this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2026
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Unpopular Opinion

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"Do you think my tattoo is cool?" No, I don't. There are no cool tattoos. "Check out my sleeve!" Oh god ew.

Tattoos themselves are stupid. Doubly so if it's some media IP. "I put Batman on my body!" "Look at this image of Goku on my calf!" I can't think of many things I'd want to do less than that.

There are a few narrow exceptions. Chances are yours isn't one of them.

If you personally like tattoos, fine. I'm not saying nobody should get tattoos because I don't like them. I'm stating my opinion that tattoos are stupid, and I am stating it here because it is probably not a popular opinion.

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[–] Almacca@aussie.zone 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I've occasionally considered getting a tattoo, but I've never been able to think of anything I'm dedicated to enough to justify announcing my allegiance permanently on my body.

[–] BallShapedMan@lemmy.world 141 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Wait... I disagree completely but it's correctly posted in unpopular opinions. Fine... Take my up vote.

There are bad tattoos but I love most of them. I don't have any yet, but my wife and I are talking about getting our first.

[–] mushroommunk@lemmy.today 75 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

The way you wrote the last sentence implies to me you and your wife are planning to intentionally get bad tattoo stamps soon. I love the idea.

[–] BallShapedMan@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Lol, well hopefully they're not bad. But I see how I wrote that.

When we see someone with a tattoo we really like we ask who did it and they're either very far away, dead, or so busy we'd need to get on a multi year waiting list. But as soon as we find an artist we really like where those aren't true we'll get the tattoo we want.

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[–] Elting@piefed.social 97 points 2 weeks ago (10 children)

For the record I totally agree. But if one of my friends just gotta tattoo im gonna pretend to be excited for them. What else are you sposed to do when someone just got permanent artwork etched on themselves?

[–] deadbeef79000 70 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

I'd be excited for them not their tat.

[–] kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world 20 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Right? It not being for you or not fitting your tastes does not mean that their happiness about it can't make you happy and excited for them. Like my brother-in-law was a punter in the NFL for a couple seasons. My wife and her mother knew absolutely nothing about football and didn't care for the game. But they both learned enough to appreciate specifically what a punter does and attended many of his games to support him. There is a big difference between loving what someone loves and loving them.

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[–] deadbeef79000 78 points 2 weeks ago (14 children)

I've always said to myself "I'll get a tattoo when I can think of something that I'll still think is cool when I'm 70"

Ain't got a tattoo.

My brother has our family coat of arms as his only tattoo, I think that's reasonably timelessly cool.

[–] Banana@sh.itjust.works 37 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I got WIDE LOAD tattooed in black metal font on the backs of my thighs

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[–] Sxan@piefed.zip 12 points 2 weeks ago

Until some right-wing fascist group appropriates it.

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[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 58 points 2 weeks ago (15 children)

Lol I don't have tattoos, but I can do this for literally everything you have ever liked or enjoyed.

This is one of those "if you think something that doesn't effect you and brings others joy is stupid, you probably need therapy".

[–] Unpigged@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

And so opinions were discovered.

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[–] PapaStevesy@lemmy.world 46 points 2 weeks ago (14 children)

"Do you think my tattoo is cool?"

Have you actually heard someone say this? Someone that wasn't a child at a fair?

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[–] JGrffn@lemmy.world 40 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

Fuck it, you used the community correctly. Have my upvote you damn prude.

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[–] Formfiller@lemmy.world 35 points 2 weeks ago

You know what’s stupid is people against vaccines having tattoos

[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 28 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

This was the popular opinion when I was younger, I love tattoos but they used to be uncommon and sort of countercultural.

I never imagined tattoos would gain mainstream popularity like they have. I think it's improved the art but at the same time made them less, I dunno, cool?

[–] nylo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

agreed, I remember hearing a gen z punk a while back in my DIY days say, "these days it's more punk to not have tattoos"

i remember rolling my eyes at the time but he's kinda got a point lol

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[–] Zorque@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago

I think if you're getting tattoos to be cool you're doing it for the wrong reason.

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[–] AdolfSchmitler@lemmy.world 25 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Was gonna downvote but then saw the community so I guess I'll upvote it? People want to etch something onto themselves permanently, I think that is pretty cool a person likes something so much they want to mark themselves with it. Some of the things people get tattooed tho, not so much lol.

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[–] BlueberryWalnut@sopuli.xyz 24 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

My cat died last year. 3 days before he went, he managed to playfully scratch my arm while we were engaged in some "ohhhhhh I'm gonna get'cha" hand play. I had a tattoo artist simply trace the scratch before it healed. If that's not an exception then you and I are very different people.

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[–] pigup@lemmy.world 23 points 2 weeks ago

Met a scientist that worked at NASA. He didn't like tatoos either, but made a pact that if they launched their satellite project, they would all get tattoos of it. I don't like tattoos at all but I can respect that.

[–] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 22 points 2 weeks ago (15 children)

Doubly so if it's some media IP. "I put Batman on my body!" "Look at this image of Goku on my calf

That shit is super fucking cringey. You're literally dedicating your body to be a walking advertisement.. As someone with multiple tattoos, I side eye these so hard. Obviously you're allowed to get whatever tf you want wherever you want, but choosing any IP speaks to your immaturity and lack of personality. Just weird parasocial hail cooperate nonsense.

