I want to get a Grateful Dead tattoo on my left hand that dances when I flex my hand muscles, but I for some reason can't save pictures on my computer so I can't show exactly what I want. Anyway, do you think its a good tattoo idea or do you think I could make it dance?
I think that, unless you are already heavily tattooed in visible places AND have a steady job, tattooing your hand is unwise. Sadly, much of society frowns upon ink. I'm not saying that you should be a robot and only do what other people want you to do, but highly visible ink at your age will likely hold you back. In fact, many tattooist won't tattoo hands, faces, or necks unless the person is already heavily tattooed. As far as the design goes, I personally would get something custom. Possibly somethign that was inspired by the dead rather than a logo would be more unique and special to you. Anyway, this isn't meant as a negative post. I think you should do what makes you happy, but you should also be fully aware.
Well, I can't think or any other tattoo I would want... I have a friend that does tattoos really well and I know he would do it(since hes done it before) but I could look into it a little more, I guess.
Its not a matter of finding someone to do it. Its a matter of whether or not its a wise decision that you will be happy with for the rest of your life. Noone can answer this for you, but you should give it serious consideration. Hands are about the most prmominent places you can tattoo. Also, "I can't think or any other tattoo I would want" is not a reason to get this tattoo. A tattoo should be because the image and placement truly makes you happy, not because "you want a tattoo." Tats are rad. You are young and have decades of tattooing and tattoo ideas in front of you. Don't limit yourself(and, yes, tattoos do limit as well as expand you) by getting something very hard to conceal that you will likely regrett. In all the best ways, you have plenty of time, buddy. Cheers
If I really wanted to could I not just put a bandaid over it? I can't think of anything that I could capture in a visual that is so influencial for me, I love the grateful dead... I mean I love bud and summer and traveling, outdoors, life... What better then my favorite Grateful Dead symbol.
Yeah, you could put a bandaid over it. However, if you ever want a job that doesn't allow tattoos, do you really want to be putting a tattoo on your hand every day? Its just a personal choice, but you're commmitting yourself to it. "I mean I love bud and summer and traveling, outdoors, life... What better then my favorite Grateful Dead symbol." Exactly. These are excellent things, but not everyone who you intereact with shares our sentiment, and a tattoo on your hand of the dead will be announcing your interest in all these thing to the world. The bottom line is that it is your choice. I respect your choice and think hand tatttoos are great for the well thought out person. However, I understand the committment behind them and realize they are not appropriate for many people. You are 17(here comes the part you won't like) and I would be highly surprised if you have a your family, social, educational, and career plans figured out to the point that you can say with confidence that the tattoo will be not hold you back in any of your pursuits. There is plenty of time to get the tattoo if you decide you still want it. I would bet money that you will be glad you don't tattoo your hands at this time. Get some other tattoos under your belt and then make the decision. This is meant respectfully and and comes from a person who whole heartedly support s your free will and expression. I just think, from experience, that you will eventually be glad you choose a more discreet spot. Cheers
Do what you want, I have tattoos on my hand and on my forearms, never been ashamed of them and never thought to hide them either, can't say they ever cost me a job. I don't have alot just a peace sign on my hand and my astrological sign on my arm, Ahimsa I am suprised you think you may need to hide them fuck what people think about it, it is your body. Peace
Silverhippy, Do what you want, exactly. Life is about trade offs. Being true to yourself is about balancing all your desires with the realities of life so that you can pursue as many of you interests as possible. For example, I want to be in educational administration, and tattoos are not highly acceptable. True, I could say "fuck em, its my body" but it would likely keep me from meeting another goal. Yes, it is your body, but the reality is we live within a society that will restrict you for petty things. Granted, whether or not you live to regret the decision will largely depend on your life plans and other goals. Its cool that you have never met resistance for your ink. However, I would say that a good chunk of tattooed and pierced people will(I've even gotten crap from employers for simple noserings). My point is primarily that at a young age, you don't necesarily know whether or not your future plans will be impeded by something like a tattoo. I am all for free will and the ability to chose your own appearance, but it should be a deliberate and conscious thought. The original post was "should I do this" and my opinion is "no, not right now." You're 56 and presumably fairly comfortable with yourself and your life style. At 17 ( or my case 24) we don't really have enough life experience to know whether or not we will live to regret a permanent choice. How many "fuck the man" people from your youth ended up straight edge jobs, a wife, and 2.5 children and are satisfied with their life? Different strokes for different folks. We are just discoverng our "strokes," so why limit ourselves needlessly.
