--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never had any desire to get a tattoo…" description: "\"I never had any desire to get a tattoo. If I was ever going to get one, I would get a plain anchor with a rope around it, the most unimaginative possib..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/john-waters-751_anchors_i-never-had-any-desire-to-get-a-tattoo-i_2216999.jpg" --- # I never had any desire to get a tattoo. If I was ever… ![“I never had any desire to get a tattoo. If I was ever going to get one, I would get a plain anchor with a rope around it, the most unimaginative possible tattoo, like Popeye had.” quote by John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/john-waters-751_anchors_i-never-had-any-desire-to-get-a-tattoo-i_2216999.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/john-waters-751_anchors_i-never-had-any-desire-to-get-a-tattoo-i_2216999.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbb/john-waters-751_anchors_i-never-had-any-desire-to-get-a-tattoo-i_2216999.jpg) > “I never had any desire to get a tattoo. If I was ever going to get one, I would get a plain anchor with a rope around it, the most unimaginative possible tattoo, like Popeye had.” [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He prefers a simple, unremarkable tattoo, reflecting a desire for low-key self‑expression rather than flamboyance. **In simple terms:** He wants a plain, boring tattoo. Key Takeaway Choose modest self‑expression. Themes self‑expression individuality conformity Mood reflective lighthearted Type personal humorous When to use this quote - personal branding - body art decisions - social perception - risk assessment Key Concepts minimalism identity symbolism Questions to Reflect On - Do you value simplicity over attention? - How does tattoo choice affect personal identity? A Different Perspective May be seen as lacking confidence or creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Popeye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popeye/) [Tattoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tattoo/) ## Related quotes > [“I had never seen her this way before, and I wondered why until I realized it was the tattoo; I saw, finally, there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genevieve-valentine/i-had-never-seen-her-this-way-before-and-i-wondered-why-until-i/) [Genevieve Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genevieve-valentine/) > [I've always been the type of person - you know, I kind of am extreme. So you know, I'm not like, 'Oh, let me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/i-ve-always-been-the-type-of-person-you-know-i-kind-of-am-extreme-so/) [Lecrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [I bet your 'Forever Young' tattoo is going to look so cute when you're 90.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-your-forever-young-tattoo-is-going-to-look-so-cute-when-you-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My mom told me if I ever got a tattoo, she was going to take it off with a potato peeler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-dalton/my-mom-told-me-if-i-ever-got-a-tattoo-she-was-going-to-take-it-off/) [Jacob Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-dalton/) > [I don't trust anybody's judgement when it comes to clothes or anything - let alone a tattoo that's going to be on my body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-sandoval/i-don-t-trust-anybody-s-judgement-when-it-comes-to-clothes-or/) [Tom Sandoval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-sandoval/) > [No one would get a tattoo like this, so I decided to get Jesus holding a basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-favors/no-one-would-get-a-tattoo-like-this-so-i-decided-to-get-jesus-holding/) [Derrick Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-favors/) > [“You’re getting a tattoo? What is going on with you, Abby? Did you breathe toxic fumes in that fire?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/you-re-getting-a-tattoo-what-is-going-on-with-you-abby-did-you/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [You ever notice how when you get a new tattoo, it's like a magnet? People are drawn to it, everybody wants to touch it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-anthony/you-ever-notice-how-when-you-get-a-new-tattoo-it-s-like-a-magnet/) [Michael Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-anthony/) > [I realised there were no good role models for kids. Popeye eats spinach, but also smokes and hits people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-realised-there-were-no-good-role-models-for-kids-popeye-eats/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Seems there's a big debate going on about whether a new TV commercial for Minute Maid orange juice portrays Popeye and Bluto as gay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/seems-there-s-a-big-debate-going-on-about-whether-a-new-tv-commercial/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [The ideal build for a golfer would be strong hands, big forearms, thin neck, big thighs and a flat chest. He'd look like Popeye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-player/the-ideal-build-for-a-golfer-would-be-strong-hands-big-forearms-thin/) [Gary Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-player/) > [It's become normal for me to walk on set as Popeye, Frankenstein or an Elf or even a chicken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-o-grady/it-s-become-normal-for-me-to-walk-on-set-as-popeye-frankenstein-or-an/) [Paul O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-o-grady/) > [I was a really picky eater as a child. Because I was obsessed by Popeye, my mum and aunts would put my food in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-o-grady/i-was-a-really-picky-eater-as-a-child-because-i-was-obsessed-by/) [Paul O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-o-grady/) > [I can't say I ever wanted to become an entertainer. I already was one, sort of-around the house, at school, doing my magic tricks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-can-t-say-i-ever-wanted-to-become-an-entertainer-i-already-was-one/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [I've never even been into those supplements or any of that. I don't even drink energy shakes. I'm not into that kind of stuff.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-ve-never-even-been-into-those-supplements-or-any-of-that-i-don-t/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) ## More by John Waters > [There was a cultural war going on, the '60s was going on. All the film critics were square.