# wanting a tattoo **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 19, 2011, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891 "2011-02-19T06:23:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/21 "2011-02-20T03:53:46Z")
To me, it looks cliched: “I’m a biker chick, so I need a snake, and a skeleton–wait, maybe a snake skeleton!–and a skull, and oh, yeah, don’t forget a black rose.” You may think you’ll always work in “the art field” so a neck tattoo won’t be an issue, but you may someday have to stoop to an ordinary job like the common folk do. But I’m not a big fan of big tattoos, so I’m probably biased. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/22 "2011-02-20T04:16:37Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > To me, it looks cliched: “I’m a biker chick, so I need a snake, and a skeleton–wait, maybe a snake skeleton!–and a skull, and oh, yeah, don’t forget a black rose.” > > You may think you’ll always work in “the art field” so a neck tattoo won’t be an issue, but you may someday have to stoop to an ordinary job like the common folk do. > > But I’m not a big fan of big tattoos, so I’m probably biased. This. At 45 with a lot of friends in “arts fields” no one I know has been able to maintain themselves only with their art. They’ve needed mundane jobs. The ones that kept their tats coverable and their piercings removable find much better jobs than “pizza delivery.” (Artist -\> teacher, writer -\> teacher, filmmaker -\> IT guy, writer -\>writer who married very well, musician -\> sleeps on friends couches, artist-\> works for an arts organization asking corporations for grants.) You may think this will not be you, but life tends to hand out unexpected surprises. Don’t limit your options - make it coverable. (I think its hideous, since you asked, but it isn’t my body.) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/23 "2011-02-20T04:48:00Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Dude, a tattoo like the one you linked to requires a certain kind of person to pull it off. I think this is the reason why I hate tatoos. Not everyone can pull them off and not all tatoos are for everyone. Why not get a temp tatoo. That way you can see if it IS right for you. After all you have to live with it and as long as you like it, and it won’t hamper your future job prospects, who else matter. So get a temp one and see if you like it. If so, go for it, if not well it was money worth spent ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/24 "2011-02-20T05:10:58Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Dude, a tattoo like the one you linked to requires a certain kind of person to pull it off. Something like that will not look cool on just anyone. Give us more context here…about what kind of guy you are. You sort of need to be a hard-ass to blast that kind of macabre ink and make it work. I think saying this would just make a person want it that much more. It sounds like a commercial for it. All you have to do is add, “Are \*you \*that person?” ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/25 "2011-02-20T05:22:31Z")
A large and flamboyant tattoo like that is a pretty big commitment. If you’re under say 30 I would suggest waiting a few years just to be sure that this is the kind of image you will always want to project. Like some of the others said, you may in the future need to work a normal job or your priorities might change and you might not want to be seen as the tatted biker chick forever. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/26 "2011-02-20T06:07:31Z")
As a first tattoo, I’d recomend getting something smaller that isn’t a 1/2 sleeve. As others have mentioned you’d be limiting yourself as far as career choices with a 1/2 sleeve. But if you feel that employment will never be a problem because of where you had your tattoo done, go for it. I have a few tattoos. I started with something small that I would naturally cover up every day for work and took it from there. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/27 "2011-02-20T15:18:55Z")
I give you my best tattoo advice: Whatever you decide on, commit to waiting at least one year before you get it. If you still want it after the end of that year, you’re probably good. I waited two years for my first tattoo - nothing as ambitious as yours either, just the word ‘‘impermanent’’ written in Sanskrit on my left wrist. I’m glad every day that I made that choice. For a long time I’ve considered adding the other two Buddhist marks of existence, suffering and equanimity, on either side, so that it makes a circle around my wrist. I’m getting it ‘‘finished’’ as a graduation present in May. As to how long I’ve planned this? Five years. Impulsive rebel I ain’t. During that year, you can post a picture of what you want on your mirror or somewhere you will have to see it every day, and see if you don’t get sick of it. You can also spend that time thinking seriously about how you’re going to cover it up when you have to. At my current office, they don’t care, but you can bet I’m going to have to cover it up somehow for my future job interviews. There are some times, even if you’re not working in that kind of environment, when you’re going to want to cover it up. For example, I used to work in a nursing home where tattoos were forbidden because many of the residents were Holocaust survivors. Odds are no matter where you work, someday there’s going to be a funeral, or a wedding, or some other formal event where you’re thinking, ‘‘Man, I should have thought this through a little better.’’ ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/28 "2011-02-20T15:50:46Z")
