This or that: tattoo or not tattoo?

Today’s This or That is all about tattoos!

I love tattoos and I promise myself that one day I will get one. But then I start thinking about the pros and cons of tattooing which delays my decision.

Usually I imagine something very little that wouldn’t be always visible but then isn’t it silly to get a tattoo with the intention to hide it? What if it looked worse than I thought? And how is my tattoo gonna look like in 20 or 30 years, will I still love it? You see what I mean, too many questions to have a tattoo I think. Probably it’s a sign that I am not ready for that yet.

How about you? What do you think about tattoos? - Asia

this or that is a weekly column brought to you every monday by asia pietrzyk.  to view the archives, click here. and view my response to this question in the comments section of this post!

24 Responses to “This or that: tattoo or not tattoo?”

1. micaela says:

   January 14, 2013 at 5:59 am

   This is a topic that I don’t talk about too often! I’ve never had a desire to get a tattoo. A lot of my friends have though. Although tattoos can be tastefully done, I’ve never liked the idea of permanently inking your body. – Micaela

   Reply
2. call me debbie says:

   January 14, 2013 at 6:43 am

   Yeah, me too. I think I don’t feel like doing something so permanent on my body. I had some great ideas (how modest…) for tattoos, but then I regretted them. And given the fact that I change my mind very often, a tattoo wouldn’t be the best idea.

   I had too the “how is my tattoo gonna look like in 20 or 30 years” concern and a friend of mine who is tattooed told me that “It doesn’t matter. But it’s amazing to see what you were thinking 20 years ago and much you evolved” Ok, maybe. But why should I remind everybody of that?

   tsiou, from  In Whirl of Inspiration

   Reply
3. Amanda says:

   January 14, 2013 at 6:47 am

   I always wanted a tattoo but i was so abivalent about what to get, where to put it and so on. Finally i decided that when i’m lying on my deathbed i will probably regret not ever getting a tattoo more then i would regret getting one.

   I don’t think it’s a bad idea to get a tattoo you can hide, after all, you don’t get it to show it off.

   Also i think that as long as the design is pretty and it’s well made you’re not gonna regret getting a tattoo.

   Reply
4. kay says:

   January 14, 2013 at 6:53 am

   You comment “What if it looked worse than I thought? And how is my tattoo gonna look like in 20 or 30 years, will I still love it?”

   1: It will never look worse than you thought because you sit and design exactly what you want with the professional tattooist (not a fake in a basement).
   2: It’s gunner be amazing in 20 or 30 years because this is your individual art you chosen to have one your body.
   3: You should never get a tattoo if you do not love it everyday it is your creation something you created.
   4: If your worried about personal appearance when your older i suggest you do not get one at all.
   5: People get them coz they want them to some people its a memorial to relatives its there choice so they get them in places that are easy to covered up with clothing due to work or something.

   Please don’t blog about tattoo’s when you know nothing about them.
   Kay

   Reply
   • Asia says:

     January 14, 2013 at 1:44 pm

     Hello Kay!

     These questions I asked myself, but thank you for your answers. It’s always interesting to read different opinions. That’s why I love creating this column:)

     All the best
     Asia

     Reply
5. Chloe Moon says:

   January 14, 2013 at 6:57 am

   I’ve been torn about getting a tattoo for years…people still have issues with them in the corporate world but then I am my own person so I can do what I want with my body, but then if I get it too big and visible I don’t want to be passed up on an opportunity. I’m a lil scared about getting the dyes in my body too. But I would love to get something meaningful to remind me of how far I’ve come as a person…Ahh I’m so torn!!!!

   Reply
6. Maria says:

   January 14, 2013 at 7:41 am

   I have a very very small star on my elbow. I did it when I was 18. I love it. It’s so small that I just cannot regret it. BUT I would never get a second one. I was the perfect tattoo that I have always wanted. I know what it feels like. I don’t need more of them. And also, I am not allowed to have more.
   Sometimes I wish I could have sleeve-tattooed arms all colourful and girly, but I’m going to be a teacher so that’s not a good idea because if you have too many tattoos, you are not allowed to teach in germany
   lots of love,
   Maria

   Reply
7. Romy says:

   January 14, 2013 at 8:22 am

   I personally would love to get a tattoo, but they are soooo expensive… I don’t think that getting a tattoo with the intention of hiding it is – in itself – a bad idea if it is something very important to you: as long as you know it’s there…
   

   Reply
8. amanda says:

   January 14, 2013 at 8:28 am

   i ask myself a similar question and i always land on the same, albeit self-evident, answer, that if i continue to question if i should, perhaps i do not. maybe that is a cop out? who knows. its where i have landed the past few times i have wondered.

   Reply
9. Avalonne Hall says:

   January 14, 2013 at 10:21 am

   To me, tattoos are an art form and a form of self expression. I have four tattoos. Last year, I got three tattoos, one a month from May to July. My advice would be to only get a tattoo you think truly represents who you are and you know that you’ll love it forever. To be quite honest, sometimes I forget I have tattoos. Someone would notice my tattoo and ask to take a closer look and I’m like “oh right that haha”. Most of my tattoos are visible and I quite like them that way. I do want more tattoos and would consider getting tattoos in more hidden parts of my body if it’s a special tattoo with a special or hidden meaning behind it.

   Good luck!

