Should I get a tattoo for my 40th birthday? ;)

[Magpie]

I was complimenting the waitress at our diner on her tattoos, and my husband suddenly said, "You should get one when you turn 40!"

Now my birthday's still a long way away, but I've actually been kinda thinking it. I used to say I'd never do it, because I was too scared, but actually I'm not that scared of it anymore. My husband's really enthusiastic about the idea, too.

So... what do you think? Would you get a tattoo to celebrate a birthday? What kind of tattoo?

For the record, I'd have it located somewhere discreet, that won't sag when I'm an old lady, and it'd be something that means a lot to me personally. I'll probably design it myself (I've done some commercial art). I figure if it's my design I'll be happier with it long term.

I wonder if I'm brave enough...

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

My sister had her husband's name done where her watch band goes. It is very pretty.

I don't know if I could ever do it though. One, I'm a huge baby about pain.
And two, I can't think of a design that would not bad if it faded, stretched or got wrinkled. So no tattoo for me.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I was complimenting the waitress at our diner on her tattoos, and my husband suddenly said, "You should get one when you turn 40!"

Now my birthday's still a long way away, but I've actually been kinda thinking it. I used to say I'd never do it, because I was too scared, but actually I'm not that scared of it anymore. My husband's really enthusiastic about the idea, too.

So... what do you think? Would you get a tattoo to celebrate a birthday? What kind of tattoo?

For the record, I'd have it located somewhere discreet, that won't sag when I'm an old lady, and it'd be something that means a lot to me personally. I'll probably design it myself (I've done some commercial art). I figure if it's my design I'll be happier with it long term.

I wonder if I'm brave enough...

Just answering your question, no I would never get a tattoo for a birthday or any reason. I don't like them.

But, I'm not you. If you want one; get one. Like I've told everyone else, make sure you like it first!

 

[MushyMushy]

I keep thinking about it (I'm 43), but I always chicken out.

I should have you design one for me.

 

[LvsTnk]

I got one in Nashville at a tattoo place that was religious very interesting. I was with my DS who was getting his cross touched up and I guess I stayed to long cuz I came out with one.

My youngest DS has Down Syndrome so I got a heart with a cursive J for his name next to it. I guess you could say I designed it myself. It is on the top of my foot and if I wear the right sandle it is completely covered up.

The only dissapointment I have is that it is tooo small. I was so worried about how big it would look that it really should be bigger. You have to be almost on top of it to tell what it is.

I say do it, especially if it is just for you to see.

 

[Darsa]

I really wanted to get one for my 40th; the only things that stopped me were the fact that DH had no job so no $ for it, and my mom died that day, so we were a bit too preoccupied to worry about going to the tattoo parlor! I may very well do it for my 41st tho, since I plan to have a lily of the valley done small in remembrance of my mom.

 

[Art 1]

I would say that you should not.

 

[sunnyday123]

I'm trying to think of a place that won't sag!!! A few weeks ago, I saw an elderly woman at the grocery store-had the tight curled hair, rubber soled shoes, polyester capris.....and a tattoo on her chest!!! Picture Betty White with a tat! Of course, it was slightly distorted, and seemed to stretch to her belly.....

But if you really want one, get it. Just don't get anything trendy-please no tramp stamp on your lower back!

 

[Krissalee]

Think about it good and hard - if you want one a tattoo, get a tattoo.

I am 37 years old and I have one tattoo. It is on my left shoulder, and it is a dolphin. I got it when I was 18 years old. I almost forget it is there, as it is unobtrusive, and was half my lifetime ago. I don't regret it, but if I was doing it over again, I don't know if I would have bothered. It was the thing to do at the time. I guess you can say I am indifferent.

My DH on the other hand, has somewhere between 15-20 tattoos. He loves them, and looks forward to planning his next piece. Good for him! Itmakes him happy and it means something to him.

In the end, I say, to each his own. If it will make you happy - Go For It!!!!

