[updated] Tattoos: Pros & Cons, advice ...etc

[Deactivated] on 23/04/2015 - 22:46
Last edited 27/04/2015 - 21:15

Hi,

I was recently reminded of these 3 things by the people I love the most:

  • dreams do come true if only we wish hard enough,
  • to live is an awfully big adventure and we need to make the most of it,
  • and that the world is made up of faith, trust …and pixie dust :)

I was thinking of maybe getting a Tinkerbell tattoo so that I never forget any of those 3 things :)

So pros and cons of getting tattoos? Do you have one and hate it? How much do things like that cost? Any suggestions of where I should get it done. I was thinking maybe behind my ear, so it will be partly hidden.

Thanks :)

Edit: Thanks everyone for your inputs.I've decided against getting one because I didn't feel strongly enough about the actual tattoo design. JJB has kindly offered to draw a couple of different designs on my body. He used sharpie to write one of my favorite literary quotes on my ribs in his beautiful handwriting …and it looks AMAZING!!! This is very addictive. But I think I'm going to stick to temporary tattoos …

Poll Options

  • 20
    1.Sounds cool. Get it done asap!
  • 158
    2.Don't! You'll regret it.
  • 4
    3.Get something else. How about...
  • 2
    4.Other
Health & Beauty

Comments

  • sweefu on 23/04/2015 - 23:13
    +2

    Don't get it too hidden! Let the world see it! Maybe just on your neck?

    • scrimshaw on 23/04/2015 - 23:17
      +8

      Might want to think about the ramifications of doing so — e.g what kind of job will you hold in the future that may require to dress smart and not sport any highly visible tatoos.

    • McFly on 24/04/2015 - 14:43
      +3

      Don't get it

      Fixed! :p

      Round the corner from me is a tattoo place, about 200m from the tattoo removal place…

    • Logical on 25/04/2015 - 22:20
      +3

      probably better on the forehead… OP will never forget.

    • Oliver on 26/04/2015 - 20:58

      Lolled hard. :)

  • Vampyr on 23/04/2015 - 23:27
    +4

    Do what you feel. But don't rush any part of the process :)

  • Miami Mall Alien on 24/04/2015 - 00:14
    +82

    Why don't you declare your identity through conviction in what you say and do, rather than some edgy Artline scratchings scrawled behind your ear?

    I have nothing against the concept of tattooing; indeed they have a history stretching back thousands of years and signified everything from a way of prisoners counting years served in the Soviet Gulags, defiance against oppression (e.g. Christian women in the Balkans tattooing crosses on their hands to ward off Ottoman kidnapping/sexual enslavement), remembrance of rites of passage (Polynesian Tataus symbolising a coming of age through enduring the extreme pain inflicted by chisels), a form of punishment and shaming in Ancient Rome, or even Crusaders tattooing themselves with the Cross of Jerusalem so that they could receive a burial with full honours upon their death.

    But it's highly ironic that tattoos have become so furiously popular in the parts of the world that have no tradition of them prior to the late 1800s/early 1900s.

    Modern millenials obsession with decorating themselves in a pretentious, walking "mythologies" of their own invention about how they want to be seen by others is nothing more than a reflection of the fragmented identities and lack of belonging that young people have. You can't force metaphors about your life and world outlook through deliberate tattoo designs anymore than you can dress up in a costume and be a believable pop culture character.

    It's literally a facade, like the clothes you wear or the music you listen to, inferring any more from tattoos than simply being "fronts" people project is like inferring that every guy in a suit knows the stock market and plays golf, every person with a love-heart tattoo is a passionate romantic and a faithful partner. You can stop being what your looks predestine you to be, right now (i.e. something about books, covers and judging).

    Perhaps that's why I'll never understand tattooing for the sake of keeping up with modernity; given that modern life is largely void of much that isn't shared in common with all of fellow mankind (i.e. your cliché about cherishing dreams and living life to the fullest).

    Simply getting some Asian characters, tribal swirls or your child's name etched onto you don't make you more of a Buddhist/Bogan/Better Parent. You need to actually be a Buddhist, bogan or a better parent. You can't just self-entitle your way into a better state of being because you feel that's "really you" deep down inside.