Regardless of whether you're going to regret it, think about how your skin is going to be in 20 years. It may "dance" now but later in life your skin going to wrinkle and it's going to fade. It does sound like a cool idea but think about your body as well... just make sure it's not going to be affected (physically) by aging...
you could probably get the same tattoo in a less noticable place that you could make dance better than on a hand... if you think about it... most people know about the dead and THINK they know what they stood for which isn't always a happy thought, though, you use your hand everyday, and i think its almost the most noticable [other than face tattoos] you reach with your hands you pray with your hands [even without thinking] some people may see this tattoo and try to read inside of you and since you are young, a lot of older people would know you are into the things they grew up around, and some of them are not proud of what they did "back in the day" also possibly getting you in trouble with the law.. think about everything before you concider... but it is your vehicle
I agree with everything Ahimsa has said. Also- As you get older your music tastes may change. I know your response to that is that you will always love the Grateful Dead but I remember kids in high school getting band tattoos and saying that they will never get tired of the band. As it turned out, the three people I know with band tattoos regretted it. However, that doesn't mean that you would, just my experience. I think you should give it a couple years and see how you feel.
i say go for it if you want it. while i respect what everyone on here has already said, i also am in disagreement with a lot of it. just because you are young does not mean you don't know what you want. it also doesn't mean that you're going to ever want to fit into "societal norms." whatever the fuck they are. if society is ever going to change or become better and more accepting of use tattoed and pierced "freaks" we can't just cowtow to what "they" or "the man" wants... i just moved to a new place, and am having trouble finding a job, because the job market just isn't great here right now. and i am pierced and tattooed in visible places, which may end up making it hard to get a job... not to mention i'm dreaded. but that's who i am, and i am willing to work at a shit job just so i can be myself. i can be happy doing whatever gets the bills paid if i can be myself, express myself the way i choose, and don't have to look like every other goddamn yuppy. all i'm saying is, i don't think we as a body mod community should be discouraging the young(er) people from expressing themselves just because it's been hard for us. it's getting easier to be accepted into jobs, etc. with "differences" such as dreads, tats, piercings, etc... and it'll get easier yet. that's what happens when society grows and changes. nothing changes unless we stand firm on who we are, and don't let anyone tell us we have to change who we are to "make it" in society. that being said... i think your dead tat sounds totally awesome!! do keep in mind that hand/wrist tats tend to fade a lot quicker because they are exposed so much... but they can be retouched, etc... modified later to make them look better. and it'll probably hurt like a bitch lol!!
I had 4 tats all before the age of 21 and I regret them all. Infact I recently got a cover up of one of those and now I'm wishing I'd waited untill I had the time/money to drive out to GA and see the artist I really wanted to get tattooed by. IMO, you will regret getting your hand tattooed at age 17. That being said - it's your hand and you are the one who will have to live with it if infact you grow to dislike it. You have no idea where life is going to take you and/or how your wants/needs will have changed in the next 5 years (let alone 10-20). I also know that I was told that same thing at 15 and 16 when I had my first two tats and threw caution to the wind....such is life. My advice to you would be this: If you are GOING to get a tattoo, atleast for your first tat go with another place besides your hand. Your hand can still be tattooed in 5 years if you want it. If you are still set on getting your hand done at 17 (and since you said this artist is a friend of yours) I'd see if he would be willing to draw the tattoo first with a permanent marker on your hand and then atleast you'd have the design and could "test" it out for a bit and see if your happy with it. Bottom line: It's all you but I wouldn't do it.
Well, having heard what everyone has said I still don't know. He draws it on before he does it for all tattoos, he did for my best friends peace tattoo. I do agree that in 20 years I have no idea what will happen and what road I decide to take.
i'm a dreadie too, but you know, with a lot of things you sometimes have to just say "okay" and hide what you be... i tend to put my hair up[even though you still notice the locks] i put them back so they're not so noticable, sometimes even wrap them, i have a lip piercing and i take it out for work and school, it also shows respect to the people that pay you that check that you don't look like a homeless person i'll eventually have tattoos in some places but very visible places are really not that good, sure it supports your mind and your spirit but, you know we're not the first people in the world to have body modifications, and some people still today give it a bad name its easy to get by with little things and sweet things but everything you do is good to think about before you do it, regardless of what it is if you have to ask other people if its a 'good idea' you may have a little voice thats saying different respect your soul, the tattoo may be on your vehicle forever, but when you move on, you'll loose everything that isn't in a natural state to begin with
have a good think about tatoos on the hands. i got love & hate on my hands and have to live with them .im lucky i have a good job. just wish i didnt have them . i have tats on my arms and love to show them off anways only me .
i wouldnt tattoo my hand unless i became so rich i didnt have to get a job because seriously visable (hand/face) tattoos effect job prospects
