simon0707 Posted October 13, 2009 Posted October 13, 2009 Hello all I hope I`m posting this in the right section I'm 21 and have been thinking about getting a tattoo for about 4 years now. Anyways, I think I'm finally gona do it soon. I got a couple of questions: -I wana get it on my inner forearm, but everyone keeps telling me that it's gona hinder my chances of getting a good job later on. Does anybody have any take or experience with that? -Does it hurt a lot on the inner forearm? Should I get one on my leg first and then on my inner forearm later on in the future? -I wana get either "It's a round world" or "the tigers have found me , and i do not care". which one do you like more? any other suggestions? Please, any help would be greatly appreciated. and i'd appreciate it if nobody gave any smart-*** answers. Thanks a lot.
EricaH329 Posted October 13, 2009 Posted October 13, 2009 Hello all I hope I`m posting this in the right section I'm 21 and have been thinking about getting a tattoo for about 4 years now. Anyways, I think I'm finally gona do it soon. I got a couple of questions: -I wana get it on my inner forearm, but everyone keeps telling me that it's gona hinder my chances of getting a good job later on. Does anybody have any take or experience with that? -Does it hurt a lot on the inner forearm? Should I get one on my leg first and then on my inner forearm later on in the future? -I wana get either "It's a round world" or "the tigers have found me , and i do not care". which one do you like more? any other suggestions? Please, any help would be greatly appreciated. and i'd appreciate it if nobody gave any smart-*** answers. Thanks a lot. I, personally, would never get a tattoo anywhere that can be seen with clothes on. I know that it's hard to get a serious job when you have tattoo's that can be seen. Inner forearm would definitely hurt. At least to me. I have two, and they are both on my back, and they both hurt equally as much. Tattoo's don't feel good, unless you are the kind of person that enjoys pain. But it's only temporary pain. As far as what you want to get tattooed, it's all about what you like better. Since, afterall, you are the only one that's going to have to live with it for the rest of your life. I would make sure that it's something you've given a lot of thought to, and sincerely want before getting it done. I, like an idiot, went out and got a tattoo when I was hungover as hell. Picked it out right there on the spot. Not much thinking involved. I regret getting it now, but since it's on my back I don't have to look at it so I try to forget it's even there .
knaveman Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 I have a tattoo that's about four inches long on my inner left forearm. It's the word "balance" in Sanskrit. I have worked construction for most of my life so I never really worried about job prospects with a tattoo. However, as luck would have it, I found my self unemployed recently and interviewed for an office job. It was computer drafting in a rather large company. My interviewer was very Mormon and infact most of the company was very Christian. I decided to not hide it and wore a t-shirt to my first interview, actually to all three interviews. I was never once asked about the tattoo even though everyone looked at it repeatedly. In the end I got the job. I also sabotaged myself two weeks later so I could get "let go" because I found out I hate office work. I didn't find a visibly noticable tattoo a hinderance in any way. However, you have to decide if it's something that could hinder your career in any way. It depends on what career you choose, and remeber you career at 21 could very well be different from your career at 31 or 41. Keep that in mind. As for the pain, it didn't bother me much at all. It feels exactly like a tiny needle going into your skin repeatedly. It does hurt, but it all depends on how you handle pain. Personally, I didn't mind it. If it wasn't for the girl in the next room getting her first tattoo on her hip and screaming like a banshee, I could have fallen asleep a couple of time. As far as what to get that is entirely up to you. You may want to consult the tattoo artist on placement, size, font, etc. They are after all the artist.
georgejungle Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 just wear long sleeves. I know a guy who works at the dealership and he looks very nice and neat, but has full tattooed sleeves. You'd never know it because his work ethic speaks for itself and he always wears long sleeves and looks neat and spiffy i too have been wanting to get some ink, i'm closer to getting it done than ever and I'm planning to just cover them up when at work, because I want them on my forearms and wrists.
mark982 Posted October 15, 2009 Posted October 15, 2009 i got ink on my inner forearm,plus outter forearm. got them when i was a youngster like you. never hindered me in any jobs,BUT as i grew older i wish i had put them in places here where with short sleeves,they would'nt be seen. you values do change as you get older.
Author simon0707 Posted October 15, 2009 Author Posted October 15, 2009 I really appreciate all the replies. Thank you. Yeah, I'm scared of regretting it later on. But I mean, it depends on what you get, no? I've wanted this quote for about 3 years now, so I'm guessing it'll stick with me my whole life. Also, is it better to get tattooed when you're a bit tipsy? I heard you feel the pain less when you're under the influence? Is that true? And yeah, I can always cover them up with long sleeves, but still, people judge all the time, and if they see it, I'm just scared it would hinder my career opportunities. I wana ultimately work in TV, more specifically sports broadcasting. But I guess if I make it to TV, I'm gona have to wear long sleeves anyway. Thanks again.
mark982 Posted October 15, 2009 Posted October 15, 2009 any "legit" tattoo shop will not ink you while you are tipsy! in fact there will probable be signs telling you this,if you need to have a few to tolerate the pain then you are'nt ready to have a tattoo.