    From my experience, the kind of people to broadcast their beliefs through conspicuous choices in appearance or mannerisms are the ones with the least conviction or ambition behind them. At the end of the day, it's never really about self-improvement, motivation, or commemoration of poignant events/people in one's life anymore than it is about being seen to be a "true believer", a martyr for your particular off-brand lifestyle choices through the semi-permanent sacrifice of your flesh. It's like a chauvinistic pissing contest to see who's willing to lose the most amount of skin or social standing for their "ink" and that's what's ruins it for the people who do actually have meaningful, storied tattoos that are celebrations of real triumphs, and not Hipster anime or Bikie snake patterns on your arm because it seemed like a solid idea after an all-night bender.

    • KiLLUMiN4Ti on 24/04/2015 - 01:25
      +5

      Well said.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2015 - 20:38
      -6

      Quote from a tattooed man of a certain age:

      If people are honest with themselves when they choose a tattoo, the art will represent them better than anything that will ever come out of their mouth. The things that are most important to me are represented in the art that covers my body. My God, my family, my friends, my job, my social and historical beliefs and the aggressive or even violent nature with which I will protect all of them…..basically in that order of importance. Is it scarey or repulsive to some people? Yes. Does it change who I am? No. If anything it works as an outward conscience that will forever remind me of who I am and what is important during times of trial or long after my mind starts to fade due to old age if I'm blessed with a long life.

      • Miami Mall Alien on 25/04/2015 - 01:04
        +7

        Hence why I said, I have no quarrel with tattoos per se. I have an issue with the majority of people who display them today. Everything that quote references is at odds with the average person's thought process when getting a tattoo. It's a disposable, thoughtless, perfunctory accessory that seen as something like the price of admission for the young, intrepid clique-fitter of Western society (and that label is not age-specific at all).

        You can bullsh*t me to your heart's content about you or people you know, and how their tattoos are special and unique, but I have yet to speak to anyone with a tattoo whom I couldn't piece together their motivation for getting it, myself, without having to listen to their predictable explanation.

        (Didn't neg)

    • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2015 - 14:35

      Yes!

      "You can't just self-entitle your way into a better state of being because you feel that's "really you" deep down inside."

      Yes! - reminds me of those people that are suddenly models, photographers, other unqualified etc. because they have decided this morning that's what they are.

      "From my experience, the kind of people to broadcast their beliefs through conspicuous choices in appearance or mannerisms are the ones with the least conviction or ambition behind them."

      Yes! - I notice more often than not these are the ones calling everyone else a "poser" LOL.

      Anyway, cheers for the entertainment; enjoyed this post.

      • serpserpserp on 26/04/2015 - 17:15

        "Yes! - reminds me of those people that are suddenly models, photographers, other unqualified etc. because they have decided this morning that's what they are."

        Everyone has to decide what they want to be before they become it. If you want to make a living out of a skill/trade on your own you have to call yourself that thing before you get your first client. 99.9% of people will not hire a wedding photographer if they come out and say they have never shot a wedding on their own for money before. And yes, I know you can offer to do things for free etc. to build up your skills first, but that doesn't necessarily make you "qualified".

        • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2015 - 17:31

          Er, you clearly do not recognise the people I am talking about (I am NOT talking about people who genuinely wish to start a career and take the appropriate measures. Assuming I am talking about this is annoying).

          The people I'm talking about are different; they have no interest in building skills, they simply set up a Facebook page declaring themselves a photographer (or health coach, wellness warrior, make-up artist, whatever), purchase a large camera and voila - they are now photographers. Another example being women who are obviously not suited to modelling careers paying people to do a photo shoot, and declaring themselves models.

        • YTW on 26/04/2015 - 22:18
          +2

          @woolfenstein: Back in the old days (before the internet and cheap photography) those people were always 'writing a book'…hahaha…

        • serpserpserp on 03/05/2015 - 14:54
          -1

          @woolfenstein: Er, what I am saying is don't be so quick to judge people. To become a photographer you do need to by a camera first, to become a health coach you do have to call yourself that before you get clients.

        • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2015 - 11:09
          -1

          @serpserpserp: NO. To become a health coach you should first educate yourself in nutrition and fitness etc.

          THIS SHOULD COME BEFORE CALLING YOURSELF A HEALTH COACH.

          Does studying law make me a lawyer?

        • serpserpserp on 08/05/2015 - 22:06
          -1

          @woolfenstein:

          Er, you weren't talking about people calling themselves Lawyers online. You were talking about people that work in freelance jobs. No where does it say you have to go do a fine arts degree to be a photographer, or become a doctor/physio to be a health coach etc.

          You getting this now? People can call themselves whatever they want in unregulated industries.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/05/2015 - 13:09

          @serpserpserp: It amazes me that you know what I meant/was talking about, when I had no idea!

