Tattoos - A To-Do or Do-Not

I have to admit that I am a tattoo virgin.  However, I am planning on changing that very soon.  But, I have to wonder, "What does society think about a person sporting a tattoo?" Do people think it's cool, do they think you're a wild girl if you have one, or maybe they think that you're a loser for having one?

I used to be one of those people who thought, "I'll never get a tattoo in a million years".  Why did I change my mind?  Well, I guess it could have been a mid-life crisis because I did change my mind when I turned not 40, but 41.  Could it be a feeling of wanting be wild and free?  I'm really not sure, but I have definitely changed my mind and can't wait! 

I do worry that it may cause me major pain.  I also worry that I may get infection.  I wonder who should I get to do it.  I do think that this is such a permanent thing.  I worry that it will look cheap.  I want to have a really cool and really well-done tattoo.  I don't want one of those tattoos that look like you did it yourself.  I have seen people with ones that look very amateur.  I wish I could go to L.A. and have Kat of L.A. Ink do my tattoo!  That would be awesome!  Do I go locally, or do I go to a major city?  I was thinking locally, but  am rethinking that now.  I live in a small town with only one choice to go to.

How does one decide what you will put on your body permanently for the rest of your life?  I am sure that there are people who spontaneously decide to go and get whatever looks good at the time.  I always thought that people got drunk and went and got a tat.  Then I found out that tattoo parlors don't allow you to be intoxicated at the time of getting it done.  There went that idea.  I really wanted to numb the pain!

At first I was thinking of getting a "Tramp Stamp", but then I thought who would see it but my husband or when I sent swimming?  Now I am thinking of getting one across my upper back, shoulder region.  I want people to see it, but want to be able to hide it when I need to also.

The design?  I have decided on a tribal butterfly design.  What does this signify?  To me butterflies signify a "rebirth" and freedom.  I also thought of stars because I love stars.  How do people decide.  I have heard that people tribute their tattoos to ones they have lost, such as putting a photo of a lost loved one as their design.  My ideas doesn't go that deep.  Then there are the people who put loved one's names as their tattoos.  You always hear right after they do this, they breakup with that person and are domed for the rest of their life, having a reminder permanently on their body. I find this idea really stupid!

Does not having a tattoo yet make me conservative?  Should I have already had one before the age of 42? Is getting a tattoo something you do when you are young and stupid?  Is it a personal choice?  Is is something you can do at any age?

I also wonder, "Will I feel different after I get a tattoo?"  Will I turn into a wild child?  Or will I just be the same old person only with a design on my body that wasn't there before? I guess that once I actually go through with the act, I will then figure out all the answers to these questions. I hope so anyway.

When I was little, growing up in the 70's, I remember always thinking that only men got tattoos, and usually men in the military.  I am thinking that these days, in 2010, a tattoo is like an accessory, only one that is permanent and unchangeable.  You can't change it.  I believe that is why people keep getting new ones.  They changed their mind about the ones they have and have thought of better ones they should have had.  That is how people end up being tattoo from head to toe!  Do I think I will be addicted and end of having tattoos from head to toe?  No, I think I will have a few maybe - one on my back, maybe one on my foot, and that's about it.  I do have a very addictive personality and it could be a very bad thing!  Time will tell!