Piece of Advice #39: Hold off on the inking and piercing

I have been an adult for twenty or so years, and it is interesting to look back and see the progress of trends that have appeared and then greatly accelerated in the two decades since I graduated from high school.  One of these is the growing obesity rate, and another is tattooing and piercing.  I don't feel that old, but, honestly, the explosion of tattooing is something that puzzles me because, while people did get tattoos in the 1980's, it just wasn't as ubiquitous as it is now, and they didn't tend to get multiple tattoos either or tattoos in clearly visible areas.  Or on their foreheads.


What was the tipping point?  I would love to know.


To anyone unattached who is thinking of inking  I would recommend holding off for two reasons:

1. Tattoos are permanent.  While it may very well be possible that you could successfully choose a tattoo that you will like now and like forevermore, it is certainly not a given.  I mean, we thought acid washed pegged jeans were cool back in the day.  I personally doubled rolled my bangs and secured them with copious amounts of Aquanet, and I have pictures of myself with said hair wearing a Laura Ashley frock dress with crinoline.  Dear Lord, forgive me.  This was a deliberate look and took time, mind you.  Fortunately, it was not permanent.  The Aquanet washed out and the dress went to Goodwill.  I can't imagine if I still had to go around in that crinoline dress or if I had bangs that went in polar opposite directions in perpetuity.  You may think you will never have regrets when you are young, but I assure you, you will.  We all have blackmail fodder in Kodak form.
2. Tattoos are polarizing.  This may be a generational thing.  I suspect tattooing and piercing will be around for some time, but in the here and now people with tattoos have to face other people who dislike or disapprove of tattoos.  Some people don't like the way they look.  Some people think they indicate bad  or wild character.  And unfortunately for the tattooed or pierced, some of those people will be the ones hiring and firing or in other positions of authority.  Additionally, if you are single, you may find that by getting tattooed you turn off a percentage of people, small or not, who might be interested in you except for your tattoos.  Or they may find the tattoo(s) you chose to be a total turnoff.  If you are married or in a LTR and your significant other loves tattoos, you can breathe easier and ink away.  But unattached people may want to keep their options open by refraining.  You have all the time in the world to get a tattoo if you want one.  Make sure it isn't going to be a liability for you before you do.  

In any case, if you do decide to get tattoos, choose the location carefully so that you can cover it up in an interview or with a wedding dress.  And if you ink like Bombshell McGee, do not take offense when people stare.  Covering your whole body with pictures is attention seeking behavior, so feel satisfied, not angry, when you get  that attention.