          Yes they "can"; but it does not mean they should. Which was the point of my post. You getting that yet?

    • AssamLaksa on 26/04/2015 - 17:33

      Even though I've never really intended to get a tattoo, I find your words extremely meaningful. Twas a good read.

    • Kozhutki on 30/04/2015 - 16:06
      -3

      You come across really pretentious but I agree with what you said to a certain degree, probably due to age gap.

      • Miami Mall Alien on 30/04/2015 - 22:38
        -1

        Well thank you for that belated, back-handed compliment, guy who posts obsessively-formatted spreadsheets and one-liner comments, I'm sure you could do much better.

        • Kozhutki on 30/04/2015 - 23:26

          I apologise for not viewing the forum every day. I probably could do much better but I don't have much to add to the discussion so you will have to deal with it.

        • Miami Mall Alien on 01/05/2015 - 00:01

          @kaneissik: So you revived a stale thread just to let me know I'm pretentious and then you admit you have nothing to add? Quite ironic. Maybe you could deal with your pretentiousness too? I'm looking forward to not reading your much better contributions; I'll deal with them the same way I deal with Unicorns or flying pigs.

        • Kozhutki on 01/05/2015 - 01:55
          +1

          @Amar89: A 6 day thread is dead? Please. There's a Hot Discussion link for a reason. I enjoy reading your comments so I don't see a reason to block you or anything but you're still pretentious.

        • Miami Mall Alien on 01/05/2015 - 21:16

          @kaneissik: How's this: I'll take you seriously when I read something of yours that inspires me to do anything other scroll through 500 links to cheap games, hit the positive vote button and then close the tab I was on.

          I appreciate your contributions too, you're a solid member but you're pissing into the wind here. I'm sure being on the OzB monthly awards list every month is really gratifying but there's more to life than consuming.

          If I take the time to write up something like that, I'm obviously not going to take it well when some guy who never so much as types an unnecessary character and whose comments are 90% gaming-related, tells me I'm "pretentious" for explaining myself and using terminology he never does.

          The same way if I was you and someone told me my deals sucked and I can't lay out a pricing table to save my life, I would be incensed.

          You post the deals. I'll post the pretentious comments. Let's leave it at that.

        • Kozhutki on 02/05/2015 - 01:28

          @Amar89: No need to write a hostile paragraph ;). I appreciate your concern over my apparent intention of being interested about an irrelevant "awards list". I am not interested in winning a monthly award for doing a few deals. Compared to the bigwigs what I post is completely irrelevant and falls into a small niche - which is why I post them.

          Sorry for being a simpleton, I'll make sure to use the latest words I've acquired from the Dictionary.com daily email.

          Thanks for the laugh, I look forward to reading your comments in future - keep being insightful; it's your greatest strength.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2015 - 00:22
    +4

    Tattoos are the stamp of the sheeple. If you haven't noitced the type of people who have tattoos as inadequate, then by all means, get one. But the fact of the matter is, unless you come from Melbourne's outer west, don't have a degree, have moved to port melbourne and like eating your hunky dory's to loud dance music, while the person on the table next to you smokes a cigarette, then a tattoo is probably not for you. Other clear pre requisites are using the word '(profanity)' Constantly throughout ordinary conversation, omni present blue singlet tops, baseball caps indoors, and the constant looking around the room for the approval of random people looking at your 'sick sleeve'.

    • Miami Mall Alien on 24/04/2015 - 00:35
      +9

      In general I think it's people with addictive personalities that will gravitate to tattoos and some mutually inclusive vices like alcohol, cigarettes, bad lifestyle choices, etc.

      Then you have the other end of the spectrum with confused, disillusioned, privileged, middle-class kids who want to project some element of a rebellious and troublesome upbringing or bad influences to their peers with ornately expensive art pieces that ironically make them look all the more like confused, disillusioned middle-class kids with way too much disposable income.

      It does seem to be either wannabe-gangbangers (or welfare types) or confused white kids that make up a majority of the tattooed class today.

      • loulou1 on 24/04/2015 - 12:03
        +10

        Once again, I don't meet either of these descriptions yet I have three tattoos.

        • lenlynn on 24/04/2015 - 21:04
          +2

          Me too. Only one though. Would have more if my partner doesn't feel so strongly against them.

      • duchy on 24/04/2015 - 15:03
        +3

        Nothing is funnier to read than a nice generalisation article. Tattoos do not put people into a specific box. Not in my world at least.

