Grilled cheese sandwiches and unicorns
Once upon a time in London town I had a really frustrating conversation with my then boss about the fact that I had a tattoo. He was of the opinion that I had done it simply for fashion and he was 100 per cent certain that I would regret having it when I was sixty. And all this despite the fact that he'd known me for less than a month.
Twelve years later and I don't regret it yet and doubt that I will due to the personal nature of the design and the meaning behind it, though I can still see what he was trying to get at, albeit in a rather condescending I'm-twenty-years-older-than-you-therefore-I-know-you-and-your-motivations-better-than-you-do way, for in the nineties the fad for tattooing and piercing was at a fever pitch, and every chav in town was getting a tramp stamp of a butterfly or a unicorn or a British bulldog (seriously, I saw one of those on a girl once, ick) The question of whether to tattoo or not was as self-defining as that other age-old question... Oasis or Blur?
The reason I'm even talking about this is because a restaurant in Ohio has offered a lifetime discount to atrons who get the image of a grilled cheese sandwiched inked. And right about there is where I nearly pulled a facial muscle with extravagant eyerolling.
I mean, there are people willing to permanently scar themselves for...a discount? You don't get anything for free. Not a giftbasket. Not a souvenir mug. Not even a free sandwich. You get a 25 per cent discount...for life. Forgive me but that just seems pretty measly. Especially when you consider that anyone who has a tattoo of a grilled cheese sandwich probably has a much shorter life expectancy than most. A lifetime discount is probably only good for 20 years, 25 tops.
I never cease to be amazed at the faddish, silly things that people choose to get tattooed with. I know that it's their skin so they can do what they want with it but it does make you wonder. Is Eminem's face really the most meaningful thing that you can think of to decorate yourself with? Does a mythical horned horse represent a significant event in your history?
And don't even get me started about people who get the Chinese character of a concept emblazoned on their person when they can't speak or read Chinese, nor do they have any interest in Chinese culture or history. I know for myself, a few of the designs I had in mind or have considered over the years now make me shudder and I'm jolly glad that the only one I have is not associated with a movie or a rapper or anything else that I might one day regret (and also that if I lived in Texas I might qualify for this calendar).
Who I was twelve years ago when I got my tattoo has changed drastically, though the inked skin is still there. I think I made a good choice with my tatt and I doubt that I will regret it when I'm sixty but I do wonder how prevalent tattoo-regret is. No one ever admits that they made a bad call on their tattoo but many people must or laser removal specialists would be out of business. So, with the anonymity of the internet to hide your shame (or not) tell the truth, are you still happy with your tattoo or have you outgrown it? I await your comments with interest and will be humming this as I do.
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I know a company where several of the key staff had the company logo tatooed on them. When it was done (I suspect they were 'really drunk at the time'), the agreement was that the company would pay for the removal. One person _has_ left, and the company _has_ paid for the removal.
I don't regret mine, but of them there is one I kinda wish had been done a bit better, the ink's not very evenly done..but it's nothing a touch-up won't quickly sort out. I think the only thing I would regret about a tattoo would be if I didn't take proper care of it (sunblock etc) and the quality of it deteriorated from sun damage.
My bf doesn't regret one of his two per se, but he doesn't like it as much as he would like to -his chosen artist didn't do the tat for some reason, got his apprentice to do it-because the lines don't quite match up well, but hey apprentices have to get practice somehow eh, but again its something that might simply need a wee touch-up.
Great article! I am thinking about getting my 4th tattoo, this one will be in a more public place. It will represent my two children and will probably be my last - probably. I do agree with you when you say that some people do get some weird images tattooed on their body's. A grilled cheese sandwich, oh come on!!! LOL.
I haven't got any tats, but if I ever did get one it would have to be LOVE over one set of knuckles and HATE over the other.
Or else FISH and CHPS.
Probably can't pass judgment on if I regret mine yet, as I only got it last year and I am sure I am still classed as a 'young person' to most of you (21).
However, I don't think I will as I took months and months and months developing the design with my artist and did not commit until I knew I really loved it. It is also somewhere that I can hide in work situations easily, which I think is an incredibly important part. There is a massive difference between hideable and visible tattoos when it comes to if you will regret them (think about the old lady on the Tefal ad!).
For your further elucidation, here is Kermit singing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHXZA_5XMJ4
Brilliant stuff.
I have a tattoo, a simple ring of flowers around my ankle. Whether it will still be discernible as such when I reach sixty remains to be seen, but I love it and have never regretted getting it.
*pouts*
I have a unicorn in said 'tramp stamp' area. Seemed like a perfectly brilliant idea at the tender age of 18 after a few or 10.
In reflection, not one of my brightest decisions - but I'm sure it will look super hot when I'm 80. REOW.
People do assume that you will regret tattoos once things start to wrinkle a little. When I worked in operating rooms, I got to see my fair share of wrinkled bodies - and I always found tattoos to be humanising. Like a reminder of who this person might have been once.
Also, I am mesmerised by the lions on that womens chest.
I have two :-) My first was when I was 15 and still at school (shock horror!) and my second was done this year.
I love both of mine and don't regret either and doubt I ever will. Some people may not agree with or like what I have, but I actually couldn't care less. Mine aren't about anyone else or their opinion, they're for me.
If you want to get a unicorn or a wolf howling at a moon inked on your back - then go for it. Whilst they might not be my personal choice, you have the freedom and will to do with your body as you wish.
My advice is to think carefully about what it is that you want and where you want it, but at the end of the day live life for yourself and don't let other people and their narrow minds hinder your decision.
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I'm first!! Even though I have past the first half century plus a decade, I am thinking seriously about getting a tatoo. I can't decide what to get!