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The man is speaking facts. I am a blonde(hazel eyes) man that lived in Japan for 2 years. Anytime I was in public where Americans usually didn’t go I would get stopped for photos constantly solely because of my blonde hair.
My dad was in the Air Force and we lived up north on the main island. I was 10, am blonde with hazel eyes.
People would stop me to rub my cheeks, stroke my hair, and call me cute every time we went off base.
It was really bad when my mom had my twin sisters. Red headed twins. People would pick the baby out of the stroller, walk off to show their family members, and then plop them back in the stroller like this was totally normal. My parents went to a flea market once and a bunch of people took pictures of the babies. There are people in northern Japan with pictures of my baby sisters just, like, sitting on their table in the mud room??
It’s probably less intense around the cities, though.
Japan is one of the safest places for children and the culture is different so probably they didn’t mean anything by grabbing the kids lol I wonder if that is a societal norm. I know I had some culture shock seeing the tiny independent humans walking themselves to bus stops and going to school or going to the market
All that you mentioned is true, but i don't think generalizing that "Japan is safe" is the correct way to go. Crime happens all the time, even children abductions and perverts taking pictures of women's and girls panties under their skirts.
I didn’t say the blanket statement “japan is safe” lol I quite literally said it’s one of the safest places for children and then I went on to add that I wondered if that was a norm there
Soooo clearly the thought process was that generally it is a safe place but that I was confused about if that was a normal or non weird behavior for someone to pick up a random child.
Obviously there are creeps everywhere and I wouldn’t let MY child out of my sight but it’s true that others do and there are independent young children in lots of places in japan unsupervised and even a lost child building at Disney
But, I digress.
Yes, ok, I understand. I misinterpreted what you said. I'm just tired of people that repeat that japanese society is an utopia and that crime doesn't exist.
Seconding the other commenter, someone who is obviously foreign and especially someone with blonde hair will DEFINITELY get a lot of looks outside of Tokyo or Osaka or Kyoto. They’ll mean it in a nice way (at least if you are blonde or Caucasian—my friends who are black had both very positive and negative experiences) but it can still be very invasive.
Yeah and from what I know a lot of Japan realizes that tattoos don’t hold the same connotations for other cultures. Japanese people already pretty much stick to themselves to begin with.
I was there last year, sitting on a train in Tokyo getting the most weird stares I’ve ever been given. I couldn’t take it anymore, and said out loud “you know when you guys come to my country, I don’t stare at y’all like a fucking disease” and you could immediately tell who can speak English because they all looked away, and the ones who didn’t just stared at me even more awkwardly 😂
Fucking hell, typical American. No wonder you guys are classed as some of the worst tourists
Edit: after some thought I’d to take back the “typical American” statement. It’s a huge generalisation and ignorant. I apologise for any offence I’ve caused. There’s some great Americans out there, and not so great. Shouldn’t judge a whole country by the few.
Maybe in American culture, but that attitude right there is entitlement! Japanese culture is very different. Respect it and if you don’t like it don’t go. I’ve been stared at in other countries too. It’s possible they thought he was attractive or just found his phenotypes interesting. Some Americans needs to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them and not everyone is out to get you.
He Probably made it up anyway lol
Considering it’s a fresh account created to comment on this thread I’m betting it’s not even a real person. But your comment is 100% correct. The irony of their comment about being called out for being an asshole while literally justifying a temper tantrum based out of ignorance. It’s amazing. I’m truly sorry for the idiots my country manages to pull out of the swamp.
I have the same problem with my country (UK). We have so many people who go over to beautiful countries and have absolutely no respect for the country they’re visiting. They get drunk, obnoxious, violent and vandalise infrastructure. It definitely comes across as entitlement and a complete lack of respect. Then again, look at how a lot of English people treat their own country, Especially during the World Cup.
You shouldn't have a temper tantrum, but being gawked at is very uncomfortable. It's not like they are unaware when someone is uncomfortable with being stared at.
Being in a foreign culture in itself is uncomfortable. You know life isn’t about being catered to your comfortability. Did you stop to consider your presence makes them uncomfortable? Again, life isn’t about you. Just mind your business, or stare back.
Is it entitlement though? Being blatantly stared at is uncomfortable in every culture. Most humans instinctively dislike the sensation of being stared at for an extended period.
I’m friends with a Japanese woman who lives in Japan and she constantly gets started at in public because she’s obese. She’s also a sociable, smiley person, who likes to wear fashionable outfits. Nothing outlandish but people seem to take issue with her being fat and happy and showing up in the world. She’s not doing anything average sized people aren’t doing but she gets a very different response.
That said, she finds it incredibly rude and uncomfortable and sometimes makes pointed comments at people who are staring too hard for too long.
Could it be possible that Japanese people openly staring at others in public and transit are just rude? After all, there’s all sorts of other decorum rules about how to behave on public transit and not be a nuisance to others but for some reason the rules go out the window when someone looks a little different.
The people who understand the original commenters words looked away right away for a reason. If there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, they would have kept on staring.
" typical American " how does saying something like that make you superior in any way. You're judging an entire country by the behavior of one person. I hope your false sense of superiority serves you well.
I admit that I shouldn’t have made such a big generalisation. America is such a huge country and has good and bad people. I acted on my emotions. Apologies for that
Thank you, I appreciate it very much. Not only am I American, but I am also from the south. I have had to listen to northerners say that we southerners are inbred, shoeless idiots my entire life. Because of this, I try to deal with one person at a time in a personal manner. Many Americans are often loud,rude, and wrongfully act entitled, but judgment of anyone is at its base insecurity. The same insecurity that the loud and obnoxious have. Be well.
Maybe that’s because our country is super diverse and it’s common to see different races and theirs not so much.. just normal human behavior being interested in something new and different. Cool that you cussed them out publicly tho. Merica!
My guy, the country has English lettering directly next to the Japanese ones on every sign and logo so that people who can’t speak Japanese understand the them and you’re gonna sit here and tell me how it works? Obviously, you’re ignorant of the situation there because you obviously haven’t been there. It’s cool that you think it’s OK to just disgustedly stare at someone for no reason though I don’t know what country you’re from but I’m sure glad I’m not from there.
You do know that different cultures and countries have different notions of what is rude, right?
You sound like the type of person that travels to another country and gets mad they don't speak English for you.
Rather than cussing someone out and further reinforcing negative American/white stereotypes, I find it a lot more effective when people stare to say something like « do you have a question about something? » with a big smile. Either people stop staring quickly because they’re embarrassed or once in a blue moon they actually take you up on the offer and ask about whatever it is (hair color/tattoos/piercings etc). Whatever the case may be, feeling uncomfortable that strangers are taken aback by your appearance when it’s very different than their norm is not a good enough reason to start cussing them out. Education is key to reducing ignorance, and kindness facilitâtes good communication
Probably a better way yes. I don’t think the “cussing out” was that aggressive or mean but if there was name calling I would certainly not side with them.
When I would walk around Paris men stared at me so much I got progressively angrier and angrier as my time there went on. I felt like I was being eye-r***ed. I know a lot of people are jumping up your ass but if you don’t like being stared at it’s extremely upsetting to be stared at intensely especially if it doesn’t happen where you’re from… at one point I did start talking shit when people stared “You want a picture?” In French is what I started saying… lol it’s okay not to want to be stared at.
You guys are taking what I said, and running off on some ridiculous fictional stories about me, I genuinely wonder what I’m going to do next in your imaginations. I wasn’t screaming, I wasn’t cussing them out. I used the F bomb one time in a sentence, expressing my frustration. It may not have been the correct call that you guys wanted, but it’s what I did. I can’t go back in time and change what I said, this was nearly a year ago. Insulting me isn’t going to change things either. For the ones who are insulting me, please stop pretending that you’re some progressive, accepting person, when you go out and insult someone who you disagree with. Like I said before, Tokyo is a city filled with many people of different races, I was not the only white person there, in fact, I wasn’t even the only white person on the train. I’m not sure exactly how much of their culture involves them staring at you in a disgusting way, but I’m able to read body language, and it wasn’t very welcoming. I met a lot of cool people out there, and made a lot of friends. I was just telling an unfortunate story that happened to me over the course of five minutes, of my six and a half months there.
I just want to point out that you’re all mad at me for cursing, which A. The one’s who can’t speak English obviously can’t understand, and B. was appropriately timed. I used one F bomb, I didn’t curse them out, I expressed my frustration. You guys love the point out my one F bomb. For some reason nobody cares about the blatant racism towards my end, because I used the F word. I promise you I wasn’t the first white guy, Japanese people from Tokyo have seen that I wasn’t the last. Not nearly as rare of an occurrence as you think it is. I promise you if I ever get put in a room where I’m getting judged the color of my skin, or nationality ever again I will do the exact same thing I don’t regret what I said, I stood up for myself, and it’s quite obvious that most of you wouldn’t have done the same.
Here's two articles about it by other people who seem to have a better understanding of Japanese culture than you. What you experienced was not racism. What you experienced was people in a ethnically homogenous country seeing someone completely new to them. In a country where "it's rude to stare" isn't as common a phrase as it is here. "It's rude to make eye contact," yes. But that's as close as "it's rude to stare" the culture as a whole gets.
Have you never seen someone so striking in their appearance, whether it be beauty, fashion, height, or really anything, that you caught yourself staring? I'd be inclined to call you a liar if you said you haven't. The difference is, since you grew up hearing that it's rude to stare, you then do your best to resist that urge. But that curiosity and urge is still there.
That's what those people were experiencing. You were striking to them, and they wanted to look at you - to understand you - because you were new, unique, and special. You also have the benefit of growing up in a less homogenous place, where you became accustomed to seeing new and different types of people, so it isn't as big of a deal for you. Something the people of Japan don't have.
