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

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

Comments

  • +3

    I've had a tattoo on my foot for years and have never regretted it once. It's in reference to my surname (it's in another language and means an animal), and I'm female so I'll likely take my husbands name when/if I get married.

    I don't see the harm in them. They are not as big of a deal as people think. Just put it somewhere you can hide it, keep it modestly sized and honestly you'll probably forget you even have it

  • +3

    I have had a tattoo on my shoulder blade for the last 15 years - I still love it. The only regret I have is that I chose pastel colours for it to be coloured in with and the colours are hard to see as the lines around the edges of the coloured shapes (which are quite small) have thickened/blurred and the pastel colours just mot strong enough to show up. So my advice would be to go for brighter colours or just monochrome - not sure if that works for tinkerbell.

  • +2

    I think long and hard about the design before I make the decision, for my art work I printed out the design to scale, and kept it somewhere I would see it everyday, if after a while I was sure I actually liked it, I would go to the shop and get it done. Now, my tattoos are a part of my body, just like a scar, freckle, birthmark etc. I won't regret getting them in 20 years.

  • +12

    No Ragrets!

    • +2
    • +2

      So many tattoos of chinese characters that sounds odd if you understand mandarin! This girl I saw obviously wanted "water, earth, fire" but did the character for 'floor' instead of earth.

      • +2

        Maybe she wanted to have, "We need water, the floor is on fire" or something like that tattooed? You never know.

  • +2

    Perhaps instead of spending money on some symbolism of a few mantras, spend the money towards the dreams you are trying to wish for and towards making the most of your life adventure?

    Personally I find (especially as of late) people are trying to find mantras to live by instead of just living. You don't need to perform acts of glorified skin mutilation to act as a constant reminder of what you're trying to do.. if you do need to be reminded perhaps they're not really the goals you are after. The self fulfilment you seek can be achieved without tattooing it on your skin.

    If however, you just want to have a tinkerbell tattoo, well go for it.

  • +1

    Get a henna kit from an asian (indian) shop or online and get JJB to draw it on you!

    • +1

      I am sort of jealous of their relationship :(
      I wish my girlfriend would let me draw things on her. She wouldn't because she knows me too well; She knows that I would draw things like poop :(

      • +2

        @AznMitrch, he wanted to draw a young Sangoku and I said no. Then he suggested Nicky Larson and I almost wavered because well, Nicky's hot.
        We finally agreed on Jack London's Credo…and it took forever because I'm ticklish.

        Sharpie : $2
        Hubby entertained for hours: priceless :)

        • hahahahahahaha, that sounds amazing!

          Hmmm, time to talk to my gf.

        • @AznMitch:

          You got those references, no google required, heh? :)

        • @wicket1120: Unfortunately. I was not nerdy enough :'( In my defence, my childhood was mostly spent with me being monolingual, so I didn't recognise the English names.

          My gf will get them all though.

        • +1

          @AznMitch:

          English names

          Hmmm I watched it in French, so those could be the French spelling of their English names :)

        • @wicket1120: Ohhh, that sort of explains why it was spelt Sangoku… It took me few seconds to realise that. :) They spell his name as Son Goku in English speaking countries :)

        • +2

          To be fair, I heard sangoku and thought you meant "three kingdoms" in Japanese. (pretty famous old Chinese story)

          I would totally love characters drawn on my body in sharpie, but Mitch would probably draw other things… On my face. :P

        • @umamandy: Elephants :) Elephants with mane because I am creative. :)

      • Poop is the least of my worries.

        • +1

          Good digestive system is something that people don't really value unless they don't have it. Good on you for not having to worry about poops.

    • -1

      Read my edit .Great minds really do think alike, don't they ? :)

  • 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.

    Reminds me of The Pillow Book.

  • +2

    Is it possible to get it made as a temp tattoo first so you can trial it out.

    • It is, at Tattoodo, you pretty much throw your tattoo design request at a whole panel of artists, with the price you're willing to pay, and they design it for you, consulting as needed, then you choose a winner. The website will send you a temporary transfer that will last a couple of weeks if you select it as an extra.

  • Can we get a PIC of JJB's artwork :)

    • Looks a bit like this. NSFW?

      • +1

        that seems to be a trend right now.
        I think it looks fine but maybe not quite so much text. I still prefer a nice looking picture to mean something than just text and I think the text would end up being a blur after many years (fine lines slowly blur, text is all fine lines.)

        Tattoos are cool,and mean a lot to people, they aren't the gangster meaning that people think any more, they are a fashion item, unfortunately fashions change so the tatt has to really mean something to you (it doesn't have to mean anything to others, just you)

      • arm is in the way.

        • I couldn't agree more. She needs to chop off her left arm…its getting in the way of the tattoo :p

      • +1

        I've seen a lot of gorgeous torso tattoos of verses - but just a warning, pregnancy can do some terrible damage to tattoos on your torso. I've seen some shockers (in a closed group, so not allowed to share the pics. Am sure there'd be plenty if you googled it). Just something to consider if you do decide to get a tattoo and are considering future children.

        • +1

          thanks for the advice :)

  • +4

    Wouldn't get one. My brother is a tattooist and is constantly bugging me to get one but I refuse to be drawn in by the hype and I personally don't do something just because everyone else is getting one. In 5-10 years time the fad will be over and everyone will be like omg why did I get this!

    • Everyone else is not getting one. Its a certain subset of society.

