that's a tough one. those tattoos sound really gross and i would have had the same reaction you did! however, it sounds like you two like each other and since he expressed regret for getting them, you should try getting to know him beyond his tattoos. try going on a few more dates with him before you decide if his tattoos are really representative of his views on women. good luck!

He can get tops put on them. My grandpa used to have a topless mermaid until my grandma came along and made him put some shells on her.

Yeah, if you really do like him other than the tattoos I think you could look past them. or at least try to.

LOL colorme! Thats funny!
They sound horrible I agree, and maybe harder to fix than just with shells. Like can they put pants on the one with her ass hanging out? And if they are that big, will it make a difference?
I don't see where he expressed regret, kind of the opposite. He said he could do what he chooses with his body, and this is what he chooses?
It might be a hard one to get over. Gosh, Good Luck.

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"It's your name, with *ness* attached to it"

If you really like the guy and you feel a connection, try to look past the tattoos. Sometime tattoos happen in the spur of the moment and you get something you think would be cool at the moment and later regret. He could get them covered up later down the road. Many people do. I would be happier to see the naked chica's than some girl’s name.

Try to look past the ink on his skin and look at who he is on the inside. At least he was happy to hear you voice your thoughts on his tattoos and didn't get defensive. He sounds like a nice guy and you really like him. Just ask him to keep them covered when you are around him out of respect – and maybe keep the lights off.

Good Luck!

I love tattoos and I'm not big on the "pin-up girl" style. I understand that you may be offended by them too. Personally I think you should look towards his personality. The tattoo's may be sexist, but is he? If he isn't, then its still worth a shot to keep dating him simply because you like him.

Tatoo's are always mistakes, but look on the bright side, if he regrets them he agrees with you in some way, therefore you still got things going for you! And he can always have them turned into something else (they can do that in many cases), or have them removed, I just don't think that it's a reason to stop seeing a guy for! And worse, aren't women always complaining that men are only interested in what we look like? Here's your turn!

why are we reading this again?

I like colormesticky's suggestion LOL

Wait--what? Tattoos are "always mistakes". That's a bit of a judgement statement, no??

Wow, I am really suprised to hear such a reaction to tattoo's. Many people look at tat's at a form of art, which in the art world, there are plenty of naked forms of "High art" such as the statue of David. Although his tat's are not something that you agree with, I don't think you should stop seeing him based on this. Like many have said, there is always the possibilty of covering them up, however, remember you would not like it if someone judged you based on a personal decision!

if you can't look past a few tattoos and he's a great guy maybe you don't deserve him.

Although I don't like the sound of these particular tattoos, I have to agree with Mme Hart. Many people get beautiful, meaningful tattoos, that are never considered mistakes.
I've dated men with tattoos, so I have nothing against them, but I will judge people I date, by their personal decisions. What else do you judge them on?

You need to look at the whole person not just the packaging. He might turn out to be a really great guy.

How lofty to think that tacky tattoos of women could be compared to Michelangelo's David. That's a lovely idea in theory but I sincerely doubt these belong in a gallery in Florence.

I have nothing against tattoos, but these sound tasteless. Personally, I would be mortified to be seen with someone who had his body tattooed with naked women. I can see how one naked woman happened on the spur of the moment, but 4? That takes planning.

Maybe it indicates he can do what he want with his body, but there are many ways to express that. To me, it shows a lack of creativity and a desire to have naked women tattooed all over his body. It's as straightforward as that.

I agree that if he's wonderful you should be able to look past it. Like a big nose, or bad breath, something purely physical should never technically be a deal breaker.

lol @ a gallery in Florence.

Thank god I thought I was the only one offended by tattoo's are always mistakes. If he does regret them he can have them covered up with something new. I did that with one of mine not because I had regrets but because it was almost 20 years old and not done right. Now I love it. If you really like him as a person then you should be able to look beyond it. It is not like he is missing teeth! I once dated someone a few times that went on and on about how much he hated tattoo's imagine his surprise when I said well you must hate me then because I have 6.

I totally agree with popgoestheworld -- even if these tattoos don't mean that he's sexist, they at least show that he lacks some class. I don't mind tattoos (in fact, my husband has 2 and I think they're really sexy) but I don't think I could handle it if someone chose to put naked women all over their body. I don't blame you at all for your hesitation.

Well, at least he regrest them.

colormesticky - ha - I agree. Get those girls some clothes!

