Tattoos, anyone?

[CaffeineMe]

Yes. Got it in 1987, a little before they became mainstream.
I paid for it with cash from my tips as a waitress. Still remember counting out all those ones and fives LOL
The tattoo guy told me that eventually I would become so accustomed to it that I would forget I had it. He was right.

 

[Aerides]

While, like many of you, I wouldn't consider getting one myself, I do know enough kind, decent, intelligent people that have tattoos to know better than to consider their presence as indicative of a character flaw.

 

[big-papa]

You are supposed to be "Happy, Wild, and Free" in retirement (I just read the book) so a tattoo may be in order to be a bit on the wild side. So I wonder where one should be put on your body at this stage of the game?

If you scroll down on this ad, about halfway through, there's a gentleman driving a vehicle with a tattoo sleeve on his right arm. He shows up in a lot of senior living ads these days. Hey I already have the big white beard! Just one more addition and I can have a second career as a model!

Creative Marketing Ideas for Senior Living

One of the biggest challenges for communities is coming up with creative marketing ideas for senior living—ideas that the community's marketing team can

seniorlivingsmart.com

Here's a guide for seniors! (oh and the second picture on this site is the same fellow as above - he's getting a lot of work!!)

A Senior's Guide to Tattoos: Tattoos for Older People

A senior's guide to tattoos: tattoos for older people will give you the information you need before you get a tattoo.

freedomvillage.org

Then there's this fellow - Italian fashion model + sculptor Alessandro Manfredini

When Fashion Follows You- Alessandro Manfredini

Italian sculptor and graphic designer turned accidental fashion inspiration, Alessandro Manfredini has caught the eyes of the fashion world and turned heads

facethecurrent.com

Cheers.

 

[braumeister]

So I wonder where one should be put on your body at this stage of the game?

I have considered putting "DNR" on my chest.

(j/k)

 

[aja8888]

I have considered putting "DNR" on my chest.

(j/k)

 

[brett]

You are supposed to be "Happy, Wild, and Free" in retirement (I just read the book) so a tattoo may be in order to be a bit on the wild side. So I wonder where one should be put on your body at this stage of the game?

I view retired early wild, happy, and free more for the opportunity, ability to jump on a last minute deal and go to Mexico, Greece, or SE Asia. Besides, I have good health. Why would I take a chance on poisoning myself for the sake of getting a tacky tatoo?

 

[aja8888]

I view retired early wild, happy, and free more for the opportunity, ability to jump on a last minute deal and go to Mexico, Greece, or SE Asia. Besides, I have good health. Why would I take a chance on poisoning myself for the sake of getting a tacky tatoo?

Agree, it's a personal choice. Me, I wouldn't get one either, but not from fear of being "poisoned", but because I don't care to add artwork to my body. My many scars from accidents and surgeries are my artwork.

 

[MarieIG]

No, and I don't want one. That said, should my eyebrows decide to up and leave, I might reconsider . . .

 

[MC Rider]

Don't want or need any tats. Don't care what anyone else does. But face tats are just weird. I don't mean permanent makeup.

 

[Zathras]

I got a tattoo about a dozen years ago, at a very significant stage in my life.
Mine is a Nordic rune which means ‘strength through transition’.

It was, and still is very meaningful. I have no regrets.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Nope, don't see the point, and they look terrible once one gets older. Especially in sunny climes. We never understood the attraction.

 

[ls99]

Have no interest in tattos, on me. One of my peeves, zero interest in tattoed ladies.

Though I do like the tune sung by Grauch Marx, Lydia the tattoed lady.

 

[tutan]

Geometric designs .. a butterfly, bee, mandala on the waist or hip enhances twerking.

 

[martyp]

Never for me but my wife had two when we met. So I can’t say it is a no go but the number of tattoos and placement are a factor to consider.

 

[MC Rider]

Hilarious and kind of bizarre song by Graucho.

 

[Calico]

While, like many of you, I wouldn't consider getting one myself, I do know enough kind, decent, intelligent people that have tattoos to know better than to consider their presence as indicative of a character flaw.

100%

Years ago, when I was volunteering for animal rescues and shelters, I noticed a significant percentage of the other volunteers and staff members had tattoos - some very beautiful. The tattoos had meaning to them, which is all that mattered.

