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xxgrindn4lifexx · Tattoo lover Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Hi what was your parents reactions when you first got your first tattoo?

devilduckie523 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

My first tattoo was a 16th bday gift from my dad...and my mom took me to get it

Same with my first non ear piercing..I was 13 and got my eyebrow done

so i guess there reaction was they were ok with it

flatout · Tattoo lover Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 11 Location: texas

my mom said "very nice" an then had another drink. Laughing

mommabird · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

What reaction? I'm 44 and *still* haven't let my father see any of mine! haha! He would be very upset, and it's worth it to me to just not wear anything where they show to keep the peace.

Yeah, I know ...

chic · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:35 am Post subject:

mum and dad were shocked and said i was stupid...how could i deface my body..
well guess what my mum got one when she was 60...it was a little devil on her shoulder... Shocked

Jayster · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:40 am Post subject:

Honestly, it's none of their business.
But I have not spoken with them for 10 years now,

marinaaxid25 · Tattoo lover Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 23 Location: NYC

My parents had a much different reaction in comparison to my husband's. My other half freaked out a bit. He hadn't expected my tattoo to be as huge as it is (it's a backpiece).
I guess my parents see the humor in this, since I no longer live under their roof Very Happy

rickenbacker13 · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:49 am Post subject:

My parents were disappointed with me. I remember my dad seeing the fresh bleeding mess and saying "how could you like something that looks like it hurts that much?" Something like that. And my mom doesn't like big tattoos. Which is going to be a surprise for her later on. Hahaha

rowdy · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject: Parents

My dad passed away and sadly never got to see them.
My mother said HOW VILE, i was 42 at the time so i aint spoken to her since. Having tatts doesnt make you a criminal (does it)?????

imafreakychild · Tattoo lover Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Wales

my parents still dont know, but luckily its in a place where it can be easily hidden. I think my mom might have had a glance of it the other day cause i had surgery on my knee and she was helping me to get changed, but if she did, she hasnt said anything so...

i know my dad would freak out though....

slapshot · Tattoo lover Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 7

I remember going into mums work and showing her my tattoo the day i got it done. I was 18 at the time i believe. My mothers reaction was pretty much as i expected. her jaw dropped and she simply said "oh gawd". Very Happy

Since then i've given her a few of those "oh gawd" moments!

Scottie07 · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

My parents are pretty resigned to it by this point. They think it's trashy and I'm ruining my chances at a decent career. Frankly, I've never gotten any flak from employers about my tattoos. I'm an adult making an informed decision. If they have a problem with it, there isn't much I can do to make them feel better about it.

Tartanmack · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

Cant remember parents reactions but don’t think it was over bad----but then again I was over eighteen and in the forces at the time ---- as a parent when my eldest daughter (shes over thirty now) got her first tattoo neither my wife or myself was upset -----different reaction from her Godmother who was a bit shocked to see it for the first time last week---why did you do that she asks what do you expect with a dad like mine she replied (I have about thirty on my arms and have just got the outline of my back piece done yesterday at the age of 57) Very Happy

Sweet_Samantha · Tattoo lover Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 2

I simply asked and they said yes:P

I began thinking about a tattoo when I was 17 but decided I would wait until I was sure of what I wanted. I turned 19 and decided I wanted a swirly scroll with my brothers name inside (Jared) my left wrist. I told them that I was going to go get it done and they said sure and drove me there. My sister ended up getting a tattoo with me sisterly love I guess. Was a great experience im looking forward to the next one.

nicnivin · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:14 am Post subject:

i came home from my first year in university with a tattoo and two new piercings, mom was pretty disappointed... I think she thinks i'm supposed to be the "good" kid... not sure how this changes that but she's my mom and that family isn't big on body mods of any kind.... but she's starting to accept that this me..... Dad thinks the kiss on my hip is pretty, and hes proud that i'm not hiding myself.... since im only home for four months out of the year, in the summer, its going to be a little harder to hide the side piece.... mom's gunna kill me... Confused

epicink · Tattoo lover Joined: 13 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

i got my first tattoo for my 21st bday and didnt tell my parents but i told my older brother and sister.

