Top Ten Most Regrettable Tattoos
The world is emerging from the most prolific tattoo craze in history. From 1995-2005, more tattoos were inked than ever before, more tattoo parlors opened than in any ten year span and tattoos became accepted in all forms of popular culture– movies, TV, music and most noticeably, professional sports. For example, the other night I took in an NBA game. All ten players on the floor had visible tattoos; most had more than one. Unlike other trends in fashion, like horn-rimmed glasses in the 1920s, the beehive hairdo of the 60s, or teased hair in the 80s, the tattoo is fashion statement with a permanence unlike any before it. While it is said that the popularity of tattoos peaked in 2002, as long as people still get inked, the number of tattoos will continue to grow. A Harris poll conducted in 2003 found that 16% of all adults in the U.S. have at least one tattoo. The most prevalently inked groups were gays and lesbians, 31% of whom have at least one tattoo and people aged 25-29, 38% of whom have tattoos. Unlike other fashion trends, men and women show an equal likelihood to get a tattoo. The popularity of tattoos crosses all racial, religious and geographic lines. The indelible nature of tattoos makes the decision to get one quite deliberate. Many people carefully consider the design they want for a long period of time before going under the needle. Others will prance into a tattoo parlor after a night of drinking and get their tattoo on a whim. While a third of Americans feel their tattoos make them more sexy, according to the Harris poll, about a fifth say they regret their tattoos. Sometimes, the regret stems from the constant reminder of a rash decision. Other times, it is because the tattoo represents an emotion or passion that the wearer no longer feels. But most of the time, those who regret their tattoo say it’s “because of the person’s name in the tattoo.” There are, indeed, many reasons why one would wake up one day, look in the mirror and think, “Why the fuck did I get this tattoo.” And here are the ten best.
The Top 10 Most Regrettable Tattoos