Do you share the meaning of your tattoos with people? I ask because I am always asked what my tattoos mean (ancient Japanese) and I personally don't think its really anyone's business but my own. I keep my tats covered at work, and if I go to a religious ceremony or formal event, I make sure they are covered as well.

I don't have a problem sharing. Mine is pretty straight forward though.

I figure if they are out in the open people will ask so be prepared to have an answer...you could say it means "bud out"...lol

Yes if someone asks what they mean, I share it! I don't see why it would be a big deal for someone to be curious about? :dunno If you don't want to tell them the meaning, just tell them!

Why would someone get a tattoo and not want to share the meaning?? Isn't the tattoo an expression of yourself or a period in your journey thru life?

i don't have any tattoos. if i did and someone asked the meaning, i'd probably want to tell them. :dunno
my friend just got a tattoo a few days ago and will probably be happy to tell people the meaning, because so far people have thought it was a pickle and a dinosaur egg. :giggle it's actually the stone in a ring that was her grandma's.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/mediuma07/l_82f5a9f83ef2361fa3968ec0fbc74064.jpg

Why would someone get a tattoo and not want to share the meaning?? Isn't the tattoo an expression of yourself or a period in your journey thru life?

not necessarily

i usually give people the brief explanation of mine

If you're gonna show it, why not tell them the meaning? I'm proud to tell anyone what I got my tattoo. I mean, I got it for show and for personal reflection. It'd be kinda like saying something in public and if someone doesn't understand, you not explaining because you "dont wanna talk about it."

Both of mine mean something very dear to me. One for my father, and another for a friend who passed away. The tattoo actually looks like her. I have no problem sharing, as long as people are respectful. If it's just someone oogling, I probably wouldn't give an explanation as to why I got them.

If you're gonna show it, why not tell them the meaning? I'm proud to tell anyone what I got my tattoo. I mean, I got it for show and for personal reflection. It'd be kinda like saying something in public and if someone doesn't understand, you not explaining because you "dont wanna talk about it."

Thats the thing... its on my lower neck and I have one on my shoulder- both places that are hidden from view 99% of the time. I have had (perfect strangers) who caught a glimpse of the 1/16 of an inch of the tattoo reach out and pull down my collar to look at it. Dont touch me. I got my tattoo as a PERSONAL reflection, and therefore I only share the true meaning about them/it with people I know pretty well and have time (its a really long story).

If someone saw my tattoo I don't really have a problem explaining why I got it. It's personal opinion I guess, if I didn't want to share then I woiuldn't

i don't have any tattoos. if i did and someone asked the meaning, i'd probably want to tell them. :dunno
my friend just got a tattoo a few days ago and will probably be happy to tell people the meaning, because so far people have thought it was a pickle and a dinosaur egg. :giggle it's actually the stone in a ring that was her grandma's.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/mediuma07/l_82f5a9f83ef2361fa3968ec0fbc74064.jpg

:giggle
I was gonna ask if it was a dinosaur egg hehe

Thats the thing... its on my lower neck and I have one on my shoulder- both places that are hidden from view 99% of the time. I have had (perfect strangers) who caught a glimpse of the 1/16 of an inch of the tattoo reach out and pull down my collar to look at it. Dont touch me. I got my tattoo as a PERSONAL reflection, and therefore I only share the true meaning about them/it with people I know pretty well and have time (its a really long story).

Okay I think that is a little outrageous for a stranger to pull down your collar...I'd right hook that idiot if it ever happened to me.

My husband just says "I liked it" :) Though I think some of his have meaning - he just doesn't say. :lol He definately didn't tell me that one of his tattoos was made just to cover up his first tattoo which was his name. :P

Okay I think that is a little outrageous for a stranger to pull down your collar...I'd right hook that idiot if it ever happened to me.

Oh, I came SOOO close. :gaah wtf were you thinking?!?!

I do, they are on my ankle and my upper back so I figure if people can already see them ianyway, theres no point in trying to hide there meaning. one was drawn by a friend, the other is for my parents and sister

im getting mine soon
and i will share the general meaning but not all of it with the whole world lol
but the whole world wont be able to see it unless i ever decided its a good idea to wear a bikini again
so...never lol

Thats the thing... its on my lower neck and I have one on my shoulder- both places that are hidden from view 99% of the time. I have had (perfect strangers) who caught a glimpse of the 1/16 of an inch of the tattoo reach out and pull down my collar to look at it. Dont touch me. I got my tattoo as a PERSONAL reflection, and therefore I only share the true meaning about them/it with people I know pretty well and have time (its a really long story).

mine's on my back and that happens to me all the time. who the F are these people

anyways, just because people can see your tattoo doesn't mean its any of their business - in the sense that i don't feel i'm obligated to explain the personal meaning behind mine to someone i just met.

I LOVE LOVE SHOWING MY TATTOOS OFF... I LOVE EXPLAIN WHAT EACH ONE MEANS!!!!!!!

1. SCOOBY DOO - TO REMIND NEVER TO FORGET MY INNER CHILD
2. CROSS ON MY BACK WITH MY PAPPY'S AND UNCLE'S BIRTHDAY ( pappy=step grand father) They both passed and meant the world to me
3. my lower back Chinese writing LOVE STRENGTH RESPECT AND ENTIRETY. not finished yet added more to it
4. anchor on foot... dont do names ( stands for my hubs )
5. claddagh Irish wedding band my hubs and I got it together

Yes.

I don't think it's rude for people to ask. I think it's nice that they are trying to show curiosity about what's important to you.

Why would someone get a tattoo and not want to share the meaning?? Isn't the tattoo an expression of yourself or a period in your journey thru life?

Exactly. Especially if it's somewhere that people might see it. If you don't want people all up in your business, don't brand yourself anywhere that someone can see. Get it between your cheeks or on the bottom of your foot or something :rofl

anyways, just because people can see your tattoo doesn't mean its any of their business - in the sense that i don't feel i'm obligated to explain the personal meaning behind mine to someone i just met.

If it's honestly that big of a deal to explain the "personal meaning" behind your tattoos, just lie and say you got it because you thought it was pretty.

Mine has deep personal meaning and is a reflection of me, my job, and the life I've chosen. If I didn't want other people to see it, I would just KNOW it about myself and not mark up my flesh, kwim? Why get a visual representation of yourself if it's just for you to know about?