[Bill_K]

Hmmm.....I guess I just don't see what the big deal is.

Just remember you have a couple sons away in college that could surprise you someday when they come home on break LOL

[Kelly]

Yup. And it wouldn't be the end of the world. Self expression is a good thing - and everyone chooses to handle it differently. I'll leave it at that, because I just don't have the energy to get up on my soapbox, let alone my (miniature) high horse.

[Matt]

when "art" and "self-expression" would lose them 99% of job opportunities, then yes, it's a big deal.

[Kelly]

The best lesson a parent can allow a kid to learn? All actions have consequences.

And 1% of opportunities is still a job.

[cbobcat49]

But then he/she would have to look 99 times harder to find said job.

[Kelly]

See my first statement.

I think law dictates that one must be 18 before body art can happen. His choice. His consequence. But for the record, I do disagree with the 1% figure.

[Matt]

they are ALWAYS hiring at the carnival sideshows!

[Bill_K]

I too believe in self expression. Back in the day I was one of the first people in our school to grow his hair long and I suffered the consequences at that time. (yes, I was a hippie, a freak and one of them there long hairs) I was sent to the principals office, called out in gym class, verbally abused and beaten up walking down the street by the jocks.
I would never discourage a person from expressing himself but, self mutilation is something that can not be easily reversed, especially on the face. And, I would guess, someday this man will probably regret some of the choices he has done to express himself.

[mrbirdnerd]

Maybe he can hang out with others like him to feel like he fits in.





Here's looking at you

[Kelly]

That first guy is a repeat. Please replace with a fresh face.

[mrbirdnerd]

Sorry Kelly, it has been replaced.

[Kelly]

Thank you Mike! If there's one thing I can't stand, it's reruns on the tattoo channel. This new image is really fantastic! He's probably saving up for the forks and spoons. Ya think? Complete table setting for 2?

Just remember you have a couple sons away in college that could surprise you someday when they come home on break LOL

They were both home this weekend, and we all had a good chuckle looking over the images and comments here. Neither seemed interested in having any work done - even when I offered to pay.

[Brenda]

Any time that anyone gives me a hard time about wanting one I'll just direct them to these photos to prove how tame (or lame) I really am! I'm having second thoughts now, but only because of the cost.

[Matt]

I have had my ears, eyebrows, and nipples pierced. I had long bright red hair and always looked like I was going to kill someone. Then I grew up and realized i would have to get a job someday. Then being a functional member of society outweighed my freedom of expression. Luckily i never made any modifications that were overtly permanent (except for the permanently erect left nipple).

Freedom of expression is perfectly okay. There's nothing wrong with it. This is not a debate of artistic expression... they all certainly are expressing more with their bodies than any of us are. This is a matter of being stupid or not. Permanent body modification such as this has ever-lasting consequences. One of which is ridicule by pretty much anyone. Would you hire someone who looks like that to sell your product if your sales meant food on the table for your family?

I never got any tattoos because I understood the permanence of them. And when people decide to wear them as apparent as clothing or makeup, if they ignore the age old drift of trend and style over time, they are doomed to be mocked for how they chose to look forever in 1988, when they were drunk, high, or in need of therapy.
Kudos for being different, but that doesn't mean they aren't idiots for going too far.
Anyways... still looking for a doctor, lawyer, executive, police officer, soldier, or pretty much anyone that successfully works with other people that has done this to their body. Maybe CEO of a tattoo parlor.

[Kelly]

I don't disagree with most of what you're saying. Where I do draw the line is when you or anyone else calls them "stupid" or "idots". If any of these people showed up on one of our outings, would you shun them simply because of how they look - or would you at least give them a chance? That's really all I'm saying. They're people who made a sequence of choices that you or I would not make. So what? They surely won't get jobs as doctors, lawyers, pharmacists or police officers - but that has no bearing on your life - and it doesn't make them stupid.

I'm not religious in any way, shape or form - but I do think every human deserves the benefit of any doubt until they've intentionally hurt me or someone else.

Edit: Now we'd like some photos of your younger years there, old man.