[Steve]

Just recently there has been a couple of photos of a model called Jamie shown by ftmftm. The model is a colourful character and has the look of a ‘goth’ complete with red hair and facial piercing. She is an excellent subject for portrait photography but unfortunately she doesn’t like this kind of work.

In that thread some people have expressed opinions about not understanding why someone would want to have facial piercing, while others expressed an opinion that they could understand tattoos but not piercing. This made me think it might be a good topic for conversation in here.

So where do you stand on this, would you/have you got piercing/tattoos. What do you feel is acceptable and when is it taken to far? Lets see where our members sit on this one

[Gary Bagshawe]

I personally have my left ear pierced and no tats, however I have had 2 long term partners who have had piercings and tatoos, pierced ears eyebrows and tongue plus......
I have no problem with it whatsoever and think that it shows the diversity and freedom of choice of the people who live here, it used to be a case of piercings and tatoos so that people could stick 2 fingers up at society but now days I think that it is not done for that reason.

[Angela]

I have my ears pierced with two holes in each and no tats. But, I promised myself a small and discreet tat for my 40th birthday and I still haven't got round to getting it done so that is a must for this year!

I don't have a problem with either. I wouldn't want all the piercings that some have and I don't necessarily think it's attractive but each to his own. Likewise tatoos, I think the artistry and the skill that goes into them is amazing. But again, I wouldn't want them all over me!

[fionaB]

I have two tattoos, and as previously mentioned i got them way before they became a fashion accesory. unfortunately i feel that a lot of younger folk get peircings and tattoos just for that reason. now not for one minute do i mean all of them, but when it comes to having peircings and tattoos on "display" as it where i feel thats what they are. i got mine for me not for anyone else which is why few folk realise that i have any at all. They are not tiny wee things an inch long either. but i didnt get them to display to other people .
i feel a lot of folks nowadays will regret having them done cos it wasnt thught thru,
i do not and would never judge or condemn anyone for having any of these things whatever the reason, i just fail to understand why people would do it. it can hamper them in so many ways.... getting jobs...being accepted in society in places etc.
i have heard the arguements about peircings etc being in the tradition of certain cultures which is very true...... but what the same people that use that arguement forget is that THEy are not a member of that culture/s.
each to his own, and while i dont mind discreet piercings i do not and never will "like or understand" the need for them all over the face etc.

Fi

[Rob Barron]

When does it go too far? Only when a person individually thinks it has for them!

I am not keen on seeing bits of metal protuding from people's faces, be they eyebrows, noses, lips, tongues, etc. though I don't have a problem with ears. A couple of lobal earrings I can live with and indeed often find very attractive. I can't say the same for upper-ear piercings nor of any facial stuff. To me it looks ugly and immature. BUT I stress that is just what it looks like to me, not a criticism of what other people choose to do.

Tattoos: I don't have any but I have considered one several times and have my wife's consent should I choose to do it. You might think it strange that I would want my wife's consent but frankly if she found them in the slightest distasteful than I would not even consider it. After all, she would actually see it more than I would.

The reason I have not had one done yet is because I am extremely partocular about what it is I want and despite speaking to two professionals who both claimed they could do it easily enough, I felt from both that they did not appreciate the tone of picture I wanted and if I ended up with some gothic monstrosity I would be totally gutted. I would like, on my upper arm (so that it can be easily sovered even when wearing a T-shirt for professional purposes) an eagle that is in flight and soaring. I do not want the talons out as though about to pluck a fish from a river or any such thing. It is actually to complement and illustrate a verse from the Bible that I hold very dear and so under the picture I would want the words: Isaiah 40 v 31. Not wanting to preach or anything here but just for those curious, the verse says: 'Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength: they will soar on wings like an eagle.' I think that makes it pretty obvious why the picture MUST be an eagle soaring and not about to make a killing

I will finish with the bit that I know will upset some of my female friends but please, this is only my own, traditional and maybe old-fashioned opinion so just humour me!.... I absolutely hate seeing tattoos on women!

I am sort of ok-ish with a tasteful butterfly or something in a semi-hidden location but a larger tattoo on the arm or whatever, nope, sorry, not something that appeals to me at all! In fact I find them a real turn-off but hey, what does that matter? The only woman who turns me on or who I want to turn me on is the beautiful lady I am married to so whatever anyone else decides to wear, be that a tattoo or a full suit of armour surgically attached to their bodies, really is none of my business

Cheers,
Rob

[danpen]

Obviously what people do to their own bodies is entirely their own affair (or their spouses if they chose to make it so as in Rob's case) and I would never comment on or judge others for this kind of thing, but I don't think I've ever seen a piercing or a tattoo that I felt enhanced the look of the person.

My wife has her ears pierced, I expect my daughter and quite possibly my son will want to do the same when they're older I won't try and stand in their way (but will try to ensure they get it done at a reputable place) but I don't think I'd ever find it attractive.

cheers

Dan

[WOODY]

I Have Ten Tattoos, All Of Which I Have Had For Over Thirty Years.
I Had These Done When I Was In The Army, They Were Done In Various Parts Of The World.

They Are A Constant Reminder To Me Of The Places I Was Posted To , I Know Where Each One Was Done. To Me They Are Memories Of Good Times And Bad.

I Do Not Regret Any Of Them.
Today They Are Just A Fashion Statement, When I Had Mine Done Most People In The Forces Had Them.

My Son Has Six, One Of My Daughters Has Two, Small And Discreet. Even My Four Year Old Granddaughter Said I Want Some Pictures On My Arms Granddad!!!

[johnbec]

i have my left ear pierced twice and have five tattoos. talking to the tattoo artist as he worked on my last one in july last year he said he was busier than ever, partly due to the popularity of the the sky tv programme 'miami ink' which follows some amazing artists as they adorn the bodies of americans, all of them have a story to tell about the tattoo they are having put on. i am personally not offended by tattoos or piercings whether they be on an arm or a face.

[P-E]

I have tattoos and my ears pierced.

I haven't worn earrings for several years now and I would imagine the holes have healed up

As for tattoos I have very noticeable ones on my hands and have spent for too much money having laser treatment on one on the back of my neck removed.......what was I thinking of in my youth

Back to piercing.......
My cousins son Daniel had his lipped pierced in Oct 2002;

BBC NEWS | England | South Yorkshire | Lip piercing death 'misadventure'

[Hawk66]

I don't have a problem with any of it, but sometimes people do take it to an extreme

[Rob Barron]

ROFL Hawk, bet he'd struggle to get through an airport's metal detector without sending the alarm off

Must be blooming awkward to sleep with so much metal sticking out of his face as well. I guess it takes all sorts <g>

Cheers,
Rob

[Steve]

I would like to know how he washes and drys his face?

BTW are we sure it is a man