I've noticed the same thing among the vet techs at various vets I've had over the years. In fact, the vet tech who checked me in at the emergency vet two weeks ago had tats all over her arms, and she was the sweetest person I've met in a long time.

Personally, I will never get one, but that's just because I'm not interested in volunteering for any painful procedure - there's enough pain in life without going out and looking for more on purpose! I have had enough experience (medical) with needles to last me a lifetime, thank you.

I don't have any objection to what other people do - it's none of my business, just like my choices are none of their business.

Times have definitely changed since I was growing up in the 50s-60s. Back then, the only folks who seemed to have (visible) tattoos were sailors or prisoners.

Not too long ago having tattoos could disqualify you for most jobs, so I'm glad things have changed.

 

[dixonge]

I have to admit that I find the generally negative viewpoint towards tattoos here on this board to be a little bit surprising. Not the 'it's not for me' opinions, tattoos are obviously an 'acquired taste' sort of thing. But the disdain and condescending judgmental attitudes. Geeze!

I got my first tattoo in my late 40's, a little pirate fish on one shoulder. I kept intending to add more but could never think of what I wanted that was *significant* enough to justify a tattoo, but that would also never lose its meaning. I've changed my religious and political viewpoints enough that I didn't want something I'd regret later.

Finally I had a breakthrough. I stopped trying to think of something 'important' to me and just started looking for something that was artistically interesting. This freed me up and in short order I had a tattoo designed to incorporate the previous tattoo and make it part of a half-sleeve. I got this one over several sessions in mid-2017:

A few years ago I added another one in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Same concept, something I just liked. This one is on my forearm so always visible and I still can't believe how many people comment on it. It's very popular!

There has to be some other inked retirees (or wannabe retirees) out there - show me your ink!

 

[athena53]

Nope. Never liked the idea, especially now as my skin loses elasticity. My nephew had the Olympic rings tattooed on his back shoulder after he won a Gold medal in swimming in Beijing. That one I can understand!

 

[big-papa]

I got a tattoo about a dozen years ago, at a very significant stage in my life.
Mine is a Nordic rune which means ‘strength through transition’.

It was, and still is very meaningful. I have no regrets.

I read your post and my mind immediately went to the old internet meme for a misspelled tattoo: "No Regerts"

 

[motley]

I have to admit that I find the generally negative viewpoint towards tattoos here on this board to be a little bit surprising.

Me too, although in a very good way. I thought it was said best in an episode of MASH when they were trying to talk Radar out of it: "Why would you get something put permanently on your body that you wouldn't be caught dead hanging on your wall?" That said, I think there's a diff between getting a small tattoo in an inconspicuous place vs having them all up and down one's arms or legs...but regardless, I never got the appeal. It does seem to be a generational thing though. When I was growing up, the only people with tattoos were sailors, marines, and hookers.

Not the 'it's not for me' opinions, tattoos are obviously an 'acquired taste' sort of thing. But the disdain and condescending judgmental attitudes. Geeze!

Disliking them and failing to get the appeal is not disdainful or condescending or judgmental. tbh seems to me you're the one passing judgment on those of us who don't like them. You're into it, fine, whatever. That doesn't make any of us right or wrong; to each their own.

 

[Involuntary Retiree]

DH graduated from an inner-city high school in a large city in 1978. After having looked at his yearbook from 1978, I required our children to look at it and understand that what was cool in 1978 totally wasn't cool at the time (10-15 years ago), but tattoos are forever. Neither of our children have tattoos and neither do either my husband or myself. And I'm not ever going to have one.

 

[Palmtree]

A tatoo is a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.

 

[motley]

Well put

 

[Gumby]

A tatoo is a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.

Maybe, maybe not. If you don't want one, don't get one, but it would be wrong to judge those who do.

 

[dixonge]

Disliking them and failing to get the appeal is not disdainful or condescending or judgmental. tbh seems to me you're the one passing judgment on those of us who don't like them. You're into it, fine, whatever. That doesn't make any of us right or wrong; to each their own.

I was pretty clear about what I meant, which was *not* what you just said. I was referring to posts like these:

Yeah. I view it as indicating an inability to do long-range planning.

We told our two kids that they are welcome to get a tattoo but if they do, they are out of the will.

Why would I take a chance on poisoning myself for the sake of getting a tacky tatoo?

In retrospect, less truly negative posts than I remembered tho...