Tattoo advice sought

[oregonpackfan]

Yes, I am seeking tattoo advice--not for me but advice on how to handle a request from my 20 year old daughter wanting a tattoo.

Yesterday, she approached my wife and I stating she wanted a cross-shaped tattoo about 3" X 2" placed on the inside of her ankle. The approximate cost would be $100.

Believe it or not, I did maintain a fair level of composure.

I asked her if this tattoo is a "need" or a "want." Does she need this tattoo at this stage of her life? She is currently halfway through her 4 year college education.

We also talked about financial priorities. Most of the money for her college tuition comes from a generous academic scholarship. We pay the rest and she contributes to her living expenses. To her credit, she works full time during the summer and part-time during the school year.

We also talked about some employers who still may not hire prospective employees wearing tattoos. That did not carry much validity with her as she cited examples of many young women sporting tattoos these days.

During the last years of my elementary school teaching career, I was amazed at the number of young female teachers and student teachers who had tattoos. Some were hidden on their lower backs or their shoulders while others were obvious. Even the "hidden" tattooss became visible because in elementary school teaching, one is frequently bending over, reaching up, etc.

The conversation ended with my encouraging her to finish college first, deal with her immediate financial priorities, and then consider the tattoo option.

Do any of you have advice? Madtown, I don't want to hear any wild stories from you about tattoos you have hidden on your...well... we don't need to go there.

[Zool]

Tattoos are very common now amongst all walks of life. Its really no big deal anymore. I will say that my current place of employment as well as my previous have a fairly standard policy of no visible tattoos while at work.

Just make her understand that its permanent. Ask her if she likes the same things now that she liked 5 or 10 years ago and associate that with this.

[Partial]

tell her to go for the hip. Can't be seen at work.

[Freak Out]

I would advise her to wait until her final year of undergraduate work.....she may have converted to satanism by then and the cross would be a mistake.

[GoPackGo]

I have 7 large tattoos: :

imo
the most important thing she can do is be very picky about the artist. Tell her to shop around until she finds an artist whose work jumps out at her as a higher quality than the others she's seen. In the end she will be more happy with the tattoo and it will most likely look better longer.

[MadtownPacker]

This one is easy. Tell her to go get a damn sharpie and draw the cross on her ankle, tracing it every few days for a month. Make sure she looks at it everyday. Then when the time is up ask her to think how she would feel if it never came off.

[GoPackGo]

This one is easy. Tell her to go get a damn sharpie and draw the cross on her ankle, tracing it every few days for a month. Make sure she looks at it everyday. Then when the time is up ask her to think how she would feel if it never came off.

You mean like the eyebrows mexican women draw on themselves after they pluck their unibrows?

[Tyrone Bigguns]

OPF,

I think i'm a bit like you...on this one. However, i've come to realize that it really isn't a big deal. When adults are working the floor at Nordstroms in Scottsdale selling to upper white class customers with NOSE RINGS...a small tattoo on the ankle is nothing.

In one respect, i think you should actually applaud your daughter..she wants a tattoo, but has chosen one of the most traditional, femine areas to get one..the ankle. Be proud that some of what you have tried to instill has worked......she hasn't overcome it..is trying to work on her own individuality within the framework you've helped create. Pretty easy to not be seen. Considered by most to be unoffensive, etc. Small tattoo...easy to get rid of if she wants to in the future. And, she wants one of a cross.

Much better than tramp stamp, on the boob, forearm, hips, etc.

The neck isn't bad either...as if she wears her hair down can't be seen...but, of course, formal affairs when she wears it up it will be of course noticed.

It is times like this that you prolly wish you had raised her as a jew..which forbids tattoos if you want to be buried in a jewish cemetary...thus, with her family/husband, etc.

You might consider converting if you are really troubled by the tat.

[LL2]

Tell her to get the cross an equal distance between the V and the navel, that way it will be a chastity reminder. Telling that to a father may not be the best idea.

Personally I have thought about getting tatoos, but never have. To me I have never seen one or any symbol or image that I liked enough to have it on me the rest of my life. Now that I'm in my late 30's I could care less. Give her Mad's advise.

[GoPackGo]

^^^^^^^^
Mad's advice makes no sense because he compares drawing the tattoo on yourself with a sharpie with a tattoo inked by a pro

You can't compare the two

[SkinBasket]

I've spent months finalizing the actual tattoos, then when I think its as good as it'll get, I put it away for at least three months. If it still seems like a good idea when I come back to it, then I'll usually procrastinate another 3-6 months. If it's still what I want then, I'll go get it done. Feeling there's some rush to get one done is a telltale mark that it shouldn't be done.

If she decides to do it, make sure she does her research. Even the good parlors have new, sucky, or artists who lack confidence. If she has to wait another month to get the one with the best portfolio, then that's what you do.

But whatever. She's probably already got two or three and just figured she'd ask about the one you'll see.

[Scott Campbell]

^^^^^^^^
Mad's advice makes no sense.............

And this is surprising because..............?

[Scott Campbell]

If she's asking at 20 years old, you probably have little to worry about. Sounds like a nice kid.

[Zool]

She's probably already got two or three and just figured she'd ask about the one you'll see.

How is it you always say what I'm thinking?

[3irty1]

Is she single?