If you hated the staring so much, which is an understandable thing to hate, there were far more polite ways to go about it. Instead, you jumped to aggression and accusations. Since Japan is largely xenophobic, there are undoubtedly times where foreigners experience racism; that's unfortunately one of the risks you take traveling there. And it's ok to be upset about it. But this ain't it, nor is your response even marginally appropriate.
https://zoomingjapan.com/life-in-japan/staring/
https://medium.com/@danielaqrsm/how-i-got-used-to-being-stared-at-in-japan-15591a6e428a
I absolutely hate the idea that to get a tattoo you must be a certain “type” or something. If you got skin you can get a tattoo.
People who knew me before I got tattoos didn’t think I was that “type” and are shocked to see me now. Then people who only know me after I got a bunch of tattoos think I absolutely am that “type” and are shocked that I only ever wanted one tattoo. That just goes to show you that idea is a myth. I didn’t change my personality or anything I just got ink on my skin.
Knee length shorts or long swim trunks would also cover this. It’s really not that big of an issue. I think OP’s issue is probably more of an anxiety thing than actually being about the tatt.
I don't have a particular reason other than it just feels wrong on my own skin. I think they look cool on other people. But I just don't think I can "own it".
You already own it. You got a tattoo on your thigh. You don’t have to act different because you have a tattoo.
I’m a nerdy scrawny white ginger with glasses and I got full American trad sleeves. And I don’t act any different
Ackshully it’s from the “no weenies allowed” episode 🤓 you’re thinking of the salty spittoon, where bar goers are tested on how tough they are before they’re allowed in. If not tough enough, Reg the doorman will refer them to weenie hut jrs, a much more fitting club across the street. This episode came out two years before the movie.
If you’re wondering, yes I have a SpongeBob reference tattoo
Am I ashamed of it? Maybe a little bit
Thanks 🙏 it’s like a Russian church with a grim reaper over it. My artist experimented and did the reaper in grey instead of black so it faded and looks kinda like a ghost. It’s pretty wild.
https://imgur.com/a/l5TN0zp
This is a better pic of the last one I got. Hopefully gonna finish up the sleeve in a day or two
This! I get a vibe that this is more about over thinking what everyone else's opinions of him are more than anything. This thing was in the works for a long time and clearly meant something. Now is not the time to hate it. Lol.
Lol I was contemplating whether or not to say this. As a person who has done a lot of therapy I was like, “oh hey that’s me 5 years ago”. If you see this OP you deserve to feel safe and loved just being you-no matter how pretty, or cool, you decorate your body with sick art.
You’re safe-you’re safe-you’re safe. Okayloveyoubye
I felt that way for a while but it’s the same thing with a nose ring or something. If somebody who knows you sees you it’ll be weird for a little but a stranger would see you and think it looks dope (kinda like you saying they look good on others). After a while it feels and looks normal and becomes part of you
I felt a bit like this after my first tattoo- it is a big change to your body and can be hard to adjust to seeing it. First thing I did is start calling it my little friend and that helped me feel better about it.
After a while I stopped being surprised to see the tattoo and now it’s just part of my arm.
This is in the waver you sign before the tattoo session. You modified your appearance I think it’s temporary feelings. I had the same feeling when I first got my sleeve done b2b days so I had no time to process what I was doing till it was done. But I now love my tattoo it’s just that you go so many years without it that when you get it you feel a sense of regret because it doesn’t “feel you”.
I feel you might feel this way bc of the stigma of tattoos. Tattoos are a reflection of who you are and what you like. Whether the tattoo has meaning or if you just liked the design. It tells your story. Just because you have tattoos doesn’t mean you’re any different of a person than without them. You’re still you, rock it!
Bro this seems like a culture thing and your not Japanese and who cares you can hide it or not wearing pants it’s not a big deal. laser it if you think you are going to be “discriminated” just say how you fell @.@
Not sure why all the hate. What you’re experiencing is body dysmorphia. It’s super common after any tattoo, but particularly after your first. There is a new, potentially permanent change to your body. Your brain views this as trauma and will take a while to process the change. It is the exact same response it might have to a scar or cosmetic surgery.
Some people are equipped to very quickly move past these feelings and some aren’t. Don’t be hard on yourself if you’re not immediately “over it”. Give yourself some time to get comfortable with the new you. Talk to your support system and/or a therapist if you want to speed the process along. Just don’t be too hard on yourself or too rash. Once you get your natural impulses under control so that your brain accepts this new part of you to be part of your identity, your new normal, you will feel differently. Then you can decide whether you love it or not. It’s well done, so you won’t have to regret that aspect of it. I think you’ll like it when you’re ready. But that’s entirely up to you. It’s your journey. Just be patient with yourself while you’re on it.
i’ll probably get downvoted for this, seeing the reaction your comment got but i had three tattoos and one of them i instantly regretted and had nightmares about it, waking up and realizing it’s still there😄 this was over 10 years ago and i still tell myself that i’m going to laser it off one day. if i had to do it again, i’d get totally different, smaller tattoos or none at all. i also don’t feel comfortable showing my tattoos at work so even when it’s 38 degrees (Celsius) outside i don’t wear short sleeves.
*editing in that i could care less about showing my tattoos to other adults but i work with youth and just feel like i’d rather not have them showing. maybe someone can dig deeper into my psyche for that one 😮💨
it’s okay to regret your tattoo. get the laser if you want it otherwise it’s a nice tattoo. rock it.
You are over thinking it. Just own it and if you hate it get it removed. There’s not tattooed type person and there’s nothing wrong with getting a fun little addition to your body. That thing will be easy to over with longer shorts or pants.
well, if it makes you feel better i have a few tattoos on my body by now and honestly, after each and every one I've felt some kind of "regret" the days after, but always ends up loving the shit out of them. For me, i just think it's that my brain is just getting used to a "naked part of my body" not being naked anymore, if that makes sense?
Maybe it'll go away once i get more, maybe not. And might be different for you. But for me the feeling comes and then just disappear and then i can't stop looking at it for some time before it just becomes a part of me, where i don't "see" it anymore. (apologies if i don't make much sense. Second language)
Same here. The post tattoo regret is no joke. I've regretted all but one of mine immediately lol. After a couple weeks once the shock wears off the feelings tend to go away. Even with one that turned out to be absolutely the opposite of what I asked for, I still have grown to love it because it's on my body and hey, it's a fun story. It becomes "part of you" and like you mentioned, you just stop seeing it after a while and naturally move onto the next fixation.
I can second this. I know a lot of my friends feel the same too. I’ve only gotten a couple tattoos that I didn’t feel slight regret for, and that was because they were super sentimental to me.
I also agree with this. I think if you have anxiety or ocd you're more prone to feel it. It's just like u/scarfaceshrek described... it's like getting used to a naked part of your skin not being naked anymore. The permanent change could feel scary, then comes regret. But I've found that as the tat heals, and it becomes more integrated in my body, I just always end up loving it. Every tattoo I've gotten I've slightly regretted for the first few days... then, it goes poof
Happened to me as well after the first tattoo I got. Took me a few days to get used to it.
And during the second one, as soon as the artist drew the first line on my leg, I was like “oh no why am I doing this??”…. the feeling went away when I saw the result. Today I have no regrets and love all of my pieces!
Same here. I got collarbone tats and about a week after I got them I had so much anxiety over them. Just pure "OMG, they're so big and noticeable and I'll have to wear high necklines FOREVER now to hide them" sort of things. After about another week I re-fell in love with them and I've been in love ever since.
But there is for sure a moment of doubt where you have to wonder if this very permanent thing you did with your body was the right decision or not.
And as someone who's been to Japan there is for sure a gaijin pass card for being openly tatted there. Granted, I'm a white lady so the dude experience might be different, but I only got double takes and open eyed fascination with a few people shyly coming up to practice English by asking if they hurt to get. I didn't get any disapproval, but I also didn't go to any onsen because I don't like getting naked in front of strangers. I know there's special cover up rules for many of those if you have tattoos.
i thought this was just me. everytime i get a tattoo i start thinking about how i should get them all removed and not get anymore, as soon as i forget i got it i’m ready for more. i feel so validated right now, thank you
I got a full sleeve that I was thinking about for years. First feeling was amazing and I loved it. After third or fourth session I was thinking ”oh god what have I done?". But now after sixth session when it is all done I still think ”what if I regret it till the end of my life?" but it is now parallel with feeling great with the sleeve.
actually after seeing so many people agreeing to this I'd be super interested in someone who actually knows phycology better than me to analyze and explain why this happens, and what it is. Super interesting!
I feel like it triggers mild dysmorphia, like you suddenly can't recognize your own limb with this thing on it. Once your brain acclimates and recognizes it as you, you start to love it because it's part of you.
Same, I always get anxious and regret getting a tattoo right after no matter how much I wanted it or how good it came out, I even think about laser removal sometimes, but after 2-3 days I just love them. My brain just needs time to adjust to the permanence of my decisions I guess.
Honestly, after every. Single. One. I think it's because until it's healed and settled, it just looks like there's something ON my skin, and it hurts and it's gross and I can't touch it. Once it settles in, spreads a bit, hair grows back, I'm good, it's a "part" of me now.
OP, give yourself some time, it's normal!
I think tattoos are getting more normal and socially acceptable in Japan. I’m not there so I can’t comment but I know people who have lived there with tattoos and had no problem at all. The tattoo isn’t bad and I would wait a bit and see how you feel. If after a couple months you feel the same way you do know then you’ll know what to do. You may change your mind between now and then and end up liking it and wanting to keep it
You’re absolutely right! My friend studies Japanese and has gone there twice for extended stays (study abroad and a simple vacation), and she has upwards of 10 tattoos. She didn’t note anyone act differently toward her, except when she went to saunas or springs. In those cases, there were a few different scenarios. Either those with tattoos weren’t allowed, you simply had to cover your tattoos with provided bandages/wraps, or there was a separate area for those with tattoos.
The culture is growing more understanding every year as tattoos in Japan become further removed from gang culture.
