- Who wants a tattoo?
- What do you want?
- Where do you want it?
- Don’t forget the pain!
- Do your research
- What matters
Who wants a tattoo?

While the prospect of a tattoo is as exciting and badass as it may seem, you need to give a thought to whether you really want to get a tattoo. Are you doing it because of peer pressure, because your BFF got it, or suggested that matching tattoos would be “so rad”? Do you want a tattoo or do they want you to have a tattoo? While there are no wrong kind of reasons to justify that tattoo, if you aren’t rock solid in your belief about wanting one, you’ll notice your conviction fast fading when the tattoo gun pierces your skin.
What do you want?

Kanji tattoos and butterflies and cherubs are all “cute” but seriously passé. Give some thought to what you want to have inked on your body. Collaborate with your tattoo artist or an artist friend to help you zero in on the design of your choice. Chances are, if you’re taking something off the web, someone else, somewhere in the world already has the same tattoo as you. Remember, you can’t get rid of this art work without multiple sittings, a lot of pain and a hole in your pocket so heart your art and make it something that’s of significance to you.
Where do you want it?

Since tattoos became a pop culture norm and every third person started sporting one, people no longer comment if they see one on your wrist or arm. However, they might raise an eyebrow, especially at certain job interviews or at times when your overall appearance is a part of your work profile. So while David Beckham may wear a sleeve, it’s probably because he’s isn’t answerable to anyone – well except Victoria Beckham, who’s quite inked herself.
Don’t forget the pain!

So yes, there will definitely be pain. That’s a given. The general consensus is that tattoos hurt more if you’re getting it on your body where a bone rests below (such as the nape of your neck, back, ankle) than if you get it on a well-padded area (thighs, arms, calves).
Do your research

With the increasing demand for tattoos, you’ll notice tattoo parlours blossoming in every metro. Do some background research on your tattoo artist and his skills. If you can’t find five people who wear this work with pride, wait till you find a tattoo artist whose clients have stuck by him for years.
What matters

Some people will love your tattoo (like your friends), someone people will hate it (like your parents) and some others might think you’ve turned into “one of those.” Take all the comments – good, bad, ugly at face value, because the tattoo will never speak to anyone else other than the person wearing it. And that’s just how it should be.
Written by Girija Naiksatam on 6th Jun 2014