        • Miami Mall Alien on 25/04/2015 - 01:17
          +5

          68 other people likely don't see it that way. I don't know you, and you may very well be a completely well-adjusted, unremarkable guy who just happens to have a tattoo that isn't something inanely idiotic like skeletons, flames, tigers or Chinese characters. It's not outside the realm of possibility.

          But for every one of you, there is an abundance of mind-numbingly superficial drones who slap on tattoos like mobile phone covers, just to feel enlivened in some way.

          You probably know people like that, so I don't need to explain this phenomenon to you.

          Yes, it's tiresome that people can't have a single, somewhat restrained tattoo without being seen as a freak, but so many lifestyle choices are tainted with populist resentment in the same way, that make them untenable to be apart of in some cases. What else is there to say, other than, don't be so thin-skinned?

        • Miami Mall Alien on 25/04/2015 - 02:20
          +2

          @Amar89: I also wanted to add, tattoo enthusiasts' arguments seem to be of the mind that: "I don't want to be judged by my looks but I want/encourage/don't mind being judged by what you think my tattoos mean." You can't have it both ways.

        • Baysew on 26/04/2015 - 14:13

          @Amar89: > What else is there to say, other than, don't be so thin-skinned?

          Good advice for anybody thinking about getting a tattoo.

      • asil92 on 26/04/2015 - 00:31

        Ridiculous

        • Miami Mall Alien on 26/04/2015 - 14:29

          Am I supposed to understand your deep-seated enthusiasm for tattoos from a one word response like I'm supposed to get that Tinkerbell means living life to the fullest?

        • loulou1 on 26/04/2015 - 17:46
          +1

          actually, you aren't meant to get anything from anyone's tattoos. They are for the owner of the tattoo to understand, not you.

    • parisienne on 24/04/2015 - 11:12
      -3

      Hmmmm thorton82.I do NOT come from Melbourne's outer West (Sydney Blue Mtns actually,and a house on the NSW Central Coast…yep,i own TWO houses)
      Don't have a degree…..I GOT 2
      i have never been to Port Melbourne,let alone moved there (and have NO IDEA what a hunky dory is),but i don't hate a bit of loud dance music to drink to at times (at the Adria Bar in Darling Harbour)…..whilst asking whoever is smoking next to me if i can borrow a light.
      I will use a profanity if i spill my cocktail at Adria (hey,i AM an Ozbargainer after all,and $16 worth of French Martini down my shirt calls for it)and my blue top…it's the brand Equipment (haven't had a bonds singlet since i was 8….and then it was pink)
      Baseball cap ?????? Prefer a fedora, and constantly looking around for approval from randoms looking at me ? PLEEEEEASE
      Oh,did i mention…..i have 11 tats,all of which have vast meaning to me and i don't give an expletive as to what Joe Bloggs at Adria (or anywhere)thinks (only 2 are even vaguely visible at work..on my foot).
      Love to know where i fit into your theory.

      • Maz78 on 26/04/2015 - 15:57
        +3

        You've got your back up because Thorton82 made a fairly accurate societal view on them. The fact is you'd be in the minority. Just take a general look at the population with tattoo's, most that I know who are now older regret them and they will always have a "bogan" stigma.

    • loulou1 on 24/04/2015 - 12:02
      +1

      I don't meet any of the points in your description at all, yet I have three tattoos.

    • asil92 on 26/04/2015 - 00:17

      This is so rude.
      I know people with tattoos that have degrees and who are not from the outer west.
      Maybe it's the age gap / tattoos weren't the norm in your day. Because I would think someone born in 82 would know what generalising means.
      Yeah, I'm going to say it's the age speaking in your comment ;) xx

    • DrStinge on 27/04/2015 - 08:55

      This hardly relates to Port Melbourne, it's a lovely suburb.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2015 - 16:23
        +1

        I live in Port Melbourne, it is a shithole.

        • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2015 - 16:37
          +1

          Why do u live there then?

        • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2015 - 17:17
          +2

          @wicket1120:

          I wont in another 2 weeks, but you don't know what a place is like until you live there. Between the bogans, organised crime and self centred assholes, Port Melbourne has to be one of the worst suburbs in Melbourne.

        • King Tightarse on 27/04/2015 - 17:34
          +1

          @thorton82:
          Agree Thornton Port is full of it.
          Also its dirty as. Still has lots of car/truck industry businesses.
          Used to be organised crime hotspot but without Carltons charm and good food.
          It's quite shit.

