# are you glad you got (a) tattoo(s)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 1, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948 "2018-02-01T14:20:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/1 "2018-02-01T14:20:30Z")
You, at some point in your past, got a tattoo, possibly more than one. Are you happy with your tattoo? Do you wish you’d gotten a different tattoo? Do you regret getting a tattoo at all? I got no tattoos. I can’t think of any artwork or message that I ever wanted to permanently inscribe on my skin. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/2 "2018-02-01T14:33:56Z")
**Are you happy with your tattoo?** Yes. **Do you wish you’d gotten a different tattoo?** No. **Do you regret getting a tattoo at all?** Not at all. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/3 "2018-02-01T14:51:57Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > You, at some point in your past, got a tattoo, possibly more than one. Are you happy with your tattoo? Do you wish you’d gotten a different tattoo? Do you regret getting a tattoo at all? No, I am not happy with my tattoo. It was a randomly chosen tribal symbol which in hindsight it looks vaguely like one of the white power symbols that are in vogue among terrible people. No, I do not wish I got a different tattoo. In hindsight, it’s like wearing the same quirky sweater for the rest of your life. Yes, I regret getting it. I am in the process of getting it lasered off, which is painful, inconvenient, time-consuming, and expensive. And it might not totally work. I’m not anti-tattoo, it was just a bad choice for me personally. The decision has not aged well, like pretty much every other headstrong decision I made in my early 20’s. For anyone thinking of getting a tattoo, I would encourage you to choose your favorite clothing outfit and wear that same outfit every single day for 6 months. If that commitment seems scary or limiting, consider that the same applies to tattoos. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/4 "2018-02-01T15:13:05Z")
I have dozens. Since my first the longest I’ve gone without getting another has been two years. No regrets. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/5 "2018-02-01T15:26:25Z")
I have a tattoo, thus disproving that tattoos are like potato chips in that you can’t just have one. I got it for my 36 birthday after years of decision and have no regrets. I’ve thought of getting another but I’m 50 now and if anything I might get Kokopelli for my 72nd. Who knows. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/6 "2018-02-01T15:50:04Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > You, at some point in your past, got a tattoo, possibly more than one. Are you happy with your tattoo? Do you wish you’d gotten a different tattoo? Do you regret getting a tattoo at all? > > I got no tattoos. I can’t think of any artwork or message that I ever wanted to permanently inscribe on my skin. Yes, I’m happy with all of my tattoos. Not sure if I’d have gotten different ones, but maybe a few more? I’m getting a bit old now to get new ones. I don’t regret any of them. For full disclosure, my tattoos are my life. They are my kids (both the living ones and those who I lost), special pets, my wife and my folks. Some are in symbolic form, some not, but all are things that are dear to me. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/7 "2018-02-01T15:58:46Z")
Yes, I got my tattoo 20 years ago this June and I’m still happy with it. I love the placement, love how it looks and love the design still. I got it touched up (basically completely re-inked) a few years ago. I hope to get more. I just feel like there’s no better placement for me than the place that’s already inked (inside of left ankle). ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/8 "2018-02-01T16:12:14Z")
I am happy with mine. I’m just surprised that people haven’t decided “ **Shodan** has a tattoo, therefore tattoos are no longer cool.” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/9 "2018-02-01T16:15:08Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I got it touched up (basically completely re-inked) a few years ago. How did that go for you? I’ve thought about getting some of my older work touched up. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/10 "2018-02-01T16:37:48Z")
Yep. I got a simple drawing of a feather on the side of my leg above the knee. Chose that spot because it’s easy to hide or display - simply choose the appropriate skirt length - and I think it’s dead sexy. I’ve been drawn towards shed or “found” feathers since early childhood, and they became sort of a talisman for me. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/11 "2018-02-01T16:48:52Z")
I’m happy with mine and never regret getting them, that is when I ever think of them, which is seldom. They’re just a part of me and when someone says "nice ink’ ,or whatever, it’s almost like being reminded of something that I know, but is never in the forefront of my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/12 "2018-02-01T16:59:42Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > **Are you happy with your tattoo?** > > Yes. > > **Do you wish you’d gotten a different tattoo?** > > No. > > **Do you regret getting a tattoo at all?** > > Not at all. ^ This would be my post, and I have more than 1 tattoo. ETA: As many have said, my tattoos are a part of me and they are a part of _me_; I don’t think about them any more (or less) than I think about any other part of my body or personality or history. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/13 "2018-02-01T17:10:09Z")
Are you happy with your tattoo? All but one, which is on me. I didn’t quite explain what I wanted and ended up with a corsage instead of a shoulder cap. Do you wish you’d gotten a different tattoo? Well, I wish I had a shoulder cap. All the rest are exactly what I wanted. Do you regret getting a tattoo at all? Nope. And since I currently cannot get ink, I am saving up for when it’s possible again (year after transplant). ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/14 "2018-02-01T17:18:11Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > How did that go for you? I’ve thought about getting some of my older work touched up. Just fine, easy peasy. My friend (who is a professional) did it in my house. He literally just traced over it. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/jHnnzgv.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/oPJQG) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/15 "2018-02-01T17:22:59Z")
**Are you happy with your tattoo?** Overall, yes. The line quality isn’t great, but you’d have to look closely to actually notice. **Do you wish you’d gotten a different tattoo?** No. **Do you regret getting a tattoo at all?** Not at all. I wish it was easier to show people (it’s on my upper back/shoulder), but I wouldn’t move it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/16 "2018-02-01T17:30:15Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Just fine, easy peasy. My friend (who is a professional) did it in my house. He literally just traced over it. > > [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](https://imgur.com/a/oPJQG) Nice! I looked up the bible reference and it is interesting. I’d never run across it. ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/17 "2018-02-01T17:41:45Z")
I do not have any tattoos, but very very seriously considered getting 1 or 2 a few years ago. And I am now very happy and satisfied that I ultimately decided against it. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/18 "2018-02-01T18:23:05Z")
I’ve wanted mine for nearly eight years, and I finally got it two years ago May. It’s on my left shoulder blade so I can’t see it unless I look in a mirror. No regrets. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/19 "2018-02-01T18:27:27Z")
Yes, I’m glad I got tattooed; I love my ink and I think I always will… Of the several pieces I have, one of them isn’t representative of who I am any longer, but even that one has an interesting visual aspect. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948/20 "2018-02-01T18:28:35Z")
At 23, I got a G-clef tattoo on my right ankle. At 28, I got a wolf tattoo on my upper left arm. I am now 46 (and female, FWIW). I don’t regret the tattoos themselves, but I do wish the designs had been slightly different. Simpler. The G-clef came with some background color that it didn’t need (and trying to “fix” it 10-12 years ago just made it worse), and I should have gotten simply the wolf and not the tribal-looking pattern behind/around it. The moral of my story could be “start small.” Embellishment can always be added later if desired, but not easily, cleanly, or cheaply removed. I do sometimes think about getting a third one. My mom died a couple of years ago, and her nickname in high school/college was Star. So if I can ever find a design I like and figure out where to put it, I’d be willing to get something related to stars. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-glad-you-got-a-tattoo-s/807948.md?page=2)