  • -2

    Tattoos is so 70's. Majority of people I know regrets getting tattoos after 10-15 years while the rest is just stubborn to admit.
    There is nothing cool about tattoos these days… people look at you differently and most of the time in negative way… while it doesn't do you any justice when you go for job interviews etc…

    • -1

      Tatts are hot right now. Hott!!

  • +1

    If you are going to get henna, from my memories with my mother trying to dye my hair with henna, those things can stain (surprise, surprise) surfaces so easily. Make sure that you don't spill it anywhere. :)

    • Bought some boat shoes that were dyed with Henna. When they got wet they left my feet covered with light brown freckles. Been over 25 years and still got the freckles.

  • +4

    You are an Ozbarginer, married to an Ozbarginer.

    Are you sure you are ok paying somebody a few hundred to write and draw on you when you can get your kids and hubby to do it for free?

    You can get your own kit off ebay for $53 delivered, $43 if you still have that $10 ebay voucher.
    http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/full-tattoo-kits

    You could shave part of your hair behind your ear and hide it there. Leave your hair out and it should be invisible until you grow your hair back.
    https://www.google.com.au/search?q=skrillex+hairstyle&tbm=is…

  • +1

    Pure henna (the red stuff, not the black stuff - that has other chemicals in it) is available from Indian shops. It's the same henna used for dying hair and mehndi.

  • Well, the lads and lasses in the hospital presume anyone with a tattoo has Hep-C, anyone with a visible tattoo to have an STD (or STI depending on how up to date you are). I know a lot would be tempted to talk about the vigorous sanitation protocols we have in our tattoo parlors - if you believe this to be your saving grace, presume I know nothing.

    PS. I don't discriminate against tattooed patients/staff but all my staff would absolutely not get a tattoo again after what they've seen.

  • +1

    one of the advantages of a tat is that they help police to identify the body.

  • -1

    Tatts are cool definitely get one.

  • Just get a tattoo with ink that will dissolve once exposed to a certain spectrum of light…

  • dreams do come true if only we wish hard enough

    In all the talk of pros and cons of getting a tattoo, I think this was missed. Dreams come true only if we wish hard enough? Not instead if we work hard enough at making them come true (and/or are obscenely lucky)?

  • Was in a sauna and this guy came in with a tattoo on his chest, over his heart. It is a chinese character. "鸡"

    I left the sauna with haste. Steamed chicken is rather tasty but I prefer not be in the same pot.

  • +1

    My simple rule on tatts.

    They are permanent "fashion" choices.
    No matter what you think you are going to want in 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 years,
    you probably wont.

    No one ever thought flares could go out of style either.
    My music teacher had a flared out super cool 70's wedding. They are all hanging out and groovin 70's style in the photos.
    Looks ridiculous now. Specially seeing as he is a fat bald goose.

    • No matter what you think you are going to want in 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 years, you probably wont.

      I take it that you're not married? o.O

      • +2

        Comparing a tattoo with a marriage is a bit of a stretch don't you think?

  • +1

    Be unique. DON'T get a tattoo. Nowadays it seems if you don't have ink you're in the minority.

  • +1

    dreams do come true if only we wish work hard enough

    That's better.

  • Could be worse. Some guy with a portrait of his baby son on the side of his head..

    https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/dad-gets-massive-tattoo-of-b…

    • +1

      “Face, neck, and hand tattoos are called ‘job stoppers’ for a reason so people should give those areas more thought.”

      Lol. This guy is on the path of becoming a full NEET.

  • +1

    What it all boils down to is the tattoo is for YOU. What you get and where you put it is up to YOU. It's a personal choice!!!! You do it because YOU want it. I have two tattoos for over 40 years now and they are small and unobtrusive, but they represent parts of MY life, and I have never regretted them once.

  • Only if you want to be unemployable.

    • I would in my field. I'm expected to be young and hip.

      • +2

        That'ts it right there!!!!
        One day you wont be young. You may still be hip. But you cant be young forever.
        Tatts are pretty much forever though and if you go ahead you will still have the tatts that the fashions of 2015 dictate.
        You may go on to be someones Nan. A Nan with 2015 tatts.
        I see you have decided to not get a tatt after all. I applaud you, a wise, wise choice.

        Guess what came after long hair and bowl cuts in the 70's? Spiky hair.
        After flares? Stovepipes.
        The coolest possible thing after tatts?…. I bet it's cleanskin.
        Seems impossible right?

        • +2

          Dear King T,

          my skin thanks you. So does my husband btw :) No tattoos for me.

        • +1

          @wicket1120:
          On behalf of your future now non-mortified children at the beach,
          I applaud you.

        • I remember back in the 2000s when one of the mums found out that studded belts were back in fashion, only to pull her old one out from the early 80s. It didn't work.

      • +1

        In 10 years time, they may become "uncool" again… and then you're stuck with it. I only need to look at my parents photos of them wearing flared pants to remind myself of that. At least the photos are the only reminder.

        • Hate to have to say this to you Davo, but flared pants are back in again : linky :p

        • @wicket1120:

          Not sure i'm a fan of the flared jeans tbh, but i really cant call myself a fashion connoisseur.

          Mind you, women who can fit into those clothes in the first place can probably get away wearing almost anything.

        • @Davo1111:

          Pro tip:You have to buy them in extra-tall and match them with killer high heels.They'll make your legs look like they go on forever.

          Feel free to share that tip with your ladyfriends..or at your next AMA :p

  • +1

    Don't let other people decide what you should do with your body.

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