It's kind of a silly question to ask, but I need to know

To apigman: 1) I've actually had another child since having the tatoo done. I've talked to a couple different artists about "adding" another name plate and have decided against it. Unfortunately, like any personalized art work, matching the exact colors would be almost impossible. The colors were custom mixed for this tatoo and I'm convinced any additions or changes to it would just look like a "crappy" addition on a house. So I've designed a completely different tatoo for my daughter that will go above the arm band. I'm planning on having it done this spring, before she turns two. She'll never remember a time when she wasn't on Dad's arm, like the rest of the kids. Plus her's will be extra special ! 2) You're pretty much correct that they're permanent. I leave the door open slightly due to laser removal procedures that are currently available. However I admit this is splitting hairs and that for all intents and purposes tatoos are permanent. 3) Not the "classiest" thing to have on your body. Well lets just chalk that up to a complete difference of opinion. Twenty or thirty years ago I think there was a tremendous bias against tatoos and those who wore them, but I'm not convinced that bias still exists on a mass market level. Sure there will always be those around who think listening to rock music will rot your brain, or that crossing your eyes will make them stick, but as far as being classy or not - it's all in the eye of the beholder. I happen to be an attorney, most of my friends are "professionals" - doctors, attorneys, bankers, accountants, computer analyists, etc. You'd probably be suprised at the percentage that have tatoos. 4) Tatoo's being "addictive". I've never heard that before, but I would be more apt to believe that someone with multiple tatoos probably feels very secure about themselves, feels comfortable with who they are and how they look and probably takes great pride in displaying the artwork they've decided to permanently place on their body. 5) "The skin is a beautiful thing, why cover it up?" Taking your sky example, the sky isn't just blue. Look at the sunrises, sunsets, puffy white clouds, dark storm clouds and lightning. They're a tapestry of colors and images. Why should I have to live with a boring blue sky everyday of my life when I can have all the other? Same thing with tatoos. It's my skin and I think it's beautiful, even more beautiful (especially to me) with my tatoos on it. And when it comes right down to it, isn't that all that really matters? What "I" think of "my" body? To be completely honest I quit carring what anyone else thought about me, my body and/or my tatoos long ago. I know who and what I am. I'm not out to impress anyone. Why do I need to worry myself with what other people think is "classy" or wonder if people at the pool will look at me wierd if I have a tatoo? For me life isn't a popularity contest, so take me as I am or go find someone who cares about your opinion. Personally I firmly believe that everyone's entitled to their opinion as long as it doesn't interfer with someone else holding and exercising a different opinion. In this case your opinion is just as valid as mine. I don't imagine your opinion will ever change and I doubt mine will either. But at the same time, I won't be holding you down trying to give you a tatoo, so don't try to hold others down if they decided to get one.....or more.

To apigman: 1) I've actually had another child since having the tatoo done. I've talked to a couple different artists about "adding" another name plate and have decided against it. Unfortunately, like any personalized art work, matching the exact colors would be almost impossible. The colors were custom mixed for this tatoo and I'm convinced any additions or changes to it would just look like a "crappy" addition on a house. So I've designed a completely different tatoo for my daughter that will go above the arm band. I'm planning on having it done this spring, before she turns two. She'll never remember a time when she wasn't on Dad's arm, like the rest of the kids. Plus her's will be extra special ! 2) You're pretty much correct that they're permanent. I leave the door open slightly due to laser removal procedures that are currently available. However I admit this is splitting hairs and that for all intents and purposes tatoos are permanent. 3) Not the "classiest" thing to have on your body. Well lets just chalk that up to a complete difference of opinion. Twenty or thirty years ago I think there was a tremendous bias against tatoos and those who wore them, but I'm not convinced that bias still exists on a mass market level. Sure there will always be those around who think listening to rock music will rot your brain, or that crossing your eyes will make them stick, but as far as being classy or not - it's all in the eye of the beholder. I happen to be an attorney, most of my friends are "professionals" - doctors, attorneys, bankers, accountants, computer analyists, etc. You'd probably be suprised at the percentage that have tatoos. 4) Tatoo's being "addictive". I've never heard that before, but I would be more apt to believe that someone with multiple tatoos probably feels very secure about themselves, feels comfortable with who they are and how they look and probably takes great pride in displaying the artwork they've decided to permanently place on their body. 5) "The skin is a beautiful thing, why cover it up?" Taking your sky example, the sky isn't just blue. Look at the sunrises, sunsets, puffy white clouds, dark storm clouds and lightning. They're a tapestry of colors and images. Why should I have to live with a boring blue sky everyday of my life when I can have all the other? Same thing with tatoos. It's my skin and I think it's beautiful, even more beautiful (especially to me) with my tatoos on it. And when it comes right down to it, isn't that all that really matters? What "I" think of "my" body? To be completely honest I quit carring what anyone else thought about me, my body and/or my tatoos long ago. I know who and what I am. I'm not out to impress anyone. Why do I need to worry myself with what other people think is "classy" or wonder if people at the pool will look at me wierd if I have a tatoo? For me life isn't a popularity contest, so take me as I am or go find someone who cares about your opinion. Personally I firmly believe that everyone's entitled to their opinion as long as it doesn't interfer with someone else holding and exercising a different opinion. In this case your opinion is just as valid as mine. I don't imagine your opinion will ever change and I doubt mine will either. But at the same time, I won't be holding you down trying to give you a tatoo, so don't try to hold others down if they decided to get one.....or more.