Otto,<BR>So do I. But I don't understand how you can make blanket comments that EVERYONE who gets tattoos does so because of peer pressure. It's almost a circular argument. In any case, I'm sure some people get tattoos because of peer pressure but to ascribe peer pressure to the whole tattoo-getting population makes zero sense. <BR>The reason I got my tattoo was a personal decision to commemorate a friend. No one even suggested I do it.

What about 'FAT' people getting tatoos. Now isn't that a sight. Gee, we let anyone who wants to do what they want. Gotta stop.

Ok Ike, you didn't make the decision to commemorate your friend in a vacuum. Something made you decide on a tattoo as opposed, to say, carrying a picture in your wallet or contributing money to a charity.<BR><BR>Question, what were those influences?

Rudeness has little to do with appearance. 2 examples I personally experienced:<BR>I am mildly disabled (I walk with a limp and have some balance problems)<BR>1. on a commuter train, a well dressed businessmand literally shoved me out of the way to get a seat<BR>2. on a crowded city bus, a very tough punk looking adolescent (tattos,piecings etc) jumped up and immediately offered me a seat.

Sounds like a story line for a Hollywood movie. <BR><BR>The business guy is always the villian and the kid from the wrong side of the tracks is always the saint. <BR><BR>Are you SURE you experienced this or saw it at a movie?

Better get used to tattoos - everyone under the age of 30 has them!

Yes, that's the point the guy above was making. You people are like lemmings. No individuality at all. EVERYONE has a tattoo. How original.<BR><BR>Wait until you see the number of those with Hepatitis C. Poor blind lemming, the ocean awaits you.

The problem with trends and fads is that as quickly as they rise, they fade away. You can change your clothes or grow your hair out, but, unfortunately, you're stuck with tattoos forever. Unless you're in the music business, good luck getting a decent job with a nose ring and a dragon tattoo crawling up your neck.

See where "manners" have gone? The post was about manners and lack of, then went downhill fast to an argument about tattoos.<BR>Good manners never go out of style. Holding the door open for another human being, regardless of sex,is simply polite. Not using filthy four letter words in a crowd is simply respect( or lack of , if you do) (sure, when I was a kid I used my share and still sometimes do, but not in public, in front of kids, etc).Not picking your nose while you eat should be common sense, not good manners. <BR>Being loud, rude and offensive simply is ill mannered whether it was 100 years ago or now.<BR>I can't help but believe that since we have had a generation grow up in front of the t.v. set that it has had a negative impact on our society. Of course, the "experts" say that what we see in the movies and on t.v. has no impact.If that is so, then why-oh-why do people spend billions on advertising?

Nice<BR><BR>Nice point about TV.

There are certainly good reasons not to get a tatoo, first and foremost that it's something you're stuck with for the rest of your life, so you'd best be sure that it's something you'll be happy with for a long time to come. Secondly is that stuffy old bores, like many of the posters on this thread, will look down on you for it.<BR><BR>But the Hepatitis thing is a read herring, at least if you're careful. It's certainly all-too-possible to catch Hepatitis from getting tatooed, and happens all the time, but it's equally possible to avoid it. If you go to a modern tatoo parlor, one with a state health license, (assuming your state licenses them), that autoclaves their equipment and uses fresh needles for every job, then the risk is virtually nil. If you go to someplace run by a drunk old biker with some needles in your basement, you'll probably catch something, and frankly you'll deserve it, not for having the temerity to get a tatoo, but for not doing your homework and having it done right.

s/read herring/red herring

asklsd <BR><BR>Before you go giving medical advice on a public forum you need to get a few things straight.<BR><BR>1. Red Herring means something that is intended to divert attention or is misleading. You didn't use this in the proper context, not to mention the corrected spelling.<BR><BR>2. You assume that a tattoo parlor that is state licensed will be clean and safe. That's a big gamble to take on the possibility that you may end up with a lifetime disease, all so you can impress your friends for 1 - 2 years. Just because they pass an inspection for a brief period of time doesn't insure that they use sterile technique all the time. You want to put your life in the hands of a stranger who's training and certification took all of a month or two, then go ahead, but not me. If I were you I wouldn't be trying to justify my tattoos by urging other people to have one. <BR><BR>3. Hepatitis C is a chronic illness 100% of the time. You don't want this and NO tattoo is worth the risk. Grow up, be a man, an individual, don't let someone as misinformed as this young man talk you into doing something that may impact the quality of your life your entire adult years.<BR><BR>4. Tattoo is spelled like this, not tatoo. You should at least know how to spell it before you promote it.

There are certainly more people getting tatoos than in years past. I don't think they are attractive - but that's my opinion. I have a couple of commments to make regarding them.<BR><BR>First of all, my sister models in NYC (has for the last 12 years). We were just discussing this topic about two weeks ago. She says that she was surprised by the number of young girls coming into the business with tattoos. She can remember one time when she got a job solely because the other girl up for the job had a tattoo. The client didn't want one in the shot and it costs thousands of dollars of makeup to cover it up.<BR><BR>Secondly, we have 3 kids. One is 16 and is a high school football player. We just tell him that if he wants to be unique - stand out - don't get one. Getting one follows the crowd. Those of you that think that it isn't a peer pressure thing are crazy - every fad like this is - we've all been subject to them whether it's clothing styles, type of car, etc. <BR><BR>I just worry more about the health risks involved and they are pretty much permanent. Very difficult to remove.<BR><BR>Just my opinion.

Love2Travel<BR><BR>Well said.

Hmmm interesting. Someone is using my moniker. I do think peoples manners have greatly declined. I still stand when a lady arrives at the table. Or hold a door for the opposite sex. And even refer to women as ladies when it is their due. But as my impersonator has done I would not lower my self to their level (the t trash types).<BR><BR>One side note: I have found that most women like to be treated with respect and courtesy. It can go a long way it meeting the right women.

xman<BR><BR>It's such an unusual moniker. <BR><BR>What are the chances someone would use the same one as you?<BR><BR>Unbelievable.....

Laurie point taken. I have just not seen any body steal my name before. And do such a horrific job trying to pretend being me. Must be one of the Rude, haha.

I made a booboo,<BR>I got a tattoo.<BR>It said "I love Sue"<BR>She dumped me for<BR>a boy named Stu.<BR>Now I'm stuck with<BR>this ugly tattoo.<BR>Hope i find another girl<BR>named Sue.

Someone mentioned unless you are in the music industry you will have a rough time getting a job as a result of bad manners or too many tatoos. Well I used to have hair down to my waist and not it is military short. <BR><BR>I watched a very talented young lady get passed over for a highly coveted afternoon drive slot because she had too many tatoos and was not good for apperances with the promotions department.<BR><BR>I do work in the music industry. And have hung with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Busta Rhymes, Dave Pirner and more. And Rock Stars may be able to get away with eccentricity, but the rest of us still need good manners and to be presentable to progress in life.<BR><BR>By the way good manners will always get you farther in business. You know why because we have become our parents like it or not.<BR>Manners and good appearances are important in every field of business.