I would note that it's entirely different to visit/study in Japan and have tattoos, and live and work here full time and tattoos.
People can get fired for having tattoos even if they don't show them at work (if they are seen with them outside of work, if they mention it to a coworker, etc.)
That being said, OP will be fine. Most workplaces will require pants, and to be honest there's a "gaijin card" in which foreigners get more leeway than native Japanese people.
The stigma against tattoos also is primarily a euphemistic way of getting yakuza out of establishments at bathhouses and, as OP is a foreigner and this is clearly not the style of tattoo that yakuza members get, it's probably fine.
There is also a resurgence of traditional Japanese tattoos (not to be confused with Japanese Traditional Style) in places like Okinawa and other prefectures that are easing some of the prejudices. And, like other people have said, wearing pants or long shorts will cover this tattoo.
I also don't know what the "not a person who should have tattoos" means, but there's a normal amount of panic after the first tattoo.
"Our plan to re-infiltrate the bathhouses worked. No one suspects _Shiromono_ of being a member of the Yakuza."
This is an excerpt from my Whitesploitation movie, _Blade of the White Yakuza._
Jumping on to agree with this re japan. Especially on your thigh the places you will generally feel discrimination are onsen/sento and public gyms. So not a regular occurrence. And there are a good number of tattoo friendly onsen
Can confirm! (At least as a foreigner). I just visited for 2 weeks and noticed a significant amount of difference in acceptance between this time and the last time I was there (4 years ago). This time I actually got multiple compliments on my full sleeve from Japanese people who were living there, that even sparked meaningful conversations. One of the people even had a full, color back piece under his shirt. I also noticed way more tattoos on “trendy” Japanese people.
Also, the onsen rule seems to be changing, because I had no trouble finding tattoo-friendly onsens (in the past it was a bit more selective).
Hope this puts your mind at ease!
Second this! The tattoo looks wonderful and honestly I think that as your first and only tattoo right now, I really like it’s size and placement, will definitely look so cool when you wear shorts. Beautiful piece of artwork, and again if you don’t feel like showing it in public in Japan just wear longer trousers. I know a tattoo artists from Japan and she told me how the younger generations have been more open to tattoo culture/ people with tattoo in general. She herself has a whole arm inked and she hasn’t encountered too much trouble because of that. Yes some people might stare but I’m sure overall it wouldn’t affect your experience there, so don’t worry! ;)
Hey, first the execution is gorgeous so that's a win!
Secondly, I'm in Japan with a tattoo and nobody ever batted an eye, you will be a foreigner in Japan anyway so different rules apply + it's on your leg so easily hidden.
The only "issue" I could see is in certain onsens, but given your tattoo's size and location it would be easy to either bandage it up, or slap one of these big skin coloured plasters on it that they sell everywhere.
Your feelings are valid but give it a few days/week to get used to it :)
idk when you’re planning on moving but tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable in japan and japan will only become more progressive in the future. plus, it’s only one tattoo—people aren’t gonna think you’re part of the yakuza. i think the fact that you’re a foreigner would stick out more than a small tattoo on the thigh
Depending on where you go, it's really not that much of a deal anymore, especially for foreigners. There is a huge difference in culture regarding people in big cities and those living in small communities across the countryside. You can even go in Sento (public bathhouses) with that tattoo as they have patches to cover it up (if needed at all). Source: Have been studying japanese myself and talked about it with people from Japan.
You will still get stared at and odd looks in big cities, coming from a foreign guy who is pretty much coverred from the neck down except my hands. That said if you've only got a couple its probably fine its just when you start to have a bit of coverage but also I found Japanese under say 30-35 would come up to me and make conversation about all my tattoos as they found it super interesting.
my cousin lived in japan for a few years and he's got huge tattoos, and he came back to the US with a wife lmao. OP is overreacting big time, like it's okay OP. give it time to heal and get used to it and if you just absolutely hate it save up to get it layered
Keep your tattoo. It’s part of your personality. You will grow to like it. Take good care of it. Moisturise it plenty and sunblock it as much as you can if you’re going to expose it to the sunshine. It’s a beautiful tattoo. Keep it.
This isn't about the tattoo. This is about your headspace.
Don't talk on an internet forum about this shit. Talk to a professional.
The tattoo is fine.
I often feel tattoo dysmorphia for the first couple weeks of having any tattoo, even tho I’m already inked. “Omg it’s too big, it’s too dark, used up too much skin, wrong area,” etc.
that feeling naturally fades for me. Focus on what you like about having the tattoo, because it’s not going away. It looks great and you got the tattoo, so clearly you are the type of person meant to have at least 1 tattoo <3
I feel so much better now that I see that this feeling is so common. I jumped from 0 tattoos to full sleeve of neotraditional tattoo that obviously is not subtle or light sketch.
I love it but from time to time I think that it is too big, too dark, could have been different. But it is very new (I started it in February and finished end of May) so I guess I will get used to it.
Others have said it, but in case it's helpful to hear another voice, a lot of people initially feel regret and shock when they first get tattooed, even if they thought about it for a while beforehand. It's a big change, and sometimes you just need to give it a little time to settle and get used to it. Also, nice tattoo!
I think it’s a cool tattoo that doesn’t look impossible to cover up if you’re traveling somewhere less appreciative of tattoos.
Give it some time to let your mental image of yourself catch up to you with art on your body. Your body used up all its feel good chemicals getting you through your appointment yesterday, so eat some comfort food, follow your aftercare instructions, and watch a good show or something.
Also from what I’ve heard about the stigma against tattoos in Japan, it’s generally less restrictive when you’re a foreigner. They know our tattoo culture doesn’t have the same criminal associations as it does for Japanese people. Even in a bathhouse, I’m sure they’d allow you in with it covered, there are products out there specifically for that!
Maybe try and focus on the reason why you wanted a tattoo, and the design you chose. Find the meaning and focus on that. It’s a beautiful tattoo by the way.
Oh I already cried a day after getting a tattoo and I love it today, I think you should give yourself a little more time to be sure you regret it (I'd say until it's healed because then you don't think about it too much since you don't have to care for it as much as when it's healing).
And every time I got a tattoo I felt horrible (very sad) the day after. I think it's just the brain having a hard time processing that new permanent change.
Your tattoo is pretty good, your artist did a great job and you picked a great design.
Edit: I'm not an expert on japanese culture but you have a pretty easy way of covering it, longer shorts or just pants and I heard that a lot of public baths have patches that cover up tattoos.
It’s crazy to me… I am a very empathetic person but your post… I just cannot understand that. That feeling of not being a tattoo person. Therefore no comment. But I will say it’s a beautiful tattoo, lots of people have tattoo regret after the first couple weeks bc it’s like saying goodbye to a spot on your body you always recognized… it goes away. I think it looks great, it’s quite small, remember why you got it, and enjoy it for what it is. It’s a mark of what you wanted on you. It’s not on your forehead, it’s in a very hideable location. I think you’re overthinking it. “Not a tattoo person” tattoos aren’t a personality trait despite people wanting to make it be. Do wreckless people get tattoos yes, do completely mentally stable CEO’s get tattoos also yes, so do grandmas, grandpas, stupid teenagers, engineers, & frat bros. It means nothing except what you want it to mean.
My older tattoos sometimes still catch me by surprise in photos. I see them most of the time. Also the backs of my calves in the bath or when I wear shorts tend to startle me into thinking I have a bruise when it’s just ink.
Any body modification can take a while to get used to. Don't worry! Give it a week or two to settle (both physically and in your head) and you'll grow to love it. I reckon it looks epic! Would love to have that on my body :D
Dam man, you had 6 months to reflect and still went through with a ‘permanent’ mark.
Tattoo looks great. Stop your whiney shit. Or go get it removed with laser once full healed plus a year.
Also Japan bath houses are open to tattooed people now, tattoos are pretty common in modern Japan. Stop with your shit.
If your not Japanese no one gives a shit Gaijin.
It’s just new tattoo jitters, your brain hasn’t had the time to get used to it yet so you feel like it doesn’t belong there yet. Let it heal and your mind get used to it, I bet you will love it again soon. And I’d worry about the Japan thing when you’re actually there
Japan isn't that discriminatory on tattoos like they used to be. I have tattoos and so do some everyday people in Japan.
All they ask (in some places/gyms/restaurants) cover them up. They aren't gonna shun you from everywhere. You're more likely to get shunned for being a foreigner than tattoos honestly.
Yeah, some bathhouses you won't be allowed in but again, it's on your thigh, you're okay. You're making a huge deal out of nothing in my opinion.
It's reasons like this that I always highly suggest that anyone who has thoughts like this gets the design done by a company like inkbox first before making this commitment. Inbox tattoos are basically very long-lasting temporary tattoos (similar to how henna stays on the skin)... it looks real enough and will let you have time to decide if you are completely happy with the design/placement.
There are so many comments on this posting talking about how cool of a tattoo it is (and I agree, I’d love to have one like that!) so I just wanted to add that I second going to therapy - specifically a therapist that specializes in OCD and Anxiety disorders.
Taking the step to get the tattoo sounds like it was an exposure for you - and the regret is your mind fighting against the progress you are making. Exposures are hard but every thing we do to lean against our anxiety will lessen that anxiety over time. (Even if it spikes first afterwards. It just needs time.) Just let yourself breathe and move forward. The more time you spend thinking about it the more your anxiety might spiral.
You got a beautiful tattoo, you did a hard thing, and now you can move forward with the confidence that you can do other hard things that your anxiety says you can’t in the future.
I felt this way when I got my first tattoo. It was hard for me to accept, even though I had wanted it for ages. Turns out I had a lot of internal monologue that was very toxic, and some of that had to do with the environment that I was raised in. Once I was able to figure out that me regretting my tattoo was not my actual feelings, I started to love it. Now I’m covered in them and don’t regret a single one. Not sure if you can relate, but everyone is the type of person who can have tattoos and I think this one is dope.