My opinion on that tattoo would depend on how you normally dress. You might want to have a friend come over and help you “rough it out” with body paint or washable markers, and then try some clothes with it. I have a [forearm tattoo](http://robson.org/pics/tattoo.jpg) that is completely hidden with a long sleeved shirt and completely visible with a short-sleeve shirt or if I roll my sleeves up. Unless you always wear tube tops, yours would be partially visible most of the time. sketch it out on your body and then see if it looks weird being half-covered with your hair down, with your shoulders covered, with your back covered, and so on. **olivesmarch4th** makes a good point, too. I started thinking seriously about a tattoo almost seven years ago. I changed the location, changed the design, changed the colors, sketched, re-sketched, and finally made a decision last summer. Cancer treatments put it on hold, and I finally got the tattoo as a Christmas present from my wife a couple of months ago. I’m very happy with it, and quite pleased that I didn’t just do the first thing that came to mind. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/29 "2011-02-20T15:59:51Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > To me, it looks cliched: “I’m a biker chick, so I need a snake, and a skeleton–wait, maybe a snake skeleton!–and a skull, and oh, yeah, don’t forget a black rose.” > > You may think you’ll always work in “the art field” so a neck tattoo won’t be an issue, but you may someday have to stoop to an ordinary job like the common folk do. > > But I’m not a big fan of big tattoos, so I’m probably biased. I have two tattoos, and I agree. I think the advice of waiting a year before getting any tattoo you’re considering is solid. If it’s going to be on your body for the rest of your life, what’s 12 measly months? I also have a forearm tattoo, but it would never been seen during a job interview. I’m not Dilbert; I don’t show up to important business functions in short-sleeved shirts. Getting a tattoo that is as easy to hide as is to display is a good idea. I don’t, however, give in to this notion of “But think about how you’ll look when you’re 80!” Why? Who gives a shit? ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/30 "2011-02-20T19:57:19Z")
I agree with the people who say a neck tattoo is very hard to hide. There was a thread a couple months ago in which people insisted that people with neck or face tattoos have no problems finding work. I tend to disagree. Go ahead and get a tattoo, but do yourself a favor, don’t get it on your neck, face, hands or wrists. I will also say that large tattoos can be expensive (1-2 grand, easily) and painful. You may want to start small. I think this video should be required viewing for anyone who wants a tattoo. It’s called “I hate my tattoos.” [http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml](http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml) ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/31 "2011-02-21T19:27:13Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > I think this video should be required viewing for anyone who wants a tattoo. It’s called “I hate my tattoos.” > > [http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml](http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml) That clip shows three things: 1. Drug addicts get really bad, homemade tattoos and then blame their lack of ability to get a better job on said tattoos. 2. Getting a significant other’s name tattooed on you is stupid as hell. 3. Getting tattooed like a rock star/tattoo artist/piercer is probably dumb if you are not one of those things. Luckily, none of those lessons apply to most people who get tattoos and aren’t complete idiots. So OP, don’t be an idiot - get something smaller first, see if you like it, and don’t get your neck tattooed if you don’t have some major job security that sort of thing won’t impact. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/32 "2011-02-21T19:37:59Z")
I like the idea. And I like the artwork. Some pointers: Guys who get put in magazines are usually the absolute best of the best. That artist is really really good, and also, I imagine that tattoo is fairly new. As they age, they do tend to blur a bit. While tech has gotten better for fine lines and whatnot, in 10-15 years it will not be that crisp, on him or on you. What folks are saying about being able to cover it is key too. When I am dressed for an interview, you can’t see any of my tattoo’s, and I plan to keep it that way. It’s cool to be a rebel and an individual and all that crap, but it sucks if the only job you can get is working at Starbucks because you have tattoo’s that are unprofessional. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/33 "2011-02-21T19:51:47Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > I think this video should be required viewing for anyone who wants a tattoo. It’s called “I hate my tattoos.” > > [http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml](http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml) I watched about ten minutes of that, and it’s clearly not about tattoos. It’s about drunks, drug addicts, and people stupid enough to get a boyfriend’s name tattooed on their skin. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/34 "2011-02-21T19:56:44Z")
