# My tattoo appointment is tonight - please tell me everything is going to be all right **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263 "2011-04-21T18:48:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/41 "2011-04-21T20:46:34Z")
Scottish. And I did take your original point. But this wouldn’t be the Dope if someone didn’t nitpick. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/42 "2011-04-21T20:49:52Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Thank you, also to Twickster, it was a joke based on Skald’s definition of being judgmental. I think you may have misunderstood. Being that this is the first time in 12 years (that I can remember) that I’ve had any kind of a warning, even a non-warning warning, could you show me why it wasn’t appropriate. I don’t think it’s fair of you to slap me for making what you consider to be a not-funny joke. > > Also, Skald, thank you for saying that, I assumed you reported me and was worried you didn’t get my apparently bad joke and felt kinda stupid for a minute. I’m sure you meant to write _the proper definition of judgmental_, not _Skald’s defintition_, etc. 🙂 But didn’t come back to be silly. I came back to ask **Mika** if she has a picture of the tattoo she wishes to share. Not necessarily a picture of it on your wrist, mind you, just the image you’ve chosen. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/43 "2011-04-21T20:53:01Z")
Oh, it is very simple. Something like this: [Om](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.layogaloca.com/images/om.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.layogaloca.com/om/&usg=__sp0PnPxEjxjr8HjldqpQ4UBgvIc=&h=400&w=400&sz=35&hl=en&start=0&sig2=cukUWvWQqr7AWWKlyGMKRg&zoom=1&tbnid=AIsRbdeqK4TsyM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=140&ei=9piwTcvoEMOdgQel4a3zCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dom%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1004%26bih%3D583%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=47&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=95&ty=100%5B/) Only in more of a coppery color. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/44 "2011-04-21T20:54:36Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Oh, it is very simple. Something like this: > > [Om](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.layogaloca.com/images/om.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.layogaloca.com/om/&usg=__sp0PnPxEjxjr8HjldqpQ4UBgvIc=&h=400&w=400&sz=35&hl=en&start=0&sig2=cukUWvWQqr7AWWKlyGMKRg&zoom=1&tbnid=AIsRbdeqK4TsyM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=140&ei=9piwTcvoEMOdgQel4a3zCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dom%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1004%26bih%3D583%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=47&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=95&ty=100%5B/) > > Only in more of a coppery color. Has your artist told you how long it will take? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/45 "2011-04-21T20:54:58Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Has your artist told you how long it will take? 20-30 minutes. So as you can see, I am fretting over nothing, really. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/46 "2011-04-21T20:59:48Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > 20-30 minutes. > > So as you can see, I am fretting over nothing, really. 🙂 :: checks schedule :: You’re allowed. You are not required to be an absolute rock, impervious to fear, nervousness, and cravings for caffeine until 19 June, and even then it’s only for the day. Mine took about an hour, and the stoopid RhymerRules prohibit me from crying like an Etruscan in public so instead of letting my eyes get wet I had to grit my teeth and meditate on my hatred of – well, everything, really, me being me – but even so I got over it. And, like all bullies, I am essentially a coward. You’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/47 "2011-04-21T21:04:29Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It will hurt, but if it’s only one inch square, it’s not going to take long (twenty minutes or a half hour maybe) and the pain is gone literally the second the needle stops. Even when they stop to re-ink, you’ll be pain free. It is like a sunburn for about as long, after. I have nearly a full sleeve. > [@Anaamika](#): > > Oh, here’s the important thing - this is not just the first tattoo. This is the ONLY tattoo. So it has to be where I want it, exactly, as I will never get another one. > > And really, I can tell you for sure, it is easily hidden with a watch or bracelets. > > I’ve considered this long, and I know I am not making a hasty decision, and feel better just talking it out. 