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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

jalopy · 18/08/2008 09:43

In the near future there will be a dedicated topic called 'Laser removal of tattoos/support group'.

Twiglett · 18/08/2008 09:45

I had to talk my 70 year old mother out of having a tattoo

it's a mid-life crisis (in her case a bit late)

"mark of individuality"??? .. what a larf .. about as individual as a 'croydon face lift'

agree with tittybangbang

LadySalisbury · 18/08/2008 09:48

Hideous things. Buy yourself something far more special are less cheap looking and tacky. Like a pit bull terrier.

singyswife · 18/08/2008 09:51

I went on holiday last year with my mil who at the time was 57. She had always eated a dolphin tattoo as she loves dolphins but she has a needle phobia. Anyway we were out one day and she spied a tattoo parlour and my dh took her in. 10 minutes later she came out with a very sweet little dolphin on the inside of her wrist. It doesnt look awful as it is nice and little and subtle and she is definately not too old for it. It is your body and your choice. Well done for losing the weight by the way.

LurkerOfTheUniverse · 18/08/2008 09:52

everytime i go to plymouth pavillions 'fun' pool , i am amazed at the amount of people who have them

and they all look shite

don't do it

MaloryDontDiveItsShallow · 18/08/2008 09:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AbbeyA · 18/08/2008 09:56

I have just spent a week in Cornwall. As soon as the sun shone enough for people to strip off it exposed lower back and shoulder tattoos-it was gross!

mizzie · 18/08/2008 09:58

I have been getting tatooed since I was 16 - I am now near 40. I would be mortified if anyone said I looked rough as I am a very respectable business woman and mother!

Its all about what you choose and how you wear them really. Mine are very tasteful and beautiful pieces of art which I feel represents iconic moments in my life.

Tattoos are personal statements of you and who you are - and remember the the difference between tatooed people and none tattoed people is that people with tatooes dont mind if you dont have one!

Style and identity should be a personal thing not a group decision!

LurkerOfTheUniverse · 18/08/2008 09:59

maybe they are particularly popular here in the SW

LurkerOfTheUniverse · 18/08/2008 10:01

sorry mizzie, but without seeing you, they do tend to make people look dog rough

AbbeyA · 18/08/2008 10:01

I don't think there is anything tasteful about a tattoo!

serenity · 18/08/2008 10:02

Look, I get that some people don't like tattoos, that's fine - it's personal taste, plenty of things I can't stand that a lot of people do, but I would never go on a thread and just be nasty (and whether you want to admit it or not, some of these comments, although not directed at specific individuals, are just unpleasant)

MN and tattoos really don't mix Ashanti, well not until you can get a Boden one in the queue at Waitrose anyway

I think I'll step away from the thread now, it's pressing too many buttons for me!

AbbeyA · 18/08/2008 10:05

As we passed a man with ''Mary tattoed on his arm my DH and I joked that when he split with Mary he would have to put an ad in the paper for the woman of his dreams -with the proviso that she had to be called Mary!

AbbeyA · 18/08/2008 10:08

I think it is useful for OP to know that a great many people think they are vile! She doesn't have to take any notice!

SummatAnNowt · 18/08/2008 10:17

It starts off a bit painful then sort of numbs. More painful after but nothing a few painkillers wouldn't sort out.

Go for it!

Obviously the judgy types will be all, you know, judgy, but those types would just be judgy about something else anyway!

jalopy · 18/08/2008 10:21

I think you are seriously deluded if you think that the choice of design and where you put it makes a difference.

PersonalClown · 18/08/2008 10:29

Jeeeez we are bloody judgemental over tattoos aren't we?

If you want one, go for it. It's your body to do as you like.
I've got my next booked in a couple of weeks. I'm almost 30 and it will be my 3rd. I plan to have my back covered.
My mum is almost 50 and has 12! She started just after 40 too.
All I'd recommend is choose your design and artist carefully.

I personally regard tattoos as art but am aware that not everyone shares my views!

2shoes · 18/08/2008 10:33

YANBU go for it. I am going to get one done as soon as I can find a design I like. and I am very old.

olympicsnotfederer · 18/08/2008 10:35

well ashantai

have these views swayed you either way ?

NotDoingTheHousework · 18/08/2008 10:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Lauriefairycake · 18/08/2008 10:39

I like the one Cheryl Cole has on her hand

what i don't like about tattoos is that they become less defined/blurry and fade so the one on her hand looks great because it looks like a drawing.

If tattoos looked like that I would get one on my wrist, hand or ankle.

If you get one go for the best, find out where she got hers done - that's one of the benefits of age in my opinion, getting the best and researching. If I was going to get my breasts reduced i would be interviewing experienced surgeons not wandering in to Harley Street and asking anyone.

KatieDD · 18/08/2008 10:40

Oooooh the tramp stamp lol
I had one done at 17, spent £2,000 having it lasered off when i'd grown up at 27. Bloody awful things imo and i'm afraid i do look less favourably on those who have them.

hf128219 · 18/08/2008 10:44

I was just going to say 'tramp stamp' - lovely, mmmmm.

Get a dolphin when you are 20 and it looks like a great big whale on your bingo wings at 40.

Naetha · 18/08/2008 10:54

Ignore all the prejudiced and ignorant people on here...

If you want a tattoo, then get a tattoo. Don't have a tattoo for the sake of it, but if you want something that has meaning for you, and is going to be there with you all the way, then go for it. But think very carefully about the design and the location. Once you're sure about that, then research a good artist - find one with a good reputation (word of mouth is the best way) have a look at their portfolio (not just the flash they have on the walls) and make sure you're happy with it.

From my experience, in this world there are people that "get" tattoos, and people that don't. If you do - if you see other peoples' tattoos and like the designs, and appreciate bad tattoos when you see them, then you're probably one of the ones that "get" them. If you're the sort of person that likes special jewellery, then maybe a special ring would be for you. Just make sure you do it for yoruself.

I have 4 tattoos, two on my back and one on each wrist. They are all important to me, but can be discreetly hidden when appropriate. I love them, and while I don't really care what other people think of them, I know that they're not waved in peoples' faces to cause offence. Pictures here if interested.

lou33 · 18/08/2008 11:00

not everyone regrets having them done as they get older, i certainly dont ( i have 3)

i wouldnt mind another actually

tbh i couldnt give a flying fuck if people thought mine were "chavvy" or not as long as i am happy with them

and i am

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