If you are considering the idea of getting a tattoo, keep in mind there are certain tattoos to avoid. I have a couple tattoos of my own, but I am not entirely happy with them. Learn from my mistakes. Both of my tattoos were done on a whim, with very little planning ahead of time. Take a peek at the following types of tattoos to avoid.
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1. Names
A tattoo of your boyfriend’s name may seem romantic at the time, but it tops the list of tattoos to avoid. Never tattoo the name of a love interest on your body. I know, I know, you two will be together forever. Hopefully, that will be the case, especially if you have his name tattooed on your chest. Personally, I wouldn’t tattoo my kid’s name on my body, either, because she’d die of embarrassment. However, a child’s name is more acceptable than a boyfriend’s name.
2. Hands, Face and Neck
You are 22, footloose and fancy-free. During Spring Break, what if one of your girlfriends concocted the idea that you should all have matching tattoos on your hands? Before you head to the tattoo parlor, you need a reality check. There is a strong possibility that you will someday have an employer that discourages visible tattoos. A visible tattoo, no matter how benign it may seem today, could cause you to miss out on the career opportunity of a lifetime. Is it really worth it?
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You are 22, footloose, and fancy-free. During Spring Break, what if one of your girlfriends concocted the idea that you should all have matching tattoos on your hands? Before you head to the tattoo parlor, you need a reality check. There is a strong possibility that you will someday have an employer that discourages visible tattoos. A visible tattoo, no matter how benign it may seem today, could cause you to miss out on the career opportunity of a lifetime. Is it really worth it? Think about how future-you might feel when faced with limited options due to a spontaneous decision made years ago.
Frequently asked questions
3. Tramp Stamp
A tattoo on the lower back (a.k.a. tramp stamp) looks hot during bikini season. I won’t debate that point. However, how will that tattoo look in about 20 or 30 years? I really don’t mean to be a buzz kill, but age does funny things to our bodies. While a tramp stamp may look great today, it will probably end up looking silly later on.
4. Pop Culture
Tattooing a pop culture reference, like a popular movie, video game or TV show, is unwise. I realize you may be a Walking Dead fan who has watched every episode ten times. Forget the zombie tattoo idea. Just because you like it today, you may not like it 5, 10 or 15 years from now. Pop culture tattoos become dated very quickly.
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Tattooing a pop culture reference, like a popular movie, video game or TV show, is unwise. I realize you may be a Walking Dead fan who has watched every episode ten times. Forget the zombie tattoo idea. Just because you like it today, you may not like it 5, 10 or 15 years from now. Pop culture tattoos become dated very quickly. Trends evolve, and what seems iconic today might be irrelevant tomorrow. Plus, the judgmental stares from younger generations who don't get the reference aren't worth it. Stick to timeless designs that won't feel like a relic of your past obsessions.
5. Foreign Symbols
Before going under the needle, are you sure that is the Chinese symbol for “tiger”? Unless you fluently speak the language, avoid foreign symbol tattoos. Imagine finding out your Gaelic symbol tattoo for “courage” really means something completely different. It doesn’t matter if the tattoo guy told you the meaning. A tattoo of a foreign word or symbol is far too risky.
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Many people have truly regretted their choice to ink a foreign symbol without proper verification. Stories abound of individuals who intended to sport exotic words for strength or love, only to later discover that their skin was permanently etched with nonsense—or worse, an offensive term. Ensure due diligence by consulting a native speaker, and even then, question whether that kanji or Arabic script will stand the test of time and cultural nuances. Your future self will thank you for sidestepping an embarrassing tattoo faux pas.
6. Anything on a Whim
If you enter the tattoo parlor with only a vague idea of the tattoo you want, turn around and walk back out. You are not ready for this tattoo. Never pick a random picture from the tattoo book because you’re impatient. Do yourself a favor and think about it first. Describe your ideas to a tattoo artist, who will sketch the rough draft for you. This is a lifelong decision that should not be made on a whim.
7. Drug References
If you get pulled over for speeding, do you really want the officer to walk up to your car and notice the 420 tattoo on your bicep? You may be the most responsible person you know, but unfortunately, we live in a world where first impressions count. A drug reference tattoo is a bad idea on so many levels. Even if your party days are long behind you, a drug tattoo will do more harm than good. Just avoid it.
Tattoos can be fantastic works of art on your body, if they are well-planned. Even a simple tattoo can have great meaning when you put some thought into it beforehand. What are some other types of tattoos that you should avoid?
Comments
Heather: This is very opinionated. I have tattoos but all can be easily covered up. However I don't judge anyone by the tattoo's they choose for themselves. So what if they want a 'tramp stamp' and who cares what the tattoos look like when we're old. I have walked intoa studio and said 'just go for it' without having a clue how it would look.
Elizabeth: Don't agree with the pop culture one. I have 4 Harry potter tattoos and I'm in love with them. I grew up with Harry and it's been a huge part of my life
Stephanie: marijuana is not a drug!
Tina: The word 女 means female in Chinese. However, I once saw a man with a tattoo with the letter 姦, which means to be in complicate relationships with lots of lots of women. Please ask an authentic Chinese guy for the right information of the letter you want to get on your skin. :)
Kaitlyn: I don't speak Arabic, and I have an Arabic tattoo, so why not get a Chinese tattoo of you don't speak Chinese? It's your tattoo, get what you want!
Stephanie: and I have boyfriend name 3 kids names. tattoo I picked out the book. went in with an idea but not exact. have visible tattoos.
tracy: At one point I was considering a "where's Waldo" tramp stamp
Kayla: Honestly all 3 of my current tattoos I got "on a whim." However, this makes them more special to me because that's just who I am. And it's not really anyone's business what they think of another persons tattoo as they are not the one who has to live with it forever. I will NEVER regret any of my tattoos when I am old because they all were awesome memories and will remind me how much of a badass I was haha. Plus saying it will eventually sag and fade well that's life, we get old and our bodies age so that point is irrelevant.
Justice: Lol oh so glad I read this. I was gonna get a tramp stamp (haha) of my boyfriend's name! & a finger matching finger tattoos of an infinity symbol .
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