Piercings and Tattoos

[JustaNobody]

As I spend more time getting to know folks in the scene both locally and online, I'm noticing that tattoos and piercings seem a lot more common among kinky folks than vanilla society. I certainly don't have a problem with this in general, and sometimes find such body mods attractive. But for multiple reasons, I feel pretty strongly that they're not for me and mine. I'm wondering about two things. First, do other folks' observations match what I'm seeing? Second, I'm wondering if it sounds shallow or elitist to not get involved with someone on the basis of what ink or metal bits they've stuck in themselves, rather than on the merits of any personal interactions, goals, limits, etc.

 

[Shankara20]

Second, I'm wondering if it sounds shallow or elitist to not get involved with someone on the basis of what ink or metal bits they've stuck in themselves, rather than on the merits of any personal interactions, goals, limits, etc.

I think it depends on where someone is coming from if it shallow or elitist - if you just don't like ink and steel, that's cool. If you think you are better or a higher class person because you have virgin skin then I think "elitist" might fit.

full disclosure - I have bunches of ink and metal bits stuck in my places...

 

[Homburg]

I like steel and ink, though I have pretty strong ideas on what is aesthetic and what is not. Much like Shank, I think elitist requires a specific attitude of superiority.

I have neither ink nor piercings, though I did have an earring for a short while. While I have learned from that experience that piercings are not for me, I would be perfectly amenable to ink. I just have nothing at the moment that I want to blazon on my skin. I prefer it to have some sort of serious personal meaning.

That said, I am a big fan of ink for pure aesthetics on others. Just not my thing. I am a hairy bastard, and ink is not likely to look good on me (unless it is very stark and bold). So, for me, it would need personal meaning to be there.

 

[Nymphomaniacal]

I agree with both Shank and Homburg on the elitest idea. If you feel superior or that people with ink and piercings are less than you, its elitest. I can see not wanting to date or be with someone you dont find attractive because they decided a big panther down the side of their face was a good idea, but I think it depends on what they have tattooed or pierced and where.

Me myself, I have four tattoos and 10 piercings, soon to be 11 again *grumbles* stupid belly button that never healed *end grumble* All of mine are in areas that are either A) somewhat normal, like my 5 earrings, 4 sets in each ear and one upper in the right or B) easily coverable, like my tongue ring and tattoos.

ALL of my tattoos have to be able to be covered because of the profession I'm going into but I believe that depending on WHAT you have tattooed it can be nice looking. Guess it depends on the person and what they have.

As for it being alot in the bdsm scene, I dont really notice. I know I'm a masochist so the needles, while every time i get nervous really dont bother me, sometimes tattoos feel good. I dont think its just to this scene as you put it though.

 

[JustaNobody]

For me personally, it's a combination of the professional appearance Nymph mentioned and religious reasons. I'm not entirely sure how it ended up spilling over into a relationship criterion as well. It just seems kinda strange to me that I I often find body mods attractive, but still a turn off as far as serious relationships go.

 

[Tawny_Temptress]

Everyone seems to like mine.

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq73/Jaded1pics/tat.jpg

 

[Nymphomaniacal]

My Tats.

For me personally, it's a combination of the professional appearance Nymph mentioned and religious reasons. I'm not entirely sure how it ended up spilling over into a relationship criterion as well. It just seems kinda strange to me that I I often find body mods attractive, but still a turn off as far as serious relationships go.

Well I cant say religion really plays a part in mine since my chosen religion is open to it. Lol.
And I love all my tattoos, my first one is my absolute favorite still on my hip since I drew it, it became really special to me.

These are all mine.

Back

Shoulder

Ankle

Rt Hip

 

[Etoile]

I pretty much don't care if someone likes my ink and steel or not. I have 10 piercings and 6 tattoos. I got them for me. If someone doesn't like them, that's their business; I don't find it elitist even if they think they're better than me. It's entirely a personal decision - on my part to get them, and on observers' part to like them. If someone didn't want a relationship with me because of it, that's up to them - and they're probably not someone I want a relationship with, anyway.

 

[Rad'l]

Piercing and tats today are what beards were 20 years ago - a slight rebellion against the straight-laced mores of our society. I've worn a beard since 1957 except for a short period when I was told by the Manager, Engineering to cut it off - or else. I needed the job to feed my mortgage and kids - so I cut it off. Left the moustache 'cause it was there when he hired me and he lived with that. I stopped shaving the day he was transferred to another division.

