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I'm not quite so sure why it is that I feel so disappointed and deflated.
Tell him you'll help him pick out a design and go with him when he gets it done.
But first, ask him to accompany you while you get a Prince Albert fitted.
If you don't want him to have one show him some pictures of old faded tattoos to give him an idea of what hey'll look like when he's 40?
Sounds like classic teenage rebellion stuff to me though.
We look back at the Victorians and think, how could they wear such stupid hats?
We look back at the Georgians and think, who'd want to wear powdered wigs?
They will look at our time and think, why did they get tattoos?
I blame David Beckham, comprehensive schooling and Channel 4.
[i]They will look at our time and think, why did they get tattoos?[/i]
I suspect global warming, the way the economy only benefited the rich and third world poverty and starvation will be things we get looked askance for, not skin decoration.
Sounds like classic teenage rebellion stuff to me though.
Do you look at [i]anyone[/i] when you walk down the street? Rebels are the ones without tattoos.
Only let him get it if it's cool like this:
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8750/17126931867_04d973887d_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8750/17126931867_04d973887d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/s6s19K ]IMG_20150501_191057582[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/7693620@N05/ ]alan cole[/url], on Flickr
The Pinkster - Member
... what hey'll look like when he's 40?
he's 18, the concept of being 40 is simply incomprehensible to him.
Tell him to come up with an idea for himself but that he has to sit on it for a year. If he still wants it after a year then it's probably not just an idle fancy.
FWIW I joked with my mum that I was either getting a tattoo or a motorbike when I was 18. Eventually got a tattoo when I was 22 (paid for with my own money)
[url= http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/people-without-tattoos-labelled-freaks-and-attention-seekers-2013060771240 ]Surely not having one is more rebellious?[/url]
sever all ties, exclude him from your will and cover over every picture of him in your house
at least he told you, I got a tattoo when I was 19, I dont think I ever informed my parents I was going to do it1
I had one done at 15. My mum found out two years later. We didn't have a close relationship.
My niece got a tattoo when she was 14.
Her mum wasn't best pleased when she found out 3 years later.
Is that you uncle dave? 😀
[i] ahwiles - Member
he's 18, the concept of being 40 is simply incomprehensible to him.[/i]
That is sooooo true.
Also true, nearly all 40 somethings and older, I know. Regrett their tatts. Hide them or undergo the seemingly "uncomfortable" process of removal.
But yeah, 18 years? He might hear you, but he aint listening.
If the worst thing he does* whilst being 18 is get a tattoo, I think you can be pretty pleased you brought him up well. Stop worrying.
* not that I see anything wrong with tattoos. I mean, why not? I'm trying to decide on one at the moment...
Rachel
Tell him to come up with an idea for himself but that he has to sit on it for a year. If he still wants it after a year then it's probably not just an idle fancy.
This. I always fancied one and was particularly keen when I was 18, which is only about 9 years ago, but sat on the idea and fortunately got over it because my idea then was crap. I keep coming back to one but doubt I'll ever do it.
my cousin had a bluebird tat now she she's so fat it looks like a turkey
I wanted one well before 18 but waited til 20 to be sure of what I wanted. Now 41 and still like it, and am only now currently planning my second
Its not a full backpiece of Jimmy Saville sat on the Jim'll Fix It chair he's having, is it? With everything thats come out over the last few years, I now regret that one
My cousin got two done at 15, one was a dolphin on her shoulder the other was a stemmed rose on her boob.
10 years on they still look as shit as they day they were done (rose stem is longer though)
I'm not quite so sure why it is that I feel so disappointed and deflated.
OP,wait till you see it.
[img] 
[/img]
I have one on my willy - my favourite Irish town. Sometimes it looks like "Newry" but in its full glory it's actually Newtownmounthenry.
Well I'm 38 and I still like my tattoo just fine , not sure I was bothered how it'd look in 20 years time when i got it done and it'll only look cooler in another 20 years I reckon! , usual STW grumpiness, let him find his own way (and anyway, chicks dig tats, fact !)
If anything just make sure he gets it done at a decent studio, worth paying extra for a good artist and materials
Some valid points and some different perspective, thank you.
I think my real issue is not that i don't like tattoos, actually I don't mind them, I just wouldn't want one myself. I think that it is more that a decision that is made at 18 stays with you forever.
Anyway, not much that I can do, other than advise against it.
Not sure why you'd be disappointed OP, tattoos are so fashionable that surely you'd have expected it at his age.
Any way see what he wants and at circa £50 an hour tell him he has to pay for it if you're really against it. And like has been said above, get him to sit on an idea for a while and see if still wants it.
