I too have a tattoo that I had gotten on my shoulder in my 20s and so regret it now. I thought it was the coolest thing then but now I just want it off. At least I can hide it. Plus after 20 years, tattoos tend to fade so you'd need a touch up of some kind.

I'm also curious as to why people would get tattoos on a part of the body where they can't see it (such as the back, nape of the neck, etc). I'd want to be able to see mine.

(I'm biased against tattoos, but at the same time curious around many aspects of them).

All right, but even if you hate 'em, what would be your tattoo?

My work children have all the best ideas and copying ideas is lame...the latest brilliant idea I can't have is - you know the rose and dagger? 'Donut and dagger'

Lol. Another I thought was good was a wishbone over your wishbone and flying crows (very 'Cold Mountain').

Good question, Mochi. If you get a tattoo on the nape of your neck, you know that other people can see it, so you are probably deliberately going for a certain "look". I think of it as analogous to people who are very concerned with their "rear view" in jeans. You can't see your own butt without a mirror, but everybody else can.

If the tattoo is further down the back, you may or may not have got it for the "look" it gives, since most back tattoos are covered in normal clothes. Sometimes people like the idea of having a tattoo that they can easily conceal, but that they can show if they want to by wearing a skimpy top/bathing suit/no shirt at all (mainly guys for option 3, lol). Others might get a tattoo more for its symbolism -- that is, for more personal reasons -- and they just feel like the back is a good spot for a tattoo.

I have actually wondered that too. I got mine for me, not for a certain look, there would be no point if I couldn't see it.

I think that also it depends of "place" where you want it and "meaning" of it. When I see some guy with colorful flower or heart I think that he is probably a gay or too feminine for a guy. And conversely girls with guns or big animals (tigers, bears etc) look kinda manly. As for me before you get a tattoo you should find not just pics but also their meaning.
I like birds http://inkprofy.com/bird-tattoos/ it's perfect meaning for me and very nice pics.

This is an old thread that I missed originally, but it reminds me of this:

http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/wh.....y-is-fine/

Lol, Jenava. That was just plain funny.

Both tattoos are beautiful, but large. You could have the artist scale down either one. I'd recommend to get a small one first and see how you like it.

I have two. One is on my left shoulder and is very meaningful. My mother died of breast cancer; my tattoo is a pink ribbon with forget-me-not flowers (I used to plant those at her grave) around it. The second tattoo I did just for me, it is a scroll design and it's on my right leg. That one is a bit large and in retrospect, although I still love it, I wish I'd had it made smaller.

You should get a small one first since it's your first tattoo. Good luck!

I think tattoos can be really lovely . I had a whole idea for one of cherry blossoms on my shoulder...but I decided against it, my body is very sensitive and I started worrying that I would have a reaction of some sort so... no ink here but like it on others !

"Fashionable" as in fashion forward? I would say no. Far too commonplace nowadays.

In fact, it's so common to have tattoos everywhere that it's now considered much more daring to have none at all (this is according to my fashion-forward New York City art school son, who pays close attention to trends.)

For me, they almost always detract from a person's attractiveness. Especially when there are many.

This is an old thread but somehow I missed it the first time around. And all I have to say is "OMG Deb was here for my wedding and I didn't ask to see her tattoos!! I am heartbroken!!!" LOL

I like them on other people but for myself I can't imagine any design that I would be willing to commit to for a lifetime. I once told my son that I wish I could have a song tattooed on my body, so I could listen to it whenever I wanted. Because there are definitely songs that I could commit to for life!

Placement and style is everything ! On most people less is more, but I've seen some who carry the " tattoo shirt " look with aplomb.

Just remember the ones that are difficult to conceal may affect employment opportunities ( unless you can wear long sleeved polo/turtlenecks all year round ).

Now I'd like to hear the playlist of MsMary's Tattooable Tunes!