I have one on my hip and one on my ankle (a sunburst, hence the pic) I live in Arkansas in a small conservative town, but have never had any reactions except for compliments. I get being worried about what others might think, especially depending on what line of work you're in, but I don't think many people pay much attention these days.

Best of luck.

a sunburst tattoo is one thing but a skull and bones is another.

I am really hesitating because if I get it I will have to wait two weeks before I can swim and that is my primary source of a workout right now. I swim 6 days a week for 1 mile or more a day.

I am really debating this because I know that it is on there forever. It will take me sometime to decide but, surprisingly, most of my friends have tattoos.

A lot of my friends have Cop tattoos. I don't want to get one of them because I am not eaten up with my job and if you ever made a mistake and landed in jail you would be so screwed! Litterly...

I will think and think about it for a while. I am also afraid that some chicks won't like me having a jolly roger on my arm

WHAT? Heave, would you want to be with some chick who WOULD judge you b/c of a tattoo? Or anybody for that matter?

Think it through, that's all.


(And then go get it, post a pic so we can see it!)

If you feel it is right for you. Go for it man.

Well depending on the tattoo it probably won't be two weeks unless you are a very slow healer. I've never had one that wasn't healed in a week.

and if you swim, getting it on your shoulder, you can slather it with Neosporin, saran wrap and first aid tape. You just don't want the scabs (if you have any) falling off and taking any ink with them. You'll be fine. Get the darn thing.

my first tattoo was on my left shoulder. It took me a long time to know what I wanted, but I knew the moment I saw it and I LOVE it

Heave, not sure if you swim in a pool or out in the ocean. I was always told, not to be in chlorine b/c it will suck the ink out.

Everyone has a personal opinion. When I see a tattoo I think of it as something desperate. A statement being made by someone lacking control.

I notice that its a real fad, and very popular at the moment though.

Dont do it. Just my opinion.

the people that are your true friends and the people that love you for who you are, won't think anything differently at all. who cares about the rest.

My father had a large number of tattoos that date from the era when only lower working-class men got them. He was an orphan that ended up working in logging camps in western Canada when he was just a teenager. He always told me how much he regretted them and advised me never to get one. He had one of a skunk on his forearm that might have been fashionable in beer parlours in the 1960s but looks like a pathetic faded rat now.

People seem to get tattoos because they wish to make a statement. I think it's a poor choice because it requires little effort or imagination. Make your statement with the way you live your life and the things that you create.