          Not worse than Seddon though.
          In my mind Seddon and Epping are the worst suburbs in Melbourne.
          Oh wait, there's Dandenong, that's super-shit, and Craigieburn, that's really shit and…

  • RockyRaccoon on 24/04/2015 - 00:45
    +2

    dreams do come true if only we wish hard enough,
    to live is an awfully big adventure and we need to make the most of it,
    and that the world is made up of faith, trust …and pixie dust :)

    all that hidden behind your ear?

    Whats the point. Either

    Dont do it because you realise now you are probably going to regret it.

    Tattoo it on your forehead so you'll remind yourself and others of the stupidity.

  • airzone on 24/04/2015 - 00:54
    +3
    • and that the world is made up of faith, trust …and pixie dust :)
      There's no such thing as pixie dust. lol

    About 10 years ago, I talked my wife out of getting a tattoo… All her friends were getting one at the time. Recently in the last year or two, she thanked me for that (although she wasn't happy at the time) as the novelty, "edginess", and all that crap has faded and the tattoos look like nothing more than tramp stamps.

    Really, really think about what you are doing. Once you get inked, you can't easily go back.

    But why behind the ear? You've had 3 (mostly lol) great revelations.. How can a tinkerbell behind the ear remind you? It's not like you can see it.

    • Miami Mall Alien on 24/04/2015 - 01:18
      +5

      How can a tinkerbell behind the ear remind you? It's not like you can see it.

      More to the point, who the hell is going to connect a tattoo of Tinkerbell behind the ear to some high-faluting principles about the meaning of life?

      A Tinkerbell tattoo behind the ear is… a Tinkerbell tattoo behind the ear. About as decipherable as hieroglyphics.

      The same way a butterfly above a woman's ass cheeks, is… a butterfly above a woman's ass cheeks. Not a magical motif about liberation and femininity.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2015 - 21:02
        +2

        Maybe because those "high-faluting principles" are from one of my kids' favourite movie, Peter Pan. Tinks, short for Tinkerbelle, is my daughter's nickname.

        As for the meaning of life? Life has no meaning, other than the one you choose to give it.

        • Adz81 on 24/04/2015 - 21:09
          +2

          Right there.

          You've just given the best justification (if justification was needed) to get the tattoo you're considering… To heck with the fact other people might not understand it, to heck with what anyone else might think…

          Get a good design, consider it long enough so that YOU (not anyone else) are sure of it, and get it inked.

          Well considered ink is a wonderful thing :)

  • luxx on 24/04/2015 - 01:23
    +15

    Pro-tip: I got a tatt for $100 15 years ago. Have spent around $800-$1000 on removal so far, and it's still not quite gone.

    Do the maths. Are you going to want Tinkerbelle that much 15 years from now?

    • scrimshaw on 24/04/2015 - 01:26
      +19

      Are you going to want Tinkerbelle that much 15 years from now?

      You should a Ozbargain logo then. Ozbargain never goes out of style. Who wants angel wing or cryptic Asian tatoos when you can have the mark of an Ozbargainer — show everyone your wit (bargain seeking skills) and personality (cheapskatiness) with the [OZ] mark!

      Now imagine this tatoo'ed just above your derrière

      °º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ø,¸ (Ozbargainer4Life)°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°°º¤ø,¸

      That's instant sexy in my books.

      • StalkingIbis on 25/04/2015 - 09:59
        +3

        and definitely does represent who you are and remind you of what you want to be hahahaha. it works!

        On topic, grew up in ghetto suburbs, 27, no tatts

  • Davo1111 on 24/04/2015 - 02:34
    +6

    pro: it helps the police identify you if you ever commit a crime

    con: they cost money and look tacky. Also, no matter what you think of them, people can judge you negatively - which hurt in the future i.e. jobs.

    • ExtraSalt on 24/04/2015 - 09:17

      really?! Tattoo's don't automatically make you a criminal. Most get it as an expression of their past and present life, others (like celebs) do it for the novelty and to stay on trend.

      I have a lot of tatted mates, and mum at first was reluctant to accept them, but since knowing them, having them come over to help her move things and just being top blokes, she's learn't to appreciate people for what they do rather than how they look.

      • Davo1111 on 24/04/2015 - 13:58
        +7

        sounds like owning a tattoo lowers your reading comprehension skills. ;)

        Tattoo's don't automatically make you a criminal.

        I never said it did.

        at first was reluctant to accept them

        So she judged them negatively… exactly proving my point.

