# Non-inked Dopers: if you were going to have a tattoo, what would it be? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867 "2004-05-06T17:11:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/61 "2004-05-09T19:33:20Z")
I’ve thought for years about getting a tattoo of an antique map compass. I love maps. I think they’re beautiful art, and I love the compasses. Something like [a href=“[http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:zoeBnF8pmeUJ:www.eec.ab.ca/images-all/images/antique%20map.gif](http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:zoeBnF8pmeUJ:www.eec.ab.ca/images-all/images/antique%2520map.gif)”]this. However, I don’t really like the idea of permanent marks on my skin. And I’ve been informed that you can’t get gold tattoos (most map compasses have gold leaf), and yellow, which would be the best substitute, wouldn’t show up well on my pale skin. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2004, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/62 "2004-05-09T19:34:41Z")
Dammit, I’ve only been on this MB for five years, you don’t really expect me to know the coding, do you? [Link.](http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:zoeBnF8pmeUJ:www.eec.ab.ca/images-all/images/antique%2520map.gif) ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/63 "2004-05-10T07:30:59Z")
personally, once the weight loss and working out stress begin to subside (in about 13 months) I plan to get several… 1. The number 1.618, explained more thoroughly [Here](http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/science/story/0,12450,875198,00.html) placed on my right Bicep. 2. Ambigrams of the words earth/air/fire/water, found [Here](http://www.johnlangdon.net/website/New_Pages/Angels_Demons.htm) with some variation, in that they will be in a circle, surrounding a pentagram, placed on my left Bicep 3. A properly metered Eye of Horus found [Here](http://www.aloha.net/~hawmtn/horus.htm) on the back of my neck (a bit cliched, but I like it) 4. A Maltese Cross on the side of my right thigh over the ambigram of “fire” as seen in the above link. 5. The word “sinner” in old english font down the side of my left thigh. Barring No. 5 though, I may go with a large Ankh and some heiroglyphs (sp?) on my back. No color anywhere, black line only. Soon enough, the pain will begin. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/64 "2004-05-10T12:11:24Z")
For the Lemony Snicket fans: An eye tattooed on my left ankle. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/65 "2004-05-10T13:05:17Z")
I always wanted an eye tatooed onto the palm of my left hand. But I’m too chicken. ---
**Author:** ![35340](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/8baadc/32.png) [@35340](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/35340)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/66 "2004-05-10T13:19:48Z")
> [@TV time](#): > > The islanders got me drunk and then took me to have the tatoo done, but apparently I was not drunk enough when I saw the old lady in charge of the tatooing dipping a sewing needle mounted on a thin piece of wood in some Indian ink and smiling toothlessly at me. I chickened out and staggered out. It probably would have faded a lot, too, because according to one tat artist I know, the alcohol in your blood would make the ink not ‘take’ as well. Of course, he wasn’t using a sewing needle and Indian ink … ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/67 "2004-05-10T14:02:46Z")
If and when I _ever_ think of some graphic design that I absolutely love so much I want it permanently etched onto my epidermis… …well, I suppose I’ll go out and get it done, then. Till then, though, the question is kind of moot. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/68 "2004-05-10T15:25:48Z")
I’ve been deliberating this for the past 20 years. I’ve thought of a naked woman on a bed of roses, a grinning skull with a top hat, or some kind of weird looking tribal marking design. People keep telling me I should draw my own design and get the tattoo artist to put that on. I still dunno what I’m gonna do. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/69 "2004-05-10T15:38:15Z")
Am I the only one in the world that’s never considered getting a tattoo? If I wanted a tatoo, I’d have a tattoo, I just never thought of a tattoo as something I’d want. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/70 "2004-05-10T16:02:58Z")
> [@hlanelee](#): > > I would get **DNR** tattooed on my chest. If they ever find me dead in a ditch again, they can leave me that way. One recovery like mine has been enough. I don’t know if you’re joking or I’m being wooshed, but you know that a tattooed DNR doesn’t qualify as a ‘living will’. They’ll save you anyway. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/71 "2004-05-10T16:15:17Z")
**jarbaby** , I think that’s the guy who was in a really nasty wreck and was on life support for a while. IIRC, he had a broken back and lots of neurologic problems resulting from the break, and it took him _years_ to recover. If I were him, I’d want something permanent to make the ER staff check on my DNR status, too. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/72 "2004-05-10T20:11:38Z")
I almost got one two months ago when I turned 30, but I couldn’t quite commit to it, and I was worried about the cliche of “getting a tattoo when you turn 30” - and it ended up with me deciding that I don’t really want to get one yet. And I’m still afraid of my skin stretching in bizarre ways and more recently afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get drugs should I ever be lucky enough to have a kid. I really don’t see doing that without drugs. Still, I like the idea of what I wanted to get (it’s an overstylized combination of two symbols) or possibly angel wings (but I haven’t yet quite figured out what that would look like) on the small of my back. Still cliche, I know. ---
**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/73 "2004-05-11T01:25:59Z")
Probably never will because I don’t like needles, but if I did it would be a type of ying and yang symbol on my shoulder. Or if I really had too much to drink, the see no evil. hear no evil, speak no evil monkies. ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/74 "2004-05-11T02:04:22Z")
There is only one tattoo I would ever get. I race in sprint triathlons. If I ever finish an Ironman-distance triathlon, I’d get a periodic table of elements entry for iron on a shoulder blade. The atomic number and weight would be the same, but I’d replace the shell configuration numbers with the distances of the respective events (2.4, 112, 26.2). (Realistically, I don’t think I’d ever complete an Ironman. The swim would kill me.) ---
**Author:** ![Sinshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sinshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinshine)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/75 "2004-05-11T02:34:01Z")
**If** I were to get over the idea of the pain, and **if** I were ever willing to pay for it, I would get a tattoo. The image I have in mind is a Celtic-knotwork version of the Tree of Life, where the roots and crown are entwined into a circle. I would have it done just above my tailbone, and current trends be damned. ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/76 "2004-05-11T06:05:55Z")
I keep poking at the idea of getting fairy wings tattooed on my shoulder blades, but I’m so cheap I doubt I’ll ever get them. Besides, the skin of my upper back pretty scarred from acne, so I don’t know if the ink would take well. ---
**Author:** ![Spikesbud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Spikesbud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spikesbud)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/77 "2004-05-14T20:00:15Z")
I would have my signature tatooed on my right ankle. Then I would be a signed original. ---
**Author:** ![ReBusEniGma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@ReBusEniGma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReBusEniGma)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867/78 "2004-05-14T22:27:53Z")
I’m sure this has been thought of before, but I always thought it would be meaningful _and_ sentimental to design an original, unique shape not unlike a sort of puzzle piece. It would be incomplete, yet on its own would not _look_ unfinished. This I would have put on the inside of my left wrist. MrseNiGma would then have the ‘missing’ piece that would perfectly fit into mine on her left wrist. Together they would make the completely whole, yet new design. Both would be rather small, mine would be around 1" in diameter and hers wold be about 3/4" in diameter. Maybe sometime, but as I stated in the tattoos on women thread, she’ll hear nothing of any sort of permanent marking of her skin. Yet… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-inked-dopers-if-you-were-going-to-have-a-tattoo-what-would-it-be/243867.md?page=3)