lobe of each ear and one in the upper portion of my left ear. Though I never wear earrings because I have really long hair and it tends to catch on them. I often thought about getting more but I couldn't wear them at my current job. I'm also a little concerned about holes not healing. I haven't worn earrings in five or six years, but the holes never closed.

I have a single tat on the instep of my right foot. I wanted one for years but was concerned about regretting it later. I experimented with henna for years playing with different designs on various parts of my body. I finally got one done when I was out of town for my grandmother's funeral. It was sort of a family affair though, my mother, my sister and my (now ex) husband all got tattoos that day. I've never regretted it and few people have ever even seen it. Because it is on my instep, almost all shoes hide it and even barefoot most people don't notice since I went with a color that is only slightly darker than my skin when tanned.

I never viewed it as a fashion statement since unless I point it out to people, noone ever notices. My father still wouldn't know about it if my nephew hadn't been crawling around on the floor one day and asked who drew on my foot! I would love to get another, but until I'm 100% on where I want it and what I want it to look like, I'm content to wait.

[cha muir]

Last summer in Bangkok while we were waiting for the birth of our daughter, I got my first tatt: a traditional Thai Buddhist tattoo on my chest.
I agree that the body is a temple but I don't see anything wrong with adorning it, in fact i think it is important to do so. My tattoo is for power and protection. It took four hours to complete and the spot on my sternum hurt hurt hurt. I will never forget the artist Mr Heng, tattoed neck to toes.

Also, I'd quite like my foreskin back.

cha

[dmb]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Two

Union Jack on the left shoulder

Maple Leaf on the right shoulder

(Duel British Canadian citizen and damn proud)

[Capergirl]

I have pierced ears and that is all. I'd like to get a tattoo on my ankle, though. Something tasteful...haven't decided yet. I've also thought about getting a naval piercing, but I keep wavering. Perhaps when I finally achieve those "six-pack abs".