      • cypher67 on 24/04/2015 - 13:58
        +2

        Davo didnt say it made you a criminal, but if you had a tattoo of a fairy on your neck and you robbed a bank, that tattoo could make you very easy to identify and convict.

        • Davo1111 on 24/04/2015 - 14:00
          +5

          also, if you end up dead, they can use the tattoo as a cheap method of identifying the body (rather than DNA or dental records). Hence it falls as a "pro" ;)

        • lenlynn on 24/04/2015 - 21:07

          @Davo1111: LOL. True that.

        • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2015 - 21:18
          +7

          @Davo1111: One of Gran's friends was talking about getting a tattoo over his heart that would read:

          "TRY HARDER YOU LAZY PARAMEDIC OR I WILL HAUNT YOUR BEDROOM FOREVER”.

          He's 86 :)

    • quaddie on 27/04/2015 - 19:13

      Edit, dupe of Dave's comment

      • Davo1111 on 27/04/2015 - 19:14
        +1

        haha dupe dude :)

  • Ughhh on 24/04/2015 - 03:09

    Maybe for a 16-18 year old

  • loulou1 on 24/04/2015 - 06:33
    +8

    Wow. All so negative. I have three tattoos (reasonably small) which are well hidden. They are for me, not for other people, so they are not in easy to see places. One is of my daughters name. It took a lot of time and heartache to get her. When I am having a crap day, I see the tattoo and I am reminded that sometimes true joy comes after sorrow.

    • RockyRaccoon on 24/04/2015 - 08:59
      +13

      Guess I am old fashioned, I just use my sons picture on my screen saver…

      • loulou1 on 24/04/2015 - 09:10
        +3

        yeah, but i cant carry my computer/phone/whatever (with screen saver) around with me evgerywhere. cant take it into the shower. cant have it in bed. etc etc. A tattoo is a very personal thing.

    • parisienne on 24/04/2015 - 11:19
      +6

      loumick1….sweety.i have two on my ankle for a similar reason…for the babies we had that were taken to God before we got to see them.I will get one for the baby we are expecting now (hopefully)when they come.He or She was fought and tried for with all we have,and it will be a little memento of that.

      • loulou1 on 24/04/2015 - 11:39
        +9

        I hope your baby is strong and healthy and brings you many happy moments.
        I Suffered several miscarriages myself and it was devastating. I started to question whether I would ever be given the gift of becoming a parent.

        • loulou1 on 24/04/2015 - 15:56
          +6

          Wow, someone negged me for wishing someone a healthy baby or for suffering miscarriages myself.
          Harsh.

        • parisienne on 25/04/2015 - 10:49
          +5

          Oh sweet loumick1.My sweet sister.This response WILL be going off topic,but i HAVE to respond.
          Firstly….THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for your beautiful words…it means an awful,awful lot to me.
          Secondly….dreams come true.I know it is the biggest cliche to be said to people like us,but it is true.My 6 miscarriages ended with an answer as to why when i had genetic testing done,and i was found to have a syndrome i never knew i had,which effectively meant that where i should have had two x Chromosomes,on many of my genes i only had 1…ending in the results we were having.Two years + and two cycles of IVF later,we were given an angel who gave us some eggs (proof miracles happen:IT WAS ON GOOD FRIDAY WE WERE ABLE TO START THIS ROUND OF IVF….best Easter Eggs i have ever,or will ever get.It doesn't matter to us,but they were also the most expensive Easter Eggs ever HAHAHA)and NOW,we are almost 3 weeks (not getting excited too much yet,been here before many times…but so hopeful)
          I hope your Bubba is happy,healthy and strong as well,and that if you decide you want more,that another comes to you and has all those things and more in it's little life.We are strong,lucky,blessed women,who won't let a neg or two here upset our joy….remember that.And when negativity comes (as it always does in one form or another),look at your baby,look at your tattoo and smile.The symbol on my ankle reminds me every day that i would walk the world for our babies in Heaven (and if one comes to Earth)and the crucifix….reminds me whose hand helped make this dream possible.xo

        • loulou1 on 25/04/2015 - 10:56

          xxx

        • parisienne on 26/04/2015 - 13:02

          @loumick1: RIGHT BACK AT YOU.XO

  • Sterio on 24/04/2015 - 07:12
    +3

    If you still wear the same type of clothes you did when you were 18 and plan to do so for the rest of your life go for it. Not sure how old you are but picture people wearing flares, boob tubes, fluro clothing, brown suits…….

