Deseret News | Want a tattoo? Think again

Reader comments
Doug Robinson: Want a tattoo? Think again

Anonymous | 12:01 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

So, is this an advert for Inklifters? Honestly, this wasn't a very persuasive story. I don't know that many people who manage in retail who are encouraged to show midriffs or backsides.

THEeyepatch | 12:12 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

If your going to get a tattoo to make mommy and daddy mad, go back home poser. The tattoo should be something of importance, something that not a passing fad, i.e. tribal. That's why tattoo are so expensive to have done now, all you momma's boy's and daddy's girls thought it would be something that would make you different. You should know who you are before you start tattooing it on your body. If your still living under your parents house and they won't approve of it move out.

Mike | 12:17 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Naw it's an article about stupidity and "doing your own thing" and not thinking about the long term consequenses of your own stupidity.

Comments continue below

mshe33 | 12:39 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

It always pays to hear both sides of an issue, then one can make a relatively informed conclusion. Almost 100 percent of the people I know who have tats, regret it. Most tattoos end up with that all too familiar greenish hue. People grow bored with their chosen designs which often loose their significance. I personally feel that the body is too good for cheap art.

KJB | 12:46 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Um, what was the point of this story? Tattoos are automatically bad? Maybe in Mormon Utah, but look elsewhere and you'll see that the stigma against them is rapidly diminishing.

Me (I'm 35) and my wife (She's 33) got our first tattoos a few months ago; we picked matching ones of the kanji symbol for "forever." They look great, they're easy cover when we want to, and I couldn't be happier with the whole experience. In fact, I'm considering another one.

PianoKeys | 1:29 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

What moron tattooed a 17 year-old? Did she go to a professional artist, or a private one? Did she lie about her age? It is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18, at least to my knowledge. So she's bent because she can't wear a midriff or other revealing clothing to work? Oh boo-hoo. She needs to suck it up and concern herself with more important things. What retailer is she working for? I work in retail and I don't know anyone who gets to dress like that. She's got a tattoo that she regrets and whines that it's expensive to get it removed? Guess what? She can do what most of us do when there's something we want to do. Save her money. Tattoo removal is painful? So was getting the tattoo. So this girl's bad judgement is used as a "beware of the evils of tattooing" in a newspaper? That's ridiculous. It's a lot of dry wind to me. Everyone has regrets, not everyone gets newspaper articles written about them. People I know in the REAL WORLD just deal with them.

Andy | 1:38 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

This was lame.

buzz | 3:30 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

ummm.... don't get tattoos for someone else; that sounds like she just makes bad choices. understanding the permanence of it is important. it's a unique story for each person getting tattooed, i love mine and intend on keeping all my ink above the cuff and below the collar; stay professional if you need to. if you find yourself not liking it later, buck up.

hhmm | 4:58 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I don't think tattoos are automatically "bad". However, I do think younger people should seriously think about it before getting one. You're going to have it a long time, so make sure you really want it--not just acting out of anger.

Silva | 5:10 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

no pictures?

Temp Tats | 5:41 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

If you think you want a tattoo, try a temporary one first.

Won't change who you are | 5:43 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

If you're a loser and get a tattoo to make yourself tougher or more acceptable, it doesn't change who you are. You're just a loser with a tattoo.

granny | 6:53 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

everyone who does get a tattoo should really take the time to decide what it truly is that they want on thier bodies "FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES". You know the old addage,"measure twice, cut once".

Anonymous | 6:53 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

The choice to get a tattoo is personal. The article isn't saying that tattoos are bad, it's saying: Think long and hard about getting one. I have seen many examples of body art. Some are on young, firm, smooth skin, and are amazing works of art. Others are on much older people, where you have to squint (or even ask!) to figure out what it is/was. I have never asked these folks if they regret their tattoos because most are veterans. But tattoos do age, as our bodies do. Some blur, but as I understand, can be touched up from time to time. If you are 18, 35 or whatever age, just picture yourself when you are 65 or 80(and POSSIBLY less fit) with your tattoo. If you like what you see, have at it!

Pointless Story | 7:08 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Sounds like an advertisement. And people wonder why newspapers are struggling with stories like this.

