tattoos
 

Are you allowed to get a tattoo of your letters? My big and I want to get matching SDT tattoos but we don't know if you are allowed to. I've heard mixed answers and figured I should check here.

I know our chapter would not allow us to get a tattoo with our letters. It was considered disrespectful.

Does any sorority really approve of tramp stamps?

Tattoo =/= tramp stamp. Not for the last 25 years or so, anyway...Considering we have national councillors, foundation trustees and volunteers who have them, I would hardly refer to them as "tramps." :rolleyes:

"Tramp stamps" are generally regarded to be large tats on the lower back...not tats as a whole.

Ooooo...classy!

I don't know about SDT, but this is a direct quote from our new member manual: "The Gamma Phi Beta coat of arms (crest), crescent, carnation, Greek letters and words Gamma Phi Beta or any other symbols of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority are meant to be used in good taste and not to be used as a tattoo."

I'd say that's a pretty strong NO for our group...so I'd see if SDT has a policy before getting them.

Snobbery isn't classy either. :rolleyes:

If you don't have anything nice to say...

This is the one tattoo I'll never forget. Taken from the National SAI Facebook Page. Even though SAI has a strong stance on tattoos. This sister obviously didn't listen....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...trampstamp.jpg

And, no, it's not mine!

Tramp Stamps are NOT classy.. that's why they are called "tramp stamps" or even the "classier" name of "ass antlers"!!! :eek::eek::eek:

Some things should just NOT be photographed & shared.

From Kappa Delta "It is considered to be in poor taste (and is an improper use of registered marks) to have the Kappa Delta crest, badge, the words "Kappa Delta," or the greek letters "KD" tattooed on the body."

I know many have sisters who have the open motto tattooed on their bodies.
One instance (sorry it's so large!):

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...98537467_n.jpg

I'm not meaning to say tramp stamps are classy. I'm merely pointing out that sarcastic comments about members of an organization are unkind, and unnecessary.

Like!

Um, I can't even tell what body part that is...and I'm afraid to ask!

That would be her left side ribs. It's much easier to see in another picture she posted, but the tattoo is fresh in that one and the flash makes it hard to see the tattoo. It's actually not finished quite yet. I'm curious to see what else she puts on it. At least it's tasteful?

Thank you, Gusteau. You are so right.

As for the tattoos mentioned, I've noticed that most people who decide to get these (not tramp stamps or massive pieces that cover half the back) end up regretting them later in life. I have a sister with a panda head on her ankle that was a decision made as an 18 year old. Hard to cover that up as a 40 year old woman, but it was impossible to convince an 18 year old girl that she wouldn't want it at 40. My roommate from medical school has a rose and wheat on her ankle with AOII below it. It is very small. Hardly noticeable. When she got it, she said, "why wouldn't I put AOII on my body? It's a lifetime commitment!" The last time I saw her, she couldn't believe I was still involved in "that thing we did in college." I guess her lifetime commitment to AOII is on her ankle. :rolleyes:

Biggest reason that I can think of for not getting your sorority letters tattooed on your young self: sagging and wrinkly sorority letters later in life. Also, I'm a chicken regarding pain.

It's nice when someone goes from passive aggressive to just being straight up rude, closed minded and snobby. Easier for casual readers to figure out, don't cha know.

I'm sure there are members of EVERY sorority who have tattoos in general (from small to large) and who, believe it or not, are in national leadership roles. My answer was regarding tats period, not those with letters - everyone has their own rules about those. Honestly, tattoos aren't "shocking" anymore. This whole discussion reads like a missive from a 1971 fraternity magazine about the evils of sideburns.

But yeah, be careful with ANY large pieces...lower back or anywhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phN6tF5WJKM

A few girls in my chapter have gotten sisterhood-related tattoos, but I can only think of one of our members who has our letters tattoo'd on her. We have a member with a tattoo of the twin stars, too. I don't know if there is anything to back this up, but a Theta tattoo is jokingly considered a "kiss of death" in our chapter, meaning you'll end up resigning for some reason before you graduate if you get one. Neither of the girls I know have resigned, they're wonderful members.