    • YTW on 26/04/2015 - 22:27

      That's what nailed it as a no for tatts for me when I was younger. A comedian talked about being stuck wearing fashion you thought was cool 15 years ago…and yeah, I realised that no matter how cool that dolphin on the hip and tramp-stamp looked, it was going to make me cringe later on. Am glad I never got one as I think it would annoy me now.

  • macrocephalic on 24/04/2015 - 08:00
    +14

    People are all so negative. I personally don't have any tattoos, but it's mostly because I don't trust myself to pick something I wont regret in 10 years (10 years ago me was an immature idiot, and I'm sure 10 years from now me will think the same). If you have something that really matters to you, a memory of a special moment, loved one, actual heritage, whatever, then you won't regret it because it will always be a reminder of that. If you get an off the shelf design because it looks cool then you'll probably stop thinking it looks cool when you're older.

    I wouldn't put it behind your ear, it's because this tattoo is supposed to be for you, not necessarily others, so put it somewhere that you'll see it most, and secondarily by others - if you want them to see it at all.

  • Adz81 on 24/04/2015 - 08:20
    +6

    I have a simple enough method of determining if I should get it or not… If it means something to me, I'll get it designed… If I still want it 2 years later, I'll get it…

    As for people not being able to get the connection of the tattoo and its meaning… What does that matter? You're getting the tattoo for yourself and you know the meaning of it, that's enough.

    People will always have outdated misconceptions of "the kind of person that has a tattoo", so keep that in mind. That said, given you plan on having it behind the ear so I imagine you could conceal it with your hair if necessary?

    I have two tattoos, one 7 years old and one 2 weeks old, I don't hate either of them,and applied the above practice when deciding on them. Cost wise… I can only speak for Adelaide, but you're looking at a minimum charge of $100-$150, and the same as an hourly rate (I don't think Tink would take much more than an hour, if that). As an aside, finding a tattoo artist is not an area to be a bargain hunter :) Take a look around at artists in your area, find one who's work you like and that you're comfortable with and have at it :D

  • umamandy on 24/04/2015 - 08:29
    +9

    Only advice I have about tattoos is something my friend (who a tattoo on her back) told me. If you're only thinking about it now, go to the parlour in a year's time. In the meantime, pick a design (the Disney Tinkers or a different fairy sort of design question) and put it as the screensaver and background of your phone for a year. If you don't get bored of seeing it a billion times a day, then it's fine to get it as a tattoo.

    Tattoos can have a lot of meaning and as long as they have meaning to you, they're fine. I think there's a lot of bad rep for tattoos because of the people who get drunk tattoos that say "DRUNKARDS 4LYF" or people who get Chinese or Hindu or Arabic written on them because they think it means something. I've talked to a man who, upon learning I'm part Chinese, showed me his tattoo of "Wisdom" and I had to stifle my laughter because it said "rat ox".

    If you want it to be hidden but where you can see it, I'd actually recommend the ankle. People are less likely to look at ankles so less likely to judge. Though an old workmate had a beautiful tattoo of a maple leaf on her ankle and it had me mesmerised and staring at her foot at every lunch break. (this was long before I met AznMitch and I totally don't have a foot fetish before he calls me up on it! :P)

    But it's not like you have to go out of your way to see it. Unlike behind the ear. Warning though. Ankle tattoos hurt to get put on because they're almost directly onto bone.

  • neil on 24/04/2015 - 10:58
    +7

    Get an OzBargain Tattoo!

    • Mikinoz on 24/04/2015 - 11:19

      I think if they added the Ozbargain tattoo in the vote that would be the most popular choice

    • Davo1111 on 24/04/2015 - 14:02
      +5

      http://i.imgur.com/LA7OXTD.jpg

    • [Deactivated] on 24/04/2015 - 17:18

      @neil, only if I can get a matching t-shirt… ;)

      • CheapCoffee on 24/04/2015 - 23:28

        I'm sure they have plenty…

  • ramshead on 24/04/2015 - 11:13

    A tattoo can be handy if a bit of you gets eaten by a shark. I can't do "links', but google "sydney shark arm mystery" for a stranger than fiction story.

  • l005e on 24/04/2015 - 11:19

    Tattoos are cool.

    Justin Bieber is cool right?

    • McFly on 24/04/2015 - 14:44

      Yep, totes gotta get myself a Bieber tattoo!

  • iridiumstem on 24/04/2015 - 12:15
    +4

    I personally think there is no harm in getting one if you are going to be fine with it. That being said, I would remind you that the norm is still against the tattoo and removing one, so I've heard, is very painful and costly.

