Point/Counterpoint: Uncool Tatoos
By Carly Hertica and Maria Del Russo
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Op Ed
Honestly, what is the appeal? What do people find so attractive about having something permanently inked on their body? You are not born with a tattoo, so why soil your body with such self-proclaimed "art."
The body is not meant to be a canvas. Especially if you do not own a Harley Davidson and are not currently employed as the painted man in your local freak show.
You can try and argue that your tattoo makes you an individual, but that really isn't true. Over 16% of the population, nearly 30 million people have tattoos, and the number continues to grow. Almost every day a new tattoo shop opens, and more and more people are going out to get one. Tattoos are no longer just for edgy and unique individuals, they are branded on the girl next door, your math professor, your younger brother and that guy who flips burgers at McDonald's. Do you REALLY want to have a career in fast food?
People should think long and hard before they get a tattoo. It's permanent, unless you want to spend thousands of dollars, months of your time and endure painful treatments to possibly rid yourself entirely of a tattoo. The removal process is not guaranteed to work completely. The decision to get a tattoo is really life changing, and no matter how many times you try and scrub it off, it will be there again tomorrow.
The thing that's most annoying about tattoos is the images people decide to forever brand themselves with. Unless your Hawaiian, that tribal band around your bicep doesn't look cool. It makes you look like a tool. Crosses don't make you more religious and no matter how many times you get inked with a peace sign, we're still going to continue to bomb one another. Don't think you're saving the world with that dove and olive branch on your lower back.
That name of your boyfriend/girlfriend you decided you get tattooed on your shoulder? NEWSFLASH: 50% of marriages end in divorce. Your college relationship probably doesn't stand a chance. Case and point: Carly's grandfather has a tattoo of Helen on his arm. He married Ellen. Now, he is "forced" to make up stories about how his tattoo artist was blind. Nope. Now you're a liar AND have a stupid tattoo. See how they ruin your life?
Face it: tattoos are lame. Please, spend your money on something more important: like sponsoring a child in Africa or a sick pair of kicks. You'll thank us for it.
The body is not meant to be a canvas. Especially if you do not own a Harley Davidson and are not currently employed as the painted man in your local freak show.
You can try and argue that your tattoo makes you an individual, but that really isn't true. Over 16% of the population, nearly 30 million people have tattoos, and the number continues to grow. Almost every day a new tattoo shop opens, and more and more people are going out to get one. Tattoos are no longer just for edgy and unique individuals, they are branded on the girl next door, your math professor, your younger brother and that guy who flips burgers at McDonald's. Do you REALLY want to have a career in fast food?
People should think long and hard before they get a tattoo. It's permanent, unless you want to spend thousands of dollars, months of your time and endure painful treatments to possibly rid yourself entirely of a tattoo. The removal process is not guaranteed to work completely. The decision to get a tattoo is really life changing, and no matter how many times you try and scrub it off, it will be there again tomorrow.
The thing that's most annoying about tattoos is the images people decide to forever brand themselves with. Unless your Hawaiian, that tribal band around your bicep doesn't look cool. It makes you look like a tool. Crosses don't make you more religious and no matter how many times you get inked with a peace sign, we're still going to continue to bomb one another. Don't think you're saving the world with that dove and olive branch on your lower back.
That name of your boyfriend/girlfriend you decided you get tattooed on your shoulder? NEWSFLASH: 50% of marriages end in divorce. Your college relationship probably doesn't stand a chance. Case and point: Carly's grandfather has a tattoo of Helen on his arm. He married Ellen. Now, he is "forced" to make up stories about how his tattoo artist was blind. Nope. Now you're a liar AND have a stupid tattoo. See how they ruin your life?
Face it: tattoos are lame. Please, spend your money on something more important: like sponsoring a child in Africa or a sick pair of kicks. You'll thank us for it.