Should I get a tattoo?

[flvegan]

Sure, I'm 33, nobody in my entire family has one and will give me "that look" if I do. It won't be something meaningless, quite the opposite.

Whaddya think, am I too old...lame, cuz I'm asking a forum of folks what I should do?

[Placebo]

1. Get one!

I would have gotten one already except the tattoo parlor I want to go to is here in Chicago, and you can't get a tat in Illinois until you're 21. :(

[haele]

2. There's always the temporary tattoos...

Some are pretty durn bitchin', and can last a month or two despite regular bathing. Get yourself a temp tat and testdrive it.

It's a great way to wear something that expresses the way you feel - and if you decided you don't feel like wearing that design anymore, or if you are facing a situation where having a tattoo out in the open might not be the best thing, you can easily change or get rid of it.

My SO (who has a tattoo he is now regretting) just informed me that most tattoo artists will do "temp" tattoos without a needle, if you asked them. They last a bit longer than the ones you buy.

Haele

[vixengrl]

3. If you really want one--do.

I got my tattoos when I was twenty-nine. I got an ankh at the base of my spine and an Eye of Horus on my left calf. I chose, specifically, designs I knew I wouldn't hate later, and areas of my body where they weren't kind of "in your face", which sounds like I punked out, but I have a job with government, so I can't be too "out there". I've gotten compliments on them, and then give me a little jolt when I see them. I didn't pick my fac, my eye color, and only somewhat my hair color--but the tattoos were totally my idea. My husband has...let me count...seven? And they are beautiful, and when he goes places, sometimes people ask to see his art. I say, so long as you like your art, and it means something to you, go for it. You only get one body--might as well make of it what you want.

[Kali]

4. yeah

be different from the crowd :eyes:

[Placebo]

5. Tattoos are about self expression.

Not a desire to "be different."

[Kali]

11. um, isnt "self expression"

about being different? identity beyond "the others"? Tattoing places you with the crowd because it is so popular right now.

Nothing against tattoos, per se - I've seen some great work, but its so common, everybody has them. Try branding. (I know even that is getting passe...so hard to be different isn't it?)

[Placebo]

15. So you'd restrict yourself from doing something...

you want to do and you feel expresses your individuality just because someone else is doing it? You'd be different just for the sake of being different? That makes no sense.

Do what you want, who cares if no one or a million people are doing the same.

[Kali]

18. To be honest yes I think on occasion I would.

Truthfully there have been fads that came and went that I avoided just because they were fads, and it IS possible I may have missed something.

I understand the sentiment "who cares if a million people are doing it" and there are certainly times I didn't. Hell I still like fried zucchini and ranch dressing. But, honestly, I probably don't have a tattoo for the very reason, so many other people do. (At least its one reason. The permanance issue is another) I do have multiple ear piercings however, so there ya go, I followed the crowd and express my individuality with 5 earrings.

[JimmyJazz]

6. I got my tattoo when I was 40, Don't let age dictate whether or

not you get a tattoo. You know in your heart whether or not you want one. I love mine and wouldn't trade it or the temporary pain for anything! I say go for it.

[EstimatedProphet]

8. So, yours hurt?

My first one I didn't really even feel, seriously. However my second one did hurt a bit...

[JimmyJazz]

10. Puleeze - it felt like rug burn and we all know what rug burn feels like

:7

[EstimatedProphet]

14. Bummer-none of mine ever hurt that bad, seriously

perhaps that will dispel a meme for our friend going under "the needle"

[JimmyJazz]

16. I didn't say it hurt that bad - rug burn is not that bad. Mine is

fairly large and I actually was laughing during most of it. I thought it was great - oh and the rush that sets in a few hours later - Jeez, that was unreal.

But then again, i had my navel pierced and never felt any pain.

[EstimatedProphet]

7. I got my first one at 39

so no, I personally wouldn't say you're too old. I have 5 now. It's when the bug bites, not whether you are too old...
I would say, that if you know that you will never be satisfied unless you get one, then do so. If it's a passing whim, it will wear off in the morning and you'll cringe every time you see it.

[samplegirl]

9. I personally would not have a tatoo

I think there is nothing sexier or prettier on a woman than just
her skin on her body.

[pansypoo53219]

12. i always think

what's it gonna look like when i am 70?

and i never see a pretty picture. IF i got one, it would be a smiley face or a bug on my foot. gravity isn't so mean down there.

[MercutioATC]

13. If you're asking the question, NO.

Look, it's permanent.

Permanent.

If you have to ask the question, it's not time, yet.

(By the way, I got my first and only tattoo last year when I was 36. Don't worry that you're "too old")

[UncleSepp]

17. Here's the advice I gave my nephew

This is what I said to my nephew, who was considering his first tattoo. He was 18, and you're my age :-) but if I were thinking of getting some art done, this is what I would do, too. I'd love to know what other folks think of these ideas, too.

Subscribe to some body art/tattooing/body modification magazines. Go to a convention and meet some enthusiasts. Learn about the process, see what other people have, and get ideas. Also, look at how different colors and designs age, and how they look on aging skin. Think about how your skin might age, and how your tattoo might look in twenty or thirty years.

When you've gotten some ideas about what is possible and what you like, design your own tattoo, or have an artist friend design it with you. Have a tattoo artist apply a temporary tattoo of your design, or even try your own with transfer paper. (There is transfer paper you can get which goes in a color inkjet printer that is specifically made for doing temporary tattoos. It won't be as pretty as a real tattoo, but it will give you a decent idea.) You can refine your design, try it at different sizes and places on your body, see how it looks in work clothes, play clothes, no clothes, whatever. If you decide you still want it, make another temporary transfer or another copy of your design and put it in a drawer for a year. You'll have the tattoo for the rest of your life, so a year isn't too long to wait.

Keep in mind also that many things in life are far more transient than that tattoo will be. Names of living people, stuff that's VERY cool right now, might not be such good ideas. Designs that would have made sense and been cool thirty or forty years ago, still make sense and are cool now, will probably still make sense and be cool thirty or forty years in the future.

At the end of the year, put on one of the transfers and wear it for a while to see if you still like it, or have an artist put on the temporary design again. Wear it around for a while. If you still like it then, go with the last one to the tattoo artist, show them the design, and enjoy your new tattoo!

[Kali]

19. Now here is some damn good advice.

:thumbsup:

[lizzieforkerry]

20. I've regretted mine from the day I got it.

I thought it really hurt and then I had babies, which put the pain in a little perspective, but it still ranked up there on the pain scale.

[illflem]

21. Better do it while you still can

In four years the only tattoo you might be able to get is a bar code on your forehead.

[Zomby Woof]

22. if you want to be a conformist, yes

Conformity and trendiness, the American Way!

[flvegan]

23. Why would getting a tat make me a conformist?

I know the easy answer, cuz so many have done it. Trendy isn't just because lots of folks have done it, right? Things are still pure in their own sense, regardless of who is doing it, right? I mean, otherwise, why have sex?

Lots of folks are on the internet(s).
Lots of folks hate Bushiepants.
Lots of folks are here on DU.

I don't want to NOT get a tat just because too many others have. That's conformity.

[Floogeldy]

24. No