🙂 Seriously, I get myself all wrought up over things. I was scared to death of getting my nose pierced and it’s now…eighteen years later and I still have it and I still love it. Obviously I am used to judgy people, so that won’t be new. Ask **Stendhal Syndrome** , she is from your country and has a couple ‘traditional’ and sanskrit symbols… > [@Joey\_P](#): > > In that respect, remember when they put on the temporary purple outline first. The one with the special paper and Speedstick. That’s going to be it’s final resting place, so feel free to say “No, can you move it up a little” or “It doesn’t look straight” It’s a lot easier to wipe it off and reposition it now that it will be afterwords. Almost every tattoo, except the first I had, I was too concerned to do this- now, it is common- please, take this advice… > [@astro](#): > > I’ve rarely seen people with just > one tattoo. Getting one seems to almost universally fuel a desire to have more of them. True. > [@Anaamika](#): > > ? I might say something about a shirt, but I would actually be much more careful about what I said a tattoo, unless it was terrible (I mean the art) or spelled wrong or something. Tattoos can be very personal. I know in my case they are. > > Hell, I disapprove of people who have kanji tattoos and don’t speak a word of Japanese, all the damn time. I sit there in my judgy judgingness but I never ever say a word to them, and they never know. Of course my close friends already know how I feel about them. But they also know I would still love them if they got a kanji tattoo. I mean, it doesn’t change who they _are_. > > I have confidence I will be happy with just one tattoo. I am not getting it really for the tattoo aspect…so here’s a little background. > > I am incredibly Americanized, to an extent that occasionally distresses me. I still speak my language and listen to my music, and…that’s about it. I don’t dress in traditional clothes. I don’t go to temple. I don’t connect in any but the most subtle with my heritage. People have known me, in person, for months and not caught on that I am Indian. (Sometimes they think I am Latina. Sometimes they don’t even think about it.) > > The gem in my nose and the Om tattoo are ways of me connecting with the thousands of years of culture and history behind me. It’s my way. I don’t expect anyone else to understand it or subsidize it or like it, except maybe my SO, and even he doesn’t have final say on what I do or do not do with my body. I mean, he has input, and absolutely I talked this over with him before I made my decision. If I was getting a full-back tattoo my head would probably spin by how fast he’d be out the door. 😃 I kid. Mostly. But then I would never do that, and he knows it - I lean on the conservative side, too. > > Hell, I’ve seen women with bracelets, watches, pretty little scarves, and a thousand other things to hide your wrist with. If a future employer says “You must cover your tattoo to work here”, I can do it. I took my nose piercing out and put it back in every day for years at a previous job where they did not like the image. > > **MikeF** , Next I’ll get my mound of Venus tattooed, with a palm tree and a sun, so it thinks it’s on vacation. 😃 😃 > > I give blood, and the nose ring was pretty goddamn painful, so I can probably take it. > > Oh yes, and lastly, I am thirty-five, so it is not exactly a youthful impulse, either, **Mrs. Cake**. Then again I got my nose pierced when I was 17…pretty darn youthful! It hurts like hell, especially there… so do be willing to take a pain killer (but not a blood thinner like asprin) and don’t drink… AND YOU DISAGREE WITH MY KANJI!! lol. I am a wood tiger pisces and have that on my inner arm- third tattoo… the tiger bit is a kanji… ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/48 "2011-04-21T21:09:50Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Oh, it is very simple. Something like this: > > [Om](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.layogaloca.com/images/om.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.layogaloca.com/om/&usg=__sp0PnPxEjxjr8HjldqpQ4UBgvIc=&h=400&w=400&sz=35&hl=en&start=0&sig2=cukUWvWQqr7AWWKlyGMKRg&zoom=1&tbnid=AIsRbdeqK4TsyM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=140&ei=9piwTcvoEMOdgQel4a3zCw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dom%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1004%26bih%3D583%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=47&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=95&ty=100%5B/) > > Only in more of a coppery color. Oh, and that is about as popular as the kanji on white people, you know that, right? Nearly .5 of the people I know have an om- half of those don’t know what it means or that it is part of a phrase… ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/49 "2011-04-21T21:14:50Z")
You will be FINE and you will have a new great experience to talk about!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/50 "2011-04-21T21:15:09Z")
> [@gurujulp](#): > > Oh, and that is about as popular as the kanji on white people, you know that, right? Nearly .5 of the people I know have an om- half of those don’t know what it means or that it is part of a phrase… Don’t listen to him, **Mika!** It doesn’t matter how popular your tattoo is, or even if it’s a cliche. All that matters is that YOU like it (and that the artist is competent, the instruments sterile, and the procedure safe). ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/51 "2011-04-21T21:32:34Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Don’t listen to him, **Mika!** > > It doesn’t matter how popular your tattoo is, or even if it’s a cliche. All that matters is that YOU like it (and that the artist is competent, the instruments sterile, and the procedure safe). ARG… I lost my post- But I didn’t tell her NOT to do it- I have a kanji- that removes me from all consideration anyhow… Here’s one arm… [http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t340/gurujulp/tats1.jpg](http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t340/gurujulp/tats1.jpg) and [http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t340/gurujulp/tats2.jpg](http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t340/gurujulp/tats2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/52 "2011-04-21T21:40:59Z")
