Tattoos... advice from those so adorned

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Pete Davidson had 200 tattoos.

Pete Davidson Spent $200K on 'Years-Long' Tattoo Removal, Is Doing 'Really Well' Since Getting Sober in September (Exclusive)

Pete Davidson has spent nearly $200,000 to undergo the process of having his multiple tattoos removed from his body, a source exclusively tells PEOPLE. Plus more details on the comedian's sober life and new projects.

people.com

He was also a junkie who did most of them himself.

 

[Wathe208]

I am 58. I am considering getting my first tattoo(s). Frankly, I think it's a done deal but for the decision making.

Probably this won't happen until early summer. I have a surgery to go through first, and any tattooing would have to happen in Anchorage, so I actually have to travel to get it done.

My bestest hunting buddy has a bunch, and has been trying to talk me into it for years. My recently divorced ex was not a fan so I held off. Now? I think I am ready to take the plunge.

I do plan for whatever I get to be in locations I can cover - these are being done for me, not for a general viewing public. I have nothing against ones that can be seen; that's just not me.

I have ideas: my college mascot with a "Class of" attached to it... a number of hunting related ones, many tied to Africa and my hunting life in Alaska. And maybe a Bible verse and a possible quote. I want whatever I put on me to have meaning to me. For example, my college? I have been a proud Tiger for 35+ years and I will go to my grave a proud Tiger.

Those of you who have tattoos... can you relate to me your experiences? Things you like? Things you'd do different? Advice to a late-in-life first timer?

Thanks in advance.

Here you go @Tundra Tiger. Talk about life's lessons (and along similar logic), Africa has monkeys, makes sense to get a monkey tattoo...

 

[chonk34]

I got the comic book characters my kids were named after on one arm and a tattoo commemorating my military service on the other arm. I thought about it for around ten years before I had it done. No regrets so far.

 

[Firebird]

I am a paramedic by trade. Recently went on a mid thirties year old female with a new onset medical issue. Tatoos covering her body, random stuff and everywhere, even small ones on her face, as well as random piercings. During the transport I asked the significance of the works. She told a story of becoming a heroin addict as a teenager. Torched most of her twenties and then through a series of “life happens” she got sober. Part of her process was getting a tattoo when her drug cravings got too much to bear. The needle in her skin and the pain and the healing process had gotten her through the worst of the addiction.
She looked awful rough and would be harshly judged anywhere she went, but I was impressed by her resolve and proud of her for her ability to fight her way out of the dark. I was grateful to have met her.
I’m in the “don’t do it” category, but these days, ink doesn’t carry the same stigmas as it has in the past, go be yourself.

 

[Milo]

If I was meant to be tattooed, I would have been born with one.

Echoing the nudist philosophy