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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a tattoo?

58 replies

HollyBollyBooBoo · 29/08/2011 22:02

...having a 'midlife' crisis (am 33 so hope to God I live a bit longer than 66), marriage has broken down, H always hated tattoos, I've always had a fascination about them but never had one. Have the day off on Thursday, just want to go and get one. Thinking of DDs name, in calligraphy style writing about 1.5" high in a semi circle underneath my belly button.

Just go and get it done or don't desecrate your body...thoughts please.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 29/08/2011 22:37

The thing is, by the time you get to say 60yrs old you would have (sadly) have known quite a few people who have died.

LadyBeagleEyes · 29/08/2011 22:38

Oh, and IME they don't hurt, it's just a scratchy feeling.

bibbitybobbityhat · 29/08/2011 22:44

No no no no no no no no no no no no no.

Everybody has tattoos now. Or at least everybody in England does. Was amazed to see (and I really noticed it) almost no tattoos in France and other countries in Europe this summer. Wouldn't you rather stand out from the crowd?

worraliberty · 29/08/2011 22:44

I remember being Matron of Honour at my friend's wedding about 8yrs ago.

The Bride wore a stunning off the shoulder designer dress and the 5 Bridesmaid's dresses were also off the shoulder and so elegant.

It was somewhat marred by the appearance of Winnie the Pooh, a couple of Dolphins, barbed wire, a tribal pattern and something that resembled a Chinese Takeaway menu when they all walked up the aisle Grin
I felt somewhat naked Shock

microserf · 29/08/2011 22:45

love tattoos, but definitely not a name, and definitely NOT under the belly button. i'd wait, find a design you love and tattoo somewhere (i) not visible and (ii) that doesn't stretch.

Backs are good. Esp the lower back.

I thought mine didn't hurt that much, but it did kind of burn. Also, i've been a bit allergic to the ink or scar and it is quite itchy even 15 years on. So I won't be adding to my collection of ... one tattoo.

microserf · 29/08/2011 22:47
JjandtheBeanlovesUnicorns · 29/08/2011 22:49

I would never have any other names. No matter what they are my children so ill never have any reason to dislike/change/cover it. I just had there names along with the verse because I liked it, the only things that could represent them would be buzz lightyear and peppsa pig so I chose some beautiful font and have it wrapped around my wrist. Also I don't like coloured ones either. Tbh its hardly noticed as I also wear a bracelet, its for me, no one else, it was something I wanted to do having had many issues with having elcs and poorly babies. And my brothers one no one sees, you rarely show the inside of your wrist.

Meow75isknittinglikemad · 29/08/2011 22:50

I, also, would advise against a name, even your child's.

A month ago I had tattoo no. 3 done. A bracelet on my right wrist with the astrological symbols for DH and I. He almost died 2 years ago, and I've been thinking about it ever since. But even though I am besotted with my DH and even though I had to have 6 months of therapy after he came out of hospital as I was so traumatised by what happened to him ...

Even taking that into account, I STILL didn't want his name tattooed on me, but the astrology symbols still make it personal enough to me and him.

Last week, after also considering it for a long time, he had a tattoo on his upper right arm to look like the skin has been peeled back to expose the bone, and our wedding anniversary date is "carved" into the bone like a scrimshaw, and then our astrology symbols are like cuts below it.

Any tattoo artist worth their salt will expect you to make an appointment, and pay a deposit. These are both a good idea, as it ensures you are really committed.

Ask tattooed people you know if they'd recommend someone, or scout out different artists to see whose work you like. If you live in the East Mids, PM me and I'll tell you my guy.

Think about a symbol that represents your DC for you, even if it's a daisy or a Matchbox car.

HildaOgden · 29/08/2011 22:51

Get a secret one,a small arrow under your foot pointing forward.To symbolise that you are moving forward in the right direction .

Meow75isknittinglikemad · 29/08/2011 22:53

Oh, and I'm 36 in October. Got tat 1 when I was 26.

worraliberty · 29/08/2011 22:55

Backs are good. Esp the lower back

Nooooo they're commonly known as 'Tramp Stamps' Sad

Not a nice name and apart from that, such a common place to have one.

TakeMeDrunkImHome · 29/08/2011 22:56

Wait until you feel less emotional. I hate tattoos on women. My personal opinion that is all.

