# Tell me about getting my first tattoo **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 30, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370 "2018-04-30T19:13:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LiveFree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/1 "2018-04-30T19:13:06Z")
Hi all, I’m thinking of getting my first tattoo. Want to get an iceberg on my forearm. I’ve contacted one place and gave them an idea of an image that I liked. First visit is for the design ($50), and then make another appointment for the tattoo. $150-$170 total Is this what you have had to do? Looking to have some color in it. For you, did they come up with a close resemblance to what the final tattoo looked like?? Thanks for your replies. Here’s my image idea. > **[Iceberg - Hidden Danger And Global Warming Concept - 3d Illustration](https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/iceberg-floating-in-arctic-sea-gm693474546-128066809)** > > Iceberg - Hidden Danger And Global Warming Concept - 3d Illustration ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2018, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/2 "2018-04-30T19:23:33Z")
All depends on the size and complexity of the tattoo. For something small and simple like initials or kanji or the like in just black, if they’ve got a free chair most shops will just do it right then and there. Something like what you’re planning, the two-step process sounds like SOP. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/3 "2018-04-30T19:26:18Z")
Since the OP is looking for personal experiences, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/4 "2018-05-01T14:55:29Z")
It all depends on size and intricacy. I have all smaller tattoos, some of which were done as a walk-in, some of which I designed ahead of time. I only did one where the artist had to do some design work ahead of time. In that case, I brought in a picture when I made the appointment. The didn’t charge me at that time any sort of consultation or drawing fee. When I came in for the appointment, they had the picture ready, I liked it, and we went ahead. I paid for everything at that point, and the grand total came to something comparable to what you mentioned. If you’re getting something more intricate, more specific, or larger, then you probably need to have a consultation ahead of time, and it’s totally within their rights to charge you for said consultation. If you’re getting something big or intricate, it is probably worth it to have the consultation first so that they have time to make changes if you don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/5 "2018-05-01T15:10:46Z")
Most people I know with tats got their first one while drunk out with a large group of friends, and got one of the pics off the wall. I personally don’t have one, even after several attempts of coercion by friends while out drinking. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/6 "2018-05-01T15:11:47Z")
> [@LiveFree](#): > > Here’s my image idea. > > [Iceberg Floating In Arctic Sea Stock Photo - Download Image Now - Iceberg - Ice Formation, Underwater, Ice - iStock](https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/iceberg-floating-in-arctic-sea-gm693474546-128066809) I would suggest leaving out the iStock logo. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/7 "2018-05-01T15:12:32Z")
> [@LiveFree](#): > > Hi all, I’m thinking of getting my first tattoo. ] Don’t do it. Tattoos look like suppurating skin diseases. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/8 "2018-05-01T15:56:56Z")
> [@LiveFree](#): > > Here’s my image idea. > > [Iceberg Floating In Arctic Sea Stock Photo - Download Image Now - Iceberg - Ice Formation, Underwater, Ice - iStock](https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/iceberg-floating-in-arctic-sea-gm693474546-128066809) Are you leaving in the light blue background, or just the berg/reflection part? Here are [some images of iceberg tattoos.](https://www.google.com/search?q=iceberg+tattoos&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS773US773&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGu9L07-TaAhWF4IMKHafeAGwQsAQIKw&biw=1680&bih=929) Which one(s) are close to what you have in mind? ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/9 "2018-05-01T16:32:27Z")
That seems like a lame idea for a tattoo, why is that what you want? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/10 "2018-05-01T18:59:40Z")
Unnecessary. The OP was asking for opinions on their tattoo choice and questions about the process. There is no need to respond like this, especially in such an obviously provocative manner. No warning issued. > [@Clothahump](#): > > Don’t do it. Tattoos look like suppurating skin diseases. ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/11 "2018-05-01T19:17:47Z")