   Reply
10. Junaluska says:

    January 14, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    I have a tattoo on the top of my left foot, and I would love to have more. I have tentative plans for one over my right ribs and one on each wrist [but I think I'll stop after those]. I thought about my tattoo for over a year, and it has so much meaning that I know I will never regret it. I love looking down at my feet and seeing it every day. But if you’re considering a tattoo, I do think it’s important to be pretty sure about what you want.

    Reply
11. Genna says:

    January 14, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    I’ve always been squeamish about marking my body… piercings and tattoos, just aren’t my thing I guess. But I know a lot of people who love their tattoos.

    Reply
12. olive says:

    January 14, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I got a peace sign tattoo when I was 16 and now I am 23 and I dont hate it but I want to upgrade it with some of my drawings so it can be more personal. I think a small and delicate tattoo is nice for me but I really admire those who get huge tattoos, especially like a big tree in the back!

    Again, nice topic!
    Olive xox

    Reply
13. Hannah says:

    January 14, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    I feel that the current social thought these days is ‘when I turn 18 I have to get a tattoo’. Which is a bit silly because I haven’t taken up smoking or started a mortgage on that basis. And while you could look at it as an experience I feel like I know what a needle poking into my skin would feel like, so I’m set.
    I have a few male friends who now have tattoos they regret because they were so young when they got them and their tastes have changed. And that’s in the space of 4 years.
    I personally know that I will get sick of a tattoo eventually so clothes and makeup are a better option for me.

    Reply
    • micaela says:

      January 14, 2013 at 5:42 pm

      I feel the same way.

      Reply
14. Megan says:

    January 14, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    I have four tattoos and I’ve only just turned 20. I only choose things that are related to me or my personality so they will always be important to me. For example I have the meaning of my name on my wrist and my star sign on the back of my neck. It’s important to do your research on different tattooists and make sure that whatever is drawn up you absolutely love!
    P.S Everyone I know has said that getting a tattoo is rather addictive (and I agree) just a word of warning

    Reply
15. Catherine says:

    January 14, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    I got my 1st tattoo for my 21st birthday, and I love it so much.
    Its in 20pt txt in the back of my shoulder.
    But I love it! And I cant imagine not having it now!
    I was the same asking myself all these questions, then I found a quote that fit perfectly with my life, so went for it!

    Reply
16. Eleni says:

    January 16, 2013 at 9:46 am

    I was of the same opinion and I was wondering the very same thing – what would be the point to have a tattoo, if I must hide it, or how will they look when I’ll be like 50 yrs old?! But I spoke with a friend, who’s an amazing tattoo artist, and he told me that when I’ll be 50 years old I’ll have much more serious things to deal with, and that will be the thing I’ll care about the least, or if I’m lucky, that will be my problem!Plus, I had a conversation with an uncle, who was 92 yrs old and very open minded and told me that I should do things in my life, otherwise I’ll have regrets for the rest of my life..so I got my first tattoo 7 months ago and I love it!I was kinda sure that when I’d be like 30 or 40 or even older, I’d regret it and I’d say..after all I could have done it!!As someone else mentioned, getting a tattoo is rather addictive..I couldn’t believe, but I want to get 2-3 more at least!! So, depends on you!

    Reply
17. Eleni says:

    January 16, 2013 at 9:48 am

    Oh and as for the society/job part, it’s starting to get widely known and accepted, having a tattoo!

    Reply
18. Alexandra says:

    January 16, 2013 at 11:09 am

    I love tattoos. I have 8 and am not finished getting them. All of them are relatively small and out of site. 4 of them are on my forearms and even being there they’re not that visible. They’re also all sentimental (okay, maybe not 1 of them) and looking at them reminds me of certain times in my life.

    People do not get tattoos for other people; they get them for themselves. If you are concerned about your image and solely what other people think, I do not recommend that you get a tattoo. There will always be people who love them and there will always be people who hate them.

    The question about how it’ll look in 20 or 30 years? If you get something that you like/want/designed and you get it for yourself, then who really cares what it looks like down the road? Like an above poster said, you’ll have more serious things to worry about.

    As for looking worse than you thought — make sure you research the tattoo artist. And don’t be turned off by higher prices; in the tattoo community, I’ve learned that price usually goes hand in hand with quality.

    I’ve always thought it was a good idea to pick a tattoo you want, or have one designed, and then if you still want it 6 months later…it’s probably safe to get.

    Reply
    • Mariela says:

      January 17, 2013 at 3:42 pm

      Agree with everything you said! It’s for yourself, no one else.

      Reply
19. Oleah says:

    January 16, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    i’m not really big on tattoos. i’d prefer not to have them.

    xoxo, Oleah
    Wet Seal x Wanelo Contest!
    xthesimplethingsx.blogspot.com

    Reply
20. Mariela says:

    January 17, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    I love tattoos, I have one and after 3 years I still love it. I think it’s okay to not want a tattoo, but it’s rude to put others down for having them. It’s your body, do what you please with it

    Reply
21. Hayley Cafarella says:

    January 19, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    I always thought I’d love my tattoos no matter how old I got (had them done at 18-19yo). I’m 30 now and I still like one, but hate the other. I think people should do whatever they like, but I’d never met someone who admitted hating their own tattoo until I became that person. Quite a surprise!

    Reply