to get a tattoo, as a 40th birthday present to myself?

[harrietlichman]

I know, I know, it's a blatant symbol of a mid-life crisis, but I have dithered and blown hot and cold for years. I am thinking of something on my shoulder, not visible to anyone, really, but me and DH. RL friends have reacted in different ways, from polite encouragement, to 'what the be-jaysus would you do that for??' so I put it to the mn jury - is it the saddest thing ever a 40 year old mum of two could do, or should I go for it?

[beatenbyayellowskull]

I'd say get one somewhere that won't sag or get fat as you get older, but I'd say if you want one, get one!

[CAZ46]

Go for it - on my 40th I had my first tattoo on my left shoulder and a second one a couple of years later near my right hip. I personally don't like big showy ones and love my tattoos. Friends/family had different opinions. I just went for it cos that is what I wanted to do and hubby didn't mind either.

[wigglesmonsterock]

My husband got one for himself when he was 30, he is 40 sometime soon and is contemplating getting another one. If you want it get it.

[HipHopOpotomus]

YABU to have any old tattoo.
YANBU to get one that means something, is symbolic in your life.

People tend to regret the name, bluebirds, little devils etc, but not the images/symbols they have really thought about.

I knew what I wanted and I got a friend to draw it for me. So I've ended up with gorgeous unique piece of art, designed by a gorgeous friend. Still love it 18 years on.

[MurielTheActor]

When anyone says 'you'll regret it when you're old' I find that a bit nonsensical, personally. By the time you are old you will have lived with it for a lot of years and will be a part of you.
I had first one done as my personal 40th birthday gift. Not regretted it for a minute.
But I agree about it being the design that's more important than just wanting a tattoo.

[worraliberty]

Definitely up to you but I have never seen anyone (especially a woman) where I haven't looked at their tattoo and thought they look a bit rough

[pranma]

My ds got one at 40 and another a year later-its your body,your choice :)

[madhairday]

Go for it if you want it. I'm actually thinking of doing the same thing, approaching my 40th later this year. Mid life crisis? So? If you have a design in mind then where's the harm.

[givemushypeasachance]

Life is short, and you will only have a brief time with the fleshy body nature has given you. In the grand scheme of things it is of less that no importance whether you carry a bit of ink around with you - if you want to do it then do it! Would you rather be 85 and chuckling to yourself about the rash younger-you that got a tattoo or sighing regretfully that you didn't get it done because of social disapproval or because you still just weren't quite sure, and still weren't sure, and pondered a bit longer for half a lifetime?

I recently got my fourth, and I have it on the top of my back/shoulder blade. If I wear a very strappy top then it's visible but it's not hanging out there on my shoulder itself. Others are on my ankle and the top of my foot - top of foot is quite good since you can see it yourself easily and show it off, but it's also easy to hide when you need to.

[proudfoot]

It's up to you. If you really want it then you should be able to ignore the people telling you not to and go ahead happily regardless. If they are making you question it, then maybe that should tell you something.

Personally I wouldn't consider it at all and generally don't think tattoos look good but people are different, so do what you want - it's your body and it's not harming anyone.

[lesley33]

If you want to do it do it. Who cares if its part of a mid life crisis or not - its not as if you are talking about running off with a 16 year old.

[clam]

OK, so if I'm totally judgey honest about it, I absolutely loathe and detest tattoos. I think they look tarty and unpleasant on young, tanned and toned girls, rough on all men and even worse on women "of a certain age," whether they're recently done or old, faded and saggy. Most of them look like you've scribbled on your skin with an old biro to me.

However, whilst a part of me screams, "WHY WOULD YOU?" I would also say that if you've carefully considered it and have always secretly wanted one, then why not? 40 is a milestone birthday when we stand at the centre point of our (probable) lifespan and take stock of where we're up to and where we want to go from now on. Go for it.

[harrietlichman]

Thanks for your replies, everyone - totally mixed opinions, as expected! Love your link too, Pickledgerbil!
Still dithering (sorry Custy!) and will keep looking at pics and trying to find one I really, really love!

[Lara2]

If you want one just do it! I got my first one this year after thinking about it for years - I'm 48. I don't regret it - but I made sure it wasn't anything like anyone else had. It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks. My tattooist said the oldest person he had tattooed was in her seventies - her husband has been a diplomat and she waited until he retired to have her tattoo done because it would have shown in an evening dress where she wanted it.

[SmallSherryforMedicinal]

It's more unusual to NOT get a tattoo. I wouldn't, tbh.

[Bearcat]

Don't ruin your lovely skin.
I am a health care professional and one of my elderly patients who I have met on a few occasions is totally embarrassed at the tatoos she has had done in her younger life.
Tramp stamps my friend calls them who's young daughter had them!

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Yabu. Please try and be a little bit different and not have a tattoo.

[rosycheeksandasmile]

Definitely do not do it - what might look good now will not look so good in 25 years time!

If you are desperate for a tattoo - get a henna one!

[PintOfStellaAndBuckfastChaser]

YANBU I'm 30 in January, and I'm planning a couple of tattoos myself.

I'm going to get DS'S name at the top of my arm, in small but thick lettering.
If that doesn't hurt too much, I'm going to get my dogs name on the back of my neck, in thin but large letters.
If I'm feeling really brave, I quite fancy getting a heart or a playboy bunny where my 'landing strip' should be like what Jordan/KP has! (she has a heart design!)

[DartsRus]

DP met someone who had his first tattoo at the age of 63.....

[cheekeymonster]

All you need now is some white lightning and a baseball cap!

[ThePickledGerbil]

I have 2 which I really hate but I did get them at 16 and 18. By 40 you must know yourself so much better, so trust your instincts. If you're unsure...don't!

Having said I hate mine, I have been thinking about another, I came across <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=megmo007.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/tattoo-birds.jpg&imgrefurl=megmo007.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/i-need-votes/&h=400&w=300&sz=25&tbnid=Y0ux2Uo0c3nq3M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=68&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtattoo%2Bbirds%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=tattoo+birds&docid=6i3Kr9-ld7yJmM&sa=X&ei=6lqPTpuYMIazhAfu1LAD&ved=0CCUQ9QEwAQ" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">this and love love love it! Not sure where though...

[stepawayfromtheecclescakes]

op - think about lower back, wrist, ankle, hip depends what you want really,