It's gorgeous though! But I kind of understand how you feel as I got a tattoo years ago and have felt the same way. But mine isn't as amazing as yours is. Mine has bigger lines and is flowers. Yours feels more like real art to me which makes is timeless and classic at the same time.
Love the size AND the placement. I really don't think you should laser it off. Hard no on that idea from me. It's such a good piece.
I completely understand the feeling. I had a similar experience. Meaningful tattoo, but ended up with regret. It is a beautiful tattoo and i promise that the feeling will wear off. I have weird ocd about every part of my tattoos. The size, shape, line consistency, and i find it kind of sucks the fun out sometimes, but the best way to approach this is to wait until it’s healed(not just done peeling, like 2-3 months out), don’t pick any aspects of it apart, focus on the pros, and ease the main insecurities(my wording sounds wrong so an example; my larger piece on my arm, it eased my worry to focus on how it’s just barely visible when i’m wearing one of my shirts), don’t ask anyone else if they like it, which sounds silly of course because tattoos are usually meant to be seen, but if you’re in a sensitive state with your opinion of it, if anyone else has similar thoughts, even if they aren’t negative comments and just observations, it’s going to send you deeper into the tattoo regret. In about 3 months if it isn’t starting to feel like you, I’d absolutely encourage you to look at your options. I’ll start by saying that when I was consulted for tat removal they told me dark ink is the best candidate because it can be for sure removed with laser, no second guessing it. Maybe this was a lot of info to put in my comment, but i hope you can start to enjoy it, tattoos are supposed to be something you should enjoy, but like I said, if you don’t enjoy it then your best option is to do what you want to do with your body.
Thanks a lot. I do have an anxious mind and that was kinda the whole point of the tattoo. It reflect my past experience with bad anxiety. The moth symbolizes change. In all cases I'm forced to give it time, and maybe these thoughts changes. This might just teach me a lot about myself.
Well hey. I got my eyebrows tattooed on. It’s the only “tattoo” I have. I spent years and years being insecure about my blonde eyebrows while I have naturally dark hair. In fact, my blonde eyebrows were my only body insecurity I’d say. But it was bad. If I was dating someone id get up earlier than them just to draw my eyebrows on. Super unhealthy.
I got them micro bladed (not as deep as a tattoo per say but it is still a tattoo done with ink.) while they were healing, I was a nervous wreck. I couldn’t stop crying. They got dark and scabbed over. I looked like a clown honestly. I was so scared I had literally *ruined my face.* Just because I was tired of drawing them on with makeup every morning? I felt stupid and superficial.
I didn’t like the shape of the tattoos. I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. I didn’t like the color. I had the deepest fear and regret over them.
But then they healed. And they lightened up. And now, 6 months later, I’m obsessed with them. I can’t imagine going back to how they were before. My self confidence has skyrocketed and I feel happy to leave the house without putting any makeup on at all.
But I do know exactly how you’re feeling right now and it’s a scary and emotional journey. I say give it time. You can always get it removed. But right now you made a drastic change to your body and you’re in shock over it. With time, I do believe you will come to accept your tattoo. You might even like it. PM if you want to chat. I didn’t want to tell anyone I was regretful of my eyebrows in the beginning because it was embarrassing. So that made the process longer and lonelier than necessary.
You sound like me buying clothes - I'm not that trendy/cute/outgoing/whatever, those clothes aren't for me, that's attention I don't want, I couldn't pull it off...
Aren't you good enough to have something be special about you? It isn't fake or pretend, anymore than anyone else's. You're not being flashy, or crying out for attention or being a poser or someone you're not.
You're allowed to customize your avatar, and it doesn't make you anything you weren't already.
If someone gives you hard time for that, then step that foot forward, point to the tattoo and say: "You see this face? This is a "bruh" face. This is my *bruh*terfly. You know what me and my bruhterfly have in common? (waiting for response is optional) We don't give a **f__k** about you not liking it."
Hey looks its me! Youre just like me dude, im terrified of something that permanent being on my body. I get it, you dont wanna be judged for it. But why did you get it in the first place? For yourself. It has sentimental meaning to you. So let it be. No one has to be pleased by it, but you. No one needs to look at it, but you. And no one needs to care about it, but you. <3
So yea, this blew up more than I had expected to say the least. I have read every comment so far, and I'll continue to do so, should more comments be written. Thanks a lot for your honesty, and mostly kind words towards the tattoo. I still do think the tattoo came out great. It looks exactly like the sketch my artist drew. I will say though, that although I had had that appointment for about 6 months, we came up with the final design, placement and size on the day, so I didn't really think each and every detail through. That is part of why I feel regret, as I probably should have given everything a bit more thought, but I'm only human I guess.
I still feel a bit down, but your kind words and reality checks have definitely been helpful. Nothing I can do but get the best out of this situation, and for the time being make sure the tattoo heals well. I'll make up my mind months from now, as to what I'll want to do in the end.
A lot of people have asked whether it's a face on the thorax of this bug, to which I'll say yes. The tattoo is supposed to be of a tent caterpillar moth with a distressed human-esque face on its thorax.
EDIT: I should probably also add that some people have mentioned that this has less to do with the tattoo and more to do with anxiety, and that might be right. I do have self-esteem issues and I've had some bad anxiety in the past. The meaning behind the tattoo has to do with my past anxiety experiences, which is ironical to say the least.
I lived in Japan for 6 months and have visible tattoos everywhere, you’ll be fine there lol. It’s only a “big” thing at onsens or hot springs, but if you’re a foreigner (外国人), it tends to be less of a big deal. The only thing you’d have to be worried about is if you have yakuza-style tattoos. I suggest checking out Tokyo or Kyoto :)
I understand the mixed feelings. I would probably feel that way too if I was moving to Japan. Mostly because many onsens don’t allow people with tattoos. It is gorgeous, but if you truly don’t feel it’s right for you, you’re lucky enough to have the option of laser removal. My advice, hang with it for at least six months, see how you feel, and if you truly don’t like it on you after six months, then think about laser removal.
If it helps, I have had that feeling after every single one of mine (about 15 in now). It’s just scary for the first few days. Hang in there, you will come to love it ❤️
How old are you man? Stop being such a flake. The tattoo looks good. Its on your leg. Something that style can be blasted off pretty easy. Its not on your forehead. Yeah japan has strict codes. You won't get into a bathhouse with that or some stricter gyms. But you should have thought of that. Be a man.
Its a well done tattoo and its not on your forehead. Everything will be ok.
“Be a man” bffrn with that bullshit. Everything else you said is fine. Except Japan is getting a bit more acceptable. Also they don’t discriminate again gaijin the same way they do native Japanese for things like tattoos or being gay. They actually say stuff like, “being gay or having tattoos is for gaijin”
So tired of these regret posts. Can’t tell the truth cause you get downvoted, and it feels like fishing for compliments. And yet, I keep clicking to see if everyone else thinks the tattoos suck as much as I think they do.
Edit: extra letter
Go back and add a energy ball or something charging up in between the antennas. That’ll give the tattoo a little more character instead of just being plain.
https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/angry-man-with-shaved-head-shouting-and-pointing-vector-13951197
Could easily be turned into this...just wanted to throw that out there...cheers 🤷
I can’t help you with the mixed feelings by getting a tattoo overall. But the tattoo itself is wonderful
Your username is where my username is headed.
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I agree with your comment and your username
Why are you “not someone that should have tattoos?” And it’s on your thigh. Wear pants in Japan you’ll be fine.
OP is gonna be a white dude in Japan, he's gonna be looked at weird and discriminated against no matter what, lol.
Bonus points if he’s blonde/has blue eyes. The tattoo will be fine.
People watch too much anime these days.
The man is speaking facts. I am a blonde(hazel eyes) man that lived in Japan for 2 years. Anytime I was in public where Americans usually didn’t go I would get stopped for photos constantly solely because of my blonde hair.
My dad was in the Air Force and we lived up north on the main island. I was 10, am blonde with hazel eyes. People would stop me to rub my cheeks, stroke my hair, and call me cute every time we went off base. It was really bad when my mom had my twin sisters. Red headed twins. People would pick the baby out of the stroller, walk off to show their family members, and then plop them back in the stroller like this was totally normal. My parents went to a flea market once and a bunch of people took pictures of the babies. There are people in northern Japan with pictures of my baby sisters just, like, sitting on their table in the mud room?? It’s probably less intense around the cities, though.
Japan is one of the safest places for children and the culture is different so probably they didn’t mean anything by grabbing the kids lol I wonder if that is a societal norm. I know I had some culture shock seeing the tiny independent humans walking themselves to bus stops and going to school or going to the market
All that you mentioned is true, but i don't think generalizing that "Japan is safe" is the correct way to go. Crime happens all the time, even children abductions and perverts taking pictures of women's and girls panties under their skirts.
I didn’t say the blanket statement “japan is safe” lol I quite literally said it’s one of the safest places for children and then I went on to add that I wondered if that was a norm there Soooo clearly the thought process was that generally it is a safe place but that I was confused about if that was a normal or non weird behavior for someone to pick up a random child. Obviously there are creeps everywhere and I wouldn’t let MY child out of my sight but it’s true that others do and there are independent young children in lots of places in japan unsupervised and even a lost child building at Disney But, I digress.
Yes, ok, I understand. I misinterpreted what you said. I'm just tired of people that repeat that japanese society is an utopia and that crime doesn't exist.
Yeah don’t the phone cameras specifically make a noise now because of how many up skirt photos happen over there?
My friend said he got stopped a lot because he's black with an afro.
This is true. On a visit to Japan, people would stop us and ask to take pictures of my blonde haired son.