soo one day i'm visiting my parents and my mom goes "soo wheres this tattoo" and i tried to play it off like i didn't know what they were talking about and she admitted my brother told her and they were pretty pissed.

good times...

ink king · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:32 am Post subject:

mine new that i wanted to be a tattooist and knew there was no stopping me when got my fist tattoo it was also the first tattoo that i did, yep tattooed my self at 16 lol dumb I know anyway think they were glad it was only small Celtic knot and wasn't a some crazy looking skull or dragon that I use to draw up since then they been getting bigger and better. my mum loves the myan/aztec dragon that i got finished on the back of my calf Very Happy

Beckii · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

My mum and step-dad had mixed opinions about mine. They both knew I was going to get a tattoo at some point, however they didn't realise that I'd come home and lift my top up to reveal a bandage thing on my hip. Razz

Though when it came off, my mum liked it though my step-dad still disagreed because he's against tattoo's all together. (Yes, even if they look nice.) But yeah, that was my first tattoo -- a butterfly.

My second tattoo surprised them majorly, and yeah the both tsk'ed and tut'ed. Razz

Well, it's almost a full back piece so I was expecting that reaction. My mum does like it, though she doesn't like the fact that any of my tattoo's are permanent. Lol!

My third tattoo, my mum knew I was getting from the very start (an R.I.P tattoo for my dear friend who passed away December '08.) so she wasn't shocked at that.

My dad has been fine, and likes ALL three of my tattoos. (: He was a bit shocked, but thought they're excellent. (And I think they're excellent too, obviously!)

shanshan · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:20 pm Post subject:

almost gave me chokeslam on the floor but after a while they finally ignored my tattoo as if nothing happened. I had my eyebrow and ear extension piercings last year so they're prepared for a greater act like seeing their son with a kick ass tattoo xD

RianRiot · Tattoo lover Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 2

My parents both have tattoo work so I wasn't very concerned about that.
My first piece was done on a beach in The Okanogan, British Columbia.
My mother thought it was beautiful and well it's sort of a male family piece.
A dagger going through a rose, though mine was slightly updated. Heh.

Now last night when I pulled out a tattoo gun!
BAHAHAHA, their reaction was slightly more skeptical.

Razz

wolfbyte · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:59 am Post subject:

My mum's reaction was absolutely expected. I think she saw the one on my hip (the wolf) and gave me the glare in the store. It was my fault as I had a short top with a low cut jeans. My family are against body mods of any kind, not sure about piercings, but definitely not tattoos. So I spilled the beans and the other two that I have on my left shoulder blade and the huge wings that covers my lower back, which I just had it done. Actually its not done yet as its only the outline for the moment. But considering its about 6 inch in length for each wing, she was not too happy. My sister was the first to know and she was such a sport for not saying anything. I also flashed the belly button piercing at her. I told her that I was going to get more, she is not going to be happy about this at all.

But heck, like Rowdy said, it doesn't make us criminals. I also got the, " You defaced your body" speech haha.

Oh man, I dread the day my dad knows. I gotta move out.

Girls, if you wanna tell them you have a tattoo, tell them that you think you are pregnant first, and then tell them its a joke. I think they would rather you be tattooed than pregnant before getting married haha

slayer197666 · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject: My mom...

My mom always had a high ball in her hand. That, or a glass of boxed wine that she would carry in a jelly jar. i don't think she even noticed when I "accidentally" showed her the Misfits skull on my inner arm.

exciting, huh? Shocked

lornab · Tattoo lover Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

I went on and on for so long about getting one and knew that I was too young so had to get one of my parents to agree. I said that I was going to get a full back piece for my first tattoo at 15 so eventually my mum came with me and I got a lovely piece on my lower back.