Not everyone regrets their tattoos, it's usually just the people that get rubbish ones done when pissed or something. I'm 39 and don't regret mine at all. Inks are much better these days as well so they last better.
Of all the decisions to take at 18, the impact on future life should not be too late, unless he is going for full face...?
If anything just make sure he gets it done at a decent studio, worth paying extra for a good artist and materials
+100000
As for when he's 40, I'm sure he'll be too busy staring in the mirror wondering how he got old to worry about a tattoo.
[i]I'm not quite so sure why it is that I feel so disappointed and deflated.[/i]
pretty understandable to me....I'd take him down the Pub, sit him down and tell him it would upset you very much if he did it, but if he really feels that strongly about it....its his body!
(if he goes for it then you'll feel doubly disappointed and deflated!)
Every time I go to the gym (which is most days), I'm still surprised by the fact that everyone under 30 seems to have a tattoo.
When I was young only hookers, criminals and sailors had tattoos....
6pt Helvetica Neue Condensed is the ultimate test of a tattooist's skill, deadlydarcy...
Rachel
Research research research, learn what a good tattoo really looks like, be 100% on the subject matter, choose a good artist and let them design it, be prepared to travel, be prepared to wait and expect to pay upwards of £70 per hour or £450 day rates.
Whilst on holidays. The kids and I would play guess the tattoo era on the Brits walking around the pool.
I think that kinda put them off the idea themselves (they are now 23 & 24yrs old).
An old friend of mine had the usual tattoos done about 30yrs ago. Forearm and shoulder.
Recently got involved with a new woman who was herself into tattoos ... in his mid 40`s he has now had full sleeves, and in process of getting both legs done too ... 45 going on 18 ... but sadly still looks 45.
Tell him to come up with an idea for himself but that he has to sit on it for a year. If he still wants it after a year then it's probably not just an idle fancy
I think that's the line I was given when I was around 15 or so.. it prompted me to go out and get a cheap, shit tattoo in secret the following week..
The only real way around this is to get into it and get matching tattoos.. Traditionally they are tribal symbols, and you don't get any more tribal than parent and child..
You'd be giving summink (sic) back to the tradition, bonding with yer lad and he'd end up maybe learning something about the history of tattooing and not perhaps ending up with a crap design..
Let him pick to start with but steer him down the road of something with a bit of artistic merit, negotiate, put some thought into your choice and get something that has meaning for both of you.. or get something bespoke.. research styles and then find a good relevant tattooist to do the work, find out about the historical symbolism behind certain designs etc
He might go off it by the time it's all settled..
he's 18, the concept of being 40 is simply incomprehensible to him
I'm 37 and the idea of being 40 is simply incomprehensible to me
But are tattoo's really forever now? Channel 4 certainly give the impression that if you don't like it, you just get it lasered off.
What you could do is look out for a tattoo convention near you. No better way to see a wide variety of styles and designs, talk to the artists etc. and if he sees something he likes get a walk-up on the day.
Ultimately, its his choice. But make sure its somewhere hideable, chest, upper arms etc. A large, stupid tattoo on his neck won't help his career.
Ultimately, its his choice. But make sure its somewhere hideable, chest, upper arms etc. A large, stupid tattoo on his neck won't help his career.
This is very, very good advise. Combine this with getting it from a good artist and you're fine. He may love it forever, but if he doesn't at least he can hide it.
The best thing you can do is to advise him to find the best artist to fit his needs. Tel him to Do research and make sure hes getting what he wants. If its done well it will look as good in 20 years as when it gets done.
Aside from that its really bugger all to do with you what he does with himself, hes an adult now, deal with it. If it really disappoints you that much then your expectations are clearly unreasonable, not like hes taking up a smack habit now is it?
When I were a lad, tattoos were reserved for people who earned them, i.e. sailors and pub landlords.
They were also a useful indication of social class, e.g. if so and so's old man had tattoos you didn't go out with his sister.
Oh brave new world!
I'm 39 and 10 months and the concept of... whoooah! Shiit!
Not under my roof ™
Got my first tattoo at 18 still getting tattoos at 40. I work in a highly suited and booted conservative industry and ensure that my clients do not see my inkwork when im in "professional" mode.it certainly hasn't hampered my career or my professional standing and at the end of the day your son is an adult. Just make sure that if he wants to be inked its something that has meaning to him and its worked up by a decent tatto artist not a flash monkey. Most people that regret tattoos just picked something from a book or wall of flash, rather than spent time working with an artist to get something that will work with the body and will still look good in years to come.