Shouldn’t that iceberg _really_ be floating on its side? Unless it has some huge rock enclosed, which acts as ballast. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/12 "2018-05-01T19:27:46Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Are you leaving in the light blue background, or just the berg/reflection part? > Here are [some images of iceberg tattoos.](https://www.google.com/search?q=iceberg+tattoos&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS773US773&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGu9L07-TaAhWF4IMKHafeAGwQsAQIKw&biw=1680&bih=929) Which one(s) are close to what you have in mind? Some of those are really gorgeous. I like the one with the red circle behind it, like the rising sun. My artist told me you absolutely had to have a dark (black preferably) outline around red areas or it will forever look irritated around the edge. YMMV. Is there any chance you could draw your own design? I designed my own tattoo. In fact, the only tattoo I would ever consider is something I designed myself, because I want my skin art to be original. The price quoted sounds quite cheap. I would expect to pay closer to $500 for a nice iceberg design with color. You do want color, don’t you? Colors, detail, and size all determine the final price, along with how much designing/drawing the artist has to do pre-ink. My artist executed a fairly accurate rendering of my design, but there’s always going to be some difference in expression, and some tats are easier than others to render. I designed mine, then brought the artist a black and white outline that he could copy & paste right onto my skin, and a color version to guide his color choice. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/13 "2018-05-01T19:32:48Z")
> [@Ignotus](#): > > Shouldn’t that iceberg _really_ be floating on its side? Unless it has some huge rock enclosed, which acts as ballast. That’s what icebergs look like. You know, “tip of the iceberg” and all that? ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/14 "2018-05-01T20:05:32Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > That’s what icebergs look like. You know, “tip of the iceberg” and all that? Actually, I believe that phrase was coined by sailors, to emphasize the danger of approaching a floating iceberg. As it is pictured, that danger would be practically zero. Rotate it by 90°, and it becomes much more apparent! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/15 "2018-05-01T20:08:21Z")
> [@Ignotus](#): > > Actually, I believe that phrase was coined by sailors, to emphasize the danger of approaching a floating iceberg. As it is pictured, that danger would be practically zero. Rotate it by 90°, and it becomes much more apparent! nonetheless, it [appears](https://www.google.com/search?q=icebergs&client=firefox-b-1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjx08WfqOXaAhXL5J8KHc2UDL0Q_AUICigB&biw=640&bih=305#imgrc=y1CgWubYHZiRSM:) that’s not the way they float. ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/16 "2018-05-01T20:36:46Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > nonetheless, it [appears](https://www.google.com/search?q=icebergs&client=firefox-b-1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjx08WfqOXaAhXL5J8KHc2UDL0Q_AUICigB&biw=640&bih=305#imgrc=y1CgWubYHZiRSM:) that’s not the way they float. Cut an ice cube to shape and try it! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/17 "2018-05-01T20:42:55Z")
Y’all know we’re talking about a _tattoo_, right? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/18 "2018-05-01T20:51:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Here are [some images of iceberg tattoos.](https://www.google.com/search?q=iceberg+tattoos&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS773US773&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGu9L07-TaAhWF4IMKHafeAGwQsAQIKw&biw=1680&bih=929) Which one(s) are close to what you have in mind? As I expected. I bet most of those tattoo owners hear “What’s that?” a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/19 "2018-05-02T02:45:28Z")
If someone asks “What’s that?” You reply “It’s a stylized iceberg.” Or if you’re feeling snarky, you say “It’s art. You wouldn’t understand.” Truth is the only person who has to like the tattoo (or even know what it is) is the person whose skin it adorns. ---
**Author:** ![LiveFree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370/20 "2018-05-02T09:09:38Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Are you leaving in the light blue background, or just the berg/reflection part? > Here are [some images of iceberg tattoos.](https://www.google.com/search?q=iceberg+tattoos&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS773US773&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGu9L07-TaAhWF4IMKHafeAGwQsAQIKw&biw=1680&bih=929) Which one(s) are close to what you have in mind? Czarcasm, I’d be leaving out the blue background. Just the iceberg. > [@pool](#): > > That seems like a lame idea for a tattoo, why is that what you want? pool, I wasn’t going to answer you for your “lame idea” comment. Who gives a shite what you think is a good/bad idea for a tattoo. But my reasoning is this…Each of us has our own inner demons or problems that we’re going through. Thus, there’s more underneath the surface than most realize. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-getting-my-first-tattoo/813370.md?page=2)