This is not the best decision you are making today. That would be changing your mind about a tattoo. No use asking why. I already know. And that can’t be corrected with some words here. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/53 "2011-04-21T21:47:47Z")
> [@gurujulp](#): > > ARG… I lost my post- > > But I didn’t tell her NOT to do it- Don’t bother me with facts. I was being judgmental. 🙂 Facts get in the way when I’m doing that. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/54 "2011-04-21T22:00:51Z")
I’ve never seen a tattoo in a “coppery color.” I am \*intrigued \*… ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/55 "2011-04-21T22:33:48Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > This is not the best decision you are making today. That would be changing your mind about a tattoo. > > No use asking why. I already know. And that can’t be corrected with some words here. Some of us don’t really like the idea of getting tattoos, but this isn’t the appropriate time or place to offer those opinions. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/56 "2011-04-21T22:43:12Z")
I always like it when people say “Duuude, what’s the kanji on your [arm](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/j8.jpg) mean?” (you can see it on my forearm), and I reply “Dude, it means [Dog](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/tat.jpg).” People often mistake mine for kanji at a glance. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/57 "2011-04-21T22:44:14Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > Some of us don’t really like the idea of getting tattoos, but this isn’t the appropriate time or place to offer those opinions. No, it wouldn’t be. But a tattoo thread just wouldn’t be complete without a threadshitter. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/58 "2011-04-21T22:47:19Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I always like it when people say “Duuude, what’s the kanji on your [arm](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/j8.jpg) mean?” (you can see it on my forearm), and I reply “Dude, it means [Dog](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/tat.jpg).” > > People often mistake mine for kanji at a glance. That’s awesome… ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/59 "2011-04-22T00:10:09Z")
I’ve got a tattoo on the inside of my left wrist - the worst part about it was when he was colouring right over the tendon. But it wasn’t pain so much as it was just an odd feeling in the tendon. Unfortunately my dog managed to catch it with his dewclaw while it was still healing, so it’s scarred and gone a bit patchy, but that ties in with the aesthetic of the symbol itself so I don’t mind 🙂 I get SUCH an endorphin high from being inked, though. I got this one done just after midday one Friday afternoon, and I was floating around town grinning like a fool for the rest of the day because I just felt so AWESOME. It also makes me want to get more 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263/60 "2011-04-22T00:57:12Z")
Guys. That was so not a big deal. It took, I approximate, about fifteen minutes. It hurt, but nowhere near as bad as say, waxing, or even a burn. Hell, I burned myself on the steam from some mashed potatoes last week and it hurt more and longer. First pic: [Tattoo](https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WjKyk4EBv_-4RfVslwiBlIOgABSOqHr0nQv_tkqF-3I?feat=directlink) It’s a little blurry - the pic, not the tattoo - but I’ll get another one in the daylight. And i love it. She said to take the bandage off and use this tattoo goo, and keep it clean and dry. > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > :: checks schedule :: > > You’re allowed. You are not required to be an absolute rock, impervious to fear, nervousness, and cravings for caffeine until 19 June, and even then it’s only for the day. 19 June? :dubious: I’ll remember. Why that date? > [@gurujulp](#): > > It is like a sunburn for about as long, after. I have nearly a full sleeve. > > AND YOU DISAGREE WITH MY KANJI!! > lol. I won’t drink, and I never take asprin anyway, so that’s good. And I may disapprove and be all judgy about your tattoo, but I am still fond of _you_. 🙂 > [@gurujulp](#): > > Oh, and that is about as popular as the kanji on white people, you know that, right? Nearly .5 of the people I know have an om- half of those don’t know what it means or that it is part of a phrase… Heh. Perhaps, but it doesn’t have to be original, like Skald says. The name Anaamika was not original. But it is \*my \*idea - no one gave it to me. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > I always like it when people say “Duuude, what’s the kanji on your [arm](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/j8.jpg) mean?” (you can see it on my forearm), and I reply “Dude, it means [Dog](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/JoeyJoeyPP/tat.jpg).” > > People often mistake mine for kanji at a glance. I can see why. Not bad looking. Thank you for all of your support! And my SO went with me and sat with me and would have held my hand except it didn’t hurt that much. It was more…annoying, really. You wanted to smack it away, and it set my teeth on edge a bit…that was it. WHEW! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-tattoo-appointment-is-tonight-please-tell-me-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/579263.md?page=4)