i myself do no think you have ruined yourself with your tattoos and your piercing. I am about to get my first tattoo and my husband even has tattoed my name on him.Frankly it is your body and i believe you can do whatever you want with it. I do not think all people that have tattoos do it for attention some people have tattoos that would look like the most conservative person. Overrall I think tattoos are Awesome and people with them are Awesome.

To each his own
 

Okay. This is interesting - the different opinions. I can tell most of you are young. I think that if you want these things - do it. You are your own individual and have the freedom to do so - this is your Consitution right! I say as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else - no problem. People will always want to give you their opinions. I remember when I was in the mall for the first time after having my daughter and she was in her stroller. She had fallen asleep and was bent over the tray in the fron of the stroller. Some lady told me that this was hurting my child and should move her to a more comfortable position. Now remember - my daughter is asleep and not crying. Well, being a mother for the first time - I moved her like the lady said to do. Well, wrong move - my daughter started to cry so much when I moved her I had to leave the mall and go back to the 4 walls of my home. Now, I do what I think is Right. You can listen to others' advice - but then do what you think is right. I am now old and have two grown kids - well, not kids really - youngest is 20. They both have tattoos. I like the one on their back above the butt area, but hate the others. My daughter has a coy (goldfish) on her ankle with Japanesse writing that spells out her name over it. She loves it. I dislike it. To each his own. The reason I dislike it is because it is where everyone can see it - no problem with the design. When she will be in her 50's, 60's, 70's will she like it then? Probably not! My dad spent a lot of money having the tattoo he got in the service removed. I asked him why? He said as he got older he hated it. It also hurt a lot to have it removed. Just remember that what you do - if it will be permanent - will you like it forever? Because forever is a long time. Your hair - don't worry. You can always change your hair -and it grows. That same daughter of mine went to Germany and came back with pink hair! I couldn't believe that she dyed her blond hair. You know how so many people would die for naturally blond hair! Well, she finally stopped dying her hair, she realized that it was drying it out too much and started to feel like straw. But this was something she had to learn for herself. She also had her nose pierced. But took it out after everyone thought it was a zit! People go through changes and have to try out things to find out who they are. People that are older - have already found out about themselves over the years, because they tried out things too. What about Rock n' Roll? Music has changed over the years too. Another freedom of expression. When my grandparents heard my parents listening to rock n' roll, they thought they were going to H ??? Were they right? No. It was just different. Do my parents listen to rock n' roll now? No, not like when they were young. They listen to a lot of different kind of music - soft rock, country, orchestra, big band, etc... So don't worry. Some people will look because they feel for you and in their opinion think you are hurting your looks - while other love your look. We all stare at people. That is the best past time to do at the malls - in my husband's opinion. :rolleyes: It is how we size ourselves up and maybe to see if that would look good on us.
T.

Oh tell them to stuff it....i have my tats and piercings because it helps me express myself i didnt do it for attention i did it because i wanted to.

Piercings
 

Just be careful with the tongue piercings. My daughter's friend came back from PC with his tongue pierced. On the trip back - it fell out! He just put in back in quickly, so the hole would not close up. Well, the next week he woke up one morning and his tongue was so swollen - he could hardly breath. He ended up at the hospital with an infection due to him putting the thing in with his fingers - not cleaned. At the piercing places they tell you or should tell how to keep it clean - follow their directions.

Two words of advice:

1. Wal-Mart sucks. Don't shop there
2. Stare right back at those idiots. Ugh.

Thanks Kristy. LOL



The main reason for me asking opinions is because of the diverse age differences there are here and I wanted to see what everyone had to say. I appreciate all the opinions and comments. I will continue to tattoo and pierce myself and do crazy things with my hair because that is me. Usually when people stare at me I make some sort of comment. Like last night my man and I are eating at the olive garden and this lady was just staring at me. So I looked right at her and asked if she knew me or thought she knew me. She said no, so I told her to keep her eyes on her table or I would make sure that she did. I am rude like that.
I guess the reason why what the lady said about ruining my beauty really bugged me because I am one that TRUELY believes that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Beauty also comes from the inside. If only half of the people that are so quick to judge me really knew me, it would be a whole different story.

:) :) :)

i think you should just ignore the people..i have 3 tats and i had 9 piercings as well but i took most of them out.. and i've had a tattoo removed already .. i think it's just a way of expressing yourself.. it's your body not their's!!! so i say do whatever makes you happy!

Be true to yourself
 

Yes, be true to yourself! Like the song says - "Express Yourself." But also be above others - no need to say anything back. That is just lowering your standards. Many young people do this today and it looks bad. Yes, the staring is wrong two, but 2 wrongs don't make a right. My father use to say - don't open your mouth and remove all doubt that you are smart. It goes another way - but forgot the exact words. I do agree that you have the right to express yourself. We all did when we were young, but also in that same place if others stare - no need to say anything. You know when you do express yourself so differently that it really shows - you know some will stare. That's life! Expect others to stare. I had a so called friend that was stared at due to her really blond hair color at Burger King. We were sitting there with our 2 kids each and she said something back to that person that was staring. Well, one thing lead to another and they started to fight - inside Burger King with the kids watching on. I was shocked! We were both in our 20's. She should have just ignored the stares. I then had a lot of talking to say to my kids. This was the last time I ever went anywhere with her. Act with dignity!
T.

Everyone has a right to be themselves. I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is people who expect others to accept them as they are and they insist that they are good people but their actions don't prove that.

I think tattoos and piercings are beautiful. It adds character and personality to your outside appearance just like the way you dress. Here in Texas, people have no problems with tattoos or piercings. I see people walking through Target/Wal-Mart/the mall with tattoos all over themselves wearing short shorts and tank tops that rise up to their belly buttons with some flipflops. I think regardless of what you do or who you are, someone is going to judge you or stare at you. So I say, keep on doing what you're doing and if someone stares at you.. that's because they're probably thinking how brave you are to even have a needle touch your skin!

My mom and dad always say.. " beauty is only skin deep" it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside its how you are on the inside and if people can't see that then they aren't worth your time. i think the first thing that lady in the gas station said was nice its how she finished it that was rude!

I just wanted to add something one of my teachers told me. She said if anyone is ever complaining about the way you look or something then turn around look them straight in the face and very seriously say," I'm sorry that i've ruined your day by teh way i look." or something to that affect. my teacher said it will either make people think you are a freak or feel really bad that they were so rude that they cought your attention. i've never had to try it and i hope i never do but it sounds like a good idea.

I dont know why people are the way they are, but i would love to see a picture of you!!!! ;)