Sly Bald Guys Forum

Discussions About Being Bald => Tattoos and Piercings => Topic started by: beardedbaldgerman on December 23, 2013, 08:11:22 AM

Title: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: beardedbaldgerman on December 23, 2013, 08:11:22 AM
I would really love to get my sleeve, shoulder and chest inked (colorful koi is my idea). But I am to afraid of what other people say and think. Being a 33 old man and living in a relationship with a man I love does not make it easier to overcome this fear because I want my partner to be supportive (what he is not when we talk about body modification). Plus I think my parents would be shocked. I should not care about them at my age but I somehow do. I always want to fulfill the expectations of others, I guess. I already made some changes at my appearance and grew a beard and clipper shaved my head - something (especially the beard) I was afraid of a few years back. I have no piercings either. Is it just the quarter/third/mid life crisis that make me want to get a tattoo? I don't no but I doubt it because I think about it from time to time since 2006.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on December 23, 2013, 08:41:36 AM
Funny you mention the quarter life crisis.  I've always wanted a tattoo, but at fifty, I'm afraid it would scream  mid-life crisis.  I really shouldn't care about that, but ... In reality, I'm just a little afraid of what I think might be an awesome tattoo at fifty, I might not think is so awesome at seventy-five.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Hingatao on December 23, 2013, 09:22:07 AM
I was 45 when I got my first tattoo. There was never any thought from me or anyone else about it being any kind of a "crisis", it was just something I'd wanted to do. I'm 51 now and have five tattoos. Granted, none if mine are anywhere near as big as what you're talking about and they can all be covered easily if I find myself going into a situation where they could become an issue.

If your partner is that unsupportive maybe you can compromise and have a smaller piece done (or a small portion of what you really want so that it can be expanded later when your partner gets used to it). Otherwise, if you have the time and money to invest in a tat, go for it. It's your body and your money. Keep in mind, though, that tattoos can be addictive. Like I said, I have five and I plan on expanding one of them (on my right fore arm) into a half-sleeve. Have fun!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: beardedbaldgerman on December 23, 2013, 09:50:30 AM
This is the kind of tattoo I am taking about. Maybe not the whole sleeve and a bit more colorful: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61072578@N06/5562324668/

If there would not be other people "involved" I would do it right away. I would start with the sleeve and then extend it later (partly because of the money). Should I just go to the artist without asking my partner beforehand?
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: isleepinthebuff on December 23, 2013, 01:01:17 PM
I do love the tattoo you posted. Tattoo's are personal and should very much be about you and not others. At the age that you are you're more likely to be making an informed decision. I had mine at 20 and hate them now. I really wish I had untampered with skin! Especially as now everyone has a tatoo and sleeves are very much done to death and in fashion. When I had mine done it was all about tribal black tattoo's, mine have faded and are grey now. I dread to think what they'll be like when I'm older!

So maybe I'm not the welcome to tattoo's you were looking for!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Baldstu on December 23, 2013, 01:55:37 PM
Nah its not a mid life crisis thing , its kinda personal , sly guys look good with tatoos , gotta few meself
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: TheSlyBear on December 23, 2013, 04:22:29 PM
This is the kind of tattoo I am taking about.
I love traditional work like that.

Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: EarlBald on December 23, 2013, 04:52:52 PM
If you really want a tattoo, go get one, but I'd suggest starting small.  Don't worry about your parents and friends, but if it's going to make your partner go "Eeeeewwww!", think long and carefully.  Also, remember that tattoos are permanent--removable only at great pain and expense.  Whatever you put on your skin will stay there--and if you sag, etc. as you get older (not to put too fine a point on it), the tattoos sag with you.  I'd advise against doing this on a whim.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Hingatao on December 23, 2013, 05:29:04 PM
I'll echo what the others have said about this being purely a personal decision. It's your body and your choice. Don't let anyone else make the decision for you.

