Want a tattoo..is it cheezy to...

Bwah?

I've wanted a tattoo for quite awhile, but for a long time couldn't think of anything worthwhile to have on me for the rest of my life (more or less).


I finally feel like I found something that is meaningful and I feel like it's pretty strong in meaning. I know its all in the eye of the beholder and my opinion is the one that matters most, and its my skin but,,,,
Is it cheesy to get a tattoo of the saying "Nosce te ipsum" - "Know Thyself"

I was thinking somewhere that wouldn't really show, such as my shoulder.

Any opinions?

noir_blood

Uh, why would you care what anyone else thinks about your tattoo? I have three tattoos, some of my friends like them, some rag me for them, but I really don't care, as each of my tattoos mean something important to me.

If it's the same for you, by all means, go for it.

honkymcgoo

yeah, tattoos are all about personal meaning. I mean part of the fun is having people ask you to explain them, but if its going somewhere you cant see then Its totally personal. My right forearm has the Papal seal surrounded by defend the faith serve the poor in latin. Reminds me to be a better person everyday and keeps me humble.

Rubick

If you like it, then that's all you need. I have a blue heart on my back. Why? Because I like it. It's your body and your tattoo - get what you want and just remember you'll most likely have it for the rest of your life.

DMAC

You should get it on the back of your hand.

honkymcgoo

Rubick wrote: »

If you like it, then that's all you need. I have a blue heart on my back. Why? Because I like it. It's your body and your tattoo - get what you want and just remember you'll most likely have it for the rest of your life.

OH yeah, make sure its something youre cool with having forever, because even though you can get it surgically removed I hear the surgery sucks hardcore.

Bwah?

Thanks fellas, I totally agree on the your opinion matters only.

I'm still sort of on the fence with it for some reason- as it's the whole...rest of your life thing.
I guess if I find a nice font maybe that'l persuade me to get it. I'm thinking something old English or "calligraphy" (same thing?)


I thank every one of ye for your comments.

Oz K. Fodrotski

I've quietly contemplated a UV-reactive tattoo on my left arm, in the pattern of the Lightning Plasmid from Bioshock, for some time. Not sure if I'll ever go through with it, but it would look really cool.

Granted, I would contemplate such a thing because it's invisible, and my line of work would not accommodate a visible tattoo. Do consider your career path when deciding on placement/style.

honkymcgoo

Oz K. Fodrotski wrote: »

I've quietly contemplated a UV-reactive tattoo on my left arm, in the pattern of the Lightning Plasmid from Bioshock, for some time. Not sure if I'll ever go through with it, but it would look really cool.

I really wanted a UV tat for a while but at the time the ink faded really badly and it wasnt proven safe yet.

DasUberEdward

Have a friend write it where you want in permanent marker. Get comfortable with the idea that it will indeed be on you forever and make sure it is in a spot that will not influence your career.

honkymcgoo

DasUberEdward wrote: »

Have a friend write it where you want in permanent marker. Get comfortable with the idea that it will indeed be on you forever and make sure it is in a spot that will not influence your career.

One think that the shop I went to did, I assume most others do too, is they draw it on you first in marker and then trace it over with the needle. The place I went to was more than hjappy to draw it on you, and let you come back in a day or two.

Daemonion

Watch a few episodes of LA Ink and see if it helps you decide. It is incredible how much some of those tattoos mean to people, and some of them are not particularly extravagant.

To me, I would be 100% for something that has a profound personal impact, as long as it is positive.

mooshoepork

Oz K. Fodrotski wrote: »

I've quietly contemplated a UV-reactive tattoo on my left arm, in the pattern of the Lightning Plasmid from Bioshock

Fucking do it

Seriously.

to the OP, if you are worried whether it is "cool or not" then maybe you shouldn't get a tattoo. It's about you.

typhoon

.

GoodOmens

honkymcgoo wrote: »

yeah, tattoos are all about personal meaning. I mean part of the fun is having people ask you to explain them, but if its going somewhere you cant see then Its totally personal. My right forearm has the Papal seal surrounded by defend the faith serve the poor in latin. Reminds me to be a better person everyday and keeps me humble.

