Tattoos - what advice would you give a young person?

[LukeDuke]

What advice would you give a young person (let's say college age) if they were considering a tattoo?


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[3rdCoastHunter]

Pay extra for quality. Start with somewhere less visible when clothed - don’t get meaningless words in other languages.

Also don’t take tattoo advice from a boomer unless they have extensive tattoo experience

[tfrye]

[quote=LukeDuke;16212674]What advice would you give a young person (let's say college age) if they were considering a tattoo?

General advice not trying to persuade them, or trying to talk them out of it? You should get plenty of responses on this subject matter haha

[salth2o]

It's a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.

Culture has certainly shifted on the perception of tattoo's. They are not as taboo anymore, but I figure still in certain professions it might be good to be able to cover them when needed. Like a lawyer probably shouldn't have a face tattoo.

I love tattoos and am working on a design for a new one. None of mine extend beyond my sleeve line, etc.

[GarGuy]

First..... don't do it.

Second, remember that life changes but tats stay. Having SALLY on your butt won't go over well when Sally is gone.

No trashy tats period. If gonna do it regardless, it should have meaning.

[breederbuck33]

Don't get one would be my advice. I got one at that age and regret it every time I see it. If said person just has to get one tell them to put it on their back or somewhere they can hide it. Do the research on a GOOD artist and spend the extra money. You get what you pay for on a tattoo.

[Kmart49]

Don't....

[JonBoy]

Originally Posted by LukeDuke

What advice would you give a young person (let's say college age) if they were considering a tattoo?


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I have several and started when I was 18. My personal rules (not for everyone) are:

1. Good ink ain't cheap. Cheap ink ain't good. Find a quality artist...it's forever
2. No words/letters/foreign characters/people's faces
3. Nothing I wouldn't mind showing my boss, coworkers or family
4. Consider placement vs your day-to-day work. I have a full sleeve on my right arm, wear short sleeved shirts but I work in a relaxed environment an noone cares about tattoos. It was a consideration I made before getting it.
5. The body is a temple...all good temples have quality art hung on the walls
6. I usually wait a year or more when I decide I really want a piece. If I still want it after that time, I get it

[rtp]

Originally Posted by Kmart49

Don't....

This.....

So many bad tatoos out there. Man, most of what I see these days is awful.

[Bucknaked]

Take them around and show them some older folks and what they’ll look like when they get old!


I wouldn’t advise them With anything but don’t do it!

There are a whole lot of employers out there that won’t hear a word they are saying when they walk into the office for an interview sporting ink!

[HoustonHunter94]

They are certainly more acceptable today than ever before. That said, I still think go with less visible ones to start. Everytime I see a neck tattoo or on the hands or face, I just can't help but think why??? No significant other names or chinese writing. No one cares.

[andre3k]

My advice would be don't do it.I have two small ones and I'm almost done laser removing one of them.

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[hogslayer78]

Originally Posted by LukeDuke

What advice would you give a young person (let's say college age) if they were considering a tattoo?


.

I probably wouldn't tell them anything. If there college age then they are old enough to know what they are about to do is permanent. I doubt what you say is gonna change there minds if they want one regardless. I for one dont mind them though. I would suggest to them probably to get something respectful and not trashy.

[bullhead44]

Be careful what you get.

I had a great uncle who got a naked lady on his forearm when he was in the navy. It was one of those old school green ink ones. He could make her dance when he flexed his forearm. I always thought it was really cool when I was a little kid. He always regretted getting it.

Also know what is acceptable in regards to your career. Although that has changed drastically in the recent past. I am a coach and you would rarely see a teacher/coach with a tat when I started in the early nineties. We have a female teacher with a mohawk and tats all over her head this year. That still seems strange to me.

[hogslayer78]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Take them around and show them some older folks and what they’ll look like when they get old!


I wouldn’t advise them With anything but don’t do it!

Yes tweety bird on the boob turns into big bird 30 years later

[Dusty Britches]

I don't have one and I'm not much on them because the ones I've seen are 20+ years old. They look terrible - blurry because everyone sheds their skin and those tats are constantly pushed to the surface.

That said, I like JonBoy's advice.

[Snowflake Killa]

No neck tattoos

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[oktx]

If you want to be different, put your finger in a light socket.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by oktx

If you want to be different, put your finger in a light socket.

Winner! Bwahahaha

[Man]

Not having tattoo's makes you unique these days.

[okrattler]

Now days you're in the minority if you don't have one. I'd just make sure it was something I want on me for the rest of my life. Wouldn't get it on my face,neck or hands.

If you want one,get one. Who cares? If someone else is worried about what's on your body they ain't got enough to worry about.

[jerp]

I would give no advice as I have been consistently wrong about the popularity of tattoos. I thought it would have peaked about 10 years ago - WRONG! I still think that eventually a generation will come along that rejects tattoos as something their parents and old people do. I may be wrong about that too....

[BrandonA]

Be a rebel and don't do it

[Bud]

Just don’t.

[S-3 Ranch]

Originally Posted by Snowflake Killa

No neck tattoos

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No neck , hand , face tattoos!!!
Less visible the better, tattoos are personal so keep them covered

We had a younger guy in the office show up with a neck tattoo, I don’t think the boss or management ever talked to him again , he finally left after being passed over for better candidates

[Quackerbox]

As mentioned, theyre prolly gonna do it one way or the other. Fine a good artist. If you can walk in and get inked without an appointment, its not good.