From what I have read on here, most ladies take a MASSIVE amount of time to get used to the tattoo they choose before they have it done. I don't think an emotional response would be the best. Spoil yourself with a spa day/night out/cocktail evening whatever. DON'T rush into a tattoo.

sheepgomeep · 29/08/2011 22:59

worra my kids names are tattoed on my wrists to stop me doing something rather stupid which has nearly happened several times. I also have got vitiligo ALL over my body and tattoos make me feel nice about myself. At last I have something that I can look at and smile rather than looking like a freak (in myeyes).

I dont particularly care whether I look like a tramp, slut, jeremy kyle wannabe blah di blah. I have not had a tattoo to look 'cool' , they also cover up large patches of disfigured skin so they serve a purpose.

I do agree though, belly tattoo not good idea

bibbitybobbityhat · 29/08/2011 23:00

Heh heh heh worraliberty: you know the "tattoos" you get at school fairs for the dc? 50p a time to have a dragon sponged on to your forearm. Well I saw a Mum well into her 30s having one of those put on her v lower back at our primary school Christmas Fair last year. The lady from the pta certainly looked like she'd got more than she'd bargained for.

TheSecondComing · 29/08/2011 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sheepgomeep · 29/08/2011 23:02

Oh and I'm not chavvy or tacky as squeaky toy put, please do not judge me for having my kids names on my body

Meow75isknittinglikemad · 29/08/2011 23:04

Sheepgomeep

I watched a bit of Miami Ink the other day when waiting for DH to finish getting ready, and there was a guy having his second half sleeve done to cover burns that he got when his house caught fire.

Turned skin that he considered unpleasant and ugly into something awesome.

worraliberty · 29/08/2011 23:05

Sheep that's a great reason...thanks for sharing that Smile

I suspect it's not a common reason though, so I wonder in general why people tattoo their kid's names on their skin?

bibbity I now have an image of a somewhat 'lost' thong to go with that....thanks Hmm Grin

sheepgomeep · 29/08/2011 23:06

yes agree with whoever said take your time choosing and thinking about it. I thought about mine for five years, had them designed and thought some more, I know I wont regret them and I know Ive put them in the right place. Its very personal

MavisGrind · 29/08/2011 23:07

Up to you however.....I had one done about 20 years ago. About 5 years ago I started to regret where it was (not the tattoo itself). I have finally started having it removed. That £15 tattoo is costing me about £900 to have removed Shock

Just a thought..

SquongebobSparepants · 29/08/2011 23:08

I have a tattoo on my hip, right on the outside. I normally wear shorts for swimming so it is hidden and that was why I wanted it.

I am not vbery arty but I knew what I wanted and went to 3 tattoo artists before one agreed to draw my design for me to approve, the others all wanted me to look through their 'books' and choose oneHmm
I went back to him a couple of times until I was really happy with the design and now, 13 years later, I still love it.
Don't rush into it. Plan it carefully, and don't put it on your belly. Mine is where it is as I know how easily I put weight on, so I put it somewhere where weight gain/loss won't affect it.

sheepgomeep · 29/08/2011 23:16

meow75 I saw that too and I was amazed at the detail involved, but I wonder how painful it is to tattoo on heavily scarred skin, my skin isnt scarred, well it is inplaces but my skin is very patchy and uneven as have no pigment at all.

worra i really dont know why people have names done, I do think sometimes its a trend. when I had mine done a friend of mine had her children done too and i did get the impression that had I not done so she would not have done. I dont just have thier names, on one wrist I have the younger two with stars and dots, and on the other wrist I have the elder two incorporated into a rose, and a ladybird sitting on its leaf which in my mind represents thier brother sister relationship.

I just know that my reasons are different to a lot of people

WinkyWinkola · 29/08/2011 23:22

I would say get one where you can't see it when you're at work. It doesn't look professional at all if you can see it imo. Small and cute is best? So many look like crap 6th former biro art.

I've just come back from holiday and everyone seems to have a tattoo. They are the new crocs. I've not seen a nice one yet though. Lots of really crap portraits of family members appear to be the norm. Weird hiragami/katakani and Hebrew too.

JjandtheBeanlovesUnicorns · 29/08/2011 23:26

I'm going to bow out of this thread, the whole judgey and nonono stance on names tattoos is making me feel shitty about something I put years of thought into and I had to heal wounds people can't see.

sheepgomeep · 29/08/2011 23:31

I'm with you jj, its upset me a fair bit.

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