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/there-was-a-cultural-war-going-on-the-60s-was-going-on-all-the-film/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm here today because of LSD. LSD gave me the confidence to be who I am today. Completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-here-today-because-of-lsd-lsd-gave-me-the-confidence-to-be-who-i/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [When I was young, there were bars called the 'Hungry Hole,' and in those same neighbourhoods are now gay people pushing baby carriages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/when-i-was-young-there-were-bars-called-the-hungry-hole-and-in-those/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [True success is figuring out your life and career so you never have to be around jerks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/true-success-is-figuring-out-your-life-and-career-so-you-never-have/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Around '62 in Baltimore, all the girls had those big hairdos. And then suddenly, a few of the really hip ones started doing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/around-62-in-baltimore-all-the-girls-had-those-big-hairdos-and-then/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [“John!?” I ask in shock. This woman recognizes me? It can’t be! “How do you know my name?” I wonder out loud. Suddenly she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/john-i-ask-in-shock-this-woman-recognizes-me-it-can-t-be-how-do-you/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > ['Serial Mom' tested really well when we finally got with the right audience. But they would go to some shopping mall in a deep,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/serial-mom-tested-really-well-when-we-finally-got-with-the-right/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [One Christmas, Dennis Dermody, the movie critic of 'Paper,' gave me 'Rock Hudson: A Gathering of Friends,' the master invitation list from Rock Hudson's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/one-christmas-dennis-dermody-the-movie-critic-of-paper-gave-me-rock/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Many hundred-million-dollar Hollywood comedies aren't any good. They're trying to shock you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/many-hundred-million-dollar-hollywood-comedies-aren-t-any-good-they/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [The Easter Bunny is a major reason for heroin addiction in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/the-easter-bunny-is-a-major-reason-for-heroin-addiction-in-america/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [To use bad taste, you have to know the rules of good taste. I've always thanked my mother for that. She taught how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/to-use-bad-taste-you-have-to-know-the-rules-of-good-taste-i-ve-always/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm an old person because I still buy DVDs. I have every one of my albums and 45s - I even have a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-an-old-person-because-i-still-buy-dvds-i-have-every-one-of-my/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I do like Christmas. I do understand that there are people who hate it, and there are other religions that resent it. So, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-do-like-christmas-i-do-understand-that-there-are-people-who-hate-it/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I love to read about anger. A "feel bad" book always makes me feel good. And no other novel in the history of literature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-love-to-read-about-anger-a-feel-bad-book-always-makes-me-feel-good/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [ Maybe I'll just write books. I'd like to make another movie, but I don't want to go back and \[do\] what they want you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/maybe-i-ll-just-write-books-i-d-like-to-make-another-movie-but-i-don/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) [Explore all 381 John Waters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## More Anchors quotes > [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends. If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-buffett/where-it-all-ends-i-can-t-fathom-my-friends-if-i-knew-i-might-toss/) [Jimmy Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-buffett/) > [My mom taught me the power of love. I learned to focus on the long-term big picture from my father. His sense of humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/my-mom-taught-me-the-power-of-love-i-learned-to-focus-on-the-long/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) > [The past is an anchor with suffering written on the rope. I don't live there now. I am cutting myself free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-millar/the-past-is-an-anchor-with-suffering-written-on-the-rope-i-don-t-live/) [Mark Millar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-millar/) > [I was born imagining myself with an apron on, with pies cooling on the window sill and babies crying upstairs. I thought that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-was-born-imagining-myself-with-an-apron-on-with-pies-cooling-on-the/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Women and God are the two rocks on which a man must either anchor or be wrecked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/women-and-god-are-the-two-rocks-on-which-a-man-must-either-anchor-or/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Footnote: 79) The anchor is gigantic and must weigh a hundred tons, and -- delightfully -- it really is anchor-shaped, i.e. the same shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/footnote-79-the-anchor-is-gigantic-and-must-weigh-a-hundred-tons-and/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Up anchor! Up anchor! Set sail and away! The ventures of dreamland Are thine for a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-weir-mitchell/up-anchor-up-anchor-set-sail-and-away-the-ventures-of-dreamland-are/) [Silas Weir Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-weir-mitchell/) > [Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/cast-all-your-cares-on-god-that-anchor-holds/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [I'm single, footloose and fancy free, I have no responsibilities, no anchors. Work, friendship and self-improvement, that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-m-single-footloose-and-fancy-free-i-have-no-responsibilities-no/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I get an adrenaline rush from "playing with the big boys." I consider myself a tomboy and was an athlete in high school, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/i-get-an-adrenaline-rush-from-playing-with-the-big-boys-i-consider/) [Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/) > [Ultimate hope constitutes the anchor of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/ultimate-hope-constitutes-the-anchor-of-the-soul/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Experience had quickly taught her that she could not survive the storms without the anchor of the constraining love of Christ and what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/experience-had-quickly-taught-her-that-she-could-not-survive-the/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Kids are anchors of mothers' life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/kids-are-anchors-of-mothers-life/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) Browse all 358 Anchors quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never had any desire to get a tattoo. 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