Goth, eh? Normally, I’m totally anti-tattoo, but I’m trying to be more open-minded and supportive of my fellow Dopers. You could go (on the surface) with the polar opposite of your standard “goth-y” image. [The little blue fella in this strip](http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp12262006.shtml) is VERY creepy once you get to know him. Somewhere around your ankle, I think. His name is “Fluffmodeus,” btw. ---
**Author:** ![breaking-reality](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@breaking-reality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaking-reality)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/35 "2011-02-21T20:23:46Z")
> [@BMax](#): > > Although you may have a solid plan for earning an income that allows you to avoid dress codes and sport whatever appearance you choose, those situations change and you need to be prepared to go to work in an office full of conservative people. I would agree with this. I had a teacher in high school who we found out was required to wear pants and long sleeves all year round because he had tattoos on his arms and legs. He also had to take out his piercings. I’m sure when he got the tattoos he didn’t imagine this would be a problem, but I also know how much he started hating the warmer seasons. There are plenty of career choices and companies that would require you to not have tattoos visible. Also, I can think of at a handful of examples where friends/family felt they didn’t get a job because of a visible tattoo/piercing. Granted, I don’t think this is a good reason not to get a tattoo, but it’s something to be aware of. I would echo what the others above have said to try it out and get it drawn on (I like the idea of henna because it lasts a while and you can see how you feel after having it for a couple weeks). Most tattoos of this size (from what I’ve seen) get put on in stages, not all at once. You might want to start with something small that would look decent on it’s own, and then slowly add to it. Of course this depends what you’re thinking and what your pain tolerance is. Mine is low. I can’t imagine getting a tattoo for myself that would be bigger than a couple inches. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/36 "2011-02-21T20:56:58Z")
**Olives** pretty much always gives solid advice. Try a year thinking about it, or a year with a henna tat, and see what you think. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/37 "2011-02-21T21:17:27Z")
> [@breaking-reality](#): > > I would agree with this. I had a teacher in high school who we found out was required to wear pants and long sleeves all year round because he had tattoos on his arms and legs. I know the days of teachers in suits and ties are just about gone, but he was surprised that he had to wear _pants_ to work? As a teacher? ---
**Author:** ![breaking-reality](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@breaking-reality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaking-reality)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/38 "2011-02-21T21:36:25Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:37, topic:571891”] I know the days of teachers in suits and ties are just about gone, but he was surprised that he had to wear _pants_ to work? As a teacher? [/QUOTE] I doubt it, but it wasn’t unheard of for teachers to wear khaki shorts when it was really hot. Honestly, my teacher wasn’t surprised at having to wear long sleeve shirts, either, I just know it bothered him in the warmer months when he would sweat through a dress shirt and wasn’t allowed to pull his sleeves up. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/39 "2011-02-21T21:48:47Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > I think this video should be required viewing for anyone who wants a tattoo. It’s called “I hate my tattoos.” > > [http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml](http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-i-hate-my-tattoos/1632057/playlist.jhtml) Wow. What a stunning lack of common sense. That girl who had her fiancee’s name tatted on her was only dating the guy for 10 months! I do feel like people don’t always get an accurate picture of the long term side of tattoos. Everyone’s excited about showing off the fresh and pretty looking brand new tattoo but people don’t think about the fact that they do fade (as someone mentioned). Most people who regret getting a tattoo probably don’t like to draw attention to it by talking about it in the open either. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891/40 "2011-02-21T21:51:28Z")
I’d recommend that the next time you go to your goth clubs, that you take a look around and check the ages of the people there. Goth culture has been around a long time, and it seems to be solidly a youth movement. People in their teen and early twenties are really, really into it, but you don’t see nearly as many in their late twenties, and hardly any over 30. I’d be wary of permanently inking myself with something that is so identified with a culture that you’re probably going to grow out of in ten or fifteen years. When the tattoo -on-youth thing first started in the early 80’s, I saw more than a couple of [these](http://machetemfg.com/ProductImages/stray-cats/childrens-wear/stray-cats-toddler-tee_lg.jpg) on people. Does anyone under 40 even know who The Stray Cats were? They were an international sensation for a couple of years back then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanting-a-tattoo/571891.md?page=3)