You might also want to talk to a few different artists and ask to see pictures of some of their work. Any reputable artist will make a practice of having some in a scrapbook or binder that's available without asking. If you describe what you want, most artists will also you estimates on pricing and how long the piece will take to complete. Both will depend upon size and complexity of the piece as well as whether or not you want color or just various shades of black and grey.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Daven on December 23, 2013, 06:08:09 PM
If I lived with an "I wonder what people will say/think about__________" philosophy  I would likely never leave the house. 

Take my grandma's favorite advice :  "what other people think of you is none of your business"



... Now post pictures when the work is healed.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on December 23, 2013, 07:56:10 PM

Take my grandma's favorite advice :  "what other people think of you is none of your business"

Great advice. I'll have to remember that! :)
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: buddha on December 24, 2013, 09:56:20 AM
Plus I think my parents would be shocked. I should not care about them at my age but I somehow do.

I always want to fulfill the expectations of others, I guess.

The second line I quoted is the root of the problem as far as I can see. It sure as hell isn't easy to spend life trying not to disappoint other people while trying to be who you are.
This is not about not caring about your parents so much as it is not being able to walk away from them. You can care about mom and dad and still be your own man. Are you paying all your own bills? Feeding and clothing yourself? Keeping a roof over your own head? If so you're no longer bound by the dictates of your parents. Doing what you want and being who you are is not disrespect to the people who brought you into this world, it is self-respect.
As far as your partner is concerned if he wouldn't love you because you made a body mod then he clearly has a picture of you being what he wants you to be and you're living up to it. Now imagine yourself at 65 having lived your whole life according to the expectations of other people and all the things you passed on because of that. Are you going to die a happy man? BTW, the best way to answer that question is when you're by yourself looking into a mirror.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: VOT on December 24, 2013, 01:11:10 PM
If you have wanted one since 2006 it clearly isn't a whim. What you are proposing isn't particularly extreme either. If I were in your shoes I would just explain to your partner that you want it, why, and although you would rather it had his blessing you will still go ahead. Invite him along to the studio to be part of the experience. Re your parents, in my experience parents never particularly approve of anything but on the up side even if they don't approve they will not love you any less. Unless you regularly walk around with your shirt off in their presence they will only see it in the summer with short sleeves. so stop stressing and do what you want to do.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: swimmerbro on December 24, 2013, 09:47:31 PM
I completely agree with what everyone is saying. I am in the same boat as far as wanting one and being scared of what other people will think, and honestly reading this encourages me to take the leap of faith because I know it will make me happy and ultimately that is what matters. As far as your tattoo goes, I think its bad ass! good luck with everything.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Hingatao on December 24, 2013, 09:57:28 PM
My mom and my bf don't like my tats but they both realize, fortunately, that the tats don't change who I am. On another note, I don't like the fact that my bf smokes but I don't love him any less because of it and I've never asked him to quit.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Frontier Guy on December 25, 2013, 05:21:22 AM
Although I understand your concerns about others' reactions, I have to wonder whether they are more concerned about your HAPPINESS or your APPEARANCE.

If they are more concerned about your appearance that's quite superficial. Particularly if the subject is a tat which can easily be covered if needed.

I dealt with the same issues until I realized it is my life, it is my happiness. The people I spend time (now) with are with me because they want to be with me, regardless of shaved head, septum ring, being tall, etc.

I would wager that if you get the tat and it becomes part of you, you will find new self-confidence.

YOUR life will be so much more fulfilling when you can live honestly, being who you really are.

Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: slymyke on December 25, 2013, 04:55:54 PM
I would love to get one myself.  It sounds like you have thought about it for quite a while, you know what you want and you know where you want it.... that seems to be what I can't decide for myself.

If you are concerned with what others would think.  I agree with Hingatoo when he said you could get a small one that will easily transition into the larger one you want.  This will allow you and others time to get used to it, plus allow you to move forward with it. 
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Cave Dweller on December 26, 2013, 08:35:43 AM
I'll start off by admitting that I am not a fan of tattoos, but if it is what you want, and you have given yourself time to consider all the pros and cons of it, then I say go do it.

