IMHO it is largely technique dependent. I have many tattoos, some going back twenty something years, and I’d bet you couldn’t differentiate a 20 year old piece from one done last year. My work has been done by a few friends, all incredible talents.
In my opinion, the cost issue is the most legitimate “couple’s” issue that has been brought up*. Multiple thousand dollars of tattoos is quite a bit of opportunity cost. That’s not to say that Skald ought to have veto rights purely on the basis of opportunity cost, just to say that Mrs. R does not live in a vaccuum, and needs to consider more than just her own wishes when it comes to spending large sums of money.
*Although I’m not knocking the aesthetic value as a couple’s issue–especially in a case like Sailboat’s where it appears that the person wishing for a tattoo is exhibiting interest in tattoos which are likely to be unaesthetic.
As opposed to…? Surely this was meant in jest.
My 30+ year old tattoos have turned into black blobs. If I could do it over again, I would have never gotten them.
How do they look in context with the rest of your Bod?
I must be boring… I have clothes I’ve owned (and worn) for over 20 years. Just yesterday I realized that my satin burgundy blouse is the one I wore for my college class picture in 1993, and it was bought while in high school (grad. 1986). When I look at old pics and some piece of clothing makes me go “ugh,” it’s something I didn’t like back then either, with one notable exception (a dress from when I was 14).
So for me that’s not really a reason not to get a tattoo. And I’ve known people who’d had tattoos for over 40 years and the tat was fine and looked great; they’d taken good care of it and of themselves.
I do think that for such a large piece it’s a good idea to set some waiting time and to make sure that the design is going to look good at different stages, though. Of course making sure it’s affordable is a must.
My son is an ink junkie, and some of the big murals were done progressively. He also has some small ones that look more like mistakes than body art. 
I hate them.
I’m not the type of person who keeps the same art on the walls all the time, let alone on my body. If you find them sexy, then you should support her. If you don’t find body art sexy, you need to tell her she will be less appealing to you in the physical sense. Ultimately, HOW unappealing they are (as a life-long investment) will be for you to tell her. She might want to get some ink mags and spend some time pondering and looking before she goes under the needle.
Skald, I’d like to echo elbows’ and Quartz’ advice to wait a couple of months after the mess with her work situation. Beyond that I can’t offer any other ideas. Tattoos do nothing for me, so I don’t see any of the benefits that you and your wife see to the idea.
I think you’re wise to leave the ball in her court, provided you can live with her getting inked.
With all due respect: You’ve experienced an endorphin release that made the process pleasurable for you. There is no guarantee that Mrs. the Rhymer will have the same experience. I’ve heard a lot of people who shared your experience. I’ve also heard some who never got that benefit. (Though, to be fair, most of the reports I’ve heard were from squids who got their tattoos at various waterside parlors. I won’t say that I think all of the parlors involved were shady, fly-by-night operations, but I’m sure some were.)
-Loki, who still feels cheated about that whole “runner’s high” BS
I’d advise her to think about it for a while. If she still wants it 9 months from now, then she should explore that idea further.
Again, on a scale from 1 to 10. It’s a 2. I liken it alot to losing one’s virginity (assuming there are no other ‘hangups’) it’s something that’s a much bigger deal BEFORE doing it than after.
But perhaps that’s because I did all of the soul searching up front and didn’t regret it.
My opinion is: I don’t like tattoos. Not even the pretty, well-done ones. I don’t have a good reason for this. I like blue better than green; same thing. I don’t look down upon people with tattoos, and if it makes them happy, I’m glad for them. I just personally don’t think they look very good on anyone.
This does sound kind of spur of the moment. I think it would be wise for her to wait at least six months. If it’s really what she wants she’ll still want it then.
Wow, do I sound like a mom. (Mine, to be specific.)
One thing you guys could do is get some mock-ups of the designs done in temporary tattoo material and see how it looks and if you like it. Not the same, and not cheap, but neither is tattooing. I think it’s pretty rare for the final design to look like the initial concept.
Something you could do together is the Mehndi tattooing. Not permanent, but can be a sexy couples activity. Make sure you get a kit that is just henna powder, none of that black hair dye cr@p. Something like this.