h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Do they charge more for flash pieces than custom pieces? I could imagine they'd charge more, because they've done a heart that says mom so many times they're bored.

But I just wonder how the people in tattoo magazines get theirs. Some of them must be millionaires with the prizes you mention.

I had mine done just over a year ago - celtic/ tribal design on my left ...er...lower back. it was on my "things to do before I turn 40" list. And I went for the "fades afetr 3 years" version. And it's aready fading! I could always get another one done, though.

It was more painful than I'd thought, but you know it will stop soon so it's bearable.


Hmmm...something on my shoulderblade maybe....

I have a tattoo of Piglet on my left shoulder... it's been there about 6 years and I don't regret it at all.

I have no plans for anymore though and compared to childbirth... tattooing is painless LMAO

Well in response to number 21...flash pieces usually cost a little less from what I know. I would imagine it's because they are usually smaller, and can be enlarged/downsized. Also, it is easier to put it onto the transfer. Whereas customs are usually large, and need to be tweaked around here and there. My tattoo was custom and although it used part of a flash, it cost a little more than if I'd just gone and chosen something off the wall.

You have to remember that people in tattoo mags pretty much choose tattoo's as an investment and a hobby. And they all have jobs. And it isn't really that much more money than what you would spend say, on digital/cable TV or a car or anything else in your home that is a hobby. So I really doubt if they are loaded...!

A146530 - Tattoos
A534791 - Tattoo Removal
A311176 - Tattoo Safety

The removal entry is probably the best, the safety one is reasonable - quite useful I'd have thought, the basic tattoo entry is showing its age now, but has some good conversations on it. Worth checking out if you're interested in the subject, anyway

-Martin

I checked out those entries in the weeks before I got mine done Very imformative, although I do think there should be specific one's done for American tattoo parlours and British. Things tend to differ. I still think there should be a joint list made up of reputable tattooists as well.

One thing mentioned earlier that really bothers me.

"I know people that had tattoo's done and now they regret it"

That REALLY annoys me. If you aren't getting the tattoo done for the right reasons OF COURSE you are going to regret it!! In a few years time there will be one heck of a line at the lasar surgery...all these girls getting tattoo's done to fit with the latest trend in low slung trousers. I waited years to get my tattoo done, only for people to spout that one annoying line at me. I won't regret mine because I thought about it, and got it because it means something.

So there!

me ??
a red / black five-pointed star on the upper right arm...
done by some guy in a cloak in a tipi at a theatre festival
in Bath back in er 78...aren't I lucky...no HIV back then...

regrets ?? ...none, even though it has faded a bit.

funniest tattoo story :

...a good friend of mine, now a missionary in Thailand, was in the merchant marine. In the Phillipines the entire crew went for a tattoo.

He decided upon an eagle, in flight, on the biceps...

Very proud of his new acquisition, he would strut in front of the mirror in his cabin whilst at sea...

After a few days, when the scab came off, he began to think that something was not quite right with the bird...

After a few more days, he realised that the tattooist had put the eagles right wing on back to front, so the poor thing could only fly in circles.

Choose Wisely !

alec.

I had Kokopelli playing to the sky put on the back of my neck last winter as a kind of reminder of something I never want to forget again. I love having him there, rather doubt I'll ever regret it although if anyone had asked me on the morning I did it if I'd ever have a tattoo my answer would most likely have been no.

I have the outline of a Yorkshire rose on my upper left arm. I've had it about ten years, and as has been mentioned up there... I thought about it for ages and ages before I picked a design. In the end it came down to either my birth sign (couldn't find a design I like) and the Yorkshire rose. I got it done for Yorkshire day that year (1st August).

Slightly amusing story: I got the picture from a leaflet for Yorkshire day sent over to Germany (where I am) by my mum. The woman at the tattoo place made the design and just as she was holding it up to my arm I realised at the last minute that she had also copied the "Have a nice Yorkshire Day" slogan too. I nearly missed it because there was a girl getting her belly-button pierced and she was making such a huge noise I nearly ran out of there.

Imagine if you had HAD that done.

Would the Yorkshire Tourist Board have to pay you a small sum for the advertising space?