Could always pick the design and artist and ask them to do a henna one so he can live with it for a bit. I have no tats and not even sure this is possible but you know, worth asking.
It doesn't matter what he gets, he'll pretend he loves it 🙂
I wanted a tattoo when I was 18 and never did. Still want one but won't now because I'm old and ugly and don't want to look like I'm trying to polish a turd. Wish I had some old faded ones and had enjoyed looking awesome when that was still an option 🙂
he is 18, an adult. has bugger all to do with you
When I was at school me and my mates were definitely 100% going to get matching Motorhead tattoos.
Luckily we didn't ,imagine having to pretend to still liking them.
Also true, nearly all 40 somethings and older, I know. Regrett their tatts.
I didn't get mine until I was in my forties! I have seven, and I'm currently looking into two more, but these will be a bit more complicated, and I'm probably getting them done at Electric Vintage in Bath.
The lad in question is eighteen, he's legally entitled to get married, learnt to drive a ton and a half of metal at high speed on public roads, join the armed forces and kill people.
Getting a tattoo is no big deal, and it's a fact that even the Victorians regularly had tattoos, and I believe even members of Royalty did too. People are more open about it now, across a much wider section of society, plus tattooists are becoming more and more skilled at creating extraordinary works of art in a medium that, by its very nature, is not forgiving; any mistakes are there for all to see!
As others have said I'd make sure he does his research. I thought about mine for about 2 years then spent about 3 months finding the right artist to do it. Usually the good tattooists have a waiting list and don't just do walk ins.
Tell him he can get an m-dot tattoo but only after completing an ironman first.
If he must get one try and persuade him not to get anything that's currently on trend or the latest fashion.
They wear thin really fast and you just end up looking like a right plonker 10years down the line.
Surely just like beards we have reached peak tattoo and not having one will be the new having one.
6pt Helvetica Neue Condensed is the ultimate test of a tattooist's skill, deadlydarcy...Rachel
True, dat! I'd have needed 5pt Arial Narrow for "Welcome to Jamaica and have a nice day"
Tell him he can get an m-dot tattoo but only after completing an ironman first.
What's the fun in that? Much better to get one not even being able to swim, just for the sake of irony and to annoy a few triathletes.
It's his choice. I would just offer him some sensible advice to make sure he gets something decent and by a decent place.
I'd let Lou on Tattoo fixers do anything she wanted to me 😉
Obvious no-nos, girls' names and anything pop culture (eg, bands). Tastes change. TBH I'd avoid anything wordy altogether.
be glad that he's told you.
I didn't tell my Mum and got one when I was 19.
she cried when she found out.
'Tell him'
Hes an adult not the OPs property.
[i] poah - Member
he is 18, an adult. has bugger all to do with you[/i]
My, what an amazing tone of address you convey.
[i] CountZero - Member
I didn't get mine until I was in my forties! I have seven, and I'm currently looking into two more, but these will be a bit more complicated, and I'm probably getting them done at Electric Vintage in Bath.[/i]
Yah, I know someone who got his first tatt in his 50s.
He only needs to shave the pelt off his back and employ a mirror, to view it.
😉
As for the "you can just have it removed by laser".
I viewed some flesh, a few months ago, at an interim stage of tatt removal.
Messy, very messy and imo, an entirely unnecessary thing to do to one of your vital organs.
Carry on!
Edit
[i] hora - Member
Hes an adult not the OPs property.[/i]
OP isn't implying ownership, but was expressing how they [b]FEEL[/b] for which the OP is receiving some unwarranted comments.
You're a funny bunch, you're all peace and tolerance one minute, then venomous the next.
Perhaps try to understand the OP instead of have a go?
As for when he's 40, I'm sure he'll be too busy staring in the mirror wondering how he got old to worry about a tattoo.
At 40? Only if he spends his time and money on coke and hookers.
When I was 18 I wanted a tattoo to make me beautiful so that I could attract birds to get "free ones".
I thought hard and long about the design then finally I came up with a triangle with an eye in it (was influenced by a TV programme of a female Egyptian super hero), the tattoo would be called Isis ... 😯
Luckily, I came into sense that something was not right i.e. tattoo =/= beautiful =/= birds pulling success.
Imagine if I had that tattoo called Isis now ... I would look like a fool or would probably get hunter down by Apache gunship or A-10 Thunderbolt II.
😆
edit: tell him it's not cool and it's so yesterday.
I have no tattoos.
When my son is 18 he can do what makes him happy. How was my previous post or this 'bitter' etc?
