Nothing gets people more fired up than when I talk about tattoos, so I already know I’m stepping into dangerous territory here.
And before anybody comes after me, let me make something clear: I am definitely not a tattoo expert. I’m also not exactly the poster child for responsible tattoo decisions. When I was 16, I got a bumblebee on my back and a moon on my leg, and years later I was so embarrassed by them that I went through the painful process of having them removed.
Ultimately, I’m not anti-tattoo. I’m actually jealous when I see a dude with an incredible sleeve because I think it can look amazing. I just know myself well enough to realize that I’m impulsive and my tastes change. My moon and bumblebee taught me that lesson the painful way.
Your body is yours, and ultimately you should do whatever makes you happy. But permanent decisions deserve more consideration than temporary trends. If you’re trying to maximize your opportunities in life, think carefully about what you’re getting, where you’re putting it, and whether you’ll still be proud to rock it years from now. Because the tattoo you think is badass today might eventually become your very own moon and bumblebee.
That said, I think tattoos can look incredible. A great sleeve can look masculine, sexy, and badass. The problem isn’t tattoos themselves—it’s choosing tattoos or locations that you may regret later. People judge us every day based on what they see, whether we like it or not. If something permanently on your body could limit your career, relationships, or opportunities down the road, I think you should consider that before getting inked.
Seriously consider these points FIRST
- First, I would stay away from tattoos on your hands, face, and neck. These are almost impossible to hide, which means they become part of the first impression you make. Some industries may be completely cool with them, but if you don’t know exactly where life or your career will take you, why permanently limit your options?
- I’d also think twice about patchwork or sticker-style tattoos where random little images are scattered all over your body. They may be trendy right now, but trends change. The same goes for tattoos you think are funny, memes, drug-related imagery, money symbols, and anything designed primarily for shock value. What seems hilarious or edgy today may look ridiculous to you ten years from now.
- I’d be extremely careful with political symbols, group-identifying imagery, gang-related symbols, or anything else that immediately associates you with a specific ideology or group. This isn’t about whether you should be proud of who you are or what you believe. Express yourself however you want. My point is simply that other people are also free to form opinions about you, and those opinions can sometimes affect your opportunities.
- Then there are tattoos that have simply been done to death: lions and roses, tribal tattoos, barbed wire, bands, sports-team logos, alcohol or corporate-brand logos, random foreign-language symbols, and generic inspirational quotes. Brands change, teams disappoint you, trends die, and if you’re getting some symbol in a language you don’t actually understand because somebody told you it means “badass,” you might want to reconsider.
- And gentlemen, please don’t tattoo your girlfriend’s name on your body. I don’t care how amazing the relationship is right now.
- The same goes for matching wedding-band tattoos. Love may last forever; unfortunately, relationships sometimes don’t. Permanently tattooing somebody’s name on yourself won’t make the relationship any stronger.
- Another huge mistake is getting a cheap tattoo. If your buddy just bought a tattoo gun and wants somebody to practice on, don’t volunteer your body. Tattoos are permanent, and bad work can fade, distort, and look even worse over time. If you’re going to get something permanently put on your body, spend the money and have it done by somebody who genuinely knows what they’re doing.
- My biggest piece of advice is simple: wait six months. If you see a design you absolutely love, don’t immediately run out and get it tattooed. Save the picture. Think about where you want it. Imagine yourself wearing it five, ten, or twenty years from now. If you still love it six months later, go for it.