Doesn't bear thinking about does it? But it does explain the funny look the tattoo artist gave me when she saw the design.
I'm thinking of getting another, and this time I think I'll go for my star sign.

Wellll...the one I have right now - is but 4 months old tomorrow - was my own design, just modified by existing flash. The description's "up there somewhere"...but my next one is gonna be Jessica Rabbit from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"...starsigns have never been my thing personally. But there are some top notch designs out there...so go for it if you think thats the right second one! Have you ever considered getting anything bigger? I always reckon bigger tattoo's look better...less of a birthmark look about them!

I never thought of a big one, but I've always been keen to have one where it can be seen (so not on my bum)

When my boss saw my tattoo for the first time last summer he nearly had a heart attack... thought I was very prim and proper (!) up to then.

I reckon I shock people easily too. I'm sure I see people thinking "...but she...and tattoo's...and swearing...and heavy metal...and extreme cinema...and..." I can carry off being "normal" ie : acceptable to a scary scary perfection.

I've never wanted to have one on my butt. Whats the point? I mean...if it was part of a large design then yeh...but otherwise it's a bit..."blonde" if you'll excuse the phrase...

Friend of mine had his girlfirends name - with rose - done on his lower arm. His girlfirend's name was Liencha (Polish) We all went to have one done whilst in Blackpool about 30 years ago, the guy refused to do me because he said I was too young, annoying at the time as 3 of mates were younger than me, still - back to my friend.

He comes back and for about 3 months its just wonderful. Everywhere we go she makes him roll his sleeve up to show her friends, and its all love and roses. Then the inevitable happens, big row and she bins him.

So my mate puts up with about 6 months of mickey take about his tattoo, before we get bored. About 2 years later he gets serious with another girl and the 'E' word is being flashed about - but - she doesn't want to wear a ring from a guy with someone elses name on his arm. So.... off goes my friend to the tattoo parlour, the guy says the only way out is to do it all black, so thats what happens. Unfortunately my friend has picked the wrong place to have this done and it becomes infected. We are talking weeping sores, anti-biotics, 2 weeks off work. Eventually however the rose is there now with a black banner - and fiancee to be is happy.

But thats not the end. A couple of years later the engagement is off and my friend is single again, when who should he meet ? Yes its Liencha, back in the area, and first thing she says to my friend is "Have you still got my tattoo ?"

They eventually married and so far as I know they lived happily ever after, but my mate had the mickey taken for years.

Hence why I ALWAYS say...no band names, no partners names, no football teams.

AND I always go on about aftercare.

There's no telling some people.

Great story though. Serves him right.

I had my tattoo done the day before I went to a rock festival, and I took all my gear with me to do my aftercare. And got laughed at big-time by a guy who had his done the day before me.

And oh boy did I smirk when his got badly infected.

My boss is wary of me now after he caught me telling someone I'd seen Iron Maiden several times. Makes me wonder what he'd think if I told him I've also seen the Magic Flute more times than I care to remember... and I'm soooo tempted to wear my Docs to the office with a short skirt that I may just do it.

My advice, if it'll mean something to you, just do it, you won't regret it. I have a big gothic 'S' on my arm to remind me of my deceaced father, my (rather basic) reasoning is that if you don't like it, in 10 years or so they'll have the technology to remove them quite simply. There'll be a huge market seeing as so many young people are getting any old crap inked where they have a spare bit of flesh.

S

when i was 15 i decided i wanted a tattoo of a rose on my ankle. instead of rushing right out at the earliest opportunity to have it done (which would have been my 18th birthday) i decided to wait until i was 25 and if i still wanted it then i would always want it, and would get it then.

when i was 25 i was married to a man who told me if i got a tattoo we would get a divorce.

two years later i was divorced and broke, with no tattoo.

in march of this year at the age of 30 i finally got my tattoo, but i didn't get a rose on my ankle. after 15 years of thinking it over, i got a 'guide' tattoo: the green nah-nah smiley from the cover of some of the hitchhiker books (not to mention the video jacket and the box the game came in). it's on my right shoulder, and i LOVE it

while i was at the tattoo parlor tho, i was looking thru the artist's portfolio and found the rose i want . i'll get it eventually.

Well don't start flashing the 'horns around...that REALLY scares people...