I've got pierced ears, and an ankle tattoo,
which was a birthday present from my son.
It's rather tame (celtic butterfly), but
I simply love it - and the colours are
stunning, and match my mane of red hair.

I've always thought that tattoing was one of
the oldest forms of creative expression and that
every culture has practised tattoing. Many people
regard tattoo marks as a sign of beauty. Some
people regard them as works of art, others have
them to express patriotism, devotion to loved ones,
or even religious convictions.

They can always be removed with lasers.

"They can always be removed with lasers."

Angelina Jolie would not agree with that. With all of her money and the cream of the world's cosmetic surgeons available to her, the obvious scars and ink remain. Covering up with more extensive and darker tattoos is the 'solution'.

Johnny Rotten I like the sound of your tattoo.

Cornflower is right- most laser removals of tattoos end up with worse looking scars.

I don't mind tasteful tattoos, but I worry about the health practices of some tattoo parlours.

The only tatts I dislike are the names of current lovers that people have tattooed lovingly into their flesh- only to be lovingly dumped by them the next week!

Tattoo artists make plenty of money trying to tattoo something else over old lovers/ex partners names! The area often looks silly after the changes are made.

Imagine having a loving moment with your partner, and then they find themselves staring at the name of your ex chiseled onto your body? Lol.

Although I had a pierced ear for a few years when I was younger, I don't have any tatts or piercings now. However, I know lots of people of various ages who do, and I can't see that it's any of my business to judge them on what they do to alter their bodies for aesthetic purposes. It's not really my cup of tea, but it's not my body either.

Obviously, people derive some kind of personal affirmation, belonging or recognition from tattoos and piercings - as people have done in all societies since time immemorial. What's the big deal?

"What's the big deal?"

Just another beat up for people to use to judge others, CJ.

One of the worse things that people do is tattoo the name of a lover on themselves, I have a mate who covered his ex girlfriend's name with roses and he looks bloody ridiculous.

To Individual

(who obviously isn't so effin 'individual' seeing as he makes assumptions about people).

I did indulge in some experimentation in my youth (and there a plenty of men who should fess up to same) I am in a stable hetero relationship now - women have always been my first preference, but some men were simply... irresistible. May you choke on your morning cornflakes.

Isn't it funny how young peoples 'wish list' has changed over the generations.

Gone are the days of wanting to buy a house, turn it in to a home, settle down with the one you love and raise a family.

Tats are fast becomming another reason why so many can no longer afford a home, as they so often have their deposit for their homes on their bodies. Trouble is, the bank won't lend on these assetts.

It's a free country and one can do as they like, but 'please', don't come complaining about housing affordabillity or the rising costs of every day living, after you have spent tens of tousands on tats.