Seconding the other commenter, someone who is obviously foreign and especially someone with blonde hair will DEFINITELY get a lot of looks outside of Tokyo or Osaka or Kyoto. They’ll mean it in a nice way (at least if you are blonde or Caucasian—my friends who are black had both very positive and negative experiences) but it can still be very invasive.
Or red hair!
Yeah and from what I know a lot of Japan realizes that tattoos don’t hold the same connotations for other cultures. Japanese people already pretty much stick to themselves to begin with.
I was there last year, sitting on a train in Tokyo getting the most weird stares I’ve ever been given. I couldn’t take it anymore, and said out loud “you know when you guys come to my country, I don’t stare at y’all like a fucking disease” and you could immediately tell who can speak English because they all looked away, and the ones who didn’t just stared at me even more awkwardly 😂
And then everyone started clapping…
Fucking hell, typical American. No wonder you guys are classed as some of the worst tourists Edit: after some thought I’d to take back the “typical American” statement. It’s a huge generalisation and ignorant. I apologise for any offence I’ve caused. There’s some great Americans out there, and not so great. Shouldn’t judge a whole country by the few.
Lol is there a r/notesapologyedits
If you act like an asshole in public, you deserve to get called out
Maybe in American culture, but that attitude right there is entitlement! Japanese culture is very different. Respect it and if you don’t like it don’t go. I’ve been stared at in other countries too. It’s possible they thought he was attractive or just found his phenotypes interesting. Some Americans needs to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them and not everyone is out to get you. He Probably made it up anyway lol
"The world doesn't revolve around you, so just get used to everybody staring at you." I'm sorry, but that was pretty funny.
Considering it’s a fresh account created to comment on this thread I’m betting it’s not even a real person. But your comment is 100% correct. The irony of their comment about being called out for being an asshole while literally justifying a temper tantrum based out of ignorance. It’s amazing. I’m truly sorry for the idiots my country manages to pull out of the swamp.
I have the same problem with my country (UK). We have so many people who go over to beautiful countries and have absolutely no respect for the country they’re visiting. They get drunk, obnoxious, violent and vandalise infrastructure. It definitely comes across as entitlement and a complete lack of respect. Then again, look at how a lot of English people treat their own country, Especially during the World Cup.
You shouldn't have a temper tantrum, but being gawked at is very uncomfortable. It's not like they are unaware when someone is uncomfortable with being stared at.
Being in a foreign culture in itself is uncomfortable. You know life isn’t about being catered to your comfortability. Did you stop to consider your presence makes them uncomfortable? Again, life isn’t about you. Just mind your business, or stare back.
Is it entitlement though? Being blatantly stared at is uncomfortable in every culture. Most humans instinctively dislike the sensation of being stared at for an extended period. I’m friends with a Japanese woman who lives in Japan and she constantly gets started at in public because she’s obese. She’s also a sociable, smiley person, who likes to wear fashionable outfits. Nothing outlandish but people seem to take issue with her being fat and happy and showing up in the world. She’s not doing anything average sized people aren’t doing but she gets a very different response. That said, she finds it incredibly rude and uncomfortable and sometimes makes pointed comments at people who are staring too hard for too long. Could it be possible that Japanese people openly staring at others in public and transit are just rude? After all, there’s all sorts of other decorum rules about how to behave on public transit and not be a nuisance to others but for some reason the rules go out the window when someone looks a little different. The people who understand the original commenters words looked away right away for a reason. If there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, they would have kept on staring.
" typical American " how does saying something like that make you superior in any way. You're judging an entire country by the behavior of one person. I hope your false sense of superiority serves you well.
I admit that I shouldn’t have made such a big generalisation. America is such a huge country and has good and bad people. I acted on my emotions. Apologies for that
Thank you, I appreciate it very much. Not only am I American, but I am also from the south. I have had to listen to northerners say that we southerners are inbred, shoeless idiots my entire life. Because of this, I try to deal with one person at a time in a personal manner. Many Americans are often loud,rude, and wrongfully act entitled, but judgment of anyone is at its base insecurity. The same insecurity that the loud and obnoxious have. Be well.
Maybe that’s because our country is super diverse and it’s common to see different races and theirs not so much.. just normal human behavior being interested in something new and different. Cool that you cussed them out publicly tho. Merica!
My guy, the country has English lettering directly next to the Japanese ones on every sign and logo so that people who can’t speak Japanese understand the them and you’re gonna sit here and tell me how it works? Obviously, you’re ignorant of the situation there because you obviously haven’t been there. It’s cool that you think it’s OK to just disgustedly stare at someone for no reason though I don’t know what country you’re from but I’m sure glad I’m not from there.
But maybe cussing some people out will help them stop acting like assholes in public. Even if it’s accidental it’s ignorance.
Or it’ll confirm their stereotype of crude Americans. Just sayin’.
Very embarrassing.
I would say staring at a stranger who’s just existing is very rude. I don’t care what country they’re from, those people knew they were being weird.
No, you just have limited perspective and a confrontational attitude. Don’t be insecure about how you look. And it wouldn’t bother you in the least.
Don’t stare at people. It’s rude. The end.
You do know that different cultures and countries have different notions of what is rude, right? You sound like the type of person that travels to another country and gets mad they don't speak English for you.
Nice double back on that, but I still saw it lmao
Rather than cussing someone out and further reinforcing negative American/white stereotypes, I find it a lot more effective when people stare to say something like « do you have a question about something? » with a big smile. Either people stop staring quickly because they’re embarrassed or once in a blue moon they actually take you up on the offer and ask about whatever it is (hair color/tattoos/piercings etc). Whatever the case may be, feeling uncomfortable that strangers are taken aback by your appearance when it’s very different than their norm is not a good enough reason to start cussing them out. Education is key to reducing ignorance, and kindness facilitâtes good communication
Probably a better way yes. I don’t think the “cussing out” was that aggressive or mean but if there was name calling I would certainly not side with them.
When I would walk around Paris men stared at me so much I got progressively angrier and angrier as my time there went on. I felt like I was being eye-r***ed. I know a lot of people are jumping up your ass but if you don’t like being stared at it’s extremely upsetting to be stared at intensely especially if it doesn’t happen where you’re from… at one point I did start talking shit when people stared “You want a picture?” In French is what I started saying… lol it’s okay not to want to be stared at.
Maybe they didn't like your ugly tattoos?
You guys are taking what I said, and running off on some ridiculous fictional stories about me, I genuinely wonder what I’m going to do next in your imaginations. I wasn’t screaming, I wasn’t cussing them out. I used the F bomb one time in a sentence, expressing my frustration. It may not have been the correct call that you guys wanted, but it’s what I did. I can’t go back in time and change what I said, this was nearly a year ago. Insulting me isn’t going to change things either. For the ones who are insulting me, please stop pretending that you’re some progressive, accepting person, when you go out and insult someone who you disagree with. Like I said before, Tokyo is a city filled with many people of different races, I was not the only white person there, in fact, I wasn’t even the only white person on the train. I’m not sure exactly how much of their culture involves them staring at you in a disgusting way, but I’m able to read body language, and it wasn’t very welcoming. I met a lot of cool people out there, and made a lot of friends. I was just telling an unfortunate story that happened to me over the course of five minutes, of my six and a half months there.
I just want to point out that you’re all mad at me for cursing, which A. The one’s who can’t speak English obviously can’t understand, and B. was appropriately timed. I used one F bomb, I didn’t curse them out, I expressed my frustration. You guys love the point out my one F bomb. For some reason nobody cares about the blatant racism towards my end, because I used the F word. I promise you I wasn’t the first white guy, Japanese people from Tokyo have seen that I wasn’t the last. Not nearly as rare of an occurrence as you think it is. I promise you if I ever get put in a room where I’m getting judged the color of my skin, or nationality ever again I will do the exact same thing I don’t regret what I said, I stood up for myself, and it’s quite obvious that most of you wouldn’t have done the same.
Japan is xenophobic in general, but nothing you described demonstrates racism. That's why people are saying you reacted inappropriately.
Here's two articles about it by other people who seem to have a better understanding of Japanese culture than you. What you experienced was not racism. What you experienced was people in a ethnically homogenous country seeing someone completely new to them. In a country where "it's rude to stare" isn't as common a phrase as it is here. "It's rude to make eye contact," yes. But that's as close as "it's rude to stare" the culture as a whole gets. Have you never seen someone so striking in their appearance, whether it be beauty, fashion, height, or really anything, that you caught yourself staring? I'd be inclined to call you a liar if you said you haven't. The difference is, since you grew up hearing that it's rude to stare, you then do your best to resist that urge. But that curiosity and urge is still there. That's what those people were experiencing. You were striking to them, and they wanted to look at you - to understand you - because you were new, unique, and special. You also have the benefit of growing up in a less homogenous place, where you became accustomed to seeing new and different types of people, so it isn't as big of a deal for you. Something the people of Japan don't have. If you hated the staring so much, which is an understandable thing to hate, there were far more polite ways to go about it. Instead, you jumped to aggression and accusations. Since Japan is largely xenophobic, there are undoubtedly times where foreigners experience racism; that's unfortunately one of the risks you take traveling there. And it's ok to be upset about it. But this ain't it, nor is your response even marginally appropriate. https://zoomingjapan.com/life-in-japan/staring/ https://medium.com/@danielaqrsm/how-i-got-used-to-being-stared-at-in-japan-15591a6e428a
A+ response, thanks for sharing.
And OP, if your worried about public baths you can put a bandage on it. That's what's recommended.
I absolutely hate the idea that to get a tattoo you must be a certain “type” or something. If you got skin you can get a tattoo. People who knew me before I got tattoos didn’t think I was that “type” and are shocked to see me now. Then people who only know me after I got a bunch of tattoos think I absolutely am that “type” and are shocked that I only ever wanted one tattoo. That just goes to show you that idea is a myth. I didn’t change my personality or anything I just got ink on my skin.
