# Tattoo artists - do they ever say no? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 26, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026 "2011-01-26T05:57:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![beartato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@beartato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beartato)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/81 "2011-02-02T18:50:52Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > My problem is that I am not confident enough to commit to a decoration that lasts a lifetime. What if I change my mind? (I usually do.) > > It must be nice to be so certain of yourself. Then tattoos probably aren’t for you. That’s not a bad thing, or a good thing, it’s just a thing. I have tattoos I love, and others I like. Some, I’d probably do a bit different if I could. So? It’s not that I’m incredibly certain of myself, it’s just that my skin isn’t permanent and neither am I and one day, I will be dead and my skin will rot away and that’s that. Getting a tattoo or not getting one doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things, any more than dying your hair pink or wearing bright orange pants does. Anymore than any other little thing you do does. On my deathbed, there will be things I regret, and there will be some decisions that I know were incredibly important to making me who I was. Some tattoos? Won’t fall in either of those categories. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/82 "2011-02-02T19:32:08Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > One thing that has always puzzled me is that a tattoo isn’t just for Christmas; it’s for life. If you’re getting a tattoo, how can you be sure it’s something you’ll still want and like in one year, ten, twenty years time? Do people bitterly regret having one, or are people generally satisfied all their lives? > > Why do people want tattoos? Is it a fashion statement? If so, I’d imagine that, as fashions change, that would be a risky reason to have one. I think a tattoo can be a memento of a time, place, feeling. When the person looks at it, they remember that time in their life. It doesn’t matter so much what the image is. They remember they got the tattoo of whatever and they’re reminded of who they were with, what they were doing, etc when they got it. It clicked for me after I got a scar on my leg when I fell washing the windows. My mom was in failing health and asked me to wash them. I feel off the ladder and she gave me a terrible ribbing. She died soon after. Now when I look at the scar, I think of that moment. The scar is a way to bring that memory back to life. I don’t look at the scar as an ugly slash on my skin. I imagine tattoos can be the same sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/83 "2011-02-02T19:32:11Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > One thing that has always puzzled me is that a tattoo isn’t just for Christmas; it’s for life. If you’re getting a tattoo, how can you be sure it’s something you’ll still want and like in one year, ten, twenty years time? Do people bitterly regret having one, or are people generally satisfied all their lives? > > Why do people want tattoos? Is it a fashion statement? If so, I’d imagine that, as fashions change, that would be a risky reason to have one. I’ve sometimes considered getting a tattoo - in my case, it would probably be text. “Fiat justitia ruat caelum,” perhaps - “Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.” Or the name of a case I’d worked on. I like the idea of having a fairly permanent reminder of who I am, or at least of the man I’d like to be. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/84 "2011-02-02T23:26:56Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Serious question: if you want your schlong tatted, is it hard to find an artist who’s willing to handle another guy’s junk? Probably not _that_ difficult, I’ve been a nurse for 13 years and handling another guy’s junk stopped being a thing about 12 3/4 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/85 "2011-02-03T00:43:02Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Not in a million years would I get a tattoo on my face or throat, but it’s not comparable to being burned. Brian Setzer once said that the best advice his father ever gave him was “never get a tattoo anywhere where a judge can see it.” ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/86 "2011-02-03T00:57:02Z")
[ > [@Misnomer](#): > > Personally, **NineToTheSky** , for my tattoos I chose themes that I knew would be constants through my life: music (G-clef when I was 23) and wolves (howling wolf when I was 27). The first tattoo I got was at a Chicago Dopefest years ago. Two Chinese characters on my right arm that mean “knowledge” and “teaching.” I’m firmly convinced that each day I can learn something new, and also teach something to someone else. The other tat I have is on my left bicep. It’s kind of a tribal with the EMS Star of Life in it. I’ve been an EMT for the last three years. It kinda looks like this[URL=“[http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product\_info.php%3Fproducts\_id%3D126&usg=\_\_5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8\_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH\_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product_info.php%3Fproducts_id%3D126&usg=__5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0)”][http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product\_info.php%3Fproducts\_id%3D126&usg=\_\_5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8\_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH\_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product_info.php%3Fproducts_id%3D126&usg=__5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0)]([http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product\_info.php%3Fproducts\_id%3D126&usg=\_\_5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8\_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH\_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product\_info.php%3Fproducts\_id%3D126&usg=\_\_5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8\_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH\_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:01&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O\_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product_info.php%3Fproducts_id%3D126&usg= __5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/images/fr-089.