I told my dad yesterday that I'm planning on getting a tattoo in the coming months (already have the design picked out, now I'm kind of just waiting it out for a while to make sure I still like it as much as I do right now before I get it put on my body forever) and he got really mad. I had no idea how against the idea of tattoos he really was (I knew he didn't like them but he actually got angry with me) and he thinks that I'm going to regret it in ten years. I have been thinking about this for over three years. I am now 18, chosen a design meaningful to me and am in the process of deciding where I want it placed. I don't see myself regretting it at all.
He challenged me to find 20 people who have had their tattoos for 10 years or longer and has guaranteed me that at least 15 of them would tell me that they have huge regrets about getting inked. So my question is...
If you have had a tattoo for this period of time, do you regret it? If so, what is the tattoo of?
2007-10-08 07:03:13 · 32 answers · asked by Kat* 7 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
Just if anyone is curious....
I want to get a small four leaf clover (slightly larger than the size of a quarter) and I am thinking of getting it on the front of my left shoulder, right under my collar bone. It would not be visible unless I am wearing a halter top, spaghetti straps or a bathing suit, and I can assure you that I don't plan on going to a job interview wearing any of those outfits.
2007-10-08 07:26:06 · update #1
Well i have to say that my dad thinks tattoos are trashy too and if he knew i had them he would completely think less of me. Didn't stop me from doing it though! The bottom line is that it is your body and YOU are the only one who has to live with whatever it is you do to it.
Here are some points to consider: You seem to have given this thought which is great. My concern is that you are only 18 and you will go through more personality and life and view changes in the next 7-10 year than you can even imagine. I cannot honestly say that i am even close to the same person i was when i was 18. The point here is that in 5 years you might not like the same symbols you do now. Clovers are cute and are for good luck but they are common tattoos are not really original. If i had gotten my tattoo when i was 18 i would have gotten a butterfly and i know that now i would hate a butterfly on me because it screams high school girl to me. The tattoo I have is a symbol that i designed myself and it has very deep spiritual meaning to me as well as symbolizes a turining point in my life and the importance of finding the one love for me. If you design your own tattoo and be sure it has very deep meaning to you then you will appreciate it a lot more for a lot longer. I'm not trying to say it doesn't have meaning to you, just something to really think hard about. Also, i would reconsider that location. The collar bone is a very difficult area to cover if need be and every time you even wear a necklace it might look weird against your design. Depending on the field of work you go into it may not be acceptable to ever have a tattoo showing even by accident so keep that in mind! The back of your shoulder may be a better bet than the front for your first one since you are so young still and don't know for sure what direction your life will be going in yet.
Good luck with your new tattoo and with dad!
2007-10-10 07:25:56 · answer #1 · answered by Stained Glass- Baby C 11/15/09!! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, I will start by saying that I have never liked tattoos; I absolutely hate pain, and have until recently had a morbid fear of needles. But for some reason, I have had an unexplainable urge to get a tattoo for the last several years. I know that it would have to have meaning of such a profound nature that I would want it on my body for the rest of my life. Not because it is cute, or "the thing to do" or because someone else has it and I like it. Whatever it is will have to have the same profound meaning 20 years from now that it does today. And THAT is the thing! It cannot be some benign symbol that you could take it or leave it in a few years, but it is there forever. By reading your question, you seem to have thought this out, planned it very well. You are weighing your options, and going about this with a very level head. You sound to me to be very responsible, well spoken (or written) and you are in no way acting impulsively. I commend you for respecting your fathers concerns by posting this and I think you will be the person who also respects yourself and will stand by your convictions and do what you feel is right in your own heart. Welcome to adulthood!!!
2007-10-09 10:37:08 · answer #2 · answered by nil8_360 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For everyone, it's different. Tattoos are a way of expressing yourself. I've gotten inked about six times, and because all the tattoos have great significance and importance to me I do not regret them at all. I've had my oldest one for about 8 years. Most people regret their tattoos if it was an impulse decision, or something that was "cool" at the time. Alot of my friend's are covered in tattoos and they don't regret any of them, and have had them for longer than I.