I gotta say, that is pretty damn cool. And that's coming from someone who doesn't even like the Catholic church.

Gafoto

noir_blood wrote: »

Uh, why would you care what anyone else thinks about your tattoo?

He already said he cared about what people think, he's already trying to hide his tattoo so it won't offend people. Most people aren't so self-absorbed that they don't care what people think about their tattoos.

"I don't care what other people think about my tattoo" is some bullshit people say to make themselves feel better about a terrible tattoo they got.

Gnome-Interruptus

I agree that some people get terrible tattoos for bad reasons, some get them for good reasons. Same as some people get great tattoo's for bad reasons or good reasons.

But you cannot judge someone elses reasoning on a personal choice that has zero impact on anyone but themself.

My own tattoos are considered cliche by some and apparently some tattoo parlours even refuse to do my arm band or anything like it. Some elitist assholes who apparently wont lower themselves to do tribal tattoos anymore.

I still love my armband and am not ashamed of it, it has personal meaning to me about my character and personality.

If you really are worried about what other people think of your tattoo or how long its going to be there, those might just be cold feet and you are just nervous about taking the plunge. Or they could be legitimate misgivings about how much this particular tattoo means to you. Spend some time thinking it out.

honkymcgoo

The only time I cover my tattoo up is when Im going into a job interview or when its time to be professional. All that means is wearing a long sleeve shirt which I do all the time anyway. Other than those times its out and in plain view bitches.

reddog

Usually my rule is once you figure out what you want to get, save money and after 3-4 months or so, if you still want it, use the money you saved to get it.

I'm doing that right now with my next tattoo. Took me a while to figure out what I want and now I'm saving...we'll see if I want it in a few months.

I have 5 tattoos and i've done the same process for all (except for the last one...that was just me being drunk but I'm VERY happy with it ).

honkymcgoo

GoodOmens wrote: »

honkymcgoo wrote: »

yeah, tattoos are all about personal meaning. I mean part of the fun is having people ask you to explain them, but if its going somewhere you cant see then Its totally personal. My right forearm has the Papal seal surrounded by defend the faith serve the poor in latin. Reminds me to be a better person everyday and keeps me humble.

I gotta say, that is pretty damn cool. And that's coming from someone who doesn't even like the Catholic church.

Yeah, I was raised Catholic and while Im not all super catholic, I definitely feel it gave me my moral center on a lot of issues( Though Im totally pro choice and always used condoms, so who knows where that came from.) The text is actually the motto of the knights hospitaller from the crusades, but like I said it reminds me whats really important and keeps me humble every day.

truck-a-sauras

reddog has good advice of waiting a few months and ask yourself if you still like the design. Heard that one before and it has worked well for a few people I know.

Also if you are still on the fence you could check out and see if that new easy dissolving ink has hit shops yet
http://www.freedom2ink.com/

I know this was causing quite a stir when first announced and many shops claim they refuse to use it. But you may be able to find a shop out there who isn't opposing it on personal views. Wish I had the money or inclination to open my own place and use this ink, sales would boom as people wouldn't even bother to spend months pondering about getting some ink and just come in and get any stupid thing knowing they could remove it with relative ease if they later decide they don't like it. From a business standpoint this stuff seems awesome at least, but further research is needed.

radroadkill

honkymcgoo wrote: »

DasUberEdward wrote: »

Have a friend write it where you want in permanent marker. Get comfortable with the idea that it will indeed be on you forever and make sure it is in a spot that will not influence your career.

One think that the shop I went to did, I assume most others do too, is they draw it on you first in marker and then trace it over with the needle. The place I went to was more than hjappy to draw it on you, and let you come back in a day or two.

Two other ideas: henna and tattoo paper.

Henna will fade after a while and might not be the color you want, but it's a good measure.

The great thing about tattoo paper is you can buy it, upload the design you want, print it out and stick it on. It's like temporary kid tattoos but it's nice because you can reposition the tattoo, resize it, try it in a bunch of locations and see what you like best.

That's what my friends used and what I have with the design another friend is doing for me. The paper can be a bit expensive if you use a lot of it but the versatility is great; I think it might be especially good if you're doing something mostly word related and want to test different fonts and sizes. It can also be easier if you don't have time or a location where you can get someone else to draw it on for you (if you can't do it yourself).


