@ridicawu my herd instinct comment speaks to what others would call fashion. Twenty years ago almost everyone that got a tattoo was drunk first. Now is is a fashion statement and ironically a statement of individuality even though vast numbers of people do it. Call it what you will but is is the old instinct of following a leader. It reminds me of what our parents would ask, “if all your friends jumped off a bridge would you jump too?” Tattoos are just as final as jumping off a bridge, they can be removed with a laser or scalpel but there is still a scare.
By the way, I’m a 12 year, tattoo free veteran of the Navy. I didn’t attack the military, I attacked bad choices made to fit in with the crowd.
I expect people like tattoos and piercing because their peers suggested that they should. Even my brother justifies them as some sort of an artistic diary. Regardless, it would never have occurred for him to like tattoos if his peers didn’t have them.
Like I said, adults should make their own decisions but don’t blame me if advancement or having your views taken seriously are inhibited by your “body art”. I personally would never ever do it, I would also discourage my children (who are not tattooed) from getting them. This fashion will soon pass the way of leisure suits and only be used by primitive tribes and drunken sailors.