I like the advice the gentlemen before have offered about starting off with a small piece of what you ultimately want to do. To me, that makes a lot of sense, given that this is something permanent you are going to do to your skin.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Southworth14 on December 31, 2013, 08:19:40 AM
I gt my first tattoo at age 50 after wanting one for 30 years.  Now I have two half sleeves, easily covered if I want, or easy to show in a t-shirt or sleeveless shirt.  So if you want it, go for it.  The three quarter sleeve shown will take about 16-20 hours to complete or 3 to 4 sittings.  All the best.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on December 31, 2013, 09:20:55 AM
I gt my first tattoo at age 50 after wanting one for 30 years.  Now I have two half sleeves, easily covered if I want, or easy to show in a t-shirt or sleeveless shirt.  So if you want it, go for it.  The three quarter sleeve shown will take about 16-20 hours to complete or 3 to 4 sittings.  All the best.

Got any photos to share?
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: BBCESQ on December 31, 2013, 11:04:40 AM
I have 3 and want more, I would love a sleeve but as an attorney that is a problem.  It's one thing not to care about what other people think about you, but because my job depends on me making a good impression to a decision maker, I try not to appear unprofessional.

That being said, my partner is not crazy about them, but I am the one who has to live with it.  I did not want to go through my life having wanted a tattoo and not being able to get one because my partner would disapprove.  That would just make me resent him.

I can tell you that my first one was small, but my second one was quite large.  I was very self conscious about the second one for quite some time.  By the time I got the 3rd (also on the large side), I kept forgetting about it after it healed until I looked down. 
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Ozz2012 on January 01, 2014, 04:35:41 PM
I've thought more and more about getting a tattoo (or more) over the last few years.  I think the popularity of several TV shows (Best Ink, Ink Master, etc) and the fact that they've become more widely accepted even in so called "professional" environments makes it seem a little more accessible.

My biggest problem is that I REALLY want to make sure that I'm choosing the right design...speak now or forever hold your peace, if you know what I mean.

Also, I live in a small area where the few tattoo  places in my town aren't exactly filled with world class artists...so it would involve me making a long distance trip in order to make sure I get an artist of the right caliber (and believe me...if I'm going to have a tattoo put on me...even a simple one, I'm willing to pay for the best person, not just walk into a random place and have the first person who approaches me at the counter be my artist).

People who live in larger cities are lucky in some ways....that being one of them...there are a larger number of tattoo parlors and (usually) a higher caliber of artist available.



Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: DOC_OSMC on January 01, 2014, 05:02:57 PM
I have to agree with the sentiments of the others are it is a personal decision that you have to make, no one can and will should make it for you, it's you're life not theirs. Granted you want the support of your partner, but you have to think, is he disapproving because he's not gonna like it in you or is he disapproving because he's gonna feel embarrassed to be seen with someone tattooed? If it's the latter, then that's pretty superficial. As far as your parents go, they'll still love you just the same. If not, then they are the ones with the issues.

I got my first tattoo at 26 after I split up with my ex-wife. I finally decided no one is gonna tell me what I should or shouldn't have. Since then, as you can see from the pics, I've gotten several more, including my chest, and at 42 plan to get more. I work in a fairly conservative environment but have had no issues covering up the chest tattoo when I need to. I'm also a biker and that's never seemed to affect what I do.

I also don't believe in going small. Go big or go home as the saying goes! If you're gonna do it, you gotta go all in.

Live life, don't let life live you.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Ta2Guy on February 04, 2014, 06:09:34 PM
Daven has it exactly right: Other people's opinions of me are none of my business.

I have gotten this question quite a few times over the years I have been tattooed:

What in the HELL were you thinking?

I have a simple reply:

I was thinking that my tattoos are none of YOUR f***ing business!

That usually ends the conversation.

BTW I would be gentler to my grandmother, but she would never have asked ANYONE such a question!

http://ta2guy.org/regret.htm (http://ta2guy.org/regret.htm)
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Lith on February 04, 2014, 11:10:30 PM
Take my grandma's favorite advice :  "what other people think of you is none of your business"
Awsome quote.. Thank your grandmother. I'm going to spread this to my little social network lol.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 05, 2014, 07:14:56 AM
Daven has it exactly right: Other people's opinions of me are none of my business.

