to get a tattoo?

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

...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.

I wonder why people emotionally invest so heavily in tattoo? It's not a criticism.

I just wonder why it's such an issue to display personal emotional investment in this way and then, if people look and make comment which may not always be positive, people take umbrage.

After all, you have adorned yourself in something that people are going to look at, are meant to look at, you have chosen to display personal emotions publicly - you can't expect roses and popcorn the whole time. That's just daft.

It's like with "what are you lookin' at" punks and piercing artists. I mean, why did you do all that unless you want people to see and observe? Otherwise you'd've done it all discreetly, right?

I think if you do it for people to see, then expect people to judge and swallow the rough with the smooth.

Hm, I agree with other postees here. Get a henna one done first. If I were you and you had Thursday booked off, I'd use that time to go buy some new clothes, get your hair and nails done and have a facial done. Sorry that your marriage has broken down, but there are tons of fabulous things you can do for yourself in the interim whilst you have your henna tattoo done (if you decide to do this). Then if you definitely want it done, chose a reputable tattoist. Best of luck.

I don't think names are tacky per se. My view is that your tattoo should mean something - so whether it's the name of a relative, or your DC, or a symbol which represents them, then it's all personal to you.

I work with several girls who have very similar celtic pattern tattoos on their lower back. Just seems a bit, well, having it for the sake of it rather than it actually being meaningful iyswim?

I did think seriously about having Amor Vincit Omnia (love conquers all) tattooed on my hip/top of leg in gothic script. However, then that relationship broke up and it having become clear to me that actually love didn't conquer all, I didn't bother with it!

I think there's nowt 'chavvy' or 'tacky' about name tattoos and reckon that a beautiful calligraphy script below the navel, especially with some lovely scroll work detailing, would look V sexy.

This place will make up a custom temporary tattoo for you, either A5 or A4, so I should think you could try out a few different styles on the same sheet if you fancied.

If you wanted to make your mark on Thursday but weren't ready for a tat how about a couple of nipple piercings? (Unless you're BFing obviously)

Oh, and if none of it hits the mark, you could drop me a PM as I'm pretty inappropriate.

I don't like them either, not on anybody, but I think they look worse on women somehow.

I'm in awe at the pain thresholds some people have... eyelids, feet, neck... eeeek!

I think I don't like them because of the permanance, they're always there and it's like being 'branded'. There're also very, very common as in very many people have them, there's nothing different about them anymore, it's more rare to see un-tattooed people now I think.

I question the commitment of the people who have them though who are so affronted by people saying they don't like them.... for goodness sakes, if you like them that much that you have them, what does it matter to you if other people say they don't like them? Get yourself to the Grip Shop!

"it's more rare to see un-tattooed people now I think."

Depends who you mix with I guess.

I agree with the henna idea, im not so sure about the stomach idea but each to their own, if you really want it then go for it imo.

i got my second one done last weekend, lots of you lot would bloody hate it - it has a swear word in and everything. pretty sure you'd hate my first too though - my daughter's middle name with a design on my foot.

(im a maths teacher though, nice, normal professional lady btw)

Just think long and hard about it, that's all.
Nobody knows if they're going to like their tattoo forever when they're sat in the tattooist's chair.
Kind of like committing to wearing flares forever.
I said I'd be ancient by the time I regretted my tattoo, the technological leaps and bounds in removals would make it loads cheaper, less painful, blah blah
Well 'ancient' has arrived (except I'm far from it!) removal is VERY painful, expensive and stressy (keloid scarring anyone?). Not good.
Buy yourself a gorgeous handbag or something, OP.