Oh god and the people who get celebrity faces?! 🤮

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[–] electric_nan@lemmy.ml 20 points 2 weeks ago (11 children)

I'm someone with no tattoos, that really loves other peoples' tattoos. I'm just very indecisive personally, but I think they're really cool.

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[–] Ironfacebuster@lemmy.world 20 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

Maybe tattoos as a concept are bad (stabbing ink into your skin semi-permanently, that is), but the artistry and skill that can go into them is insanely respectable. Coming from someone who probably will never get a tattoo, I love seeing creative tattoos executed well.

For example: The humble pistol shrimp

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[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 20 points 2 weeks ago

I don't yuck other people's yums, which is, strangely, often also an unpopular opinion.

[–] blockityblock@piefed.zip 18 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

"Getting a tattoo on my body would be like putting bumber stickers on a Ferrari."

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

For most of us it would be like putting them on a Kei truck.

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[–] greenbit@lemmy.zip 16 points 2 weeks ago

I think there's something important in stupid, goofy etc aspects of life

Many tattoos are stupid. And that's kinda cool

[–] DudeImMacGyver@kbin.earth 16 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

I'm against getting tattoos because the ink is totally unregulated and the health effects largely unknown. There are studies that suggest tattoos can have negative health effects like autoimmune issues.

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[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I know people who use tattoos as a way of permanently recording who they were at a given point in their life, because we all change over time. I can understand that perspective, but it's also exactly why I don't want one.

Every time I've looked back on myself 10 years later, I've thought about what a dumbass that person was. I wouldn't have wanted that idiot picking a tattoo for me.

10 years from now, I'll look back on the imbecile I am today and be relieved I didn't get any ink.

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[–] johncandy1812@lemmy.ca 16 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

Starland Vocal Band! They suck!

Edit: I think there's a lot more buyer's remorse with tattoos than people admit.

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[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

“Do you think my tattoo is cool?” No, I don’t. There are no cool tattoos.

This is borderline "I don't like art".

I mean, you do you, but it's definitely a bad take.

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[–] deft@lemmy.wtf 15 points 2 weeks ago

Life is meant to be lived. People worried their whole lives they won't like a design or piece of art, in my opinion, are living scared

[–] aeronmelon@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

The artistry can be impressive. What they do to the human body is horrible.

[–] deadbeef79000 34 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

My body is a temple!

Large, awkward to move, needs constant maintenance.

[–] ByteJunk@lemmy.world 20 points 2 weeks ago

Have you considered some graffiti?

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[–] Alvaro@lemmy.blahaj.zone 15 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Unpopular opinion on your opinion:

Stupid implies lack of thought on consequences or bad logic, which I don't think applies to tattoos as they are (for the most part) an aesthetic personal choice.

Cool though? Yeah sure, that is a vague and subjective term.

So no, most (not all) tattoos are not stupid.

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[–] GladiusB@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago

I have full sleeves and a chest piece. I get them for myself and my own story. They mean something to me. I don't care what you think about them.

Having said that you used the community correctly. But I not agree with you. Tattoos can be stupid and pointless to the user as well. They can just be there and it's impulsive and they want to tell a story.

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Personally I have nothing against tattoos—you don't have to be an artist to appreciate art—I simply cannot think of any design or text I like so much that I want it displayed permanently on my skin.

Also I do not have the pain tolerance nor the nerves to sit still while I get stabbed hundreds (thousands?) of times a second. I hate needles with a burning passion; I can barely handle getting my blood drawn.

[–] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

Body mod is a choice, you're not being required to get a tattoo. However, it's a personal freedom and identification, like getting the fuck out of someone's control.

[–] bravesilvernest@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I've been doing memorial tattoos of my pets :)

Edit: that's to say, to each their own.

[–] UnhingedFridge@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Mine was never inked to be "cool," and I think it falls under one of your "exceptions."

It's on my chest, and is always covered. I choose a design that's tied between something close to my mother who passed when I was young, and the Japanese art of Kintsugi (repairing broken ceramics with gold to reflect beauty in imperfection.) It exists as a reminder to myself when looking in the mirror at home - I can and will be better despite all of the damage, and that I will continue to build myself into the person that I want to be.

Tattoos are art, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes art is a little more personal too, and not always created to be shared with the world.

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[–] paultimate14@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago (7 children)

I would extend this to all images on people. Graphic t-shirts, hats, logos, text on booty shorts, jewelry

Why does everyone need to be a walking billboard? Why must we cover everything with "art"? Why do we need to constantly be broadcasting messages to everyone who looks at us?

I get that people are excited about these things, and I never want to make anyone feel bad about having tattoos or wearing clothes they like. But personally i west plain clothes, mostly solid colors and the occasional stripes, nothing busier than plaid. I took thr dealership stickers and manufacturers logos off my car.

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[–] trackball_fetish@lemmy.wtf 12 points 2 weeks ago

Tattoos are kinda dumb. They are also kinda rad. I'm heavily covered. Personally I enjoy bothering people who hold the old view that only criminals, seaman, bikers, drug dealers or whores have them. Don't get me wrong, I am some of those things but its fun as hell working in a profession where I end up interacting with company owners, ceos and lawyers. It blows their minds.

[–] agent_nycto@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

I'm glad that this is an unpopular opinion now

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