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Images are so much more interesting . . .

My unsolicited opinion: get a classic Japanese tattoo theme to represent that sentence you want. It'll be awesome and you won't have to worry about a poor translation. What I really mean is: GET A TIGER! Or a tiger fighting something. Or growling at the (unholy) wind. Or lightening. Lots of lightening.

so what ? why is that an issue here ? what is the problem with someone asking a question ? what about new members ? or people that don't come here everyday ? I've been here 3 years and have not seen a thread about this topic.even if it has been asked multiple times,new input or reminders or new ideas are always good IMO.

Hasn't this question already been asked several times in the past, with lots of advice already given???

i get a few awkward looks, i work in an industry dominated by the older generation. Once at an exhibition a guy came up to me and said i could never be successful at my job because tattooed arms. After some conversation he warmed to me, opened an account with my company and now trades with me monthly. He has since tried to poach me from my current employer. I like to think he takes a different view on people with tattoos now.

I'm 61 - and got my first tattoo 4 months ago. My mom, who is 83, loves it. Go figure. As much as we want to please our parents, in the end, we are wholly responsible for our own happiness. It seems that your husband is at peace with your choices and supportive. That is a sign of a very positive and healthy relationship. Your mom is clearly trying to bully you emotionally, to do as she wishes. It is a control issue. As you work though your reactions, though, only you can determine how much exerting your independence will impact the relationship with your mother and how comfortable you are with it. That, too, has an impact on your happiness. So, weigh it all out and do what makes you the most happy. No matter the choice, you will be doing what is right for you, not for her. Just $.02 from one of the older crowd here.

@marley mission dude you are the epitome of zen. You always seem so even and calm. You should start teaching classes @Morrigan it's a bummer to read this. No matter how old we get, we always want to please our parents. It's pretty natural. I would try humor in this situation. Humor always seems to cut directly to the issue and disarm it a bit. I bet most of us here have parents that are not thrilled with our choices when it comes to tattoos. Some handle it better than others. All I know is that if you can manage to make her laugh, the subject will get easier. All the best to you and good luck.

Who better than Chris Garver to fill a crucial spot on my forearm? I requested his rendition of a phoenix inspired by a line drawing in Ed Hardy's latest book, "Drawings for Tattoos." Aside from that, I told him to do it however he wants. I guess he wanted to make it perfect and pink. "Well... it's more of a coral." Either way, I'm digging it and I feel much more complete!

Old Guy At Home Depot: Hey, those tattoos look expensive. How much you pay for those? Me: Well, you know what they say, "Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good." Old Guy's Wife: His were cheap.

please think about that tattoo really carefully before getting it, and when you do get one,like was said,go big or go home.

Please tell me you aren't getting "1 of 1" tattooed on you? If so: I hope that's just a placeholder. But you never know what the kids are getting nowadays. If you're actually getting an image, I would suggest either ribs or more of the shoulder/bicep area. The back of the arm can be pretty visible and disrupt the flow of any future arm tattoos you may plan on getting. Ribs are a tough spot to sit through, but it isn't as visible so it makes it a little easier to dip your toes into the world of tattoos. But whatever, get what you want where you want it.

As I've said in a previous post, I would love for my mom and dad to see my tattoos. Whether they liked them or not. But I lost dad in '78 and mom in '93. Make peace as you can, because they won't be here to love or hate these peripheral things some day.

Agreed with Graeme! I've also been tattooed by Monga at Aloha and it was an incredible experience. That shop is a veritable candy-store for the tattoo enthusiast!

I got tattooed by Monga at Aloha Tattoo in Barcelona when I was last in Spain. Look him up, he will do you right.

Always happy to host LST folks coming into town. I'm in Brooklyn - Greenpoint/W'burg area.

thats the best thing I've read EVER.