EricaH329 Posted October 15, 2009 Posted October 15, 2009 If you are worried about the pain, don't be. Yeah it hurts... but it also depends on your pain tolerance. I have a very low pain tolerance and I managed to get two. It's not unbearable. And it only lasts for a little while. Once you are done getting the tattoo the pain is over.
Queen of Hearts Posted October 16, 2009 Posted October 16, 2009 I lost a job once, the day after my boss found out I had a tattoo. I was 19. I am 35 now. It is on my back, so it's not as though it is visible without clothes on. Since then I have managed to complete an entire back piece. I would say I have about 30 hours put into it. That being said, I would never tattoo my arms, neck, or chest. I like the fact that people don't know I am tattooed. It is a very personal tattoo and people are extremely curious when they see hints of it when I wear a tank top. Today, people are not as judgmental as they once were, but I still get comments that vary in range from awe to disgust. When I first started getting tattooed, it was something only bikers, thieves, and bad people did; not young 19 year old girls. Nowadays, there are TONS of 19 year olds with tattoos; so it’s not as bad. It is a forever deal. I would suggest you take a sharpie marker or mehndi/henna (a paste that contains the colorant lawsone and is applied to the skin which binds temporarily to the keratin in human skin – it cannot be washed off, but is worn off as the skin is sloughed) and draw it on yourself and see how you feel about it. Really consider what it means. Side note/some advice: Inks have changed considerably since I started getting tattooed. They are designed better so as to remain bright, and not fade or bleed. I would suggest a custom artist. Do not go to a flash artist. They are generally the ones who are fresh out of apprenticeship. You want someone who has been doing this for at least a decade. If you cannot draw, you are going to have to pay the artist to do it for you. Do not pick something off of a wall. You want an artist who refuses to do flash. Realize this is an investment. You want the BEST artist; one who understands form and how things flow on human shape and design. I would also suggest you go check out many different artists and request to see their portfolio. Shops that have piercing services are held to a higher standard of cleanliness than those that are strictly tattoo shops. The health departments of the state considers piercing to be a medical procedure which requires particular autoclave sanitation processes as well as how medical wastes are to be disposed. I am not saying that all tattoo-only shops are bad. My artist’s shop does not have a piercer, and he is very thorough and clean. I am just saying this as something to keep in mind. A clean shop is good. If you cannot find a local artist, I would consider Googling some of the top artists in your region. As it is an investment, and if you have the means, traveling to the artists might be entirely worth it. Also, look into tattoo conventions. This is a way to get in touch with those artists that are considered top-notch who live far from you. You can contact them ahead of time and make the appointment at the convention. I would attend a convention if you can beforehand, also. That way you can meet and see artwork and styles that you like so as to aid in research. Good luck.
Queen of Hearts Posted October 16, 2009 Posted October 16, 2009 one last suggestion...check out inkednation.com
Author simon0707 Posted October 16, 2009 Author Posted October 16, 2009 Thanks for all the advice. Don't you think I can just go to a renowned tattoo parlor here and ask them for the most experienced artist? Isn't that how it works? You ask for the artist you want working on you, correct? And my tattoo isn't exactly a hard one. All I want is a quote, so it's not a big drawing or anything. That's gona be later on in a couple of years or so. I'll do the sharpie thing, just to see how it would feel. My friend has been telling me NOT to get it on my inner forearm. His reasoning? If I ever get sick of it, there's no escaping it. He has one on his shoulder himself, and he says that sometimes he even forgets it's there, so he can't really get sick of it. I don't know whether I should trust him or not. Again, thank you all for all the advice. I apologize if I'm making this a bigger deal than it has to be, I'm just a bit nervous.
Author simon0707 Posted October 22, 2009 Author Posted October 22, 2009 Well, I made the apointment today. Getting it monday. SO nervous. SO scared. SO excited.
JohnnyBlaze Posted October 28, 2009 Posted October 28, 2009 Well? Did you get it? How was your first time? Was it good for you? C'mon, let's see a picture!!
betamanlet Posted October 28, 2009 Posted October 28, 2009 Whenver I see visible tattoos at work, I think "how unprofessional". I also think about how low your self esteem has to be by defiling your body. The ink they use cannot be anything but bad for you since it's a foreign object, let alone whatever is toxic in it..