Well said stepsprl, thats how I feel too. I mean I married a man with 9 tats, and I wasn't exactly a tat fan before him. But he didn't have huge naked women all over him either.
I can see this being a deal breaker, because you have to be physically attracted to your guy. A big nose or something could become endearing, if it accompanies a personality you adore, but I'm not convinced the same thing could happen with big pictures of naked women stamped on him.

I could (would) probably force myself to deal with the tattoos BUT NOT the ones you are describing.
I think it says something about the person who has them if they depict naked women. I guess I'm a prude, too.
I won't eat at Hooters either though.

Yea well some might find them tacky however, some might find them art. I am not comparing them to the David HOWEVER some people might find that statue tacky. People need to open their minds. Art does not fit one particular mold-it IS open for interpretation

That's a hard choice.. Tattoos can be altered though.. possibly give the women some clothes? They could also be completely remoted which is long and painful (expensive) process. I would find it embarassing to be out at a pool with him also. What if you guys really hit off and you decide to spend the rest of your life with him?? Do you want your kids to have a dad that has tattoos like that? That's just the far fetched ideas that I think of in your situation.. Good luck.

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Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

Hey- what's he like? Smart? Sweet? Courteous? Polite? Or just not your type general? The tats leave a lot to interpretation. What you find offensive may not even be noticed by someone else. It's not always the outer skin that counts but the inside soul that matter's most.

Gosh I didn't want to offend anyone by saying tat's are always mistakes. I would never do one, 'cus it's not like a bad hair cut, it's something you're gonna have to live with for the rest of your life! It's more like a form of life, something that's always gonna be there. Sure people do it 'cus they have meaning and stuff like that, but it really wouldn't be a choice I would make! Got a friend that made a "permanente wedding ring", you can imagine how that went when they got divorced! It's like I say, most people that I know that have got one was for 2 reasons only: guys to show they can take the pain, or: i'm getting one, 'cus you've got one too. But far from me wanting to offend anyone, and for that i'm sorry.

It sounds to me like you both deserve something better. He deserves to be with someone that doesn't mind the tattoos and you deserve to be with someone you aren't disgusted to look at. Since you're only 3 dates in you should just move on. Seems like that's what would be best for all involved.

that is why i do not get tattoos! u can't erase them! if u do try to, u can still see them!

Well, I agree with BlueJeanie. I would also like you to think about the idea that it's not always what's on the outside that counts.

i guess as long as he respects you and the general female population, i think maybe his degrading tattoos can be overlooked...i would be grossed out by them too, so would a lot of people here, so you're not alone in your initial reaction.

I would go out on one or two more dates, see what he is like as a person, and then deal with it. Maybe he might be interested in getting the tattoos removed (if he realy does regret them).

Someone above made the comment about nudity being art, "like the David." Hmm, let's see, naked chicks in ink on some guy's BACK, or artfully chisled marble by a recognized MASTER...

It's only been three dates, and if I were you, I don't know if I'd people able to go out with him again. I know that dating is fun and all that, but why can't you have fun with a different guy who's back doesn't repulse you?

Oo, also wanted to point out that FOUR separate tattoos that he's now writing off as poor decisions and 'regrets' (also noting that he probably didn't get all four done at once, and nor did one tattoo get finished in one sitting - it was clearly a drawn out poor decision) doesn't bode well in the world of relationship foreshadowing... If he makes these kinds of "rash" decisions, imagine the possibilities after a night of drinking with hot girls at a club? That might be totally off base, but it's still something to think about.

grossed out by tattoos? that's your perogative. who cares what everyone else thinks.

I was thinking the same thing as madhatter- he has 4 huge tattoos that he most likely didnt get all at once and he regrets them all? Most of the tatted guys I dated regretted maybe one- which was usually something they drew themselves when they werent really good artists, or the infamous ex tattoo- but four giant naked girls? I dont think its unreasonable to end it with someone if it really bothers you- I ran into my ex at a bar and he showed he his newest additions- one of which was a graveyard/zombie scene on his back. If I hadnt already dumped him, I would have then.

A long time has past since this post came out. So, what went down? Did she dump him or not?

the tattoos would gross me out too...i mean, in general i can deal with tattoos, but what those depicted was absolutely disgusting. and if it represented him doing whatever he wanted to his body, then why would he want to have those particular images? i wouldn't see him again if i were in your shoes, and obviously you're uncomfortable with it, so at least wait and think it through.