Tattoos and judging and such...

[aherdofbunnies]

I'm really not judging the person. I'll say this again- one more time. I just get sick to my stomach at the sight of tattoos. I think they look HORRIBLE and feel so irritated that people do this to their bodies.

By saying that you feel irritated that people tattoo their bodies, you are in fact judging them as a person.

You know..some people get tattoos to cover up scars and other painful reminders of past experiences. I have a tattoo on my ankle & foot covering several unsightly scars that are painful reminders of my past. With the artwork that now covers it, I feel more beautiful that I did before. Knowing that I can always look down and see a beautiful mural of things that remind me that life gets better is something that was extremely important to me and it saddens me that you wouldn't want to get to know me based on a decision that was made to make myself happier.

[Backroads]

it saddens me that you wouldn't want to get to know me based on a decision that was made to make myself happier.

In all fairness carlimac was admitting a problem and looking to change. No sense in getting all high and mighty.

[carlimac]

By saying that you feel irritated that people tattoo their bodies, you are in fact judging them as a person.

You know..some people get tattoos to cover up scars and other painful reminders of past experiences. I have a tattoo on my ankle & foot covering several unsightly scars that are painful reminders of my past. With the artwork that now covers it, I feel more beautiful that I did before. Knowing that I can always look down and see a beautiful mural of things that remind me that life gets better is something that was extremely important to me and it saddens me that you wouldn't want to get to know me based on a decision that was made to make myself happier.

Where did I ever say I wouldn't want to get to know you? I have said over and over that I know there is worth to the person under the tattoos. I would love to hear your story and to know why you tattooed your ankle and foot and with what. I just don't like the looks of tattoos. I think our Father in Heaven gave us beautiful temples to live in here on earth. More than irritated, I should change that to say I feel sad that these bodies are defaced- that they don't look natural anymore.

[classylady]

Quite a few of my children's friends have tattoos. I love these kids. A number of my adult acquaintances have tattoos too. My problem with tattoos, is that I don't find them attractive at all. I am at a loss when I meet someone with a tattoo, and they are so proud of it, and everyone else seems to be admiring it, and I'm thinking "I'd rather see their beautiful skin, not this tattoo". I simply do not find tattoos attractive. I know that many look at tattoos as art. I don't think I'll ever be able to do so. I'd much rather see their unmarked skin.

[skippy740]

My ex-wife is dating a man with 'sleeves'. I know that the fact that she's dating bothers me. But because of that, since he has these 'sleeves', THAT is an additional reason why I don't like HIM.

It's not about him as a person, but the affect he may have on my ex-wife and my children. I hope they haven't met him yet, but the relationship is new.

[Quin]

One thing I do when I'm having difficulty judging others on a visceral level is to find the parallel.

Meaning to BOTH

- Find the beauty

- Find something that DOESN'T affect me that way.

Classic:

You find tattoos ugly

Others find fat women ugly

Both of you to feeling nauseous about them

You can love the person, understand abc-xyz, but still have this "ugh" feeling.

Finding something others find gross that I don't is actually key for me. It takes my "yuck" response out of the vacuum. For myself, I can't work in a vacuum. I have to associate my dislike with others that I've already got umpteen examples of why it either is or can be beautiful. It sets my brain up to actually LOOK instead of react. So! To continue....

But Reuben (Reubanesque women) would disagree about fat women (and umpteen other examples... Hugging my mama, etc.).

But ________ would disagree about tattoos.

Can you find ONE example of a beautiful tattoo or beautiful spirit wearing a tattoo? I bet you can. Whether its a Maori grandfather or a soldier returning from Afghanistan. Or Ötzi. Or a burn victim (tattoos are sometimes used in burn victims to either add pigment or to hide a disfiguring scar). Or, or, or, or.

When I find the beauty in a thing, I set down my repulsion.

[TalkativeIntrovert]

I have a tattoo, I am a middle aged, overweight, mum of 3, and I didn't get it until I was middle-aged! Not you typical person to get them :)

It is on my face, in full view - and you wouldn't know it is there :) It is a very vain, cosmetic tattoo.

When I started having eye issues, I could no longer apply makeup. I don't know about anywhere else, but in my ward, the women dress beautifully and are always well groomed. Without makeup, I felt that I didn't fit in anymore. I know it wasn't a rational thought process - but it was there!

So I had eyeliner tattooed on and I get my lashes tinted regularly. To me it wasn't about graffiti on my skin or defiling my temple (body), so I didn't think it went against church teachings. If it did, then makeup would as well.

So maybe an understanding would help you accept them more, maybe not, but I admire you for admitting this is an issue - because now you can work on it.

[bytor2112]

I am a middle aged, overweight, mum of 3,

48 is NOT middle age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Quin]

48 is the new 28

[TalkativeIntrovert]

I expect to live to 95 - so it is :)

Though I don't feel it (rowed a half marathon yesterday), I still look it.