JohnnyBlaze Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 Strangely enough, betamanlet, that's the reaction that most people with visible ink hope for. A visible tattoo permanently takes out out of the norm; you can no longer completely blend in with the mainstream white-collar world. The reaction you gave (which is quite common) only reinforces the logic behind the decision. I won't go into the whole "is it better to get one or not" debate because, not only has it been overdone as it is, but I've found that the yays will always like them and the nays will always hate them, and ne'er the twain shall meet. Arguing the subject between a yay and a nay is, more often than not, a futile effort in spinning one's wheel.
betamanlet Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 Strangely enough, betamanlet, that's the reaction that most people with visible ink hope for. A visible tattoo permanently takes out out of the norm; you can no longer completely blend in with the mainstream white-collar world. The reaction you gave (which is quite common) only reinforces the logic behind the decision. I won't go into the whole "is it better to get one or not" debate because, not only has it been overdone as it is, but I've found that the yays will always like them and the nays will always hate them, and ne'er the twain shall meet. Arguing the subject between a yay and a nay is, more often than not, a futile effort in spinning one's wheel. To me, tattoos just show poor decision making, and inablility to think of long term consequences. You're going ot become old, the tattoo will look horrific with age. Plus eeryone I know with tattoos has self esteem problems, and when they get really honest, they admit they get them because they hate themselves, and regret having gotten at least some of them.. Maybe that's not everyone, but it's everyone I know with tattoos that has been open about it.. The just silliest ones, are when you get your SO's name, especially if you aren't married. The vast, vast majority of your relationships will fail. Most marriages fail, yet you'll have that name on your body for the rest of your life.
Nikki Sahagin Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 My dad has my mums name on his arm and they've been together since they were 20....and I think they're going to make it Also to say all people with tattoos secretly hate themselves is silly and completely untrue of reality. To say that you'll be old and your tattoo will look bad I always see as a futile argument. I mean when you're old, you're old. You'll be wrinkly and not look so great ANYWAY so what extra damage does a tattoo do? Instead of wrinkly skin you'll have a wrinkly tat? It will still last you most of your life looking good! I don't have a tattoo myself but I think people that want them should not do it spontaneously and should be sure they want them. A couple of years back I really wanted one but made myself wait a year, within that year I had changed my mind and no longer wanted it. Also there are many things you can claim will look silly when you're old: piercings, hair dye, certain clothes, make-up. You're old anyway what do you care! It's a sign you did what you wanted whilst you were alive!
betamanlet Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 My dad has my mums name on his arm and they've been together since they were 20....and I think they're going to make it Also to say all people with tattoos secretly hate themselves is silly and completely untrue of reality. To say that you'll be old and your tattoo will look bad I always see as a futile argument. I mean when you're old, you're old. You'll be wrinkly and not look so great ANYWAY so what extra damage does a tattoo do? Instead of wrinkly skin you'll have a wrinkly tat? It will still last you most of your life looking good! I don't have a tattoo myself but I think people that want them should not do it spontaneously and should be sure they want them. A couple of years back I really wanted one but made myself wait a year, within that year I had changed my mind and no longer wanted it. Also there are many things you can claim will look silly when you're old: piercings, hair dye, certain clothes, make-up. You're old anyway what do you care! It's a sign you did what you wanted whilst you were alive! Ever think that injecting ink into your skin might be bad for you, kinda like how injecting anything else into your skin cannot possibly be good for you?
knaveman Posted October 29, 2009 Posted October 29, 2009 To me, Exactly. It's your opinion and perspective. Plenty of people disagree.
Nikki Sahagin Posted October 30, 2009 Posted October 30, 2009 Ever think that injecting ink into your skin might be bad for you, kinda like how injecting anything else into your skin cannot possibly be good for you? Loads of things aren't good for you: alcohol smoking LOADS of foods The point is, it is very much exaggerated how 'bad' these things are for you, as they don't kill you do they? Anyway like I said I don't have a tattoo so I have no need to worry, but in our current scare culture the very air we breathe is bad for us, so I wouldn't be worrying about a tattoo.
Toki Posted November 1, 2009 Posted November 1, 2009 Always, Always, Always check out your artist's portfolio before you get a tattoo, some artists specialize, when they think they can do anything, other's just aren't good at all. Make sure, that they make a drawing of what you want before they tattoo it on your skin. Another piece of advice, before you get a certain tattoo, after you have your artist draw out what you want, don't schedule it, until after 3 mo. and each day, make yourself look at that picture. If after 90 days you still like it, get it, if not, go back to the drawing board. Also, before you schedule, agree to a price. You wouldn't believe how many times, I've heard of tattoo artists tacking on an extra 50.00$ after the tattoo is done. If they don't have the contract in writing, make one of your own, and make them sign it before you agree to anything. Other than that, Good Luck! P.S. Pain is subjective, the more you think that it will hurt before hand, the more it will hurt when you get it.
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