Your dad just doesn't want you to make a decision when you're young, and regret it as you get older.
But as long as your tattoo is sentimental and has meaning, and you get it placed in a spot that you love and DON'T DOUBT ANYTHING, then you will be fine!
2007-10-08 09:24:06 · answer #3 · answered by howifallintoyoureyes 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say I have huge regrets. I don't really like my tattoos, but I also don't really think about them that often. I have 2 flowers on my stomach, very small. They look funny now since I've had babies and they got all stretched out. I have 5 small tattoos, and honestly I really don't think about them that much. It's just not a big deal after a couple years. And with the exception of 1 on my ankle, they are all pretty well hidden (2 on stomach, 2 on back).
2007-10-08 07:16:48 · answer #4 · answered by who-wants-to-know 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
First... Dont listen to the haters saying girls shouldnt get tattoos... sexist pigs!
second I have a small clover on my hip.
Third girls with tattoos are not all looking for attention. Some of us have them in places where you would never know they are there. I know so many business women who have huge pieces that are never seen. They are under their shirts or pants and no one is the wiser. Think on it long and hard. But it sounds like you already have. And if you ever get tired of the clover, you can always cover it with something more meaningful or have it removed...
Good luck!
2007-10-08 12:18:34 · answer #5 · answered by Bailey B 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have had my tattoo for 8 years now and I do not regret it one little bit. It is a small tree frog on my lower back (the so called "tramp stamp" spot which is BS by the way). I have always loved frogs and my nickname is froggy. I collect them now and always will. My tattoo has meaning to it and always will and I will never regret it. I can't stand it when people put you down for having tattoo's. Besides, no matter how mad my mother was at me for getting it done (and let me tell you she was friggin pissed off at me for years for doing it and still to this day doesn't really care for it) she still realized that it's my body and it is my decision if I want to get something tattooed on me or not. I will soon be going in for my second tattoo (finallllllllllllllllllly) and I guarantee you I won't regret that one either.
2007-10-08 08:33:34 · answer #6 · answered by Dana S 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well, I've only had my tattoo for a year and don't regret it yet.
But more importantly, I am writing to tell you that my dad FLIPPED out when he saw my tattoo (I'm 23 & have been on my own since age 18). We got in a big fight, but at the end of the day he realized that it is MY BODY and I can decorate it however I want. It is unfair for him to force his opinions and guilt trips on me, ESPECIALLY over something that has NOTHING to do with him. He is a little selfish in that sense, always thinks he is a victim. But I knew I was right and I stuck to my guns.
It will blow over, and you dad will always love you.
2007-10-08 07:41:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I regret my 1st, but more because I didn't research the artist 1st, and he did a terrible job, I also spent very little time on the design, and on top of all that it's HUGE and very colorful, so it can't be covered by anyting better... I also have three others that are beautiful works of art that I am proud to wear!!! All of them are over 10 years old, and I'm working on a plan for my next one! Sound to me like you've done your homework, but make sure to interview the artist, see a portfolio, and ask around about his/her reputation!
2007-10-09 20:20:56 · answer #8 · answered by Shannon A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the people that say you will regret it in 10-20 years do not have any tattoos. I have had all of my tattoos for over 10 years. I started getting them when I was 19 and I still like all of them. I am currently adding on to one to change the meaning of it but I still like it. And think about it, how many people have you heard say the words " I hate my tattoo and I wish I never got it." I know of none.
2007-10-08 08:01:47 · answer #9 · answered by jellybelly 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
While I can't say that I have regrets about getting tattoos, I kind of wish I would have put them in less obvious places. Two of them have a great deal of meaning to me and I'm glad I have them, but I didn't put much thought into some of the the others (black panther on my upper thigh, huge chrystanthemum on my upper arm). It's pointless to regret them because they are all permanent, they're not going anywhere, but at the same time they are all reminders of different chapters in my life.
I have to be honest though, all this talk about tattoos makes me want to get another one! But I'm running out of space!
2007-10-08 07:21:23 · answer #10 · answered by princessyumyum 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