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.fireandrescuedecals.com/product_info.php%3Fproducts_id%3D126&usg=__ 5pJN51TN63Kbe35ADjznVEYzD34=&h=114&w=450&sz=8&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=hfyQbBlWMr8_eM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=207&ei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dems%2Bstar%2Bof%2Blife%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1CHIH_enUS400US400%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D799%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:01&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=92&vpy=327&dur=279&hovh=91&hovw=360&tx=173&ty=68&oei=O_xJTf-WF8GBlAe7u4n4Dw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0)) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/87 "2011-02-03T01:02:59Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Serious question: if you want your schlong tatted, is it hard to find an artist who’s willing to handle another guy’s junk? They’re professional artists – I’m guessing if that kind of thing bothered them, they wouldn’t go into the business in the first place. Besides, a lot of tattoo parlors also do piercings as well. They probably pierce a lot more dicks than they tattoo them. ---
**Author:** ![Soliloquy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@Soliloquy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soliloquy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/88 "2011-02-03T02:41:19Z")
> [@mckall](#): > > I think the Aryan Brotherhood used it to show that you’d killed racially, but I’m not positive. Actually, the AB uses a shamrock to show that they’ve killed. If you go to prison, you’re not AB, and you have a shamrock tat, they will force you to cover it up. If you refuse, they will remove it for you. I have a sparrow tattoo. Traditionally, sailors got sparrows tattoos because they believed that a sparrow would carry their souls to heaven if they died at sea. I got it because I lost twins several years ago, my daughter at birth and my son at 10 weeks old. ---
**Author:** ![Soliloquy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@Soliloquy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soliloquy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/89 "2011-02-03T02:47:24Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > One thing that has always puzzled me is that a tattoo isn’t just for Christmas; it’s for life. If you’re getting a tattoo, how can you be sure it’s something you’ll still want and like in one year, ten, twenty years time? Do people bitterly regret having one, or are people generally satisfied all their lives? > > Why do people want tattoos? Is it a fashion statement? If so, I’d imagine that, as fashions change, that would be a risky reason to have one. I have fourteen tattoos, but the most important one I got in 2005, right after my son and daughter passed away. My daughter died at birth, my son at 10 weeks old. The tattoo is a tiny pink butterfly and a tiny blue butterfly linked by ivy on the inside of my left ankle. Above that is a sparrow, the meaning of which I posted above. I see that tattoo every single day, and it helps me to never, ever forget my children. Each of my tats has some sort of personal meaning to it. Most of them are not visible to the general public, so they’re certainly not a fashion statement. I got my first tat 14 years ago, and I still love it. The only one I did not still love I got covered up and turned into something that I do. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/90 "2011-02-03T03:23:03Z")
Not that it would matter to many if not most people, but I recall someone in another tattoo thread here a couple of years ago or so saying that a tattoo will disqualify you for much intelligence work in the military. Such as operating undercover, not a clerk. It is a sure way for the enemy to identify you. ---
**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 3, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/91 "2011-02-03T15:20:36Z")
> [@beartato](#): > > > [@NineToTheSky](#): > > > > My problem is that I am not confident enough to commit to a decoration that lasts a lifetime. What if I change my mind? (I usually do.) > > Then tattoos probably aren’t for you. That’s not a bad thing, or a good thing, it’s just a thing. Once again, **beartato** put it well. Whenever I hear, “I keep thinking about getting one, but I’m just not sure…” my response is _always_ “Don’t do it.” Simple. If you aren’t sure, that’s your answer. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/92 "2011-02-03T15:26:24Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Not that it would matter to many if not most people, but I recall someone in another tattoo thread here a couple of years ago or so saying that a tattoo will disqualify you for much intelligence work in the military. Such as operating undercover, not a clerk. It is a sure way for the enemy to identify you. It depends on the tattoo. I know someone who works in military intel and they had to get their branch and unit tattoos blacked out that they’d gotten much younger because they served as identifiying marks as to who they really are. If one were considering a career in such a field they would be wise not to get 4 inch lettering across their stomach proclaiming USMC right out of boot camp. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2011, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026/93 "2011-02-06T13:18:53Z")
I got my third tattoo a couple days ago, and asked the tattooist about this. He won’t do people’s names. He just thinks it’s a bad idea in principle. He says he gets a lot of youngfellas coming in asking for things like “Gangsta 4 Life”. He tells them to get lost. He had a guy ask him to do a big Hitler on his back. He said that not only did he refuse, he nearly chucked the guy out the window. He also refused a woman’s request to do a giant penis. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-artists-do-they-ever-say-no/569026.md?page=4)