The tattoo is ten years old this year and my mum loves it and I have added 4 more to my collection and she likes them too Very Happy

kimberlyb0112 · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:31 pm Post subject:

My parents were not happy..lol my dad was just really quiet and didn't say anything about it (which is probably worse than being yelled at)
and my mom started going on and on about how cheap tattoos make a person look, etc.. and the more i have gotten, the more used to them she is getting.. lol so it's all good

my dad still doesn't mention them

I was 18 when I got my first one, now I'm 20 with 4

artisticDesign · Tattoo lover Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Idaho

Never had a problem with it.

bodyart · Tattoo lover Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Posts: 6

got really interesting posts here...

well the case with me was i was scared that i'll be scolded by them...and i planned to give them excuse that my seniors got it done during ragging times..but it wasn't reqd...as there wasn't much reaction from them regarding this

deaded518 · Tattoo addict Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 472

this is crazy, arn't all you people adults of legal age? yet your afraid of how your parents are going to react,hiding your art because you might get scolded, if this is you then you shouldn't get tattooed until your all grown up. it's your body and yours to do what ever you want with it and if your people arn't supportive of you then you have my condolences.

zapzapzap · Tattoo lover Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 81

I can understand the mindset you are coming from Ed. I have a different opinion to share though.

While tattoos in general are much more acceptable in the mainstream, another aspect that is much more ingrained in our culture is respect for our parents or elders.

Tattooing really started becoming widely acceptable in the 90's. We are about a week away from 2010 and I would say it is quite mainstream just 20 years later. I doubt we will see a CEO of a huge conglomerate or a professional politician with heavy coverage any time in the near future.

I have tattooed people from all walks of life. I have plenty of customers who are closer to my parents age than mine that still worry about what their parents would think if they found out. They are certainly all grown up. They are professionals with families of their own. These are some of the only people who fully appreciate the concept of wearing something for the rest of their lives. They have put off getting tattooed for years and years and it is finally acceptable enough for them to get tattooed without fear of being shunned by their peers.

The people who worry about this sort of thing get tattooed in more discrete areas of their bodies. This is fine. It can be something just for them, or for the select few who will see it. Or maybe its simply in an area they can easily cover for functions they would choose not to have it shown.

At the end of the day they have made the same commitment to mark themselves for the rest of their lives. While the number of people who have tattoos has grown exponentially in the last two decades, the commitment to the piece is still the same. It's not such a small club any more, but to me, just the act of getting tattooed deserves respect.

I am in my mid twenties, wait until my generation's children come of age and I would bet that this topic would be a total non starter. The day is coming, but it is not here yet.

I know everyone comes from different circumstances and I know there are some shitty parents out there, but is respecting your parents wishes or at the very least not flaunting something they oppose all that bad? They were here before us. They have seen more than we have and they have more experience than we could imagine.

Personally, the amount I mature every year astounds me. As I grown as a person I gain more respect for the sacrifices my parents made for me growing up. We were not well off financially growing up. Both my parent busted their asses to keep me and my sister fed, clothed and to keep a roof over our heads. Somehow, at the end of the day, they managed to instill the core human values, like generosity, compassion and acceptance that everyone should have.

I got some grief from my parents when I got my first visible tattoo. They let me carve my own path and have been supportive in what I do though.

Not everyone is as lucky as I am. We can't choose our parents. If you happen to be as lucky as I am, chances are you will continue respecting your parents opinion for your entire life.

I am pretty drunk, enjoying my Christmas eve and my day off tomorrow. I hope that this post wasn't too convoluted.

moondog · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

all my family like my artwork. hell in Canada bus drivers, cops, just about everyone has let that dead horse die, and they decorate themselves. people need to lighten up.

san4os · Tattoo lover Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 1

Hello!

My sister was agree with me...

my father sad "Not bad"

... but my mother wad [b]incensed[/b]!!!

But for me it is not important... I like it =))) I'm happy

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