 

[monkeyboy]

Have several
never looked back

 

[HOGFAN]

If you want it YES!!!!
I wanted one for my 40th but let DH talk me out of it. Big mistake, I regretted letting him talk me out of it. SO....I got one for my 45th. Just told him I was getting one and walked out the door and drove straight to the parlor. Its just a small solid mickey head,about 2"X2". Purple. Inside of right ankle. DH wasnt mad at all, I think he was resigned to the fact that I was gonna do it. In fact, he went back in with me when I had to have parts of it reinked. I am considering getting a Dopey head inside the left ankle, DH helping me pick out the 'right' one.
Dont worry about how one will look when u get old and wrinkled. At that point you will just be thanking God that you can get up every day..how a tatoo 'looks' will be the least of your worries...

Edited to add tho: I think if you are gonna go thru all that pain(and it IS painful) put it somewhere where u can see it. Thats why I have mine on the inside of my ankle. I dont wanna forget its there or have to look in a mirror to see it.

 

[Meriweather]

I wanted one for my 50th....finally got around to it about 2 years later. Took me that much time to get up the nerve.
But I did it and love it and glad I got it, wish I would have earlier.

It is on my ankle. Merryweather and out of her want comes pixie dust with my 2 children's names in it.

 

[Saphire]

So... what do you think?

I just got back from Disney World and saw tattoos galore, and I must tell you...they all looked bad!

My opinion, of course.

 

[SaraJayne]

Would I ever get a tattoo? Nope, don't like them.

You, however, are not me.

 

[DaisyLynn]

I say if you design something that you love and that means something to you, go for it!

I got a tattoo at 18, which meant nothing to me by the time i was 22. I regret it every time I want to wear something that has small straps (it's on my shoulder). I've thought about designing something myself to cover it, but I need to find the right tattoo artist to make it happen - and I just don't know where that person is. I love the look if they are done well and kept tasteful.

 

[mskani]

I was complimenting the waitress at our diner on her tattoos, and my husband suddenly said, "You should get one when you turn 40!"

I will turn 40 next Saturday on September 11th and I have been saying that I'm going to get a tattoo for my 40th b-day since I turned 35. I still haven't picked out a design nor a location. I have a little over a week to decide.

My dh said that if I get a tatto, then he's going to get a dog. I really don't want a dog--nor do I see the correlation!

 

[kellyg403]

I have always wanted one, but then I always chicken out and never get one so I think I don't really want one!

I do like tattoos, I do like them on other people. I am not one for whole body tatoos or sleeves but I think creative ones or ones that mean something to the person are always very nice.

All my adult children have tattoo's. All of them have their sister's name on a heart or angel wings (She passed away). I always think I will get her name too or a mickey or sometimes I actually think about going the Pamela Anderson way and have a tattoo with my dh's name around my wedding ring finger.

46 and still thinking about it!

 

[Magpie]

Thank you, everyone! You've given me a lot to think about.

Especially about location... I mean, I do get invited to events occasionally (like 3x a year), so I wouldn't want the tattoo somewhere that's going to clash with my formal dresses. I was thinking about my leg, but that wouldn't work so well with nylons. Ditto for shoulders, as my dresses are mostly off the shoulder.

On the other hand, I DO want it somewhere I can see it, and somewhere I can show it off occasionally. Because I think it would go neat with blue jeans or a black bathing suit.

So I was thinking maybe on the side of my abdomen/upper hip (but oh... so ticklish!), but that will probably get kinda stretchy in a couple years even if I don't gain any weight.

However someone mentioned the inside of the ankle... that sounds like it might work - not quite so obvious in a formal setting, not terribly stretchy skin... Or back of calf? But does that stretch?

Any other suggestions?

BTW - Choice of subject is easy. I've wanted a platypus tattoo ever since I was a little girl!

 

[Kathi OD]

Nope, I wouldn't. I've never, ever seen a tattoo where I said to myself, "now that looks great!"

You, however, may have had the opposite thought, so go for it if you really want one.

 

[Pigeon]

No, I would never get one. I think they are all repulsive.