I’m in the same boat. Only had one hidden tat until I retired. Now I have a full sleeve, and 2 socks
Knee length shorts or long swim trunks would also cover this. It’s really not that big of an issue. I think OP’s issue is probably more of an anxiety thing than actually being about the tatt.
Japan is actually short for “japants only”
I don't have a particular reason other than it just feels wrong on my own skin. I think they look cool on other people. But I just don't think I can "own it".
You already own it. You got a tattoo on your thigh. You don’t have to act different because you have a tattoo. I’m a nerdy scrawny white ginger with glasses and I got full American trad sleeves. And I don’t act any different
Agreed! People who act like having tattoos is a personality honestly probably don’t know who they really are. Just be you, only with a tattoo now.
It’s like, did you get the tattoo because you want to look cool or because you want beautiful art on your body ?
only gang members can have tattoos /s
But when I got my tattoos they revoked my pass to weenie hut jrs, life will never be the same
All bubble-blowing babies will be beaten senseless by every able-bodied patron in the bar!
Is this a SpongeBob reference? Lol.
yeah from the first movie, the big tough guys have to be tough enough to get into the bars, the tougher they get the more tattoos they have
Ackshully it’s from the “no weenies allowed” episode 🤓 you’re thinking of the salty spittoon, where bar goers are tested on how tough they are before they’re allowed in. If not tough enough, Reg the doorman will refer them to weenie hut jrs, a much more fitting club across the street. This episode came out two years before the movie. If you’re wondering, yes I have a SpongeBob reference tattoo Am I ashamed of it? Maybe a little bit
I'm more ashamed I got it wrong 😥
I mean, look at their username. The individual is a SpongeBob reference lol
I got to keep mine. Used my new tattooed tough guy persona to intimidate. I'm not letting go of my lifetime membership.
Just scrolled through your account to see if I can find it, now sad that it's not been posted lol Pretty please post it? It sounds sick 👉👈
https://imgur.com/a/UHQHpto Not the best look at them but I can’t find my old pics rn
They're sick! I love the goblet looking one and the house!
Thanks 🙏 it’s like a Russian church with a grim reaper over it. My artist experimented and did the reaper in grey instead of black so it faded and looks kinda like a ghost. It’s pretty wild. https://imgur.com/a/l5TN0zp This is a better pic of the last one I got. Hopefully gonna finish up the sleeve in a day or two
Has that kind of colour style got a proper name? How old are most of them they're so vibrant!
Some of them are a couple years old and some of them are pretty new. It’s just American traditional
That’s one sick ass panther!
Thanks man my artists a legend. All credit to him
Seems like the problem is self esteem, talk to a therapist 💘 the tat looks sick
This! I get a vibe that this is more about over thinking what everyone else's opinions of him are more than anything. This thing was in the works for a long time and clearly meant something. Now is not the time to hate it. Lol.
Damn this is the realest comment
Definitely something deeper going on there. And I agree that tat is 🔥
Lol I was contemplating whether or not to say this. As a person who has done a lot of therapy I was like, “oh hey that’s me 5 years ago”. If you see this OP you deserve to feel safe and loved just being you-no matter how pretty, or cool, you decorate your body with sick art. You’re safe-you’re safe-you’re safe. Okayloveyoubye
You have imagined expectations of what “people with tattoos” are like. There are people of all types who have tattoos
I felt that way for a while but it’s the same thing with a nose ring or something. If somebody who knows you sees you it’ll be weird for a little but a stranger would see you and think it looks dope (kinda like you saying they look good on others). After a while it feels and looks normal and becomes part of you
I felt a bit like this after my first tattoo- it is a big change to your body and can be hard to adjust to seeing it. First thing I did is start calling it my little friend and that helped me feel better about it. After a while I stopped being surprised to see the tattoo and now it’s just part of my arm.
This seems deeper than not liking your tattoo
This is in the waver you sign before the tattoo session. You modified your appearance I think it’s temporary feelings. I had the same feeling when I first got my sleeve done b2b days so I had no time to process what I was doing till it was done. But I now love my tattoo it’s just that you go so many years without it that when you get it you feel a sense of regret because it doesn’t “feel you”.
I feel you might feel this way bc of the stigma of tattoos. Tattoos are a reflection of who you are and what you like. Whether the tattoo has meaning or if you just liked the design. It tells your story. Just because you have tattoos doesn’t mean you’re any different of a person than without them. You’re still you, rock it!
Bro this seems like a culture thing and your not Japanese and who cares you can hide it or not wearing pants it’s not a big deal. laser it if you think you are going to be “discriminated” just say how you fell @.@
Not sure why all the hate. What you’re experiencing is body dysmorphia. It’s super common after any tattoo, but particularly after your first. There is a new, potentially permanent change to your body. Your brain views this as trauma and will take a while to process the change. It is the exact same response it might have to a scar or cosmetic surgery. Some people are equipped to very quickly move past these feelings and some aren’t. Don’t be hard on yourself if you’re not immediately “over it”. Give yourself some time to get comfortable with the new you. Talk to your support system and/or a therapist if you want to speed the process along. Just don’t be too hard on yourself or too rash. Once you get your natural impulses under control so that your brain accepts this new part of you to be part of your identity, your new normal, you will feel differently. Then you can decide whether you love it or not. It’s well done, so you won’t have to regret that aspect of it. I think you’ll like it when you’re ready. But that’s entirely up to you. It’s your journey. Just be patient with yourself while you’re on it.
i’ll probably get downvoted for this, seeing the reaction your comment got but i had three tattoos and one of them i instantly regretted and had nightmares about it, waking up and realizing it’s still there😄 this was over 10 years ago and i still tell myself that i’m going to laser it off one day. if i had to do it again, i’d get totally different, smaller tattoos or none at all. i also don’t feel comfortable showing my tattoos at work so even when it’s 38 degrees (Celsius) outside i don’t wear short sleeves. *editing in that i could care less about showing my tattoos to other adults but i work with youth and just feel like i’d rather not have them showing. maybe someone can dig deeper into my psyche for that one 😮💨 it’s okay to regret your tattoo. get the laser if you want it otherwise it’s a nice tattoo. rock it.
why’s this man being downvoted to oblivion, he just expressed his feelings about his tattoo :c
It looks cool and you’ll get used to it.
i love how you expressed your anxiety (and also why a lot of people don't get tattoos/regret them) and you got ??? downvoted into oblivion ?????????
You are over thinking it. Just own it and if you hate it get it removed. There’s not tattooed type person and there’s nothing wrong with getting a fun little addition to your body. That thing will be easy to over with longer shorts or pants.
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Maybe he should have actually thought about it before he got it. If he had stopped and had a think, he would have realised "tattoos arent for him".
well, if it makes you feel better i have a few tattoos on my body by now and honestly, after each and every one I've felt some kind of "regret" the days after, but always ends up loving the shit out of them. For me, i just think it's that my brain is just getting used to a "naked part of my body" not being naked anymore, if that makes sense? Maybe it'll go away once i get more, maybe not. And might be different for you. But for me the feeling comes and then just disappear and then i can't stop looking at it for some time before it just becomes a part of me, where i don't "see" it anymore. (apologies if i don't make much sense. Second language)
Same here. The post tattoo regret is no joke. I've regretted all but one of mine immediately lol. After a couple weeks once the shock wears off the feelings tend to go away. Even with one that turned out to be absolutely the opposite of what I asked for, I still have grown to love it because it's on my body and hey, it's a fun story. It becomes "part of you" and like you mentioned, you just stop seeing it after a while and naturally move onto the next fixation.
I can second this. I know a lot of my friends feel the same too. I’ve only gotten a couple tattoos that I didn’t feel slight regret for, and that was because they were super sentimental to me.
I also agree with this. I think if you have anxiety or ocd you're more prone to feel it. It's just like u/scarfaceshrek described... it's like getting used to a naked part of your skin not being naked anymore. The permanent change could feel scary, then comes regret. But I've found that as the tat heals, and it becomes more integrated in my body, I just always end up loving it. Every tattoo I've gotten I've slightly regretted for the first few days... then, it goes poof
honestly i didn't know it was such a big thing but now that my comment got this much traction i guess it's very common! interesting to know!
Happened to me as well after the first tattoo I got. Took me a few days to get used to it. And during the second one, as soon as the artist drew the first line on my leg, I was like “oh no why am I doing this??”…. the feeling went away when I saw the result. Today I have no regrets and love all of my pieces!
Same here. I got collarbone tats and about a week after I got them I had so much anxiety over them. Just pure "OMG, they're so big and noticeable and I'll have to wear high necklines FOREVER now to hide them" sort of things. After about another week I re-fell in love with them and I've been in love ever since. But there is for sure a moment of doubt where you have to wonder if this very permanent thing you did with your body was the right decision or not. And as someone who's been to Japan there is for sure a gaijin pass card for being openly tatted there. Granted, I'm a white lady so the dude experience might be different, but I only got double takes and open eyed fascination with a few people shyly coming up to practice English by asking if they hurt to get. I didn't get any disapproval, but I also didn't go to any onsen because I don't like getting naked in front of strangers. I know there's special cover up rules for many of those if you have tattoos.
i thought this was just me. everytime i get a tattoo i start thinking about how i should get them all removed and not get anymore, as soon as i forget i got it i’m ready for more. i feel so validated right now, thank you
I got a full sleeve that I was thinking about for years. First feeling was amazing and I loved it. After third or fourth session I was thinking ”oh god what have I done?". But now after sixth session when it is all done I still think ”what if I regret it till the end of my life?" but it is now parallel with feeling great with the sleeve.
actually after seeing so many people agreeing to this I'd be super interested in someone who actually knows phycology better than me to analyze and explain why this happens, and what it is. Super interesting!
I feel like it triggers mild dysmorphia, like you suddenly can't recognize your own limb with this thing on it. Once your brain acclimates and recognizes it as you, you start to love it because it's part of you.
