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So you know you're getting a tattoo but you don't know what that tattoo is?

You're going about this all backwards.

So tell him you're not ready for the tattoo because you don't have a design yet, have him set aside the money for when you ARE ready, then go get tattooed when you have your design.

Do not get tattooed just because it's offered to you if you have no idea what you want to get. You'll regret it that way because you didn't have time to think about it, really get something that you like, or something that means something to you. You're basically getting it on a whim, and that's the worst way to get tattooed.

The general advice is to find whatever it is you want, then sit on the idea for six months to a year before you actually get it tattooed. Have the design done in henna to see if you like it, since henna lasts a good 2 weeks if done right. Put the image up some place where you'll see it all the time, and think that this image will be on your skin FOR. LIFE. You will get married with this, you will have kids with it, you will watch those kids graduate with this, you will be playing bridge in the old folks' home with this, you will die with this. Tattoos are FOR LIFE and if you just get one on a whim you'll regret it really quickly.

So then why did you ask what tattoo you should get? Why did you ask for ideas if you already had one you really wanted?

NOTHING we tell you to get will mean anything to you. NOTHING we tell you to get you'll end up liking 10-20-30 years down the road. Tattoos are 100% selfish and personal things, to ask someone ELSE what you SHOULD be getting shows a lack of dedication, lack of knowledge, a lack of respect for the art form, lack of maturity and that you're really not ready to get a tattoo. It shows that you just want it to have it, not because you honestly believe it will make you better.

I'm not being rude. I'm voicing my opinions and thoughts on the subject, as this guild was intended to do. I have yet to say anything rude.

Usually, when someone gets a tattoo, they do it to make themselves "better" in one way or another. To beautify themselves, to remind themselves of something, to become one step closer to their ideal inner selves, whatever. Most people don't get tattoos just to have them, which it kind of sounds like you're doing, since you have no idea what it is you actually want and you're asking random strangers online what their ideas for you should or would be.

If you had an idea already, that you've already stated you have, but have no artistic skill to draw it up yourself, you can go to a tattoo artist, talk to them and have them draw it for you. I have to do this because I have no artistic skill, but I know what I want. I talk to the artist and we draw it together, I bring in any reference materials I might have like pictures from online, books, DVD's, anything else I might have that might help. You can very much do this, any artist worth their machine will draw up a custom tattoo just for you as soon as you ask them.

If you already know what it is you want, why ask other people for their ideas? Tattoos are absolutely 100% personal, selfish, subjective, objective, and relative. We have no right to tell you what you should get, that's not our place. If you want help with a tattoo idea, ask people close to you, people who matter, people whose thoughts and feelings and opinions you trust and respect, not random people on the internet.

I'm not critiquing your ideas, or you, at all. I'm just trying to steer you in the right direction.