It seems everyone around me is doing it. People I least expect to do it are doing it and it makes me feel a bit left out. No, they aren’t doing it, in the literal sense of the phrase. They’re getting tattoos done on their bodies, and I thought I should get one myself.
The funny thing about making up one’s mind about body modification is the fact that no matter how much one jokes about it, it has to be taken seriously. A tattoo is a permanent thing, and to take it lightly might result in being stuck with the mistake forever. Yesterday, I was having a very mature conversation with a close friend of mine (who used to blog before she ditched the country and ran away to hide under the Queen’s skirt in the United Kingdom). She told me that she’ was getting a tattoo on her back, under the neck and asked for my suggestions about the words.
Selfish bastard that I am, I somehow managed to turn the conversation thread into whether or not I should get one and if I did, what it should be. It also got me thinking later if it’d be a mistake to get one. I consulted another friend of mine who’s crazier than most crazy people, and she said that I’d be crazier than her if I got a tattoo. Now that’s not the kind of branding I want for myself. Another argument against getting a tattoo is the fact that I only want to get one because I’m bored in life and want to do something insane, and that I don’t really NEED a tattoo. In the past, when life got to monotonous, I have quit my job, I have gone on long vacations, I have gone on a spending spree, I have moved houses and I have slept with random women. This time, none of these options seem viable.
The counter-argument to this is I’m feeling left out and desperately want to be part of the tattoo’d crowd.
Now, 48 hours later, I’m still vacillating about this. Should I get one? Or should I just let it be and latch on to some other passing fancy? Help!
Cartoon Courtesy: www.cartoonstock.com
Pls get onto some other passing fancy:):)
I get this same confusion … first I want a tattoo cos everyone is getting them then I convince myself I’m being ridiculous…but the curious and the scatterbrain in me wants one to show off. Then I get real and deep down know that I will be hiding it at my ripe old age anyway, especially from kids I have long since forbidden to have etchings. To be fair, nobody really needs a tattoo and they probably close more conversations than they ever open in a social aspect.
Getting inked must be a personal decision based not on the status quo, but rather what is important to you. I have three tattoos, all of which were done after I turned 40. I don’t regret any of them, and find myself wanting another. I designed my last one to honor my parents, both of whom have died. It is my favorite tattoo. The other two…they were spur of the moment, and I only regret not putting better though into them. If you do finally get inked, be warned…it is addicting and you’ll find yourself wanting more.
I had better just keep to the drawing paper and canvas then Suz haha … the mind boggles! <3
@Renuka
LOL – I’ll keep your advice in mind!
@Pampr1
Welcome to MirrorCracked!
I like that point you make – that tattoos close more conversations than they open. But then, I think tattoo loyalists will disagree with this assessment.
@Suz
Welcome back!
You have 3 tattoos? Nice!
I think i’m stuck between a rock and a hard place here. On the one hand, I want it so badly. On the other, I think I’d regret it. But then, we have to do things in life we regret. There’s no fun in living otherwise!
@Pampr1
You sure? Maybe you should just take the plunge.
You first ..!!
This is one thing I keep going back & forth on too. Heard all the pros & cons! And questions on if I do go for it, where, what? too many questions…will put it on the back burner for now.
About whether you must get one? well!? why not?
Need and want are seperated by a very thin line.One person’s need is other’s want.
Wouldn’t it be better if you could get a temporary tattoo, the ones that you stick on and last around a week – the beauty about these is that you can chop and change the design from one location to another.
Getting a permanent tattoo is just as bad as getting married – no dude
Hmm… I still cant fathom why one would want to scar their body for life!!
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Yea man. get a temporary one. It’ll help you figure out if you really want one or not
And then, go get it done, or ditch the idea.
And for god’s sake…you cribbing about “not wanting to be left out”? What happened to individuality and all that? Sheesh
Definitely get one.
[...] let me also mention that his body is completely covered with colourful tattoos! This maybe what inspired Nikhil to get one done too [...]