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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have a tattoo done at 40?

111 replies

Ashantai · 18/08/2008 01:21

I promised myself that if managed to lose 3 and a half stone before i got to 40, i would finally get a tattoo. Nothing huge, but maybe a tiger or scorpion on my lower back.

Well i finally did it ! Yay!! Down to 8st 10 and gonna hit the big 40 in November (its the 14th if you all wanna get me pressies.

Anyhoo half of the people i have told have said yea go for it, whilst the other half are a bit "hmm dont you think you're a bit old for that?"

Not sure if i have the pain threshold for it tho, i havent even got my ears pierced, but its just something i have always wanted to do. To all you tattood peeps out there, does it really hurt as much as i am hearing? shudders

OP posts:
Alambil · 18/08/2008 01:33

do it! - if you want it...get it in a place it COULD be hidden if needs be

Original poster
Ashantai · 18/08/2008 01:48

Well thats why i think i'll go for my lower back, but then the half that are pooh-poohing say "whats the point you wont see it!"

btw LewisFan, is it a certain Mr Hamilton you are a fan of? or am i completely wrong (like i usually am )

OP posts:
Lucy87 · 18/08/2008 02:39

I don't think anyone should EVER have a tattoo! PLEASE DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gothicmama · 18/08/2008 05:30

Have it done if it is something that means something to you and choose your design wisely

katierocket · 18/08/2008 06:34

Tattoos on lower back look utterly horrible. Sorry.

cluelessnchaos · 18/08/2008 07:44

do it, you want it go for it. Do you think you will regret not doing it?

CoteDAzur · 18/08/2008 07:50

Nooooo.

Buy a nice ring that will remind you how you managed to lose 3 and a half stones.

Tittybangbang · 18/08/2008 08:04

I'm 42. Had a tattoo at 18, thought it was 'edgy' and cool.

Before you have it done I suggest you go somewhere really chavvy (Croydon town centre on a Saturday morning is a good place to start) and just look at all the middle aged women with tattoos. Ask yourself - is this how I want to look?

I would suggest you buy a nice pair of earrings instead.

Jackstini · 18/08/2008 08:10

It is personal choice - if you really want it, have it somewhere very discreet and make it tiny.
Lower back one of most painful places to have it though! Choose somewhere a bit more 'fleshy' and rub ibuprofen gel on half an hour before.

chutneymary · 18/08/2008 08:12

Well done to you on the weight loss - fantastic.

I'd personally nip down to a busy town centre too and look at tattoos on the over 30s. As skin ages and loses elasticity and firmness, the tattoos start to look really sad. Plus they fade. I'm probably biased as Ive yet to see a tattoo on a young person which I like, but I'd steer clear. Plus on your lower back you'll never see it.

Why not take your courage to a jeweller's, get your ears pierced and then buy yourself a beautiful pair of earrings to mark your achievement? A MUCH better use of the cash and pain IMO.

Let us know what you decide.

Snaf · 18/08/2008 08:16

So you've worked hard to get the body you want and then you go and ruin it with a tattoo?

Well done for losing the weight, but I could think of a hundred things I'd rather celebrate with than a tramp stamp of a scorpion. Age has nothing to do with it - they just look rough, full stop.

AbbeyA · 18/08/2008 08:28

Congratulations for getting your weight down. Now that you have got a great new body I don't see the point in ruining with a tattoo! The statistics show that most women regret it after a few years and then it costs a great deal to get rid of it. If you go ahead I would have something really small that noone can see.

sugarpear · 18/08/2008 08:34

Congrats on the weight loss.

I personally think if you want a tattoo then have one. Its your body and your skin.

My mum is 60 in december and she is having her ears pierced for a second time and getting a tattoo. A heart with her initials in .Well what they were before she married which happens to be mine and my brothers initials! And also she is having 6 little hearts around it one for each of her grandkids. And i think it bloody fab!!!

I personally dont have any but thats because id rather walk naked down a busy high street than have any sort of needle near me!!

So its your choice your not a kid. So do what you want to.

FioFio · 18/08/2008 08:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

AbbeyA · 18/08/2008 08:39

I just pray that my DCs never get tattoos-I am sure I would cry, I would be so upset!

SoupDragon · 18/08/2008 08:42

Get your ears pierced instead.

serenity · 18/08/2008 08:46

I would make sure you know exactly what you want before you commit to something as permanent as a tattoo - do some research, find the best artist in your area (recommendations are good, or make sure you see examples of their finished work, you want someone who's good at the style you want)

It's your body, do what you want, just do it wisely
Congratulations on the weight loss as well!

Incidently, my Mum celebrated her 40th by getting her belly button pierced (she is about as far from 'rough' () as you can get) Sometimes it's nice to just to let loose and do something different. She's 57 now (and still with a washboard stomach and she's never regretted it.

TsarChasm · 18/08/2008 08:47

Well done on the weight loss but noooooo to the tattoo!

I keep seeing women 40+ getting tattoos. It screams mid life crisis. Like grown men suddenly getting their ear pierced. They are so naff, not at all chic.

They only look good on young blokes and even then the appeal is very limited.

luckylady74 · 18/08/2008 08:50

I don't think it's age that's the issue - it's that to some people tatoos signify positive things like individuality and to others it's just naff!
Your lower back's a good place if you go for it as you can reveal when you choose.

mm22bys · 18/08/2008 08:52

Like everyone else, congrats on the weight loss, but definitely, 1000% NNNNOOOOO on the tattoo!

They are revolting, especially after people have had them for a few years, they fade, the inks blend, just gross.

Agree too, get yourself something nice instead.

But your body, your skin, your choice.

AbbeyA · 18/08/2008 09:02

I would suggest using the money to have a Spa day and really pamper yourself. I did it recently for the first time and it was wonderful!

MaloryDontDiveItsShallow · 18/08/2008 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tortington · 18/08/2008 09:12

bottom of your back is a tramp stamp - its like "ride me i'm a whore and heres something to look at whilst i take it like the dog i am"

go for it

not lower back

Heifer · 18/08/2008 09:38

lol custy.

I hate tats personally but after reading custys comments realised that it may be more interesting for a bloke to look at than to count the spots on your back! ...

giraffescantdancethetango · 18/08/2008 09:41

if you want it...go for it!