Tattoos: Aspies Love 'Em or Leave 'Em?

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I am so pain intolerant that even the thought of getting a tattoo makes me say Ow! I'm interested in how we Aspies approach not only the whole idea of tattoos but also the whole idea of pain.

Some of the information I've read on ASD-ers is that we don't experience pain--a crock in my mind. I have no proof, but I think we are also on the spectrum in regard to pain tolerance.

Sometimes when I'm talking to someone with multiple tattoos, I can't stop wondering about the pain involved, which causes me to wonder why people purposely do such a thing. It makes sense to me as a rite of passage, such as in tribal fashion like the Maori, but not in general. I've heard of the pleasure some people get from pain. I believe them, but I feel pain just trying to think about how that works.

I also wonder about how we perceive the idea of tattoos.

Sometimes I look at people's tattoos and get distracted. I also might get overwhelmed by so many pictures that I can't concentrate on the person in front of me--almost like being in a casino. I have to try really hard to keep my eyes off the tattoos and look at the person's face. Then I feel confused and embarrassed.

I guess overall, for me, tattoos seem to have no logical purpose. They are permanent additions to our bodies. What I like as a picture on my body at 20 may make me feel disgusted by age 30. And, they seem to highlight our age as we get older (as in they get saggy and make wrinkles show more). Also, why do I need to use tattoo to feel like an individual? I already am an individual. In fact, it's almost like the trend of being all tatted up is actually a sign of belonging to a group.

Hmm, now that could be one reason to get a tattoo--because you want to belong to the group of people who get tattoos.

See how confused I get?

What are your thoughts?

Against for the simple reason that it's a social fad.

I tattooed DEATH on my hand way back in the day, so I'm not actually against meaningful "ink" that's not due to it being a social fad and it's suddenly acceptable for people to have such. I didn't give a damn for what others thought, as it was purely for me.

I don't beat around the bush when I say I H-A-T-E tattoos, especially on women. Even a pre-schooler was showing off her "tattoo" and I had to resist saying something bad. She must have picked up on my expression because she quickly assured me they come off. I honestly can't see the point of getting something permanent like that, especially in an area where it severely limits employment options (head, neck, arms, hands, etc). I also laugh to hearing recent commercial for tattoo removal services. Didn't take long!

It's ironic how many women tell me they get a small tattoo to express their individuality when literally every woman I know has the same style tattoo in the same area! I guess I'll never understand. Kinda reminds me of Junior High where most boys were getting their left ear pierced to stand out.... just like everyone else. This (visible) tattoo craze is another fad that will quickly be forgotten like the rest and now is a great time to invest in tattoo removal services. I especially get a chuckle at 19-21 year old women in College getting visible tattoos and seeking a career path where there tattoos or body piercings are a huge no-no and have killed their career path before even starting it. Ditto to getting a boyfriend/girlfriends name tattoos on the forearm. Good luck explaining that one to your next relationship! I know many older (senior) men with tattoos and every single one of them regrets getting one and would get rid of them if not for the $$$.

I have two smaller tattoos, but I admire well done ink on others. I don't know if I'd get any more, but they represent different chapters in my life.

Tattoos only look okay on a male, and only on their arms. It looks really gross when most of a guys upper body is tattooed. I don't have any myself by the way.

I just don't get the concept of tattoos and I wont go into where that position is contributed to ASD. I respect other peoples right to express themselves but the motivation to get tattoos often seems to be very conflicted, trying to be anti-mainstream and blending in simultaniously. How often haven't you heard people asking for input from others on whether they should get one? What do they care - if they want to assume such carefree attitude.

This cartoon sums it up pretty good http://theoatmeal.com/pl/minor_differences5/tattoos

To give the gift of total honesty, I really hate them, too. Most of the time people get the same eight or twelve tacky tattoos and for some reason call it an expression of individuality.

Even the cool old school Sailor Jerry kind of girls look really great when you're running around the Battle of Guadalcanal all young and muscular, but then when you get older and your skin gets saggy, they look hideous. At that point you're pretty much screwed because it's really expensive to get them removed. Why would that be a good decision? Call me old fashioned, but I think human skin looks terrific the way it is; save the art for the walls.

I never understood why people deface their bodies that way. Worse still is when people get tattoos celebrating some pop cultural fad that will be forgotten in a few years, but they will be stuck with that stupid ink for the rest of their lives. I also see it as something that marginalizes a person in society and makes it more difficult to get a good job or fit in with a number of different social situations. So.. no. I don't like tattoos or piercings.

I think this guy got a little carried away while trying to be scary looking.

I'd love to get a celtic tattoo for my arm that expresses my pride in my Celtic heretige. But the simple fact is I can't find one that expresses what I want it to, They all seem too generic or too wild, or just meh. If I found the right one I'd get tattoo'd in a Heartbeat, But I wouldn't get a Tatt for the sake of one.

Those who get a tattoo to be seen as outside of the mainstream generally fail; it is probably more 'punk' not to have one these days. I despair at people who have tattoo'd some eastern symbology on themselves which they think is cool but probably has a dual meaning of which they are unaware. Equally bothersome are those who persist in showing off their butchered body parts to everyone they meet. Majority of people I have met regret theirs, I used to know a guy who had "NO#1 NINJA BECAUSE 9 OUT OF 10 NINJAS THINK ITS TOTALLY SWEET" tattoed in red across his forearm who lived to regret it, and a guy who had a cliche "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" over his stomach which got botched and read 'drill' instead of 'kill'.

Well none of the options on the poll fit I am more someone who likes tattoos and would like to get one. My sister got one on the back of her right shoulder its basically a dream catcher, with a ship floating above it kind of hard to explain exactly how it looks but its really awesome and its fitting for her.

One thing I don't quite understand though is I realize not everyone wants tattoos or likes them, but I cannot understand the intense hate some people seem to have towards those who have tattoos. Why not just live and let live in that context? I just don't get all the stigma about tattoos I mean if someone doesn't want one great but to actually look down on someone because they happen to have a tattoo is kinda ridiculous in my opinion.

I dislike them. I know this is a generalisation but most people I'm aware of who have tattoos are uneducated louts or have lots of negative emotional baggage or a chip on their shoulder about society and everyone in it; especially true if they have one (or more) on their face. Similarly people with facial piercings and bits of metal hanging out of their lips, nose or eyebrows. They give me a very negative first impression.

I'm a female and I have several on my arms. Large ones.

I got them because I like them and am fascinated by body modification in general.

Of course, it seems like it's "fashionable" to pooh-pooh tattoos these days, which suits me fine because it allows me to more easily weed-out people who are inclined to judge others based on superficial nonsense. "Reverse sheep" are every bit as annoying as "sheep."

I have tattoos and maybe someday I'll even get a real tattoo. I mean one done by a professional. I did mine myself.

Un-tattooed skin is a beautiful thing.

When I was younger I only associated tattoo's with sailors & circus/carnival women, but now, alas, I see beautiful female skin everywhere that has been ruined by ink.

It is a fashion that, I fear, will continue for many years to come.