    I frankly don't like how people are justifying their prejudice against people with tattoo. Prejudice against people with different race and sex you automatically get turned down, but prejudice against people with a tattoo it seems are OK here. People can do whatever they want with their life, and I personally think tattoo is one of them.

    That doesn't mean that prejudice doesn't exist or belittless its potential impact on your social stance. Please do take that into account if you want to get a tattoo. Otherwise, I think it's fine, as long as you count those costs as well.

    • belongsinforums on 24/04/2015 - 22:24

      What about prejudice against people who don't care about getting the best deal they can?

    • tikei on 24/04/2015 - 23:46
      +4

      Race, sex, height, etc, we were born with, it's not something we can control.
      Tattoos are a choice, an action someone decided to take. It's not the same.

      • iridiumstem on 25/04/2015 - 00:05
        -1

        I've heard that so many times, like, you can choose to live our way, you can choose to do this, do that blah blah.
        It's yet another excuse to label others to whatever you feel like labelling. They can choose. They used the same logic to homosexuality and labelled homosexuality as a mental disorder in 60s for example. I might be going slightly tangent (Since I think the nature of labelling someone for just painting something permanently with such profound naming is simply… Correlation do not equal causation, I am going to leave it at that.), but I will continue simply because I can and because the logic of "you can choose" pissed me off a little.

        This is where I draw the line. If you want to bring your prejudice against something, at the very least don't pretend that you are a saint while doing it.
        Racism, sexism, all these isms, they all stem from the same root, the root that prejudice against anything comes from.
        They are different, some of them have these factors that are inferior to us/unwanted by us. We are going to generalise it and going to label them with that generalisation and going to treat them with that generalisation as if that is OK.

        I personally don't understand how "I want to get a tattoo" translates into something that is an act of idiocracy.
        This all reminds me of the olden days where dressing up differently to the norm was considered as being radical and idiotic. They label those "others" with names and associate them with unwanted things like being irrational, being childish. Just like how other race were considered to be "blah" because of some random stats that may or may not apply to everyone. This is why I see this prejudice to people who want a tattoo to be the same to racism or any other prejudice related things.

        I apologise if my words don't flow well, I have went back and forth quite a bit.

        • tikei on 25/04/2015 - 00:51
          +1

          Each decision and action you take reflects a bit of your personality (unless you were forced). It's not simply about appearance, it's about why that person would dress a certain way (or get a tattoo), the meaning behind it. E.g, people dressing in old casual clothes - it could be because they value comfort (a choice), or they are not concerned about fashion (choice), or they are poor and can't afford new clothes (in this case, it's not a choice).
          In the case of tattoos, I can't think of any instances where it wouldn't be a choice unless you're a prisoner. There is always a reason or motive behind each choice and it's a reflection of who you are. In the case of the op wanting Tinkerbell tattoo, I would think that she's a romantic. Would that be prejudice?

        • iridiumstem on 25/04/2015 - 01:09
          +2

          @tikei: I knew I shouldn't have gone tangent.

          The problem with your idea about tattoo and how you can judge people on it is simply this (When I say judge, I think I've indicated enough that it means being judgmental and assoiciating negative aspects like being dumb or being shallow into this). It doesn't say anything other than the person wanted to get a tattoo. It doesn't represent anything other than that. She may have gotten it for sentimental values, she may have gotten it after getting smashed on one friday night. The problem is simple, you cannot deduce anything from it without bring in assumptions. I've seen some people bringing in negative aspects of tattoo with stats like criminals and blah, that's why I said, the idea's stupid, correlation does not equal casusation. By that logic, reduction in number of pirates are the reason for the global warming, as shown by the graph here.

          I guess you can deduce what she likes, but not "she's the criminal type" or "she's dumb for trying to get a tattoo" sort of judgment (which my rant was all based on). I simply see it similar to, getting an ear ring. I'd think, she's fashionable or that must've hurt like hell and move on. That's about it.

          Prejudice, if you want me to give you a definition from dictionary, means this: an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

          I think my anger towards "It's all your choice" lies within the fact that "choices" were excuses usually used to trying to convert people to "normality" when normality is something that's not set in stone and those people who assert those norms tend to use unjustifiable means like social coercion, naming and shaming etc.

  • eathb on 24/04/2015 - 12:53
    +5

    Here's what you do.

    Put the tattoo you want as your phone's main screen for 3 months.

    If you still like that picture in 3 months, go for it.

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