Should I get a Tattoo?

Question

Ive always wanted one and now I found the one I really want (Its the design off of my Great Grandads First World War service medal) all over the top part of my left arm. Only thing is I feel I may regret getting it in 40 years time of whatever...so should I get one and then, If I grow to hate it just get it taken off or should I play it safe and just not get one?

Answer 1

If you're not sure, don't get it. Before I got my first tattoo, I waited several months to be sure it's what I really wanted. It's been 3 years & I have no regrets.

I doubt you'd have regrets about something like that in the future, tho. It's more the impulsive, meaningless ones that people tend to regret.

Answer 2

A memorial tattoo is always amazing and your tattoo idea would be fantastic. A memorial tattoo is a living display of your affection for something or someone and I truly belive you would only grow to love it more. You definitely need to think long and hard before getting a tattoo because I understand it's super expensive to remove it. I don't think you would ever regret the tattoo, just the placement. Why not get it somewhere more discrete? Like your shoulder? Then no one will see it unless you want them to. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for tattoos. I have 12, but you have to live with your decision. I love your idea! Good luck!

Answer 3

Definitely go for it, you only live once! I personally love tatts, I've got 5 and am planning lots more. Its important to get something different and has meaning to you. I don't see the point in things like tribal designs or other meaningless patterns. I love all of my tattoos because each of them has meaning to me. I have Chinese writing on my left wrist, the word for Angel in Arabic on my left shoulder, a Buddha starting on the bottom of my back and finishes half way up my back. I have a phoenix on my right calf and four stars on my left foot. I love em. People say 'you'll regret it when your older' but in five years time you'll be able to have a skin replacement I think. If they can give somebody a new face then why not!? The most important thing is to go to a credible and certificated tattooist and once its done look after it well whilst its healing or else it'll loose its colour and look worn. Good luck, choose wisely.

Answer 4

I have 8 tattoos and only 1 I regret...not cuz I don't like tattoos, but because I let someone else design it. I agreed to let the person draw it up for me. I was like 18 when I got it and in college then. I didn't want to tell him I didn't like it cuz I didn't want to hurt his feelings...so I got the tattoo. Now, I am working on finding another tattoo to cover it with.
My advice..get the tat. Make sure it is something that you like, that expresses who you are, and in your case its definitely something to be proud of. I think you will regret it more if you don't get it.
I would also recommend going to a few different shops before you decide on where you will get the Tat done at. Tattoo shops always have books laying around of their artwork done on previous customers. Take a look at that to see if its quality work. Also this plays into the price factor. If the tats they do are of great quality expect to pay a little more. Don't go with the cheapest person unless you are comfortable with his work.
Its also important to get the Tat at a shop you feel comfortable at. If you walk in and are immediately disgusted...don't get your Tat there. But if you walk in and every one is real nice, its clean, they do good work based on their pics of past pieces...then its a good choice.
I say go for it. If you get it on your arm and end up hating it in 10-15 yrs..more then likely you'll have a shirt on and it will be covered anyways.

Answer 5

Who will give a sh*t what it looks like when you're old and wrinkly !! ??
Go for it if YOU want to, you only live once...It'll give you something to talk about one day in an old folks home!!
Just make sure you have it in the right place..if you want it to show or not...the place of the tattoo is more important than the design

Answer 6

If this is something that you have always wanted to do, but you are still having doubts, start out with something that you can hide with clothing and something that is small. If after you do that you enjoyed the experience and you like the Tat, then go for it. I think that what you want to get would be a great respect for your Granddad, and I don't think that you would regret it in the long run. Always get something that you love or respect since it is permanently on your body, that will make you appreciate it more.

Answer 7

if you're not sure that you want a tattoo then don't get one.
but what makes you think that in 40 years you'll all of a sudden hate your tattoo? it's something that is meaningful to you right? do you see yourself deciding that your family history is something to be disliked later in life?
maybe you just aren't a "tattoo person", but i don't ever see myself not loving my tattoos because they all mean so much to me. so what in 40 years i'll be 65 and won't look like i do now, i may have wrinkles but my tattoos will still be a part of me and i will still love them and what they stand for.

Answer 8

I think you have found a design that not only means very much to you, but also would probably look bad ***. If you are worried about regretting it, you shouldn't have to. Everytime you look at it, you will grow to love it more especially since it has such a profound meaning. Maybe use just a few darker colors, b/c its harder to get light colors (greens, yellows, etc) to stay bright over the years. I say go for it!

Answer 9

Tattoos have to be taken seriously. Only get tattoos that YOU truly believe in and YOU want to express to everyone. If your Granddad is THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON in your life, then get it (Notice how I didn't say "Granddads First World War service medal"). Every time you look at that medal, you are going to be reminded of your granddad. But if you think later on you are going to get sick of seeing it, then by all means don't get it.

I have two tattoos. One of them is a Bass Clef on my left chest. I know I am not going to get sick of looking at that because I am a musician and music is my life. I got another one on my shoulder that has the Japanese word for "balance" on it. That reminds me how I should live my life. Those are two VERY IMPORTANT FACTORS in my life. Your tattoos should be very important to you.

Answer 10

If you're not sure it's probably best to think about for a while. You'll definitely regret it one day but you could say that about most things.
If your biggest worry is future regret but at present you really want one it might be better to have it somewhere more subtle like your back perhaps.