Do nice tattoos exist?

[ZombieSplodger]

I'd quite like to get a tattoo but am quite concerned that it could just look shit.

Are there any rules about getting a tattoo so it looks nice, maybe pretty, and minimises the risk of you regretting it?

I like tattoos because they are a way to make your body reflect who you are. I have one which I had done when I was 18 which I still like, partly because it reminds me of my younger self.

I'd like another but I am too indecisive now and can't decide on a design.

The best tattoos are personal to the wearer, rather than just picked out from a book of designs at a tattoo parlour. It's also good to have one somewhere it can be hidden from view if necessary (for work, or a posh wedding for example).

Once you decide on a design, put a picture of it up somewhere you'll see it every day. After 6 months, if you still like it, get the tattoo.

It's painful but not unbearable at all. Honestly I thought he was dragging a scalpel through my skin like jelly, but in a weird way when he made the first line and paused I was looking forward to the sensation again.
Photos later, sometime when I find my camera/charge my phone!
I like it

You could also argue tattoos are part of our national identity as Britons. Go google for 'Pictish maiden' if you want to see. Sailors having magic on them - hold fast on your knuckles was meant to stop a rope slipping through your fingers.

I can't help thinking there's still a bit of class prejudice in dislike of them. That said, I don't have one - too wrinkly now :(. I don't dislike them NEARLY as much as hollywood waxes, liposuction, collagen and silicon implants, and dental caps. These are to me just conformism. Tatts can be original.

"Once you decide on a design, put a picture of it up somewhere you'll see it every day. After 6 months, if you still like it, get the tattoo."

This is great advice.

sieglinde, I definitely agree about the class prejudice, which is a relatively new thing (not in general, just where tattoos are concerned!) In days gone by it wasn't just the working classes who had tattoos, but all sections of society, you just saw fewer of them on show because people dressed more modestly.

I LOVE THEM but I only have two small ones on my feet as I find them awful on old people, I think they look lovely when your young and experimenting with fashion but once you have children or if you get married they don't look great in a wedding dress! All depends where and what they are if honest. I would be covered in them if it didn't bother me about ageing with them! I do however tell all my friends you have to be 110% sure as there's no going back and if you were you wouldn't ask........I didn't ask anyone's opinions, I had mine done over 10 years ago and still love them as much as I did they day I had them. I research it and thought about it for a good year so I knew it wouldn't be a regret! Good luck

It's your skin, only your idea of what looks good should count. Everyone will have a different opinion, no point trying to please everyone else.

Try this shelleyarmenta.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Avoid-Tattoo-Remorse

There are some amazing artists out there doing really interesting work, the bog standard flash a lot of places churn out is really not the be all and end all, for instance colour without black outlines can be really lovely imgfave.com/view/1443213 and sometimes very soft www.flickr.com/photos/trepelu/4486903644/ and white ink can be used to get really subtle results.

But some people will always think that nothing at all belongs on your skin, and that's absolutely fine, they don't have to have tattoos.

I actually love tattoos on brides, when they are big and bold and they make a feature of them. This is probably because I love well done tattoos, and I hate identikit brides
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cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/50/4e/504e9e5c8210aaf35122a55ea0e53d56_h.jpg

Whereas I just look at those wedding shots and shudder, I think they look awful. It wouldn't do if we all liked the same things though.

I love those wedding pictures. I had my tattoo out for my first wedding.

nt a big thing of the tramp stamp whats that all about showing your thong and a big massive tattoo other the bum

what?

No...and they look even worse 15 years later when the colours have faded and bled into a blur.

I don't understand Gloomy.

Whatever you think now, you are unlikely to think the same in 30 years time.

I love this picture and her dress.

Yes, i have 2 tattoo's. I wont say what they are but, one on my finger and my forearm.

I got my first when i was 16(mum and dad allowed this) and another when i turned 18.

I do love tattoos, i dont see nothing wrong with them. Everyone is different though i guess?

exotic My next tattoo will be my mum's favourite flowers, in memory of her. I imagine I'll still feel the same in 30 years.

Each and every one of my tattoos has meaning/memories attached. Those meanings and memories will not vanish. Even as the tattoos fade and bleed the reason behind them will remain. When I'm old and wrinkly and saggy, if I look at my body then and feel sad/remorse, it won't be for having inked it, it will be for not appreciating it more when I was young.

"Whatever you think now, you are unlikely to think the same in 30 years time."

There are a couple of aspects to this from my own point of view. The first is, I'm not so complacent as to assume I'll still be here in 30 years' time. That said, your argument could work against any lifelong commitment: getting married, having children. Why do anything that lasts if you might change your mind one day.

How about this then for all you Tat lovers-

pinterest.com/pin/260997740876521595/

In the Telegraph the other day someone said that King George the something can't remember which one had snakes tattooed on his mistresses' wrists to show that they 'belonged' to him. Same article said that tattoos have always been regarded as 'low class'.

I think they still are perceived as low class, even though they are becoming more acceptable. Can't see Wills or KM getting one, somehow (Harry, maybe!). They have to be covered up by staff on airlines such as BA, for example.

I can't see the attraction of them. Love or loathe? Loathe.

Often tempted to get 'exit only' tattooed on arse

Mignonette - I love ravens! Personally I wouldn't want anything that big tattooed on me, but the detail is amazing.

I do not like tattoos but admire the art of that raven.....

When I get my wings (tattooed on my back) that is exactly the feather detail I would like, that's gorgeous.

Hmm. Tattoos I have liked...
The first time I saw plain black star tattoos I liked them but then they were everywhere.
My friend got a full sleeve -floral- which I thought was beautiful in monochrome, outlines, but it wasn't finished, and I don't like it now it has been coloured in. :(
Another acquaintance has a fantastic design on her wrist. Unique and interesting. I like that one. Totally different to anything else I've seen. Special!

I'd have one if I could think of something special enough, that I wanted to show the world, but I don't think I ever will. Same way that I'd write a novel if I had anything special to say. But I don't think I ever will!