I have gotten this question quite a few times over the years I have been tattooed:

What in the HELL were you thinking?

I have a simple reply:

I was thinking that my tattoos are none of YOUR f***ing business!

That usually ends the conversation.

BTW I would be gentler to my grandmother, but she would never have asked ANYONE such a question!

http://ta2guy.org/regret.htm (http://ta2guy.org/regret.htm)

Ta2Guy - thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed reading about your journey. I especially liked the "When I'm Sixty-four" piece.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Ta2Guy on February 05, 2014, 01:44:49 PM
Daven has it exactly right: Other people's opinions of me are none of my business.
I have gotten this question quite a few times over the years I have been tattooed:
What in the HELL were you thinking?
I have a simple reply:
I was thinking that my tattoos are none of YOUR f***ing business!
That usually ends the conversation.
BTW I would be gentler to my grandmother, but she would never have asked ANYONE such a question!

http://ta2guy.org/regret.htm (http://ta2guy.org/regret.htm)

Ta2Guy - thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed reading about your journey. I especially liked the "When I'm Sixty-four" piece.

Thanks to you as well Mike.

As for getting tattooed at age 50, below is my third of four tattoos, including my first, I got while I was fifty.

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fta2guy.org%2Fimages%2Ftatpix%2Fdonq-me.jpg&hash=bb62e5789cc438a213fea6012a2bcf1a8e6acb53)

That one took three very long (for me at least) sessions totaling about ten hours.

Getting that one unleashed me completely to get all the ink and all the piercings I wanted.   http://ta2guy.org/holeyguy.htm (http://ta2guy.org/holeyguy.htm)

And you would not believe how much fun you can have being bald and tattooed.

I regularly have people approach me in restaurants, in malls, and once at an art show, wanting to take a picture of me.  At the art show, one of the artists complained (jokingly, I think) that I was getting more attention than his art.

After completing a regular checkup in 2013, Dr. Gary asked me if he could take a picture of me. He had it all arranged and brought in one of his nurses.  They put me in his lab coat and took my picture and then his.

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fta2guy.org%2Fimages%2Fmiscpix%2Fdr-dan-x.jpg&hash=fa46232cd464d05f10b297debea27a8eaba5b3bb) (https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fta2guy.org%2Fimages%2Fmiscpix%2Fdr-gary-x.jpg&hash=32207dc371250f2ed8037caedc1673e99cfc46f0)

He then posted these and some more pictures of the two of us in the clinic employee's lounge.

The points are:  No One is too young to be bald!  No One is too old to get a tattoo!  Try doing both!, you probably WILL like it!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: BBCESQ on February 05, 2014, 01:56:39 PM

As for getting tattooed at age 50, below is my third of four tattoos, including my first, I got while I was fifty.

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fta2guy.org%2Fimages%2Ftatpix%2Fdonq-me.jpg&hash=bb62e5789cc438a213fea6012a2bcf1a8e6acb53)


I have always loved that piece.  That is an awesome tat!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Ta2Guy on February 05, 2014, 04:25:50 PM
I have 3 and want more, I would love a sleeve but as an attorney that is a problem.  It's one thing not to care about what other people think about you, but because my job depends on me making a good impression to a decision maker, I try not to appear unprofessional.

That being said, my partner is not crazy about them, but I am the one who has to live with it.  I did not want to go through my life having wanted a tattoo and not being able to get one because my partner would disapprove.  That would just make me resent him.

I can tell you that my first one was small, but my second one was quite large.  I was very self conscious about the second one for quite some time.  By the time I got the 3rd (also on the large side), I kept forgetting about it after it healed until I looked down. 

I'm glad you like Don Quixote. I love the art itself, but I also love the sentiments behind it.

I am a retired (since 2007) attorney and I had all of the ink I now have except my hands, neck and head while I was still in active practice.

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fta2guy.org%2Fimages%2Ffraser%2F011505c.jpg&hash=19c74d98d84325c18df99375caaf1a30cab68846)

I practiced law in a small West Texas town and everyone knew about my tattoo, particularly after an article about me was published in the magazine Tattoo in 2004. When I wore a long sleeved shirt, my ink was hidden except that a little bit of my arm tattoos would slip out from time to time. No one ever commented of the little show of ink, but I really stirred up the lawyers in my local bar (in a pretty good way) and never believed it caused me a problem professionally.