I want another but hate the wait

[Chew]

I have some that are usually hidden. Most people don't know I have them unless I show them. If you are dead set on getting one, Make sure they are meaningful to you, not something trendy or showy.

[Leonhogboy]

Shorty............................'s Bar and Grill, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

[Hoggslayer]

Originally Posted by hogslayer78

Yes tweety bird on the boob turns into big bird 30 years later

And a Butterfly will end up looking like a Pterodactyl.

I would tell them not to do it.

Both my sons have one. Clay's means something to him and I didn't mind that one so much. My older son's is just some stupid blob that looks like a ball of yarn.

[txlawdog]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

Be a rebel and don't do it

I used to hire LEO's. The ones that had the ones to their wrist were not happy when told they had to cover them when working. Life's choices have consequences. I don't have any, never cared for them. I have seen some nice ones but not enough to make me want one. Some folks can't make a decision on a spouse that lasts for more than a year or two. How are they going to make a life long choice on body art. I know they are more common and accepted these days but to me it just gives off the wrong attitude. To each his/her own. Lot of folks are going the laser route. And don't get me started on the jailhouse tattoos.

[Randy M]

Be 110% sure before you get it because they last about 6 months. 6 months longer than you do...

[Ætheling]

Nothing above the neck line or below the wrist line.


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[buckhunter1999]

1. Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good
2. Put in a place where you can easily conceal it for future employment
3. Make sure it is something you like
4. Take some time to consider it
5. Don't listen to the boomers. Full send, cause they are awesome

[7sdad]

Does he already have a design he wants?

[Roperyoung]

my advice is don't go below the elbow and your first one should always be a browning symbol done in your kitchen

[Pineywoods]

This is coming from someone with over 70 hours of ink....

Carefully consider what you get and who does the work. It will be on you for a lifetime so what is a few years to find exactly what you want by the right artist?

Until you are settled into a career and know exactly the career path you are after, avoid tattooing any area that can be seen in normal attire. Times have changed but judgements are still made by people.

If you are on a budget and the price matters, don't get a cheap tattoo just to get one.

[Mule Skinner]

Spend the money on something more useful and constructive like beer.

[twosixteens]

Grandpa told me he never met anyone in their 60’s or older that said man i sure am glad i got that tattoo when i was 18

[KGreene]

Cheap ain’t cool and cool ain’t cheap.

[Big Lee]

Start with a face tattoo. Those guys seem to be making millions right now. Thank me later. Higher me as your manager.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Pineywoods

This is coming from someone with over 70 hours of ink....

Carefully consider what you get and who does the work. It will be on you for a lifetime so what is a few years to find exactly what you want by the right artist?

Until you are settled into a career and know exactly the career path you are after, avoid tattooing any area that can be seen in normal attire. Times have changed but judgements are still made by people.

If you are on a budget and the price matters, don't get a cheap tattoo just to get one.

Hmmmm... How would one absolutely know that the tattoo they think is exactly what they want Now foresee in the future they will want the same one forever?

[SmTx]

I don't necessarily even like the same music I did at 18.

[Playa]

If it’s a girl… those cute dolphins swimming around your belly button will look like beached whales at 40 after 3 kids.

And it’s called a tramp stamp for a reason, don’t be a tramp, and **** sure don’t signal it

[Pineywoods]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Hmmmm... How would one absolutely know that the tattoo they think is exactly what they want Now foresee in the future they will want the same one forever?

I guess some people won't. Some young people don't yet know who they really are. Mine are all faith-based, patriotic, family related, or outdoors based. Those are things for me that won't change with age. With that said, I recommend young people don't get them at all, but if they are going to anyways I try to give the above advice.

[rtp]

Originally Posted by Man

Not having tattoo's makes you unique these days.

That's basically what I have told my 30 yr old. He doesnt have one. In my day,(boomer) the rebels had the tats. I call him a rebel for not getting one.

My older son got one in college and he has regretted it for a long time now. It's just a phrase tatted on his upper back. If he is in a pool with kids he wears a shirt because he doesnt want them to see it. Not sure what it matters but that is his thoughts on his.

[dbaio1]

My first question is are you still paying their bills.

[huntandfishguy6]

Don't get anything that can't be covered with short sleeves, this also applies to the female population.

[Hoggslayer]

First time I got a PM on TBH it was from Ragin. He was mad about my opinion on a Tattoo thread and wanted to fight about it. The guy got all bent out of shape. Every time I see a Tattoo thread I think about it and laugh.

[DirtyDave]

Originally Posted by 3rdCoastHunter

Pay extra for quality. Start with somewhere less visible when clothed - don’t get meaningless words in other languages.

Also don’t take tattoo advice from a boomer unless they have extensive tattoo experience

Shop the artist and their work. Dont shop by price.
Nobody regrets well done work. Only the basement bargain work haha

[JTRichardson]

above the elbow and below the collar bone; until you are set in a career and then if that career allows for them to be visible

no names

no foreign languages

I have 5, I have been in the same job going on 9 years now, and I don't think anyone knows that I have them.

I've had one of them for going on 20 years now, and I still don't regret it. 16 year old me is still funny all these years later