Not impressed | 7:28 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I see tattoos, and think,"there goes an idiot". As a friend of mine likes to tell people, "Honey, that's gona look real good when you're 50". You want to look like a circus side show freak, I will treat you like one. You make your statement, others will respond to it.

Semicrazzy | 7:48 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I agree that some tattoos aren't all bad I have 8 and I wouldn't trade them for anything. But I do know some people that would go back if they could, and yes this article did sound like an advertisement for inklifters, what are they complaing about they are making money off the ones that regret it so maybe they should stop bothering the rest of us who enjoy ours.

AC | 8:18 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

And the moral of the story is...... it must have been a really slow news week. This story was poorly written and contrived. I'd like to see the source / fact check on this. I'm guessing Mr. Robinson fabricated "Lisa" due to a serious lack of content.

hmmm | 9:09 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I have a tattoo and I love it, I've never regreted it, and I've always thought it to be a very wonderful addition to my "self" It's true a lot of people now a days walk in a shop and pick something off the wall and get it stuck. I didn't do that, when I decided I wanted a tattoo I drew the tattoo on my skin (not the best rendition, but it was a good concept) and walked around with it, for a few weeks I kept drawing it back on, and making sure it was what I wanted. I personally designed it, it means something to me, and I'm happy about it. So, if you want a tattoo, pick something that is going to be you, not some image on the wall, create it, make it part of you, and if you want one off the wall, chances are you will regret it.

Anonymous | 9:36 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Grats Inklifters on free advertising.

middle aged mom | 10:13 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

What I loved at 18...not so much at 28.....what I loved at 28.....thought ridiculous at 40. Get the picture? Go dye your hair purple like I did, it's easy to change when you move on to better things. Gages and tattoos; even less pretty when you are in the nursing home. I'd like to learn the tattoo removal biz - good money down the road I should think! Any Laser schools here?

Mahola P Willikers | 10:14 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

This article is just a lame attempt to advertise for "Inklifters," anyone who gets a tattoo and immediately says, " I don't know why I got this," they got it for all the wrong reasons in the first place and deserve to live with it.

Too many people today are pushed by the wrong motivation, they want something and they want it now, regardless of the repercussions. Learn to think about what you want, wait for it and plan ahead. Common sense is not a new concept

moral of the story | 10:24 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

So, the moral of the story is: If you are so immature that you have to lash out at your parents when you have a disagreement, than you are probably too immature to make an important decision like getting a tattoo.

As always, acting in the heat of anger leads to stupid decisions!

EdM | 10:26 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

My gosh yahoos......Let me toss another one at you. If you get a tattoo you can't donate blood. My thinking then is that if you can't donate blood because of a tattoo to help you feel "better" about yourself...then when you go to a hospital and they see your tat then they should be allowed to not give you donated blood. Gotta work both ways.

mookie | 11:49 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

When I was fifteen, I wanted a Rush "starman" tattoo. When I was eighteen, I wanted a Grateful Dead "jer bear" tattoo. Now, I want an "American Idol" logo tatoo. Maybe, I'll just buy an American Idol shirt and NEVER take it off.

BH | 11:59 a.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I've never met a middle aged person, who had been tatooed earlier in life, that does not regret the decision.

Example: When I was a Boy Scout, one of our Assistant Scoutmasters had tatoos from his WWII Navy days. Typical kids, we wanted to see the tatoos up close and know the details. But he shyed away, and from then on made an effort to wear long sleeve shirts to hide the tatoos.

I learned real quick that tatoos were not anything to be proud of. Why do you think the kids in the Midwest call the tatoos in the small of a girl's back a "tramp stamp"? I think the same label is used here in the west.

At least the technology exists now to remove them. Just gotta be willing to pay the pain and price.

Generation Next | 12:06 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Tattoos & their "carnival worker/prison inmate" status is a thing of yesteryear. In today's world, it seems to me that the current tattooed crowd comes from all walks of life, far from any one stereotype so easily assigned by previous generations. My younger brother, for example, is a 32-yr.old white-collar working professional employed by a hugely successful national corporation. After our sister's tragic & sudden death in 2007, he began designing each of his now half-dozen tattoos in memory of a dearly departed family member. Nearly all of his friends also have tattoos (or are neutral on the issue) & range in occupation from dentist or news anchor to teacher or corporate executive. You'd never guess what's under their starched Oxfords, Armani suits or collared Polos. Bottom line: they made the decision to add ink as ADULTS. So teens beware! The only tatts most of these grown-ups regrets are the ones they got for the wrong reasons at the wrong age by the wrong artist. Don't be stupid. And for the rest of us, don't judge.