There is a district judge in Houston who is heavily tattooed.

Both of the people in this picture (http://ta2guy.org/images/miscpix/CorporateBadAss-Marisa.jpg) are prominent attorneys in their communities (the man practices mostly in federal courts in San Francisco).

I believe you can be a successful lawyer and get all of the tattoos you want as long as you stop two or three inches above your wrists and a little below your neck and no one will ever know as long as you stay buttoned up, remove your septum ring, and avoid appearing in tattoo magazines!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: BBCESQ on February 06, 2014, 07:19:26 AM
I have 3 and want more, I would love a sleeve but as an attorney that is a problem.  It's one thing not to care about what other people think about you, but because my job depends on me making a good impression to a decision maker, I try not to appear unprofessional.

That being said, my partner is not crazy about them, but I am the one who has to live with it.  I did not want to go through my life having wanted a tattoo and not being able to get one because my partner would disapprove.  That would just make me resent him.

I can tell you that my first one was small, but my second one was quite large.  I was very self conscious about the second one for quite some time.  By the time I got the 3rd (also on the large side), I kept forgetting about it after it healed until I looked down. 

I'm glad you like Don Quixote. I love the art itself, but I also love the sentiments behind it.

I am a retired (since 2007) attorney and I had all of the ink I now have except my hands, neck and head while I was still in active practice.

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fta2guy.org%2Fimages%2Ffraser%2F011505c.jpg&hash=19c74d98d84325c18df99375caaf1a30cab68846)

I practiced law in a small West Texas town and everyone knew about my tattoo, particularly after an article about me was published in the magazine Tattoo in 2004. When I wore a long sleeved shirt, my ink was hidden except that a little bit of my arm tattoos would slip out from time to time. No one ever commented of the little show of ink, but I really stirred up the lawyers in my local bar (in a pretty good way) and never believed it caused me a problem professionally.

There is a district judge in Houston who is heavily tattooed.

Both of the people in this picture (http://ta2guy.org/images/miscpix/CorporateBadAss-Marisa.jpg) are prominent attorneys in their communities (the man practices mostly in federal courts in San Francisco).

I believe you can be a successful lawyer and get all of the tattoos you want as long as you stop two or three inches above your wrists and a little below your neck and no one will ever know as long as you stay buttoned up, remove your septum ring, and avoid appearing in tattoo magazines!

Thanks for the shot of confidence.  I think I'm ready to get my 4th tat in the next month or so. 
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: djones on February 10, 2014, 09:36:19 PM
 I started getting tattooed at 18, at the time my dad was a pastor, he didn't really care but it was frowned upon..and my mom had tattoos from her teen years she hated so she always told me I would regret them..so my first tattoos were all on my legs lol because I didn't wear shorts around them.my third tattoo was the beginning of my back piece so I just told them before I went to get it and I stopped hiding them then and even did an apprenticeship at a shop but decided not to become an artist...since then my parents divorced the church gave my dad the choice to take a vow to never date/marry again or give up being ordained..he gave it up..since then I have tattooed my dad, step mom, and my moms boyfriend..basically it's your body, your choice and others just have to accept it because if it's what you truly want that urge will always be there,I would rather regret the things I done than the things I didn't do ...best of luck
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Viking on February 11, 2014, 04:29:01 AM
Some good advice in this thread, my advice would be if you want to get a tattoo then just do it, don't tell anyone prior just do it. Maybe not go the full hog and get sleeved up but research an artist and get yourself a nice quality piece. As you have seen, you're not too old as there is no such thing as too old, I think like me you think your old in your early 30's!!

My experience was I wanted to get some tattoos since I was a teenager, my step dad had some then I got heavily into music in my later teens and the bands I was into were all ink'd up, that progressed as I got a bit older I got a massive interest in the hot rod and custom bike scenes, those guys had cool ink too and I started to think, this is something I've wanted to do for a decade so why not do it!

