I did my first one for the love, respect, and honor that I have for my Dad...whom I dearly miss. It wasn't about me.

The second one, well, I guess you have to be a proud Texan / American to understand. But, I have to admit, it was a little frivolous. Proud I am...nevertheless.

 

I have two. One on each arm. I don't usually even think about them. Got them in the USN. If you feel it, it is two things. One it is a needle that keeps sticking you, but it does not go through the skin. Only part way in. The other thing you could feel is a low voltage current. The needle is powered by low voltage electric, which goes through the needle, but it is only low voltage. It used to be the full 120 that went through the needle. People used to pass out all the time. I think now it is only around 10 or so. Doesn't really hurt. Some people find they get a rush from it. Try to avoid girl friends names, dirty pictures, or something strange. It will be there a long time.

 

Trike,

You are mistaken about the voltage.....

The DC voltage drives the motor that moves the needles. No voltage reaches your body. If you were to apply 120 VAC to your body while being tatooed, you would not have to worry about the pain much. It only take .7 of an amp to kill you. So direct path of 120 VAC while been tatooed on your arm is to your chest, down your leg to ground. Sounds like you were sitting in "Old Sparkie".

Anyway, a tatoo is a personal decision. I had mine done (6 total) for different reasons. They are part of me and express personal experiences. My wife and I have the same band. Me, all the way around my arm, her, around an ankle.

The inside of the upper arm, near the armpit, is the most painful place to have a tat. And I have full bands around both arms.

All of my tats are covered at work. It makes it easier for me because of the stuffed shirts in management. You know the type, high minded do-gooders that are alway right and have a low opinion of anyone that varies from the program.

We may all be different, but personal expression is part of life. If some chooses to do that with a tat. I think it's great. If someone wanted to do it a hair style, that's great also.

Hair sytle can be changed. So can tats. They can be removed or covered with other tats.

The main thing is to choose wisely. You will, most likely, have it for the rest of your life.

Be sure to look at the guys work, he should have pictures. One time use needles only. Make doublely sure he opens the sterile package in front of you.

Sit back and relax, bring on the pain. It lasts only while the needles are on (in) the skin. It's a good pain, a right of passage.

Yes, tats are addicting.

 

I have six, thinking about getting maybe two more.
Mine are on each leg & 2 on eaach arm [biceps & forearm]
I work in an office, [ office mgr. ] so I made sure that mine are in places that can be covered up by my dress shirt when needed.
For the most part ,this time of the year I wear polo shirts & only the forearm tats are shown.
I get nice compliments all the time about mine.
Be sure to go to a good clean professional place to get them.

 

I have one (left shoulder/back area) and placement is an important decision. If you have to deal with "stuffed shirts" and other judgemental people that you have to deal with, a spot that is visible only when you want it to be is advisable. But, if you want it "loud and proud", then go for it. Be prepared, though, because they are addictive. I'd like another one, but am unsure of what I want. Also, they don't really hurt unless they go over bone where there is less meat underneath. Mine actually felt numb after a few minutes until he'd hit the shoulderblade.

 

I dont have any yet but am planning to get one soon.I have been to a shop a few times and am waiting to find one I really like.I was going to do a grim reaper but that is kind of dark for me so I think Im going to do a skull with a top hat.Something that has some color.My wife got one a few years ago and it still looks pretty good.

Fat250

 

One thing you need to consider before getting a tattoo: If there is even a tiny chance that you may someday decide to join the military (the navy in particular, as that's where my experience is), don't get anything that is in any way drug, sex, or gang related. I run tattoo screenings all the time at work- part of my job in the navy- and I've seen countless people get disapproved for enlistment for a tattoo that most wouldn't find offensive in any way (a mermaid, for instance, that has her nipples poking througha bikini top - something you routinely see on tv). Also, we get training on gang related tattoos regularly. There are a surprising number of gang tattoos out there, as well as skinhead type tattoos. I like tattoos and will probably get another one someday, but would hate to get shot becaue I got one that looks like some gang's colors!!

This a site run by the ADL:
http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/default_graphics.asp

 

One thing to remember when you get a tat: The reason for the ink goes away but the ink never does. Make sure you're willing to live with the consequences before you visit the ink slinger.

 

Another thing to consider is they need to have a good dose sunscreen on them during the hot months or in about 10-20 years your tattoo will smear and faid out. look at the fellas who have had them for that lenth of time and you will see how bad they can look when not taken care of.

 

My wife got this tat on her right hip. Said it felt like a cat scratch. Not to painful.

 

i have one on my right shoulder/ back area it was no way painful felt kinda like a warm scractching item so to say but when they did the color and shading man that felt good i think. the kinda hurt that feels good ya know like when you get in a nice hot tub after a hard days work hurt... ill probably get another ive only had mine for 3 weeks and i want another hehe but i cant decide what i want and where. As it has been said placement is huge and i think you prolly want to be able to cover it up but also show it when appropriate

 

Been thinking about one that I designed about a year ago. I keep waffling back and forth on it for no apparant reason, so I'm not going to get it until I'm completely 100% on board.

 

ive got about eight. im 23, havent gotten one in 2 years but... one goes across my back, shoulder to shoulder... its nothing to worry about, just a little sting at first then the bodys endorphines kick in and numbs you pretty good.

just get the tattoos and focus on the long term / meaning of them and not the pain.

 

I've got my family crest/coat of arms on my right bicep. I've been thinking about a second one since I got the first one. And I have an idea of what I want, but I want it in black and white. Not really gonna go with a Philippine and Scottish flag, but lately I've been thinking about "why not a coloured tattoo?". But then, I don't really want that one anyway, now that I think about it.

My buddy wanted to get a tattoo, "just because", and was going to get a barbed wire arm band. I talked him out of it. And just reinforced what his wife was telling him. So my advice to you, Red Star, is get something that means something to you, not something "just because".

But I must warn you, like everybody else is saying, they are addictive. You won't stop at one. Even though it's been 8 years, I'm still wanting a second one.