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@Dan @Hogrider
 
Can I ask why you think that? They’ve all been done at reputable places with artists I’ve vetted before hand. I know what I think matters the most, and I like them, but I don’t understand why you think they’re ‘crap’ 
Here are some better photos of them fresh, I don’t know if that makes any difference. I guess it’s just a little disheartening to hear.

@oboogie that’s adorable. I want an old lady to touch my arm haha
@Hollie yeah that seems to be the general consensus- doesn’t matter what people think as long as yr good with it. I think I was just seeking affirmation that it wasn’t a ‘bad tattoo’ / ‘done poorly.’ Ya know that pesky self doubt that a creeps around the brain!

I got this about a year ago. It’s my childhood house!
It’s my first real piece and I assumed that when I got it people would give me sorts of compliments or general comments or say anything about it! But that hasn’t really been the case. But I’m super curious what people think!
 
What do you guys think about it? What do you like? What do you dislike? What do you think about the style?
 
What has been your experience with tattoos and other people? Do you find that people generally don’t really ask about them? Or when they do they’re pretty neutral?

I had the cutest little old lady come up to me in the supermarket right after I got my elbow done on my first sleeve (right arm). She went on and on about how pretty it was and even touched it. I told her thank you, but I told her not to touch it because it was still fresh. But she was so adorable and sweet.

Oh. And your tattoos definitely cute. I love the story behind it. 

This post reminded me of a comment my family friend made about my father in-law. He made some comment about how he didn’t like women with tattoos and she was offended (she has a couple of small ones) and said “oh so you don’t like my tattoo” and he’s like no. I don’t like tattoos on women (he can be a bit of a knob from time to time). And my response was pretty much what most people have said... “if you got it for others to look at, rather than yourself, you probably got it for the wrong reasons”. 
 
I have four personally, half sleeve, shoulder, collar bone and lower back. Two of mine are pretty decent in size and honestly, I get nice comments from people, I get snarls from others.. mostly older women that view tattoos a little differently but ALL of mine have sentimental meanings and I could give a shit less what people think because they mean something to me. 
 
At the end of the day, regardless of what anyone thinks, you’ve got to be comfortable in your own skin, covered in tattoos or not. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Right! Especially when they go on and on about deeper meanings... people don't seem to realize that there don't HAVE to be these super deep meanings behind tattoos, haha! 
I haven't posted my first tattoo anywhere yet, no! But here's a picture of it: 

It's not even that special or anything. Frankly, in terms of technique and placement and the like, I like the second one more. But the whole geometric/ornamental generally does pretty well with people I've found. I think for most it's just the right amount of, say, elegance and coolness while not necessarily being too out there yet. 
It's also two years old by now so the lines definitely aren't what they used to be LOL, and especially with how admittedly poorly I protect it from sun it could very much benefit from a touch-up but I do still like it.... especially for a first tattoo which I, for all intents and purposes, wasn't nearly informed enough on.
People will always ask why the orca, and while there is a story behind this one I'm not about to tell any stranger that. "You see, it all started 15 years ago, when my father........"  😂 I just tell them it's my favorite animal, which isn't a lie, but even then they'll go on about "but why?" 
Also, I'd have many a person ask what animal it is. I've heard whale, dolphin (not entirely wrong) and even shark. 😂😂
At least with your piece it's very clear what it is! Maybe that also has something to do with the whole getting people to comment on it... when it isn't entirely clear, people might be more predisposed to ask/comment. 
At any rate, I would definitely not consider folks not commenting on your tattoo as proof of them not liking it. I really don't think it works that way! Your tattoo is awesome and you should be proud of it! 🙂
(That, and of course the placement of the tattoo does matter a lot too, haha). 

@Queen Rocks
thanks for the feedback! 
I totally agree. And yes to the social anxiety haha I think when people just didn’t really say anything about it the slow and creeping fear of ‘oh my god. Do have a bad tattoo? Is that why nobody says anything?’ Starts to creep in. But I worry what other people think too much just generally. 
 
I DO like it! I liked it when I got it. And I still do now. Which is the important part. And I guess with that since I like it I want to talk to people about it! I want share what I like, ya know?
 
but hey I guess that’s why I’m here haha

Thanks @Fig1996!
honestly I think I’d probably hate if everyone in met asked me about or commented on it too! Haha grass is always greener I suppose! What was your first piece? Is it posted anywhere on here?

I like your tattoo a lot! And what a cool and original idea to go with your childhood home! I at least haven't heard of that idea before, so I really like it. I always like me some original and creative ideas. 🙂
As for your question, I've worked as a supervisor in retail for 7 years and therefore had to deal with customers a lot. The moment I got my first forearm tattoo, I got a LOT of customers asking about it. They all told me they really liked it, and one even told me she wanted to get one exactly like mine, and I even had older customers who were super grumpy about tattoos be like "I do like yours" LOL. Then I got another forearm tattoo, though higher up on my forearm, on my right arm and I never once had any customer or even colleague ask about that one. I love that tattoo just as much as the other if not more, and, like @Dan, I'm completely fine with that too. I know this tattoo looks good and professional; and that it fits me well, and I don't really need anyone else validating that because what really matters is what I think when I see it, and I like it. 
Frankly, the sheer amount of comments I got about my first tattoo kind of daunted me. Of course, I knew what I was getting into when I got it tattooed so I never resented anyone for asking about it either, but when you get comments like "but what does it REALLY mean?" "what is the deeper meaning behind it???" daily, it does get old pretty quick. 😅

As you might remember my story about almost 2 years ago and I want to thank you guys again for how much you've been uplifting me with your honesty and your words. 
This post tattoo anxiety seems a very common thing. It hit me as well even though I was planning on getting a big one for many years. 
Many people have contacted me and having those feelings seems to be a very common thing, there seems to be the same pattern that people are going through. It looks to me that nowadays people want to have a solution for everything immediately if they don't feel comfortable with something. People don't know how to be patient anymore and get rid of something if they don't like it. People compare themselves way too much with others as it's what social media does with many people's minds.
There are quite a few reasons that I could write about regarding post tattoo anxiety and I was thinking about posting my experience here as so many people have been reaching out to me and I can see there seems to be a common psychological process (I just don't really have the time to write things down in detail)
Anyway:  I can assure to everyone with this anxiety: YOU WILL GET OVER  IT  and live will go on. It might take some time but you will get there. Don't be hard on yourself and even if right now you're having panic attacks (which is a horrible feeling), it'll get less and you'll come to love your tattoo. It's a change you've done to your body and now your mind needs some time to adjust. Don't forget that you love tattoos and why you love them because this is hopefully the reason why you decided to get them.
 

 

I think it looks nice and it means a lot to you. I can understand the uneasiness you feel because people don't bring it up in conversation like "Oh wow, that's new! When did you get that? What does it mean?" etc...But like others have said it was for you and only you. F*** everybody else.
And to be honest, I haven't really asked too many people about their own tattoos. One time when I did it turned out to be a sore subject. My neighbor regrets his tattoo and encouraged me to NEVER get ink done. It's too permanent. Lol
When I got my freshest tattoo I posted it on Facebook and got all sorts of comments, but in real life not so much. Particularly with my own immediate family where tattoos are generally frowned upon. Meh. It was difficult to swallow at first (because I think we all want to be accepted) but when it gets right down to it the ink is something personal. As long as you like it, that's all that should matter. I think it's too easy to get trapped into thinking others need to be impressed, especially if you're prone to social anxiety. *cough* me *cough* Lol