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

I was looking forward to getting stuck by a needle thousands of times too. Yikes...that really did burst my bubble. I'm not sure if I wanna risk not being in the pool for a while...never took that into consideration. So does anyone know how it turns out if you are in constant contact with pool water and sunlight? Thanks for making me reconsider probably a big oops....I never know, I might get it done before I go on a vacation! I'll be looking forward to a response Dave

There are "Tempory tattoos" that last a while then wear off and you don't have to worry about needles ect. I have seen them at the beach.

Oh come on !!! It's not like getting stuck with a needle a few thousand times is really all THAT bad. It's just going into the skin, it's not even making it to the muscle and it hardly bleeds......well not very much anyway. Plus, the pain stops when the tatooing is over, its not like it continues to hurt forever.

Gosh, a lot of you folks have a great deal more brass then I will ever have....When I was in the Marines, I was the ONLY guy in my squad that did not have USMC tattooed on the left upper arm ....I simply did not have the brass... Good luck...

Originally posted by lapswimmr There are "Tempory tattoos" that last a while then wear off and you don't have to worry about needles ect. I have seen them at the beach. Wearing temporary tatoos at big meets is kind of a tradition on my team. They take about thirty seconds to apply, with a wet towel, and wear off in about 3 - 5 days. But they can be wiped off in few seconds with rubbing alcohol (less expensive than laser surgery :) ). Much more comfortable than being stuck with a needle a few thousand times and not a lifetime commitment.:)

To Wisdom: What happens if you have another child, does that mean you'll go get another link to go on the armband? b/c I was thinking that would be pretty unfair to a new member of the family if they didn't have a seperate wooden link with their name on it like the others. On the Tattoo subject: I know the original thread poster asked nothing about thoughts on tattoos in general but this thread has just added to the list of "reasons why I'll never get a tatto" in my head. 1st they're permenant, 2nd they're not considered the classiest thing one can have on the body, 3rd there's a chance you might get tired of seeing the same picture imprinted on your skin the rest of your life,4th its permenant, 5th its permenant, and oh yeah, did I mention its permenant I probley have a biased opinion though because everytime I see my brother he has a new tattoo and I like to look at someones skin not a bunch of pictures on their skin just like I want to see the sky when I go outside not a bunch of signs that cluter it and take up space besides the human skin is a beautiful thing why cover it up. I think tattoos are adictive, I think my brother has like atleast five now I've lost count. If you are going to get a tattoo though the two things you should definatly never get one of are names and music bands. In conclusion I just had to give my opinion I couldn't stand it any longer and that opinion is tattoos suck!

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.

I guess I will add to this thread... I have always wanted a tatoo and at 52 I finally got one. I thought about it for a long time and finally decided that I would get one that looks like a toe ring as I have worn a toe ring on my 2nd left toe for many years. Instead of having to take it off when I swim or when it would interfere with closed shoes...I have it on ALL the time. Hey, it worked for me and I love it. It is very fine and artistic and deep purple - my favorite color! So ...if you want one ....go for it and the pain is not that bad, even in a bony area such as the toe:D