I would never get a tattoo of our letters though, because of what you aren't supposed to do in them. I would feel bad drinking "in letters" even if no one could see them. And nakey-time things. Just seems odd, like there are some things your letters shouldn't see haha. Not to say that we shouldn't always be representing Theta, I just mean the technical things that you should not be doing while wearing letters.

That is hilarious.

#1 reason why I have not gotten and will not get a tattoo. I went with a friend to get her tongue pierced. Someone else in the shop was getting a tattoo at the time. Just the sound of the needle was making me nauseous. :o

When I saw Chris Parnell in a lab coat, I thought he was going to introduce himself as Dr. Leo Spaceman. :D

Just the thought of tongue piercing makes me feel lightheaded and close to fainting. I can't believe I made it through childbirth.

Sounds like you and I are on the same page...so if you made it, that gives me hope for myself, someday, lol

When you get to that point, you really don't have any choice. ;)

Sorry for getting off subject! Now, back to tattoos!

Didn't you know that when you wear your letters, the founders are watching? :p

http://www.techtheta.com/scrapbook/history1b.jpg

My favorite photo of Bettie Locke Hamilton!

I will do some research as to whether it is permissible to have a tattoo of our Greek Letters. The Fraternity is protective of its brand and all related use of the Coat of Arms, letters, etc. I do know an alum who has a tiny kite tattoo, which is really cute and very subtle.

I once told a friend who was interested in getting a tattoo to get an ankle bracelet with letters and wear it for a month. If at any time during that month you think of some reason to take it off - then you are not ready to commit to a tattoo. Didn't make it two weeks with the anklet.

This was after another friend of mine had a tattoo on her foot removed and wound up on crutches for a couple of weeks because they could not remove it completely with the laser and the incision to remove the rest of it did not heal properly.

I don't know what the official Phi Delt stance is on tattoos, but I feel if it is a respectful tattoo in a respectful place it should be fine. BUT, if HQ doesnt allow it, dont get one.

And she IS wondering what you are doing in those letter!:D

First of all, the OP is an SDT who asked this in the SDT forum. Only SDT can answer for and about SDT. One SDT responded about her chapter but there should be non-GC resources to tell SDT members about official and unofficial policies and protocol. GC is not a good resource for your org's policies and protocol...but whatever makes the Internet generation happy. ;)

I would love for NtBrnHair to say that around women who she ASSUMES do not have tattoos, sorority or otherwise. She may be in for a rude awakening.

I do not have tattoos and I do not want any permanent/semi-permanent markers on MY body. That does not translate to there being something wrong with any form of tattooing (or other permanent and semi-permanent body markings).

This topic has been discussed so much on GC.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=233

It's not like most of the people who get tattoo regret later. I think it's a coincidence that you met most of those who regretted later. Yes.....there is one where people may regret later, when they get tattoos of names of their girlfriend or boyfriend.

A lot of the threads discussing tattoos and letters is all in relation to getting your letters tattooed do's and don'ts. How do chapters feel about women with visible non-offensive tattoos (i.e. arms or legs) when they wear their letters and the tattoos show? For example, if someone had tattoos on their arms and wore their sorority shirt/jewelry/tank/etc. in which their tattoos were clearly visible, are there concerns with this on the collegiate or alumni level? Just curious since I can only find discussions about getting letters tattoo'd.

My sorority doesn't necessarily prohibit tattoos, but from my knowledge whenever a sister gets letters inked, it's kept pretty hush-hush. I design tattoos on commission, and a few of my sisters have come to me asking to make their own special letter designs. My policy is that I won't design anything with letters or the sorority name in it; instead, I recommend a symbol, like a sorority flower or animal in a tribal style. It's still personal and has meaning, but you don't have to worry about any disgruntled backlash.

The only girl I know who got her letters tattooed on her (not from my organization) ended up getting kicked out of her organization about a month after getting the tattoo for an incident that occured on campus. She is now faced with getting her tattoo covered up, cause she is no longer an XYZ and can no longer have their letters on her body.

HOWEVER, several of my sisters are tattooed. Several hold leadership in our chapter. I don't think it's 'trashy' to have tattoo's, unless they're 'trashy' tattoos.

I know a few sorority women from different organizations who have gotten tiny tattoos of their letters on their ankles. I do not see that as a big deal. However, I do believe that the huge ones and tramp stamps are just...not in good taste.