Beards, earings, and tats were once the marks of the fringe folk and did a lot to anger, and scare, the squares - which I was once, too. Time has made, I was going to say - tasteful, tats and piercings more acceptable. But - what is 'taste'?

 

[WriterDom]

I wish I had gotten one from Two Thumb Tommy in Singapore. He was considered the best in the world at the time.

I accept that stuff as part of the culture. But myself personally I'd just as soon hit myself in the head with a golf club as having metal stuck in my body.

I do like belly rings on women though.

 

[JMohegan]

As I spend more time getting to know folks in the scene both locally and online, I'm noticing that tattoos and piercings seem a lot more common among kinky folks than vanilla society. I certainly don't have a problem with this in general, and sometimes find such body mods attractive. But for multiple reasons, I feel pretty strongly that they're not for me and mine. I'm wondering about two things. First, do other folks' observations match what I'm seeing? Second, I'm wondering if it sounds shallow or elitist to not get involved with someone on the basis of what ink or metal bits they've stuck in themselves, rather than on the merits of any personal interactions, goals, limits, etc.

I confess that some guys with badass tattoos seem to me to be compensating for a lack of actual badassery.

To the extent that I'm paying attention (which is rare unless the tattoo/piercing is either very unusual or found on an attractive woman), I definitely take clues from the design or style, and make assumptions as to personality and proclivities - in the same way that I make assumptions based on the overall style of clothes.

I have seen some extraordinarily beautiful tattoos, but none that I'd want to apply to a partner since I am primarily a fan of unadorned skin. I have no tattoos or piercings myself.

To answer your last question - in general, yes, I think it sounds odd to forego involvement solely because of metal or ink.

 

[unregistered]

 

[PepperoniPizza]

I have one tattoo and am strongly considering a second although I don't exactly know what or where. All I know is it will be similar to my first: simple in design and no bigger than the size of a quarter. Anything bigger than that wouldn't be me.

 

[Etoile]

I want a lesbian tattoo. I don't know if it's going to be a goddamn rainbow or two woman symbols or whatever lame-ass thing I come up with. Probably going on my left foot or ankle or something like that.

I don't give a rat's ass if somebody thinks I'm lame or giving into old standards or whatever. I want the tattoo, it's for me.

Which is basically the same thing I said before, really. If somebody thinks I'm a poseur or childish or whatever-all for getting something like that, that's their business. I don't have a problem with somebody thinking less of me because of what I choose to have inked. I don't make such decisions lightly, so I know that I'll be happy with what I pick. And that's all I need to know. I'm happy with it.

The only time I can imagine looking down on someone for their tattoo is if it's spelled wrong because they didn't check the fucking stencil. THOSE are funny, and sad.

 

[Bandit58]

I got two of my three tattoos before I became involved in D/s. As Etoile said, I got them for me and if people don't like them then too bad. As for piercings, I only have two studs in each earlobe and a ring in the top left cartilage. I did have a belly piercing, but it migrated out over 18 months and I haven't bothered getting it replaced.

Sir loves my tatts, He even paid for me to get my last one done
He's a cleanskin, reckons He never found anything He liked enough to get inked. He did tell me though, in His bad boy past He was a biker with long hair past His shoulders, handlebar moustache, and rings up and down His ears. I said if my Mum and Dad had known Him then I wouldn't have been allowed within a mile of Him....and He's the sweetest most loving caring man I know (don't tell Him I said that )

I have got some funny looks from people a few times when we've gone out and the tatts are visible....I don't really pay attention I only know of it because Sir told me. However the people who have come up to me and said "Hey I like your tat" far outweigh any who might give me funny looks!

 

[lilylicious]

I confess that some guys with badass tattoos seem to me to be compensating for a lack of actual badassery.

LOL. I agree with you here J! *makes mental note to add "badassery" to her vocabulary*

I definitely take clues from the design or style, and make assumptions as to personality and proclivities - in the same way that I make assumptions based on the overall style of clothes.

I am also guilty of this. Perhaps this is why I'd never get a tattoo that's visible to others.

To the OP: Yes, I think body mods are more prevalent in BDSM. I think your preference for a flesh without ink and steel could just be your preference and not an indication you're elitist. Or maybe I want to believe that since it's my preference too.