Question for the tattooed members of DU

[NightWatcher]

I recently worked a job for the owner of the big tattoo joint here in town and he said that he would personally give me whatever I wanted if I wanted one. I do not have any to date, but I have almost gotten tatts on three occassions.

My question is how long did you struggle over what to get?

If I had to pick today, I'd get the Nautical Red Star (my avatar) on my shoulder. Either that or "This machine kills facists" per Woody, or the "Gonzo fist" of Hunter S Thompson fame.

I cannot decide and I'm scared that if I get one and I want another I'll end up getting sleeved on both arms and freaking my Baptist parents out. One or two will pass as youthful indiscrection (I'm 31).

[AllegroRondo]

1. I knew what I wanted (in general) for years

the rule of thumb for tattoos - pick out a design, then wait 6 months. If it still looks cool, go ahead and get it.

Too many people make the mistake of getting one on a whim, and end up with something they dont like later. This is something permanent. Will it still look good for your grandkids?

[NightWatcher]

2. I've had three designs fail the "6 month test"

on the upside, I'm not reproducing, so no grandkids will be embarassed

[unpossibles]

3. I got my first at the age of 30 after thinking about it for many, many years

I like them on other people, but I am (a) cheap and (b) not overly impulsive, plus wasn't really able to afford them before then.

I have a black chaos symbol with a "white" (outlined clear really) knot woven between the arrows on my shoulder. They are addictive, and I do have two more ideas, but the hesitant cheapskate in me (and the poor person in me, which shares the same roots...) won't let me do it yet.

[NightWatcher]

4. I'm cheap too, but the money issue just got removed, this guy owes me

and would be happy to decorate myself however I chose.

[unpossibles]

5. two things to remember

1 - the rest of you probably won't look so great when you're 80 either so don't let that stop you

2 - a lot of people have one, more than you think. This is not an "everybody's doing it" excuse so much as a "it won't be such a big deal when we're older" (I'm 36 btw) because they are fairly common.

If it helps, my dad hated them for years - only sailors, prisoners, and whores got them in his mind, but now he has mellowed out about that and other things. Hell, he told me today he has an Impeach Bush sticker on his guitar case, and last November voted straight Dem, and he's always been pretty conservative. I guess I'm saying you never know how your parents will react so don't let it bother you too much.

[Book Lover]

6. I drew the art I wanted, then out it on my monitor for a year

I still wasn't sick or tired of seeing it, so I went ahead with it.

[Omphaloskepsis]

7. If you have to think about it you shouldn't get it.

It is like love. You know when it is right.

[irish.lambchop]

8. Am responding

by proxy - my son just got a tatoo - an awesome Celtic Knot design on his shoulder - am thinking of getting the same one on my shoulder and I'm soon to be 50! Go for it!