Tattoo You??

Back in the day, The Rolling Stones dropped their iconic album Tattoo You, and tattoos were the ultimate badge of rebellion. If you had ink on your skin, you were either a badass, a soldier, or a rockstar. Fast forward to today, and it seems like tattoos have become the most visible sign of conformity. Seriously, if you don’t have a tattoo, are you even a millennial?

Just take a stroll through any park, and you’ll find enough tattoos to make a gallery curator weep. My personal reaction? "That looks like a bad decision!" Now, I know I might be coming off like your granddad shaking his fist at the sky, but I just don’t get it. I mean, I’m all for “live and let live,” but the tattoo trend has me scratching my head.

Let’s be honest: why would someone pay hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of dollars to have someone etch permanent ink on their body? I half-joke that if we redirected all that tattoo money to world hunger, we’d solve the problem faster than you can say “inked up.”

So what’s the deal? Is tattooing just a new way to express individuality in the land of the free? Or is it more about saying, “Look at me! I’m different!” without having to actually engage in conversation? Because nothing says “social butterfly” quite like a full sleeve and a neck tattoo—attention mission accomplished!

And don’t get me started on the sleeveless shirts in cold weather! It’s like a tattoo showcase out there. I’m a guy who appreciates beauty, but when I see a woman with a giant tattoo on her arm, I can’t help but think, “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

Some tattoos resemble a chaotic art project after a drunken night, while others sport inspirational quotes like “Live, Laugh, Love.” Really? Why not just set that as your phone wallpaper? Every time you unlock your phone, bam! Instant motivation without the need for a lifetime commitment to

So, anyone out there, help me out! I’m still scratching my head over the popularity of tattoos. What’s the secret? Is there a hidden club I’m not aware of, or am I just old and out of touch?

Inquiring minds want to know!