I think the idea sounds nice. Just think on it for a while to be sure; that's why I've yet to get mine. I kept changing my mind but I'm pretty sure I want the one I have now. It just took a while to decide on and stick with.

Ultimanecat

I've been thinking of getting a tattoo myself, and while I agree any tattoo should be personal, a tattoo by nature begs attention (people will see it even in discrete locations - or one would hope), and that is probably part of the appeal.

Even if you aren't a big fan of your tattoo later on, it will serve as a reminder of the time and place you got it, which could very well be positive.

So far, I'm pretty set on mine, but it's a bit unfortunate, because the image and location of my desired tattoos have been appropriated by groups to which I have no desire to be related (homosexual sadomasochists for one and the Russian Mafia for the other). Because of this, I do recommend researching any possible tattoos, because you probably didn't have the idea first, and you have no idea who got there before you.

SlickShughes

Ultimanecat wrote: »

the image and location of my desired tattoos have been appropriated by groups to which I have no desire to be related (homosexual sadomasochists for one and the Russian Mafia for the other).

Damn man, what were you going to get?

noir_blood

Ultimanecat wrote: »

I've been thinking of getting a tattoo myself, and while I agree any tattoo should be personal, a tattoo by nature begs attention (people will see it even in discrete locations - or one would hope), and that is probably part of the appeal.

Even if you aren't a big fan of your tattoo later on, it will serve as a reminder of the time and place you got it, which could very well be positive.

So far, I'm pretty set on mine, but it's a bit unfortunate, because the image and location of my desired tattoos have been appropriated by groups to which I have no desire to be related (homosexual sadomasochists for one and the Russian Mafia for the other). Because of this, I do recommend researching any possible tattoos, because you probably didn't have the idea first, and you have no idea who got there before you.

Well now you got me curious, what symbos do you want?

honkymcgoo

Shamuuu wrote: »

radroadkill wrote: »

Two other ideas: henna and tattoo paper.

Henna will fade after a while and might not be the color you want, but it's a good measure.

You might wanna know that Henna can be dangerous to your body.

What cant be dangerous to your body these days?

Ultimanecat

The first tattoo is simply a circle/ring on my upper back between my shoulders. Simple, and has a bit of an Atlas connotation that I'm going for (more to it than that, but MY symbolism isn't really the point). Unfortunately, in gay bondage circles the same or similar tattoo indicates someone as a submissive with open access to his orifices (the image is both obvious and related to a French novel called "The Story of O").

The other would be a tattoo of the constellation Orion mapped to my body, with stars on my shoulders, knees, across my stomach and down my right thigh. The stars on the shoulders and knees, though, are a big theme in Russian mafia/prison tattoos (ever see Eastern Promises?), with the stars on knees signifying bowing to no other, and the shoulders having various meanings usually tied to rank in a family.

honkymcgoo

I have a long sleeved t thats basically just yakuza tattoos on the sleeves. its flesh colored.

Pheezer

Shamuuu wrote: »

honkymcgoo wrote: »

Shamuuu wrote: »

radroadkill wrote: »

Two other ideas: henna and tattoo paper.

Henna will fade after a while and might not be the color you want, but it's a good measure.

You might wanna know that Henna can be dangerous to your body.

What cant be dangerous to your body these days?

Don't even fucking go that line. Accept that it can be dangerous or simply don't try and give the impression that it isn't.

If you're going to play mr. Internet expert you should have your facts straight and also actually present them prior to telling other people what they can and cannot post.


TO ELABORATE:
PPD is a black hair dye that shows up in some "henna" products. Legitimate henna does not contain this chemical and is as safe as anything else. Safer than tattoos, anyhow. PPD is carcinogenic, leaves scars, all kinds of nasty shit. Before you buy anything check the contents on the box, and if you can't, don't buy it.

There. The great H/A Henna Scare of 2008 is over.

Pheezer

It's still playing it pretty loose with the facts to insist that "henna is dangerous" based on one of the common chemicals in fake henna being so. That's sort of along the lines of suggesting that eating meat could give you food poisoning based on the fact that eating rancid meat could.