Friends are (insert appropriate word/phrase here such as God's, Buddah's, Life's, etc) way of apologizing for your family. @Gingerninja - you totally rock it. I love your confidence and your perspective. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this anywhere before - and I do so now only for perspective - but I was very close to the point of impact of the plane that hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Several times that day I stared death in the eyes and won. Any time you can find yourself included in a Smithsonian Museum exhibition...and be alive to see it...is a positive outcome.That experience, and other close calls I had while in the Army, gave me a totally new perspective on life, on my priorities and on my approach to others. I don't let others control me - but I also am more attune to other points of view. I may not agree, but I am much more tolerant and open to considering those viewpoints. I can't make everyone happy...but I CAN make myself happy. Life is about choices - we make them every day. Not all are right or good but as long as we are willing to accept the consequences of those choices then, it seems to me, that it is a correct way to go.

every time i get a new tattoo my mum says she isn't going to talk to me ever again because she is too disappointed in me, so we agree to never speak again (this isn't an argument by the way). She always rings me a couple of days later too invite me for tea. we must have bene through the exact same process at least 15 times. At the end of the day its only because mothers care, they just have outdated views!

Thanks for the kind words! My brother is a more than a piece of work @oboogie. Our families never make it easy on us when they don't approve of the choices we make. You can choose your friends but not your family, right? My brother can pound dirt. My mom, I'll love to the end of her days regardless of her perspective. I would assert that having tattoo's have made me more empathic, kind and tolerant. Lessons a lot of people could use. I can't control them but I can control me.

This is the best advice one can give for sucky situations such as these. Not everyone will understand tattoos and the culture, but thats why we have an awesome community here.

Whaaaaat? You have the loveliest, friendliest face. I am mad at your brother for saying such awful things about you. I'm glad you kill them with kindness.

Tell her that you love her and hug her when you can. Oh, and maybe not post any more photos. :) Side note: None of my family approves of my ink. When my brother gets mad at me he calls me a "tattooed white trash whore". I, too, have multiple degrees and a great job. My strategy is to kill them with kindness. You most likely can't/won't change her mind but don't let that impact you being an awesome, loving daughter.

@marley mission Yep. I think she knows I will do what I want with my body and I won't be asking for her approval. As a mom, I love my kid unconditionally and I respect her, even though she's a toddler now. And yes, while I consider myself quite open-minded, there are body modifications that I don't like and that I'd personally consider "too much" (horn implants, split tongue, doesn't really matter), but if my baby girl came home with a split tongue, the only thing I could ever tell her is that I don't like it but I will always be respectful if she is happy about whatever she does. I just was so sorry my mum couldn't do the same for me. I don't need her to agree with me or share my view. If she'd only respect my choices. @SStu Fortunately not. She did mention the "don't you care how people will look at you?" thing. I don't really care about what people think/say and anyway, most of my friends and even colleagues at work like my tattoos. I've inspired more than one person to get inked :-)

My parents don't like my tattoos, either, and my Mom (whom I love and adore completely) actually called me the other day after perusing my Instagram and seeing one of my new tattoos. I'm older than you are, @Morrigan, have multiple degrees, have a great job, and she was still critical of my tattoos and "disappointed" I'd gotten another one. I've lost count of how many I have, and I keep thinking she'll get used to the idea —apparently not. Just try not to worry and keep doing your own thing. She'll get over it (or at least get used to it).

My 3 latest...

Took me way too long to post this. Got a pretty nice start on the chest by Chris Stuart in Charlotte back in early June. Hopefully get the rest finished at the Pagoda City convention. Couldn't recommend Chris highly enough. Great experience in the shop. He's since moved to his new place in midtown which looks awesome Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Fire started next door as an accident and spread through a few buildings. It was a four alarm fire. Someone lost their kitty but no one else was hurt - from what I've ready their machines and some of the art survived. No news on where everyone is setting up in the meantime. ____ Added on to say we talked to Franz today and most of the machines, books and art were salvageable and they've found a new location and will be re-opening in a few weeks - all around good news.

i usually just bring the body part thats getting tattooed

Thank you for your great responses, At the end I got this woman by Dane Soos, I took the hanging spider off in order to have more space for a future tattoo:

Read this thread and it will answer alot of questions for you

couldn't help but think of this...