I guess I had reservations, what would my parents say (no one in my family had tattoo's except my step dad and he'd had his for a long time before he met my mum), surely if I had tattoos I'd never get on in life etc.... I knew my then girlfriend (now wife) would be cool with them, mainly as she shared the same interest in music, cars and bikes and more still because she loves me and it really makes no difference. I had both my inner fore arms done, showed them too my dad and he was into them, showed them too my mum and she wasn't bothered, showed them to the missus and she loved them.

As for work, the job I was doing at the time required I had to keep them covered which I was cool with, the company I work for now don't mind. The world is changing, I'm in the UK and over the last 5 years tattoos have become very mainstream, it's not criminals, sailors and bikers, it's very much the norm. In the future tattoo'd lawyers, doctors and teachers will be something no one even raises and eyebrow too.

It sounds like you've been planning it a while which is the right way to do it, I live in a student area of town and the amount of 18,19, 20 year old kids I see with full sleeves, hands and necks does kinda worry me, if I had covered myself wit the ideas I had at that age I'd have a lot of regrets now. I don't understand the rush of these kids to cover themselves straightaway, I guess it's trendy at the mo, all I know is that life is a journey and I plan to mark that journey on myself every now and then, these kids will be all outta room by the time they graduate!!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Blitzed on March 01, 2014, 07:52:30 PM
If you truly believe you should be an inked person, then others will key on to that. Mentally make a list of things your friends and family have done that displeased you. You're not advocating the violent overthrow of the government, you're not doins something that hasn't been done by others millions of time, you're simply allowing your self to respond to what you want and have wanted. My grandfather taught me that consider everything you do and see if, someday, you'll look back witha shrug or a sigh. If it's the latter, don't do it. I guess I must have had and old age crisis as I started collecting mine in my late 60's. Eventually I'll have sleeves, full back and probably one leg. Or I'll be dust in a mason jar; Thesse things take time.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mr Jules on December 04, 2014, 04:27:07 AM
So you want to go get a tattoo and worried what other might say? In my case, couple friends' ink finally got me interested. And a friend of many years suggested the perfect design for me, which I instantly liked. Visited the local tattoo shop and they booked me an appointment the next month, given me plenty of time to change my mind. I only discussed the whole thing with friends who already had ink.

If you are worried about what others might think, then choose something discreet. I chose to have mine on my right leg calf. It's winter now and it will be many months before the tattoo will ever get seen in public !

If you have changed your appearance by shaving your head, then having a tattoo is less of a change for friends to get used to. Especially, if the ink is covered by clothing all the time.

My big issue was tattoo pain. Got quite anxious. In fact, getting inked was really quite painless. More of mild sensation or irritation. Sure there were moments of actual discomfort. But for the most part, I happily chatted to the tattooist and played on my phone. Going to the dentist far far worse !!

Really glad I got my done. Wish I had one earlier. And of course, I now want more.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Semi-Sly on December 04, 2014, 09:34:01 AM
Well, I got my first publicly visible tattoo when I was 59 years old.    This tattoo commemorates my career as a naval officer.  It is a Naval Officer's crest, topped by a traditional tattoo frigate, and wrapped all around with ribbons which list the various countries I have served in.

It is a half sleeve that runs from a bit over the top of my shoulder down to about 2 inches above my elbow.  So, when wearing a dress shirt, or even a dressy casual polo shirt, it doesn't show.  When I want to show m y tattoo I wear a sleeveless t-shirt.  And there are times where I really do not want my tattoo to show, (important business meetings, at church, at formal functions, etc.

My Mother first spotted my tattoo about 8 months ago and she actually cried about it.

I too plan on getting another tattoo; a half sleeve on the other arm. But I dread the conflict that this will cause with my Mom.

My Advice to you is as follows:

1.  If it is going to affect your relationship with your partner; think long and hard about it.  Be sure that this is not going to be the cause of a break up.  A tattoo just isn't worth that!

2.  Be sure that you are going to be able to handle the displeasure of your parents.  I really do understand how you feel about them - and you are right to honor them. 

