I wonder why most white people have tattoo? Once I saw a white man has Khmer script tattoo on his arms. I tried to follow him to see what that mean? I wonder if he can read Khmer language or not? Will you have tattoo in the language that you can't read what it mean?

prahkeitouj wrote: Will you have tattoo in the language that you can't read what it mean?

If I wanted a tattoo in some language I didn't fully comprehend, I would make sure I brought some trusted friends who could make sure the writing said what I wanted...just in case the tattoo artist wanted to play a joke and write something derogatory instead.


But I'm not into tattoos so I wouldn't get one anyway.

Is this Khmer script on Angelina Jolie?

Thai language tattoos are quite common on farangs there. Probably less than 10% know what that script means, they just think it looks cool.

I wonder why most white people have tattoo?

Tattoos and piercing among westerners was not so common until about 20/25 years ago. Before that, it was to make a statement - something to express your uniqueness. Often it was something you would get done on a wild night out. Tattoos used to be socially unacceptable and therefore daring. Some people would hide them to go to work. Everyone has them now so they're more like a fashion trend.

How many on this forum have tattoos ? Probably most. Was it a drunken inspiration, a rite of passage or a carefully thought out statement to express yourself? And how old are you and when did you get it/them done?

I am one of the few who does not have a tattoo, so I'm with Prahkeitouj - why ?

I have two tattoos, both have meaning and were done sober. But they're also in places I can cover up, which was done deliberately. I didn't use to care about tattoos until I met some really talented tattoo artists. I guess I just like the aesthetics of it.

I thought a large part of the idea of a tattoo was to express your individuality or something personal to you. However these days a lot of what I see, hard to ignore when it's so in your face with Westerners in Thailand and Cambodia, looks cliched, unoriginal and pretty damn unattractive. Can't help thinking its morphed into another example of the Facebook " look at me" selfie obsessed dumbed down trend/culture. Is this related to the shirtless or underdressed Westerners we see out in Asia, they want everyone else to admire their tattoos ?

I'd never get one as I'm a wimp and if I asked for a thistle in Thailand I'd probably end up with a pineapple.

Soi Dog wrote:

prahkeitouj wrote: Will you have tattoo in the language that you can't read what it mean?

If I wanted a tattoo in some language I didn't fully comprehend, I would make sure I brought some trusted friends who could make sure the writing said what I wanted...just in case the tattoo artist wanted to play a joke and write something derogatory instead.


But I'm not into tattoos so I wouldn't get one anyway.

Is this Khmer script on Angelina Jolie?

Thai language tattoos are quite common on farangs there. Probably less than 10% know what that script means, they just think it looks cool.

Right. The script on Angelina Jolie is khmer. However, most of us couldn't read it as it is pali. It is sak yant. It means to protect and give you luck. Most of old khmer guys have it at least one or a few.

More information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra_tattooing

prahkeitouj wrote:I wonder why most white people have tattoo? Once I saw a white man has Khmer script tattoo on his arms. I tried to follow him to see what that mean? I wonder if he can read Khmer language or not? Will you have tattoo in the language that you can't read what it mean?

I have got a tattoo. Am i considered bad ?

Cowshed Cowboy wrote:I thought a large part of the idea of a tattoo was to express your individuality or something personal to you. However these days a lot of what I see, hard to ignore when it's so in your face with Westerners in Thailand and Cambodia, looks cliched, unoriginal and pretty damn unattractive. Can't help thinking its morphed into another example of the Facebook " look at me" selfie obsessed dumbed down trend/culture. Is this related to the shirtless or underdressed Westerners we see out in Asia, they want everyone else to admire their tattoos ?

I'd never get one as I'm a wimp and if I asked for a thistle in Thailand I'd probably end up with a pineapple.

I agree; I would never get something stupid like a tribal tattoo or something written in a language I couldn't understand.

Have currently four tattoos - one on each hand (something written, but in english), army tattoo on the upper left arm and a yet unfinished sleave on the right arm (half way to go) down from the collarbone. Hope to get it finished by the end of the year.

Got all of them done by a very, very talented artist in Munich, Germany, was sober and as all of them have meanings or "picture" different points and situations in my life, it's something behind it and not just some common kind of body art.

Still think it's funny how all the just-turned-18-folks get their little stars-tattoos done or some kind of that shit. Seems to be pretty common today to get inked, but the "old" spirit and reasons about having tattoos - and actually thinking a lot about it before getting one - are definitively gone. It just turned hip in some way - what doesn't necessarily prevent someone who wants it other reasons that fashion ones from getting them.

There's a shit load a absolutely beautiful tattoos out there and I'm happy about it. If it's done right, it can make a good body look even better - at least in my opinion. Met a nurse from Sweden a few days ago in a bar who had stunning tattoos all over her body (actually it was a one piece, took her several thousands of Euros and a couple of years to get it finished) and that was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. That's another thing you can recognize a good tattoo artist: He doesn't just ink someone - he's like extending the body and its expressiveness and if you want to have a good result at the end it's unbelivable hard and persistent work.

prahkeitouj wrote:I wonder why most white people have tattoo? Once I saw a white man has Khmer script tattoo on his arms. I tried to follow him to see what that mean? I wonder if he can read Khmer language or not? Will you have tattoo in the language that you can't read what it mean?

They seem very common now on younger people. I don't think "most" white people have tattoos, I don't and neither does anyone in my family or most of my friends.
Many of them look awful to me, like they have just picked out random pictures and plopped them all over their bodies. Tattoo removal is a whole lot more expensive that getting tattoos and I can see the tattoo removal industry expanding hugely in the future.