Why, thank you. :biggrin: ... I was thinking of getting one like it on my thigh ... xD

*would most likely faint*

My advice? Don't do it.
Why?
There was a time when tattoos meant something. Nowadays, you see grandmothers with fresh ink at the mall. They have become nothing more of an accessory than anything else...

I have 2 tattoos which are older than most posters on these forums. They mean something to me. They are pretty faded now, and I like them that way. When you go to a tattoo parlor and pick "that one because it's cool", that to me it's the wrong reason to do it.

/old_man\'s_rant

For me, the ink is addicting. I have 5, got my first at 18 (many moons ago), and want to get more. Many more.

If your not exactly 100% sure what you want then in most tattoo places you can have the artist throw together something based on your vague ideas, on paper. Then you can really see it, and get a good idea of how it will look because it was just drawn by the same hand that will draw it on you.

The Army policy is (or was) for tattoos that are not visible when wearing the short sleeved version of the dress uniform. A buddy of mine got a tattoo on his chest when he turned 18 that he felt represented his culture and heritage. When he went into the Army a few years latter a Drill Sargent who had a different heritage took offence to the tattoo and made the guys life a living hell because of it. Not that this is likley to happen to you, that particular DI was just a small petty person with something to prove. But if you really want a military career then you might want to wait until you have at least put on the uniform to see where the barriers are. It's not like there s some rule against getting a tattoo once you're enlisted, believe me there is not!

Actually that was my point - theywere exaggerated. I'm not saying none of those are things to consider, I'm just saying a lot of people use those reasons to argue that no one should ever get a tattoo, and that those people svck.

Get sleeves. That's what I would do.

Those are probably my favorite types. I'd really like to get the http://tribaltattoos.genia.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/john_mayer_tattoos-2.jpg ones though, as opposed to the generic skulls and cobweb types.

I suggest you avoid Japanese-style sleeves if you want to live in Japan in the future

How come? Well, I don't really intend on it, but still. . .

Oh, but hilarity would ensue.

No, seriously, don't. Although most Westerners really wouldn't get confused with members of the chivalry by common Japanese people, real members of the chivalry might not be too pleased.

Oh are you talking about the Yakuza? :cryvaultboy:

Smart Hawkepony. ^_^
Yeah, even my Celtic tats got some weird looks from shady people. Since I literally tower above most Japanese people, that didn't matter too much though.

Well, I think tribal designs, and skull designs are overused, so I wanted something that looked nice but was different. Oh well!

Price can be pretty diffrent depending on where you are, if you know the artist, if you use color, etc. My SC2 Space marine, black with a tiny bit of red(blood) cost around 120$, but I knew the guy, so I got a price drop. In terms of pain, also depends on who does it. some people may push down a bit harder then others. also depends on what needle is used.

1. depends on the artist, big things they tend to charge by the hour small things they usually give you a set price, for instance per letter if you are in to that, but it wary a lot.
2. depends on the artist some artists work quicker than other but a couple of hours would be enough I think if the tattooist knows what he is doing.
3. it hurts as much as you expect a needle piercing your skin would do, some areas are more sensitive than others and it depends if you like pain or not but usually the longer you are at it the more it will hurt, (which is why most take 3 hour sessions if I am not mistaking... unlike me and my tattooist who go for all nighters )

Personally before I get a tattoo I tend to think what is this tattoo going to be in the long run, just an empty piece or a part of a greater piece, If I were to recommend you I would say that you should think what you want to do with your tattoos, if you want to commit to a certain style, have many small or big pieces, colours and such, but then again most people are not as picky as I

Several have already mentioned this, but it really can't be said enough: This is something that will be very difficult to modify. Frankly, just about any idea an 18 year old has about what is cool isn't going to last a lifetime. This isn't a slam on 18 year olds, really, but you should consider what you are going to think of your tattoo when you are 30, or 40, or 50, because you are likely going to be living with it.

My advise is to think more about it, then think a bit more. If you decide you want to do this, waiting another month won't hurt.

Should also mention that tattoos still have negative stigma with the Establishment, and no one needs to weaken their professional potential for something as trivial as a tattoo. That might not mean anything to you at this point, but then again, we end up back at the original issue of thinking about how your world view is likely to change over your lifetime. I, like everyone does, has spent a lifetime making decisions that have long term repercussions. I do my best to never make a decision that I can't later reverse. I suggest you consider doing the same. If you then decide to go for it, then more power to you.

You may say what you do, but are you happy with it? Are you happy with your life? Are you really really satisfied? Don't answer me, answer yourself. . .

I think the point I'm making is that one is likely to be LESS satisfied with their lives if the make decisions capriciously. Everyone makes mistakes. The idea is to avoid making mistakes which produce irreparable consequences.

Simply put get it then get more.A man without ink cant be seen by the GODS!

The only tattoo i have ever considered is a tattoo of a ? on my shoulder, dont know why

Tattoo vary in price from from how detailed and colored and how long it takes. My local tattoo artist charges 100$ for the first hour then like 50$ for the the other hours.

As for pain it depends on where you get it and how boney you are.

I really have to disagree with anyone saying you shouldn't get anything meaningful, cause it could change. True, your thoughts on how meaningful it is could change, but maybe it wont, but if you get something meaningless then it'll always meaningless.

You mentioned something about the military tho? A few months ago the Marines was trying to recruit me and call and asked me some stuff, one questions was whether or not I had any tattoos, I didn't so I said no but I kinda wonder what he would of said if I had said yes. Just trowing that out there.

Why would you not get a tattoo in case it loses it's meaning 10 years down the line?

For one, that applies to pretty much everything you do in life, you're changing your personality constantly.
For two, your tattoos should be a story of your life, you get a tattoo at one point, and even if it loses it's meaning to you ten years later, that's fine, because it serves as a reminder of who you were when you got the tattoo.

Don't get one.