3.  DO NOT just go to the first tattoo artist that you find.  You should go to at least a dozen artists and view their portfolio's before you let them ink you for life!  You can do some of this on-line.  It is also good to go to a few tattoo conventions.  While conventions tend to draw some really freaky-modded folks, they also draw scores of different artists.  They all bring portfolio's of their work and you can actually see them working.  You live in Germany right? I know that there are world famous tattoo conventions in both Berlin and Munich.

4.  In then end, do something that is UNIQUE and individual to you.  Do you really want to be just another one of 10,000 guys with a Koi fish on his arm?  Or, do you want something UNIQUE to you:  Find a good tattoo ARTIST who can help you translate your desire for a large colorful tattoo into something that is ONE OF A KIND and represents something that is really, really meaningful to you - after all, you are going to be looking at this tattoo in the mirror for the rest of your life.  Also, you want this tattoo to communicate something unique about you to whomever sees it; and you want them to also enjoy it as ART.

5.  It is good to start small - doing the tattoo in phases will definitely result in a better end product; (e.g. shoulder cap first, then chest plate, then upper arm, etc.).  And perhaps you will decide along the way that you do not want your sleeve to go down below the elbow.  But you are absolutely correct in having a plan for how the shoulder, chest plate and upper arm will be one complete piece of art when you are eventually finished.  (So many guys ran out in the 90's and got a piece of tribal flash slapped onto their biceps - and now cannot create an integrated piece of true art because that big black piece of flash is smack dab in the middle of their prime "real estate" (skin).

So my advice is that you really think this through, that you really do some research, and that you search out a tattoo artist who is both a true ARTIST as well as a technical genius when it comes to executing art in the medium of tattoo.  After you collaborate with your artist and come up with both a finished design as well as a plan on how you are going to do this in stages, then you will have something beautiful and unique to show to your partner and discuss rationally.  You won't just be getting some "big ole' tattoo slapped on half of your body - you will be able to explain and discuss the artistic and creative process with him.  You will be able to explain what the tattoo says about you and means to you.  And you might be surprised that he may be less objectionable about it then.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on December 04, 2014, 06:26:55 PM
Randy, what a great post.  I've always been fascinated by tattoos.  And I've toyed with getting one for a long time.  An older woman (well older than me!) at work wants me to go with her to get her ink and she is trying to convince me to get one with her.  My biggest fear is finally doing it and then hating the work.  Good advice about the research necessary.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: swimmerbro on December 05, 2014, 06:50:11 AM
mike,
I 100% agree with what you're saying. I have such a fear that I will not like it once it's there or get sick of it after a few years.

does anyone have any experience with this?
The design I have picked out is very important to me, but it's important to me in the current stage of my life, and I don't know how I will feel about it later.
Help!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on December 05, 2014, 11:43:42 AM
Swimmer, what's the design?
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: swimmerbro on December 08, 2014, 08:05:20 PM
its the logo of the university where I was a college swimmer. I want it to look as if my skin is ripped and the logo was always underneath.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Semi-Sly on December 08, 2014, 11:20:53 PM
its the logo of the university where I was a college swimmer. I want it to look as if my skin is ripped and the logo was always underneath.

Hey Swimmerbro:

Now that is the way to do it!  You are starting off with an idea of something that is unique and deeply personal to you.  You can expand on that to make it look like you are just comming out of the water - so that the water is sheeting and dripping off of your skin - and then the "tearing skin" shows and the University logo underneath.

So now you need to go looking for artists that have experience in doing "biomechanical" tattoos, because they will have experience in doing the "torn skin" look.  You are also going to look for artists that specialize in "photo realism".  That is going to be a harder thing to find someone who is REALLY good at photo realism and not just SAY that they are good at it.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: swimmerbro on December 09, 2014, 08:14:16 PM
really, really like the idea to have water dripping off it! I never thought of that.
I guess I'm gonna start looking for a tattoo artist...
anyone have any suggestions for artists that specialize in photorealism or biomech?
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: DOC_OSMC on December 11, 2014, 06:05:53 PM
Swimmer, where do you live?  I know a couple of good tattoo artists down here in Southern California.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: swimmerbro on December 13, 2014, 08:35:40 PM
I live in the lehigh valley in pennsylvania.
can anyone just talk about their first tattoo experience? I'm very apprehensive about the whole process, thanks!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Semi-Sly on December 14, 2014, 10:45:28 PM
There is a major tattoo convention in Philadelphia in just a couple of months, February 13-15.

