# I'd like to get a tattoo. Here's what I don't want: **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 21, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027 "2005-08-21T22:37:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bubastis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bubastis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubastis)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/1 "2005-08-21T22:37:55Z")
Any words or numerals, whether in English, chinese, indian, anything; No animals,birds,fish or creatures, alive or extinct; no flowers or plants of any kind; no portraits of people, livin or dead, alive or otherwise; no flags, emblems or mascots; no designs of a cultural nature i.e. celtic or maori etc; no references to musicians or movies; nothing funny or humorous; nothing shocking or horrific; nothing of a mechanical nature; nothing of an organic nature; nothing of a religious nature, and oh: nothing that will date. Anything fit that list? I’ll know what I want… when I see it! ---
**Author:** ![bupkis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@bupkis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bupkis)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/2 "2005-08-21T22:45:28Z")
a circle ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/3 "2005-08-21T22:45:29Z")
Well sportin’ life, [this is the only thing](http://www.mathmlcentral.com/characters/glyphs/NotEqual_L.gif) I can think of for you. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/4 "2005-08-21T22:46:25Z")
Why on earth do you want to get a tatto if you have no idea what you want? Most people get tattoos that mean something to them. About the only thing that would fit your requirements would be architecture. Or maybe furniture. How about a nice [Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa](http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/B2B/Product/0,,a3-c201-p96,00.html)? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/5 "2005-08-21T23:26:35Z")
I think the OP needs opinions more than a specific factual answer. So-o-o-… …away we go, to IMHO. Moved from GQ. \*\* Samclem\*\* GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![bubastis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bubastis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubastis)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/6 "2005-08-21T23:28:13Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > Why on earth do you want to get a tatto if you have no idea what you want? Decoration. 😃 Your sofa is nice, however i should point out that I also would like a tattoo in only one color. For way of something that interests me, See Ralph Fiennes tattoo in Red Dragon, except maybe not that extreme. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/7 "2005-08-21T23:34:48Z")
[Tattoo a cryptosystem on your skin.](http://www.cypherspace.org/adam/rsa/) Either two or three lines of Perl, and there are links to other diminutive cryptographic programs. Or, if that’s too much, try e[sup]πi[/sup]+1=0. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/8 "2005-08-21T23:35:17Z")
You don’t think the tattoo in Red Dragon is of an organic nature? [Link](http://www.movieforum.com/movies/titles/reddragon/images/tattoo800x600.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/9 "2005-08-21T23:37:52Z")
My friends and I decided we need to talk someone into getting a tattoo of a baked potato… so um…how about a tattoo of a baked potato? 🙂 Or, for extra creativity: a baked yam. Tinfoil, butter, and all. C’mon, it’d be great. ---
**Author:** ![bubastis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bubastis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubastis)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/10 "2005-08-21T23:45:30Z")
Well, I have two options, either stick to my guidelines above, finding just the right design, one which really strikes a chord with me… Or abandom the above beliefs and just get _Calvin and Hobbes_. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/11 "2005-08-21T23:56:20Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > My friends and I decided we need to talk someone into getting a tattoo of a baked potato… so um…how about a tattoo of a baked potato? 🙂 > > Or, for extra creativity: a baked yam. Tinfoil, butter, and all. C’mon, it’d be great. Like Calvin (I think) in _Wayside School is Falling Down_. Wait, I think his was just a regular potato. Baked would be broken open with little wisps of steam coming up from it, I guess. I have no real ideas. But I sort of want to get a financial equation, like future value or something. ---
**Author:** ![Jillyvn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Jillyvn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jillyvn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/12 "2005-08-22T00:29:18Z")
I’m of the humble opinion that tattoos, as a form of permanent body modification, should have some meaning to the person who has it. If you have no idea what you want, you’re not ready. Put the idea on the backburner for a while. Do not go get a cartoon character tattooed no matter how cool he is. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/13 "2005-08-22T00:30:05Z")
> [@bubastis](#): > > Well, I have two options, either stick to my guidelines above, finding just the right design, one which really strikes a chord with me… Or abandom the above beliefs and just get _Calvin and Hobbes_. No no no no no. Bill Waterson NEVER licensed Calvin and Hobbes. He gave up literally millions and millions of dollars because he felt like it was wrong to whore out his art, because he found the thought of seeing his art used as decoration for T-shirts and coffee mugs so distasteful. Whether or not you agree with that stance, respect the sacrifice he was willing to make for principle, and don’t do what he was so desperate to prevent. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/14 "2005-08-22T01:24:14Z")
> [@Manda JO](#): > > No no no no no. Bill Waterson NEVER licensed Calvin and Hobbes. He gave up literally millions and millions of dollars because he felt like it was wrong to whore out his art, because he found the thought of seeing his art used as decoration for T-shirts and coffee mugs so distasteful. Whether or not you agree with that stance, respect the sacrifice he was willing to make for principle, and don’t do what he was so desperate to prevent. Waterson gave [a great speech in 1989](http://bob.bigw.org/ch/comics.html) where he explained his views. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/15 "2005-08-22T02:18:23Z")
Get a series of Rorschach patterns tattooed down your arm and ask people what they think the tattoos are. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/16 "2005-08-22T02:50:52Z")
[The Tattooed Potato](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0525408053/qid=1124679389/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-7555777-9107047?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/17 "2005-08-22T03:09:58Z")
I have given this advice to several people I know you have had the same thought. Find the picture/design/pattern you like (maybe several), make copies and tape them to your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, car dash, any place where you will see it a hundred times a day. After one month, if you still _LOVE_ it, without a doubt or modification, go for it. If you are tired or bored with it by then, don’t put it on for life. This is not meant as a recomendation against, as I have one myself, just a “be sure of your choice” kinda thing. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Side_of_the_Floyd)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/18 "2005-08-22T03:13:17Z")
> [@Manda JO](#): > > No no no no no. Bill Waterson NEVER licensed Calvin and Hobbes. He gave up literally millions and millions of dollars because he felt like it was wrong to whore out his art, because he found the thought of seeing his art used as decoration for T-shirts and coffee mugs so distasteful. Whether or not you agree with that stance, respect the sacrifice he was willing to make for principle, and don’t do what he was so desperate to prevent. Don’t get the “Calvin Peeing” one. :rolleyes: ---
**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:** [August 22, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/19 "2005-08-22T03:34:06Z")
Along the same lines as what **Nic2004** sugggested, I think it might be worthwhile to get the design of your choice as a henna tattoo on the part of your body where you think you’ll want the real tattoo. I believe they only last 10-14 days, but I think it’s as close as you’ll get to the real thing without making a permanent commitment. I think it would be helpful to live with the design on your skin for a while. I like the “one month wait” idea, so maybe get it reapplied at least once – though I have no idea how expensive henna tattoos are, so I don’t know how feasible that idea is. I also don’t know anyone who has done this before getting a tattoo, it’s just an idea I have. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2005, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027/20 "2005-08-22T04:52:23Z")
A [Blivet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_trident_illusion) and/or an [Impossible Cube.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_cube) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-get-a-tattoo-heres-what-i-dont-want/318027.md?page=2)