Short answer to the question in your subject line: no, and no. Tattoos are not me.

Insert same response if we ever discuss decorative scarring or earlobe-stretching.

I've never found tattoos aesthetically appealing, so a big no from me.

I don't have any, and won't be getting any, although I did once call a tattoo shop for pricing a long time ago when in a rebellious state of mind. I realized I had no idea what I was looking to do, which made the whole idea seem desperate and silly.

I was also addicted to watching the show LA Ink for a while because I was fascinated by the amazing work they did. I figure if you're going to put permanent artwork on your body, you might as well make sure it's done by a true artist. I've seen some beautiful tattoos out there and some that are just downright horrible.

Big big NO here. Most look like a bad bruise, especially as it ages. And why would anyone want to make themselves ineligible to get an MRI, an important medical tool?

Joy, my tattooed friend is going for an MRI scan imminently but you are right some very old tattoos ink may contain metal which can cause discomfort during the procedure. For the last twenty years tattoo ink has not contained metal.

Here the question has been partly where the tattoo was done. So many highschool and college kids go to Mexico on spring break and come back with them. The ink often contains metal. Many doctors are afraid to do an MRI unless sure of the ink. I don't know what they'd do in an emergency..probably an X-ray

Oh my, the thought of getting tattoos without forethought and much research is horrifying.

Hmm--- I don't think that most docs even ask about tattoo ink anymore Joy--- I am in the "college" age group and have had several mris. I also lived right across the border from mexico (back when us young ppl used to stream across the border every weekend to party-- and get tattoos and piercings and even medical procedures cheaper, before the border towns got quite as volatile) at the time of several of them, so that would put me "at risk" for that type of tattoo. I was asked about body piercings and the standard other things that can put metal in your body (medical procedures, shrapnel, even welding) but never about tattoos. I will have to ask some of my older friends and family members if they have ever been asked about tattoo ink prior to an mri.

the devil drink will do that to you...the next you know it's sex, drugs and rock&roll, baby.

...or at least a midnight snack of greasy fish and chips. _that_ i can still get my aging body to do.

Kate, I don't have a tattoo but I'm very open-minded and DO admire them. I think a tattoo should be something special, not just some random scrawl. I'm Scots-Irish and if I EVER did get one, it would be this ancient Celtic design, in this exact size, near my right hipbone.

I see a lot of people with their calves and arms tattoed in my neighborhood. I love seeing the art. My son has them on his arms too...beautiful ones. But it's not something I will be doing. Too much pain, too much money, and I think at this point I'm past the age for it.

What interesting replies. I really appreciate all the responses here.

I have three tattoos so far, all in visible places. I live in Seattle, where visible body art is a non-issue...at least in my circles (the artsy ones). We have the benefit of being a hub for excellent tattoo artists, so the work done here is first-class, in general. It really redefined tattoos for me.

My wrist tattoo is very meaningful for me. I was intrigued by some of the replies indicating that perhaps something so meaningful should not be public. For me, I wanted to be able to see it myself, throughout my day, to remind me of who I am and what I am about. It's a spiritual and cultural symbol that is very powerful to me. The fact that others can see it is irrelevant to me.

My ankle tattoos are pure decoration. Most people presume that they are henna, because of the color (they're maroon).

I never worry about covering up my tattoos, as my area is very progressive and I do not work in conservative environments. In fact, sometimes being a yoga teacher feels like a "free pass" to be as non-conformist as I want to be. I try not to let it go to my head. lol Also, I'm more than happy to explain them to anyone who asks, so they often spark great conversations.

At first I would say no and no, but I did entertain the idea of a yellow happy face on the bottom of my big toe at one time. I always try and see the bright side of things and happy faces abound in my personal life. Heck, I even wear Happy perfume. My friend who does tattoos said it wouldn't last on that part of the skin - it's almost like the pads of dog's feet. So it never entered my mind again. I find it kind of ironic that it's more unique to be an untattooed young person today. And I know it sounds sexist but I don't like seeing full sleeves on ladies. It's somehow too rough a look to me. Not to mention what it will look like in a few decades.

I don't plan to ever get one. I don't like the look of them, don't like the permanence factor, don't want to volunteer for the pain, and simply don't have a reason to.

I like them on other people (sometimes) but they're not for me. I think it's partly because at age 52, I've gone through so many changes that I am utterly convinced that there is nothing I could be sure I'd still be happy with 5 or 10 or 30 years later.

Honestly, I do not like them, on me or anyone else. For me, it's about both the permanence factor (I'm too fickle to commit to anything that indelible!) and the aesthetics. But, I certainly don't negatively judge anyone who has one or more, variety is the spice of life!

Hey, there's another Elizabeth on the site! Lucky it's spelled differently.

1. Yes, I have a tattoo
2. I might get another one, if the fancy takes me
3. Not sure if it fits with my style or not
4. Yes, tattoos are absolutely a fashion statement
5. Nope, my tattoo doesn't influence my fashion choices at all, since it only shows when I'm in a bikini

My opinion on tattoos is that they are a combination of art and fashion, so sometimes they can look awesome, and other times bad/ugly/ludicrous. Judgment and care should be exercised when getting body art, of course, due to the potential for it to go spectacularly wrong.

I don't care if a tattoo has special meaning or not. It just has to look good. I think people take tattoos way too seriously! The main reason for making a tattoo decision soberly and carefully is because of its relatively permanent nature.

I have a tattoo across my lower back (tramp stamp)! I love it. I got it 4 years ago. I don't even see it often but I like knowing it's there. People are surprised when they see it, I guess I'm not the tattoo "type". It sometimes shows when I bend down, or raise my arm or something. My husband might hate it, I'm not sure. He didn't think I should do it he doesn't like them. I used to want my belly button peirced which he also dislikes, he said NO. I let him win that time.

Yes I have one, I got in high school. I've thought about getting another one, but hubby would not approve. And I doubt anyone would be surprised to hear it's a butterfly.