Want to be a rebel? Than just do as all the rebels do: get a tattoo, or two. A new study claims that a quarter of Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 have a tattoo. Nuthin' against ink, but when half the NBA is doing one thing it's a sign from God that you should do something else.

Tattoos used to serve notice: I'm not like you. Now they send other signals. A tribal band or barbed wire on the arm sends the signal: I'm tough (really I am...okay, I'm not, please don't beat me up). A California license plate let's everyone know: I'm easy. A facial tattoo relays the message: I'm crazy. A shamrock reveals: I drink too much. A badly drawn tattoo declares to the world: I'm on parole.

Many of the people caught up in the tattoo craze are starting to give the real tattoo people a bad name. Or maybe a good name, which is the last thing they want. You see, tattoos were once reserved for true societal rebels: Hells Angels, San Quentin inmates, carnies. Now that everyone's got one, or rather, now that 24 percent of 18 to 50 year-olds have got one, tattoos have lost their meaning. Tattoos are more likely to say "follower," "trendy person," or "bandwagon" than they are to say "rebel."

So what's a real rebel to do?

Be a rebel and DON'T get a tattoo.

It reminds me of an urban legend. A tattoo parlor displayed drawings of its most frequent requests on its wall. These drawings included a Chinese character. One day, a customer who could read Chinese entered the shop. He studied the wall and asked the tattoo artist, "Why do you have the Chinese character for 'I don't know what this means' on your wall?" The tattoo artist replied, "If people want it, I'm gonna tattoo it on 'em!"

What's going to be funny, (at least to me), is to see what all these women who get their makeup tattooed on look like when their about 72 or 73.
We'll have all these wrinkled up little old ladies in wheelchairs with bright red lips and raccoon eyes.

I got one in the military that, at the time, meant something. Now, it just seems stupid. Ah, such is life.

My oldest just went through the need to get a tattoo as part of an athletic team tribal thing. I held him off and he hasn't mentioned it in a year or so. So, it probably won't happen.

Now my second oldest is talking the same way for the same reason. Ditto on holding him off.

Taking the advice of my WWII combat veteran Father who thought tattoos were dumb and using that advice for my kids, it's apparent that wisdom has skipped a generation.

Still, there is nothing sweeter than a California license plate on a perfect set of hips on top of the nice bootay.

A fellow Marine from B Co, who is now USMCR Ret., has a homemade tatoo of his late dog's footprint on his bicep. Nothin' says "hardcore" like that.

This reminded me of my uncle who spent ten years in the Navy and many more on Merchant vessels and had some great tattoo sightings. The most interesting of which belonged to a fellow he sailed with who had a barber pole tattooed on his pole. Apparently, this made him very popular with the ladies and/or working girls.

I suppose if you had to get one, one as useful as that might be ok.

A truly disgusting and classless post, ASDF.

To the broader post, the tatoo craze/trend is just one more example of false authenticity. Everyone is so concerned with looking unique and expressing themselves that in the end they all look and sound the same: "You can be an original, too - with a trademark!"

You know, I was thinking about having the izod aligator tatooed on the left side of my chest. That or maybe my initials in a diamond pattern on the center of my chest. Eric's comment about trademark is inspiring. Not exactly a tough look, but still hitting that note of je ne sais quois.

I predict that fisherman's beards will make a big comeback and replace the "TAT" as a sign of rebellion. First in the fashion world then on MTV. Next season all the male models on 8th and Ocean will be sporting the beard sans mustache.

Who-e debel you? … you no like-ee my tattooee, dam-me, I get my harpoonnee.

Some types of tatoo's are stupid. Such as the one of my ex-wives name that is now covered up with a wreath of laurel. But I do love the "gouge spot tatoo" It reminds me of a target that I just can't miss.

Eric, are you that sensitive that you couldn't just read that and dismiss it without making a comment. Just the fact that you're insulted by real life should give you cause to worry about yourself. I would suggest that, every once in a while, you step down from your high mindedness and understand that all isn't intellectual truth and theory.

ASDF,

Your first line can certainly be asked of yourself here - and probably should be.

Now, I can be very aware of "real life" and still be accurate and correct in labelling certain discourse as tasteless and classless. Esp. when those comments of your go beyond description, bad enough there, and into endorsement.

As for the rest, you have no basis for your assertions - as you don't know me - so why the character slur? I assure you I am no gnostic, but neither am I a philistine.

Sincerely,
--Eric

Eric, the topic was tattoos. And, I had a 'tattoo' story to write about. As this blog is typically an open forum to comment on the presented topic, I thought it relevant and somewhat interesting that someone would go to those lengths in painting their body. As objectionable as getting a tattoo on that part of a person’s anatomy might be, it was a relevant anecdote nonetheless.

Maybe I’m wrong. But, I don’t think so.

The fact that is offends your sensibilities is just too bad but your opinion is noted.

"This blog is typically an open forum to comment"

Yes, and so I offered my own comment in disapproval of yours.

Now, mind you, I'm not pulling my hair out and lamenting that your comment has defiled and irreparably corrupted me (ha! not at all). But it is true that your comment - and your endorsement of that particular tattoo - would be offensive to "the sensibilities" of anyone with a bit of class. So it is really your approving comment, and not my "sensibilities," that is "too bad."

In other words, I'm simply noting my objection. So, there should no problem here, except for the fact that you would rather your written indiscretion not be rebuked, and I understand that that offends your sensibilities. Therefore, just as I thank you for noting my opinion, I note yours, as well.

Sincerely,
--Eric