Hes old enough to know what he wants and likes. We are all different.
zippykona - Member
When I was at school me and my mates were definitely 100% going to get matching Motorhead tattoos.
Luckily we didn't ,imagine having to pretend to still liking them.
POSTED 2 HOURS AGO #
Very similar route here, but it was Iron Maiden tats I wanted. I actually listened to my dad's advice thankfully.
Just found out that the £50 I just gave my niece for her 18th to go towards driving lessons is now going to be spent going towards her first tats. Not at all impressed.
Dunno if it's something to do with having a 'o', 'a' & 'h' in your username, but some folk seem to have real trouble understanding this bit:
Bianchi-Boy
I'm not quite so sure why it is that I feel so disappointed and deflated
me and my little brother have large tattoos from a 1960s comic strip on the same place on our backs..
as my sister was approaching her 18th she expressed an interest in getting something similar so in secret, I approached the cartoonist's family in California by email (pre social networking) and they happily agreed to create a bespoke design for her...
one week before her 18th she went down to the local place and got a barbed wire wrapped rose tattooed on the place on her back
cynic-al - Member
Only let him get it if it's cool like this:
That looks like an exhausted and disappointed testicle. No offence like.
he is 18, an adult. has bugger all to do with you
My, what an amazing tone of address you convey.
Bluntly put but nonetheless true. 18yo, can do as he pleases. By all means offer advice but accept the fact it may not be taken.
Imagine if I had that tattoo called Isis now ... I would look like a fool or would probably get hunter down by Apache gunship or A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Yeah but you're brown. If you weren't you'd be this guy:
[img] 
[/img]
squirrelking - Member
Yeah but you're brown. If you weren't you'd be this guy:
By the way who is he? 😯
You mean corporate/white guy?
Too many interpretation so narrow down a bit ... I thought it was a retro art. 😛
Chewkw - it is Sterling [url= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486217/ ]Archer[/url] of the [b]I[/b]nternational [b]S[/b]ecret [b]I[/b]ntelligence [b]S[/b]ervice
🙂
Of all of the things that bother me about my appearance as I approach 40, my tattoos barely even figure. Receding hairline, slight tummy, non-existent pecs, bitchy resting face and terrible teeth are much more regrettable than any of the ink.
🙂
One news piece on the topic had a heavily tattooed family, the rule for the kids was one old enough they had to have the design at the end of their bed for 6 months as the first thing they saw every morning and the last thing at night.
Like any good carpenter will tell you measure twice cut once, you want to make sure you want it there for life.
all my friends who got celtic bands in 1996 still look really, really cool now.
oh, hang on....
Thanks for all the comments.
Based on some of the more positive contributions above, we have had another talk about it. He has shown me the example that he likes, and he has decided to have it on his upper arm.
He has also decided to think about it for 3 months! If he still wants it then I will help him to get it done. It's probably about the best outcome I could have hoped for.
He's a great son.
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/418/19918207738_27fa6e8225.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/418/19918207738_27fa6e8225.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/warnesworld/ ]Ian Warnes[/url], on Flickr
The 'thinking about it' is good.
When I was 18 I went to tattoo parlour. Guy said he was fully busy for two weeks and to come back then. I never did. In hindsight I really admire his work ethic for doing that. He knew I wouldn't come back...
The best artists can have a queue. Start researching places. One in Hudds has a year long queue!
Here is something to consider
At 18 your body is not really filled out....., so if your son gets a tat on his arm and it's a fair size....but in a few years time he beefs up a bit...the tat is going to look stretched or just plain wrong.
Yep I'm one of those who borrowed his brothers ID and got a tat early 17 and by the time I was 22 I had it covered over with a bigger tattoo
What you will find is tattoos now are like fashion.....from Celtic bands , tribal bands, tribal markings, Chinese writing, stars.....and what is it now complete beckham arms.
If your son is really serious he would do his own design......I'm sure you can buy tatto outline paper for a printer so he can actually print his tattoo and have a tempory one to see how he likes it
[img] 
[/img]
[b]IT'S FISTING TIME![/b]
Out of interest, did he say why he wants a pocket watch?
Seems to be a lot of pocket watch tattoos around at the moment.
Only let him get it if it's cool like this:
(random high figure)% of tattoo-owners consider theirs to be 'cool' 8)
(I like Stimpy btw)
Out of interest, did he say why he wants a pocket watch?
Seems to be a lot of pocket watch tattoos around at the moment.
Maybe he's a secret watchmaker or a Timelord? I always thought those Teddy-Boy style dads at school were secret sailors, so many of them seemed to have ships anchors tattooed on their forearm.