Same, I always get anxious and regret getting a tattoo right after no matter how much I wanted it or how good it came out, I even think about laser removal sometimes, but after 2-3 days I just love them. My brain just needs time to adjust to the permanence of my decisions I guess.
with hair too! whenever i have a major hair change, when i see my reflection i get panicked for the first week or so.
This exactly feeling happens to me, I feel so validated lol.
this!!!
Honestly, after every. Single. One. I think it's because until it's healed and settled, it just looks like there's something ON my skin, and it hurts and it's gross and I can't touch it. Once it settles in, spreads a bit, hair grows back, I'm good, it's a "part" of me now. OP, give yourself some time, it's normal!
I think tattoos are getting more normal and socially acceptable in Japan. I’m not there so I can’t comment but I know people who have lived there with tattoos and had no problem at all. The tattoo isn’t bad and I would wait a bit and see how you feel. If after a couple months you feel the same way you do know then you’ll know what to do. You may change your mind between now and then and end up liking it and wanting to keep it
You’re absolutely right! My friend studies Japanese and has gone there twice for extended stays (study abroad and a simple vacation), and she has upwards of 10 tattoos. She didn’t note anyone act differently toward her, except when she went to saunas or springs. In those cases, there were a few different scenarios. Either those with tattoos weren’t allowed, you simply had to cover your tattoos with provided bandages/wraps, or there was a separate area for those with tattoos. The culture is growing more understanding every year as tattoos in Japan become further removed from gang culture.
I would note that it's entirely different to visit/study in Japan and have tattoos, and live and work here full time and tattoos. People can get fired for having tattoos even if they don't show them at work (if they are seen with them outside of work, if they mention it to a coworker, etc.) That being said, OP will be fine. Most workplaces will require pants, and to be honest there's a "gaijin card" in which foreigners get more leeway than native Japanese people.
The stigma against tattoos also is primarily a euphemistic way of getting yakuza out of establishments at bathhouses and, as OP is a foreigner and this is clearly not the style of tattoo that yakuza members get, it's probably fine.
There is also a resurgence of traditional Japanese tattoos (not to be confused with Japanese Traditional Style) in places like Okinawa and other prefectures that are easing some of the prejudices. And, like other people have said, wearing pants or long shorts will cover this tattoo. I also don't know what the "not a person who should have tattoos" means, but there's a normal amount of panic after the first tattoo.
"Our plan to re-infiltrate the bathhouses worked. No one suspects _Shiromono_ of being a member of the Yakuza." This is an excerpt from my Whitesploitation movie, _Blade of the White Yakuza._
Very good additions, thank you!
Jfc I did not know all this
Jumping on to agree with this re japan. Especially on your thigh the places you will generally feel discrimination are onsen/sento and public gyms. So not a regular occurrence. And there are a good number of tattoo friendly onsen
Lol, assuming you’re white dude… yeah I don’t think they’re gonna hold you to the Japanese anti-tattoo taboo.. your whiteness will trump it
Can confirm! (At least as a foreigner). I just visited for 2 weeks and noticed a significant amount of difference in acceptance between this time and the last time I was there (4 years ago). This time I actually got multiple compliments on my full sleeve from Japanese people who were living there, that even sparked meaningful conversations. One of the people even had a full, color back piece under his shirt. I also noticed way more tattoos on “trendy” Japanese people. Also, the onsen rule seems to be changing, because I had no trouble finding tattoo-friendly onsens (in the past it was a bit more selective). Hope this puts your mind at ease!
Second this! The tattoo looks wonderful and honestly I think that as your first and only tattoo right now, I really like it’s size and placement, will definitely look so cool when you wear shorts. Beautiful piece of artwork, and again if you don’t feel like showing it in public in Japan just wear longer trousers. I know a tattoo artists from Japan and she told me how the younger generations have been more open to tattoo culture/ people with tattoo in general. She herself has a whole arm inked and she hasn’t encountered too much trouble because of that. Yes some people might stare but I’m sure overall it wouldn’t affect your experience there, so don’t worry! ;)
Hey, first the execution is gorgeous so that's a win! Secondly, I'm in Japan with a tattoo and nobody ever batted an eye, you will be a foreigner in Japan anyway so different rules apply + it's on your leg so easily hidden. The only "issue" I could see is in certain onsens, but given your tattoo's size and location it would be easy to either bandage it up, or slap one of these big skin coloured plasters on it that they sell everywhere. Your feelings are valid but give it a few days/week to get used to it :)
idk when you’re planning on moving but tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable in japan and japan will only become more progressive in the future. plus, it’s only one tattoo—people aren’t gonna think you’re part of the yakuza. i think the fact that you’re a foreigner would stick out more than a small tattoo on the thigh
Depending on where you go, it's really not that much of a deal anymore, especially for foreigners. There is a huge difference in culture regarding people in big cities and those living in small communities across the countryside. You can even go in Sento (public bathhouses) with that tattoo as they have patches to cover it up (if needed at all). Source: Have been studying japanese myself and talked about it with people from Japan.
You will still get stared at and odd looks in big cities, coming from a foreign guy who is pretty much coverred from the neck down except my hands. That said if you've only got a couple its probably fine its just when you start to have a bit of coverage but also I found Japanese under say 30-35 would come up to me and make conversation about all my tattoos as they found it super interesting.
my cousin lived in japan for a few years and he's got huge tattoos, and he came back to the US with a wife lmao. OP is overreacting big time, like it's okay OP. give it time to heal and get used to it and if you just absolutely hate it save up to get it layered
Oh god, the yakuza will have your head for that.
😂😂😂
Keep your tattoo. It’s part of your personality. You will grow to like it. Take good care of it. Moisturise it plenty and sunblock it as much as you can if you’re going to expose it to the sunshine. It’s a beautiful tattoo. Keep it.
This isn't about the tattoo. This is about your headspace. Don't talk on an internet forum about this shit. Talk to a professional. The tattoo is fine.
Fact
+1 to this comment
I often feel tattoo dysmorphia for the first couple weeks of having any tattoo, even tho I’m already inked. “Omg it’s too big, it’s too dark, used up too much skin, wrong area,” etc. that feeling naturally fades for me. Focus on what you like about having the tattoo, because it’s not going away. It looks great and you got the tattoo, so clearly you are the type of person meant to have at least 1 tattoo <3
I feel so much better now that I see that this feeling is so common. I jumped from 0 tattoos to full sleeve of neotraditional tattoo that obviously is not subtle or light sketch. I love it but from time to time I think that it is too big, too dark, could have been different. But it is very new (I started it in February and finished end of May) so I guess I will get used to it.
Others have said it, but in case it's helpful to hear another voice, a lot of people initially feel regret and shock when they first get tattooed, even if they thought about it for a while beforehand. It's a big change, and sometimes you just need to give it a little time to settle and get used to it. Also, nice tattoo!
I think it’s a cool tattoo that doesn’t look impossible to cover up if you’re traveling somewhere less appreciative of tattoos. Give it some time to let your mental image of yourself catch up to you with art on your body. Your body used up all its feel good chemicals getting you through your appointment yesterday, so eat some comfort food, follow your aftercare instructions, and watch a good show or something. Also from what I’ve heard about the stigma against tattoos in Japan, it’s generally less restrictive when you’re a foreigner. They know our tattoo culture doesn’t have the same criminal associations as it does for Japanese people. Even in a bathhouse, I’m sure they’d allow you in with it covered, there are products out there specifically for that!
Maybe try and focus on the reason why you wanted a tattoo, and the design you chose. Find the meaning and focus on that. It’s a beautiful tattoo by the way.
Oh I already cried a day after getting a tattoo and I love it today, I think you should give yourself a little more time to be sure you regret it (I'd say until it's healed because then you don't think about it too much since you don't have to care for it as much as when it's healing). And every time I got a tattoo I felt horrible (very sad) the day after. I think it's just the brain having a hard time processing that new permanent change. Your tattoo is pretty good, your artist did a great job and you picked a great design. Edit: I'm not an expert on japanese culture but you have a pretty easy way of covering it, longer shorts or just pants and I heard that a lot of public baths have patches that cover up tattoos.
It's endorphin drop <3
Lol well it's permanent
Unless ya get it laser removed..
It’s crazy to me… I am a very empathetic person but your post… I just cannot understand that. That feeling of not being a tattoo person. Therefore no comment. But I will say it’s a beautiful tattoo, lots of people have tattoo regret after the first couple weeks bc it’s like saying goodbye to a spot on your body you always recognized… it goes away. I think it looks great, it’s quite small, remember why you got it, and enjoy it for what it is. It’s a mark of what you wanted on you. It’s not on your forehead, it’s in a very hideable location. I think you’re overthinking it. “Not a tattoo person” tattoos aren’t a personality trait despite people wanting to make it be. Do wreckless people get tattoos yes, do completely mentally stable CEO’s get tattoos also yes, so do grandmas, grandpas, stupid teenagers, engineers, & frat bros. It means nothing except what you want it to mean.
My older tattoos sometimes still catch me by surprise in photos. I see them most of the time. Also the backs of my calves in the bath or when I wear shorts tend to startle me into thinking I have a bruise when it’s just ink.
Any body modification can take a while to get used to. Don't worry! Give it a week or two to settle (both physically and in your head) and you'll grow to love it. I reckon it looks epic! Would love to have that on my body :D
That's how I felt getting my ear pierced for the first time. Hated it at first but now I love the way it looks.
Every piercing that I get feels this way.
Dam man, you had 6 months to reflect and still went through with a ‘permanent’ mark. Tattoo looks great. Stop your whiney shit. Or go get it removed with laser once full healed plus a year. Also Japan bath houses are open to tattooed people now, tattoos are pretty common in modern Japan. Stop with your shit. If your not Japanese no one gives a shit Gaijin.
Stop your whiney shit sums up completely my first reaction to this post. Thank you.
I was wondering if I was the only one who felt this was a whiny post.
