Is it normal i feel that tattoo's are overdone these days

I disagree.

That it's become common practice is just the gradual shift in culture towards one of acceptance of tattooing.

You're right, it's no longer rebellious. But the reason to get a tattoo shouldn't be some kind of adolescent protest against your parents! It should be because you want a bit of permanent art on yourself.

Also, I disagree that the popularity and ubiquity of tattooing "dilutes the power of the visual statement". It simply removes the shock value, or the inherent 'uniqueness' of tattoos. The imagery itself can still be beautiful, comical, meaningful, meaningless etc. The visual statement comes from the content of the image, not how rare or unusual it is!

I think you may be mourning the times when tattoos were associated with the fringes of society rather than the mainstream. Much like when somebody mourns the time when a certain band only had a small group of fans and were otherwise unknown (hipster territory).

I strongly disagree.

Tattooing, much like any other fashion/art statement, needs only be accepted by the individual creating their statement. I used to feel like "That's cliche, that's overrated, that's trying too hard," but I find that being yourself, for yourself, by yourself, regardless of what's popular, underground, unknown, or overrated, will always be true, original, and uniquely you. Trying to be or act like *anything* other than what you truly like is to be in someone elses shadow. So then, if you want a tattoo, get one, if not, don't. I don't care if it's a damn penis on the forehead, it's always an important statement about the individual.

That being said, I have no tattoos. I express myself differently.

I never really understood why someone would permanently tattoo themselves unless the inscription had a timeless meaning to them.

Nowadays, it does seem like having tattoos in great amounts is becoming trendy/pop-culture.

But I think they can still have an impact in the right conditions.

Absolutely. They're so prevalent now, that I almost feel ashamed to have one because i just look like the rest of the sheep that have them. Mine has meaning to me, but still, most people just get one because it became popular.

Yeah. I feel like some people don't just get stuff that has a really special meaning. They just like the way ink looks, and will try to find any reason/meaning no matter how little to get a new tattoo. Or they just only want tattoos that look cool or sexy.

Yeah, I see where you're coming from. The thing that confuses me more is that a lot of people don't care what tattoo they get, they just want one for the sake of having one. I think some people are going to regret that later in life. It's their decision, of course, but I still don't really understand why they'd tattoo something that has very little meaning to them. And yeah, quite a few people get quite a lot of them.

Yeah i agree with you. It's gotten to a point where pretty much everyone has a tattoo. People follow trends like brainwashed retards, just to fit it.
Soon it's gonna be trendy to eat shit. So, prepare to turn public toilets into restaurants.

I want tons of tattoos but I don't get them because there's a bunch of judgmental assholes out there that won't give you a job if you have too many since you're I guess considered "bad", kind of stupid in my mind.

I hate tattoos there so ugly and of you get them done when your young you'll regret it when your older because it will go all wrinkled up because of your skin and they don't look good in the first place.

I have 1 tattoo. It is on my left shoulder blade. It is a blue and black nautical star with flames coming off it. I have it in memory of my mom. My mom was planning on taking me for my 18th birthday, unfortunately she was involved and killed in a car wreck. She died 2 months and 2 days before my birthday. Her showing was on Mother's Day. She was killed may 6, 2009. I got it because I've loved stars since I was way young, my mom and I had decided I should get a star. However, she had her wreck and was killed.. I couldn't go get a tattoo.. Finally after I turned 19 I went and got it. The blue is her favorite color. And it's got her birthdate and her death date included in it. I truly love it. It means so much. Too say "everyone" or whatever y'all said is getting them just because is bull. Mine has meaning. And the next 3 I get will as well.

From a cultural and tribal meaning to now becoming a fad..it's the most irritating thing I've ever encountered.
Everyone has the same tattoos, same designs, same places ie: chest, sleeves, whole body, face; yet next to all have no symbolic or deep meaning. Just a hodgepodge of meaningless artwork meant to look "cool".
I have a couple of tattoos (over 12 yrs old) and used to want a lot, yet it was cultural, however now.. I'd rather keep my bare skin....bare.
Can't wait until that comes back in style..
I don't need that to standout..essence speaks for self (:

I don't care what people put on their body and only hope that they like whatever it is, but I don't think I'd suit tattoos... besides which, they could be used as a distinguishing mark should I ever decide to do something naughty

I got my tattoo about 5 months ago and it has been getting a lot of little pimples on and around it. They are on my arm and it itches and bugs. I got it at my friends house and I made sure all the tools were clean. I did get a fever once a week after getting it but that was it. Pimples have been on and off, but now it just got a lot of these and now it makes me wonder if it could be an infection.

Go watch a NBA game.

I want to tattoo myself with something that I love or something that brings out my personality. I still don't have one but I'd like one.

Wow an insight that GC had in 1994. You are up to date.

I just took a dump