Tattoo at 70?

Why do people use nail varnish, makeup, hair dye etc.?

Because they can.

People have been tattooing and cutting their skin as decoration for centuries.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Each to their own

harrigran I so agree with you.

NannaAnna Of course it is a matter of personal opinion and choice. I'm trying to understand the psyche of the people involved in tattooing. I've seen some artistically competent tattoos but why don't the tattooists practice their art in some other way? Why do they feel the need to use skin as their canvas and why does someone have a permanent design put on them that IMHO does nothing to enhance their appearance?

I guess, like everything, it's simply a matter of personal opinion. I've seen many, many attractive tattoos, including the ones my daughters have

Must agree with you flump I can not begin to understand why anyone would want to do that to their body. I know very young teenagers who have done it and if it was my child I would be furious. People who disfigure themselves must have a warped view of what is attractive.

Can someone please explain to me why people choose to have tattoos and piercings. I've tried to understand but it doesn't make any sense to me. I haven't seen one where I think 'oh, that makes them more attractive', in fact, quite the opposite.

Hey Notsogrand - did it hurt much? I would really like a small dragonfly on my shoulder. I thought about it for my 60th and am now thinking about it again for my 65th. Just need the courage! (a sunflower sounds quite good too - now I'm confused)

I had mine on my lower back just below the waist, it didn't hurt and it's not a place that will go wrinkly!
If it does I can't see it without looking in the mirror, so it won't bother me!

Probably very painful to have one done there!

To those of you who've had one since turning 50/60/70 ... which areas of skin do you think withstand the aging process the best?
I know what I'd like, and I'm thinking of the inner forearm, as that skin seems more resistant to wrinkling (at the moment anyway!)
Any other suggestions?

Came back from New York recently and was struck by how many girls over there walking around in shorts with bare arms and legs without the ghastly tramp stamps that are so prolific here. They simply aren't edgy any more, in fact I'd say it's more unique not to have any, the number of women of a certain age with a butterfly on their shoulder, it's not as if you can see it yourself so why bother. As for getting one done on really wrinkly skin, horrible!

Elvis?

Which King has a tattoo absent?

I've always been a bit blinkered in my opinion of tattoos, I'd have been horrified if my children had decided to have one done (the boys were always threatening to do it in their teens!). However, my DDiL1's mum had one done last year on her 70th birthday and I have to admit to being shocked - I mean, at her age but then my DDiL2 had a tattoo on her foot (can't imagine the pain ) and it is actually quite beautiful!

Also, a friend of my DD in NZ has a small, discreet tattoo on her foot which I really liked when I saw it!

It seems to be a bit of a fashion "thing" now and not regarded in the same way it was in years gone by.

However, I don't think I'd ever have one myself.

Good on yer notsogrand , it"s great surprising the offspring ! they think they know us , if only they knew , what ? [chuckle a lot]

I loathe tattoos - on men and women. Ever seen an old man's tattoo - it looks like someone has spilt ink on the area. Saw a wedding once, the bride wore a beautiful strapless dress and looked wonderful - until she turned around. There it was, a massive tattoo across her back which spoilt the whole look. My daughter has a couple of tiny ones on her hips and has threatened more elsewhere. She hasn't yet as she probably knows the reaction she'd get from her brother and me.

Mine was prompted by suddenly noticing the frequency of references made within the family such as...You know what Mum's Like! or Your Mum wont like that you know.
So I thought, well if you all think you know me inside out and feel I'm that predictable..........guess what?
The shocked responses to my tattoo were very gratifying.

My 2nd was done last year notso,I think 50 is not so much about mid life crisis,but definitely Chang of life,I also left my husband of 26 years after his being unbearable with his mid life crisis...thing is wouldn't mind another probably on my wrist a forget me knot pattern,they are quite addictive .

I had a similar rebellion when I hit 50 nellie, and had a small sunflower tattooed at the top of my arm. Not really visible, even in a t-shirt, but I know it's there and I love it!

I have two,one done as an approaching 50 rebellion 9 years ago ,it is a small butterfly,I have always wanted my children's names so designed shooting stars with names like whoosh marks at the base of my neck it is coloured as is my butterfly,I can show them off or cover them if inappropriate,I don't see anything wrong even if you are older,but I think you have to think carefully where they will go so that the effect is spoilt by ageing....they didn't hurt either.

I would not wish to have tattoo. However, deep breath, before those who have a liking for tattoos feel that my remark is controversial [can't be too careful] I fully respect your choice in the matter. My sister has a bluebird tattoo on her shoulder.

OK - name dropping alert!
I went riding with Judy Steel (who my sister remembers from a pants emergency at the bus stop out side the nursery school they both went to ) about a hundred years ago and she has preserved pretty well from the (dare I say it) slightly dumpy curvy girl with geek glasses- she looks great. But what really caught my eye though was that she had it done at the tattoo shop in Selkirk 2 years ago and that used to be my Granny's paper shop and the front office of my greatgrandfather's, then my grandfather's, then my father's printing and publishing business. I earned my first pocket money barely able to peep over the counter "helping" my Granny in that shop!

Why not.

I didn"t know the King had a tattoo ! I wouldn"t have one as I would be scared it would hurt , also wouldn"t know what to pick , so much choice . Hats off to people who do though

I think good for her!
If it makes her husband look at her a little differently for a change then it's a good thing!

I heard an Aussie describe a tattoo as " a tramp stamp "