Why not go up there and check out the different artists.  Look at their portfolios.  Look at some biomechanical tattoos.  As about "photorealism" tattoos.  If they don't know what you are talking about - Move ON!

You can learn a lot in a day or two at a convention.  Just don't freak out when you see some of the hard corps body modifiers who will be there.  They are just there to hook up with their friends.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Semi-Sly on December 14, 2014, 10:46:36 PM
The website for the convention is:  http://www.villainarts.com/ (http://www.villainarts.com/)
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: DOC_OSMC on December 14, 2014, 11:01:43 PM
I got my first tattoo when I was about about 25.  I had always wanted one but my wife at the time wasn't into it so I didn't get one.  When we separated, I said f' it, I'm getting a tattoo and went for it!  I was nervous, wondering how it would feel.  But I got through it and about 8 tattoos later over the last 18 years and I've not regretted it! I plan on getting more.

It hurt, but the pain was tolerable.  I've had my chest tattooed and both my arms, and I will say that the chest hurt the most, and under my arm and my shoulders hurt the least.

Sounds like there's meaning behind your tattoo so I say go for it!  I can almost guarantee that you won't regret it.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: beardedbaldgerman on February 21, 2015, 10:09:16 AM
Hi,
Long time since I last posted something. Sorry about that. And thank you so much for your encouragement. But still didn't get inked... :-( But I am still thinking about it. What does that mean...
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Semi-Sly on February 21, 2015, 10:34:39 PM
That means that you're probably going to get a tattoo but you haven't finished doing the research necessary to get the right one.  That's okay there's no rush you wanted to be right when you do it!  I have an appointment to start a new sleeve on my left upper arm into weeks but I just decided to cancel it because I'm going to do something completely different with that sleeve now.  Here I thought that I had my mind all made up of the decided on this already two years ago and now I've changed my mind and decided to do something else with that real estate!  When you've decided what life experience has been really meaningful to you And have found an artist that can capture that for you both in a drawing and in  a tattoo that really captures the feeling of that life experience for you, then you'll be ready.  I cannot stress strongly enough the need to go to several tattoo conventions it to to see you scary as artists portfolios before you firm up your ideas.

Where are you located anyway?  If you want you could send me private messages and we'll talk about your life and what's been really meaningful to you.  Maybe then I can suggest some things to you
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: beardedbaldgerman on April 19, 2015, 03:05:38 PM
Appointment on Tuesday. God I'm nervous. Gone get something very geometric on the inner side of my upper left arm.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on April 19, 2015, 05:04:23 PM
Good luck! Post a picture when you're done.
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Semi-Sly on April 19, 2015, 10:12:51 PM
 I almost hate to tell you but the inside of my upper arms with the two most painful tattoos I have ever gotten
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: beardedbaldgerman on May 02, 2015, 10:35:59 AM
There it is. didn't even hurt so much. Love it.
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs18.postimg.org%2Fjj6wy0h21%2FIMG_20150422_072403.jpg&hash=57e9d2bed655dddb687ba869851b110452bb4529) (http://postimage.org/)
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Mike E. P. on May 02, 2015, 03:35:35 PM
Nice. How did you decide on the design?
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Goatee on May 03, 2015, 07:52:04 AM
Waw!! Awesome!!

Looks great. I have about 11 tats on my arms. Some meaningless, most have meaning. Was having tattoo removal on 4. Not carried on as (A) Summer sun (B) Bloody hurt!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: Semi-Sly on May 03, 2015, 10:39:34 PM
I like it!  It is unusual.

Title: Re: I want to get a tattoo but I am afraid what people will say
Post by: K5mow on May 04, 2015, 08:59:23 AM
Very cool.

Roger