What kind of joke is this? | 12:28 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I was expecting to hear a horror story about a tattoo and health problems and all I got was a commercial for InkLifters. Doug, why have you slid so much in your quality???

Career | 1:53 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Those young people who are considering future careers may want to look into tattoo removal...I'm thinking there's going to be HUGE lines for this service in 5-10 years and beyond. Big bucks.

Lame tattoos | 2:32 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

haha I agree. If you're a loser and you want to be cool go get a tattoo. Then you'll be a loser with a tattoo.

Be true to yourself!! If you think getting a tattoo is part of your "self" then by all means don't let the scary advertisement for inklifters scare you. But if you are like everyone else in the world and your "self" matures or changes, then you better have a good job so that you can undo the stupid decision you made back when you thought you were cool. Oh and btw, nobody thinks you're cool except for other people with your lame fad tattoo. Believe me, I would know.

GeorgeS | 3:44 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Tattoos are permanent reminder of a temporary fad.
Any kid that wants to get a tattoo should first make sure to look through their parents yearbook to see what the popular fads used to be. Old home decor books and style books also work well. What people currently consider cool and good looking will assuredly change in a few years and people will look back on this time and say "I can't believe people thought that looked good." With a tattoo changing that style will not be so easy as getting a new haircut or outfit.

Not just for TV anymore... | 4:52 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Infomercials!

Inked | 5:47 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Funny, isn't it? Because I happen to be tattooed, several of you want to pass judgment on my maturity level, intelligence, worth, etc. Interestingly, I've never judged someone's maturity, intelligence and the like, based on that person's not having a tattoo. Short of me choosing to reveal my tats, they're really not the business of anyone else. When I do choose to reveal the fact that I'm inked, it's often amusing. I mean really? A thirty-something, home-owning, professional with tattoos? How could it be? But you're a responsible, good citizen. You're educated and intelligent. You have good morals and are a nice person. You couldn't possibly be tattooed. Glad I have you people around to give me a good laugh.

Millie | 5:52 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I dont know about the rest of you but I'll never regret my Vanilla Ice tat. Its timeless!

Annoymous III | 7:17 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

"Tattoos are the common man's way of investing in art."

Jake | 7:24 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

Even the best tattoo is less attractive than a scar...

Tattoo Artist | 11:41 p.m. Aug. 11, 2009

I have tattooed for 10 years. I have a degree from the University of Utah in fine arts. I served in the military and am now a disabled veteran, some may have seen me on TRAX, I have the cane with flames. I have never been more offended by an article or the comments of its readers.

The way most of the obviously religious people respond in this article is truley shocking, I can't believe someone would ever judge me because I have my kids' portraits tattooed on me. I also have a memorial to my best friend who was killed in the same explosion that crippled me. Most of my customers are also getting a memorial tattoo of sorts, so why judge their character? Should people with tattoos view those without as intolerant or prejudice? Also, calling someone a loser is degrading to both parties, a person may have tattoos, but they might also lie down in traffic for you , you have no idea. It's people like you that won't let my kids play with your kids because of the way I look.

And people, please stop calling them "Tats."

Re: BH | 5:48 a.m. Aug. 12, 2009

The term "tramp stamp" is pretty universal. I've heard it in several different countries besides this one, as well as several different states here. I've also heard a few other terms for it that are even less complimentary, but I won't share them here.

roberto | 8:03 a.m. Aug. 12, 2009

This isn't going to change a thing. Stupid people are going to do stupid things and regret them later. I belileve that getting a tat ranks high on the stupid list- serves her right!

to: Tattoo Artist | 8:14 a.m. Aug. 12, 2009

Some people think tattoos are beautiful, some think they're ugly. A lot of atheists dislike tattoos, too, not just the religious ones. It's no reason to get so defensive. If you like your tattoos, then that's all that matters. Why do you care, and moreover, why are you surprised, if people in the conservative state you're living in don't like them?

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