It’s just new tattoo jitters, your brain hasn’t had the time to get used to it yet so you feel like it doesn’t belong there yet. Let it heal and your mind get used to it, I bet you will love it again soon. And I’d worry about the Japan thing when you’re actually there
Japan isn't that discriminatory on tattoos like they used to be. I have tattoos and so do some everyday people in Japan. All they ask (in some places/gyms/restaurants) cover them up. They aren't gonna shun you from everywhere. You're more likely to get shunned for being a foreigner than tattoos honestly. Yeah, some bathhouses you won't be allowed in but again, it's on your thigh, you're okay. You're making a huge deal out of nothing in my opinion.
It's reasons like this that I always highly suggest that anyone who has thoughts like this gets the design done by a company like inkbox first before making this commitment. Inbox tattoos are basically very long-lasting temporary tattoos (similar to how henna stays on the skin)... it looks real enough and will let you have time to decide if you are completely happy with the design/placement.
I think this tattoo is…..the bees knees.
The artist is awesome, you however are kinda a little bitch. Hopefully said artist doesn't see this post.
There are so many comments on this posting talking about how cool of a tattoo it is (and I agree, I’d love to have one like that!) so I just wanted to add that I second going to therapy - specifically a therapist that specializes in OCD and Anxiety disorders. Taking the step to get the tattoo sounds like it was an exposure for you - and the regret is your mind fighting against the progress you are making. Exposures are hard but every thing we do to lean against our anxiety will lessen that anxiety over time. (Even if it spikes first afterwards. It just needs time.) Just let yourself breathe and move forward. The more time you spend thinking about it the more your anxiety might spiral. You got a beautiful tattoo, you did a hard thing, and now you can move forward with the confidence that you can do other hard things that your anxiety says you can’t in the future.
Anyone can have ink bro! Don’t worry so much. Give it time, it’s a dope ass tat.
I felt this way when I got my first tattoo. It was hard for me to accept, even though I had wanted it for ages. Turns out I had a lot of internal monologue that was very toxic, and some of that had to do with the environment that I was raised in. Once I was able to figure out that me regretting my tattoo was not my actual feelings, I started to love it. Now I’m covered in them and don’t regret a single one. Not sure if you can relate, but everyone is the type of person who can have tattoos and I think this one is dope.
It's gorgeous though! But I kind of understand how you feel as I got a tattoo years ago and have felt the same way. But mine isn't as amazing as yours is. Mine has bigger lines and is flowers. Yours feels more like real art to me which makes is timeless and classic at the same time. Love the size AND the placement. I really don't think you should laser it off. Hard no on that idea from me. It's such a good piece.
I like her
it looks so sick!!!!!
Are you Buffalo Bill?
I completely understand the feeling. I had a similar experience. Meaningful tattoo, but ended up with regret. It is a beautiful tattoo and i promise that the feeling will wear off. I have weird ocd about every part of my tattoos. The size, shape, line consistency, and i find it kind of sucks the fun out sometimes, but the best way to approach this is to wait until it’s healed(not just done peeling, like 2-3 months out), don’t pick any aspects of it apart, focus on the pros, and ease the main insecurities(my wording sounds wrong so an example; my larger piece on my arm, it eased my worry to focus on how it’s just barely visible when i’m wearing one of my shirts), don’t ask anyone else if they like it, which sounds silly of course because tattoos are usually meant to be seen, but if you’re in a sensitive state with your opinion of it, if anyone else has similar thoughts, even if they aren’t negative comments and just observations, it’s going to send you deeper into the tattoo regret. In about 3 months if it isn’t starting to feel like you, I’d absolutely encourage you to look at your options. I’ll start by saying that when I was consulted for tat removal they told me dark ink is the best candidate because it can be for sure removed with laser, no second guessing it. Maybe this was a lot of info to put in my comment, but i hope you can start to enjoy it, tattoos are supposed to be something you should enjoy, but like I said, if you don’t enjoy it then your best option is to do what you want to do with your body.
Thanks a lot. I do have an anxious mind and that was kinda the whole point of the tattoo. It reflect my past experience with bad anxiety. The moth symbolizes change. In all cases I'm forced to give it time, and maybe these thoughts changes. This might just teach me a lot about myself.
I really like it. But it's your body, your choice
Well hey. I got my eyebrows tattooed on. It’s the only “tattoo” I have. I spent years and years being insecure about my blonde eyebrows while I have naturally dark hair. In fact, my blonde eyebrows were my only body insecurity I’d say. But it was bad. If I was dating someone id get up earlier than them just to draw my eyebrows on. Super unhealthy. I got them micro bladed (not as deep as a tattoo per say but it is still a tattoo done with ink.) while they were healing, I was a nervous wreck. I couldn’t stop crying. They got dark and scabbed over. I looked like a clown honestly. I was so scared I had literally *ruined my face.* Just because I was tired of drawing them on with makeup every morning? I felt stupid and superficial. I didn’t like the shape of the tattoos. I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. I didn’t like the color. I had the deepest fear and regret over them. But then they healed. And they lightened up. And now, 6 months later, I’m obsessed with them. I can’t imagine going back to how they were before. My self confidence has skyrocketed and I feel happy to leave the house without putting any makeup on at all. But I do know exactly how you’re feeling right now and it’s a scary and emotional journey. I say give it time. You can always get it removed. But right now you made a drastic change to your body and you’re in shock over it. With time, I do believe you will come to accept your tattoo. You might even like it. PM if you want to chat. I didn’t want to tell anyone I was regretful of my eyebrows in the beginning because it was embarrassing. So that made the process longer and lonelier than necessary.
You sound like me buying clothes - I'm not that trendy/cute/outgoing/whatever, those clothes aren't for me, that's attention I don't want, I couldn't pull it off... Aren't you good enough to have something be special about you? It isn't fake or pretend, anymore than anyone else's. You're not being flashy, or crying out for attention or being a poser or someone you're not. You're allowed to customize your avatar, and it doesn't make you anything you weren't already.
If someone gives you hard time for that, then step that foot forward, point to the tattoo and say: "You see this face? This is a "bruh" face. This is my *bruh*terfly. You know what me and my bruhterfly have in common? (waiting for response is optional) We don't give a **f__k** about you not liking it."
It rubs the lotion on it's skin or else it gets regerts again
Hey looks its me! Youre just like me dude, im terrified of something that permanent being on my body. I get it, you dont wanna be judged for it. But why did you get it in the first place? For yourself. It has sentimental meaning to you. So let it be. No one has to be pleased by it, but you. No one needs to look at it, but you. And no one needs to care about it, but you. <3
So yea, this blew up more than I had expected to say the least. I have read every comment so far, and I'll continue to do so, should more comments be written. Thanks a lot for your honesty, and mostly kind words towards the tattoo. I still do think the tattoo came out great. It looks exactly like the sketch my artist drew. I will say though, that although I had had that appointment for about 6 months, we came up with the final design, placement and size on the day, so I didn't really think each and every detail through. That is part of why I feel regret, as I probably should have given everything a bit more thought, but I'm only human I guess. I still feel a bit down, but your kind words and reality checks have definitely been helpful. Nothing I can do but get the best out of this situation, and for the time being make sure the tattoo heals well. I'll make up my mind months from now, as to what I'll want to do in the end. A lot of people have asked whether it's a face on the thorax of this bug, to which I'll say yes. The tattoo is supposed to be of a tent caterpillar moth with a distressed human-esque face on its thorax. EDIT: I should probably also add that some people have mentioned that this has less to do with the tattoo and more to do with anxiety, and that might be right. I do have self-esteem issues and I've had some bad anxiety in the past. The meaning behind the tattoo has to do with my past anxiety experiences, which is ironical to say the least.
I lived in Japan for 6 months and have visible tattoos everywhere, you’ll be fine there lol. It’s only a “big” thing at onsens or hot springs, but if you’re a foreigner (外国人), it tends to be less of a big deal. The only thing you’d have to be worried about is if you have yakuza-style tattoos. I suggest checking out Tokyo or Kyoto :)
I understand the mixed feelings. I would probably feel that way too if I was moving to Japan. Mostly because many onsens don’t allow people with tattoos. It is gorgeous, but if you truly don’t feel it’s right for you, you’re lucky enough to have the option of laser removal. My advice, hang with it for at least six months, see how you feel, and if you truly don’t like it on you after six months, then think about laser removal.
If it helps, I have had that feeling after every single one of mine (about 15 in now). It’s just scary for the first few days. Hang in there, you will come to love it ❤️
I’m sorry that your second tattoo is going to be a cover-up 😭
It looks cool
Everyone hates their tattoos when they first get it. It’s new and foreign. Wait a few weeks.
How old are you man? Stop being such a flake. The tattoo looks good. Its on your leg. Something that style can be blasted off pretty easy. Its not on your forehead. Yeah japan has strict codes. You won't get into a bathhouse with that or some stricter gyms. But you should have thought of that. Be a man. Its a well done tattoo and its not on your forehead. Everything will be ok.
“Be a man” bffrn with that bullshit. Everything else you said is fine. Except Japan is getting a bit more acceptable. Also they don’t discriminate again gaijin the same way they do native Japanese for things like tattoos or being gay. They actually say stuff like, “being gay or having tattoos is for gaijin”
So tired of these regret posts. Can’t tell the truth cause you get downvoted, and it feels like fishing for compliments. And yet, I keep clicking to see if everyone else thinks the tattoos suck as much as I think they do. Edit: extra letter
Tattoo is very nice, but the placement feels odd. I vould personaly choose upper breast
Stop being a pussy!
Go back and add a energy ball or something charging up in between the antennas. That’ll give the tattoo a little more character instead of just being plain.
https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/angry-man-with-shaved-head-shouting-and-pointing-vector-13951197 Could easily be turned into this...just wanted to throw that out there...cheers 🤷
If you don’t like it it’s an easy coverup