tattoos

[flipflop247]

i have been a gymnast for twelve years and am thinking about getting a tattoo to represent gymnastics without it being a gymnast. i was thinking of getting "strength, courage, passion" written in script over the arch of my hip or something. any other ideas?

 

[bookworm]

i have been a gymnast for twelve years and am thinking about getting a tattoo to represent gymnastics without it being a gymnast. i was thinking of getting "strength, courage, passion" written in script over the arch of my hip or something. any other ideas?

My "idea" as a mom would be no tattoo

 

[Deleted member D3987]

ditto......................

 

[cher062]

WHY would you want do do something so permenent?
Sorry i agree with bookworm. My idea would be no tatoo.

I don't know how many folks I know that got tats when they were young only to regret it when they got into their late 20's and above. Its not very professional and you could actually miss out on opportunities because of it.

If you must waste your money on a tatoo why not order custom made temp tatoos first.

If you really want to honor gymnastics why not donate the money you would use on a tatoo to the Olympic team fund, breast cancer or some other organization that USAG supports. It would do more good and honor the sport better.

 

[coachmolly]

I'm in my 20s, have been involved in gymnastics for 15 years, and firmly agree with the no tattoo sentiments expressed above. I had an uncle who got a tattoo while in the military and always had to have that party of his body covered because he refused to show it to anyone. It's a big choice, one that is going to be with you for a lifetime, so think about it carefully. I've also read that some people react badly to the tattoo ink, either immediately or several months after getting the tattoo. So that, combined with risk of possible infection and the fact you might change your mind in the future, is more than enough to convince me that tattoos are not the way to go.
Like Cher said, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate your love for the sport- gymnastics photos or artwork in your house, a quilt or blanket with gymnastics t-shirts or gym related fabrics, donations- maybe to an organization that allows lower income children or children with physical or developmental problems to experience gymnastics. When I had hung up my leotards for good I sent the ones in good condition to children in South Africa who did not have those resources available to them. It was a great way to close that chapter of my life and help me move on by doing something good for others.

 

[Mack_the_Ripper]

I think just one word would be better - less cluttered. It would be cool on your hip, but you have to think really carefully about whether you'll want it forever, and which words you want. For me, I'd do "courage" or "liberty" but it depends on you personally.

 

[flipper's fan]

I'm old, and I have tatoos. I was over 30 when I got my first one. if you are not sure what you want and you are asking people for opinions or ideas, don't do it. You are not ready. Think about how you will feel about it/how it will look when you are 65, 70. I love mine, but I was sure, needed no validation, and am ok with the old wrinkled appearence in a few short years from now.

 

[ZZMom]

I think getting a tatoo is fine but agree with flipper's fan that you should wait until you have something you really want.

 

[SkiBumGymMom]

I'm now... well much older than you. I have a few tattoos, none of which you can see when I'm wearing pants and a t-shirt, but some of which I still regret. I got a couple in my late teens and early twenties that I wish I hadn't. They seemed like great ideas at the time but I'm now a grandmother and while I don't sit at home and knit and bake cookies (I'd rather lead a backpacking skiing trip in the backcountry) I'm still an adult with a profession and family and don't want to present the wrong image. There is one I don't regret at all. It's a small memorial one for my husband. I got it when I was in my mid/late 30s. Obviously you have to do what you truly want. I second almost everything flipper's fan said about not having to ask anyone about it for validation, instead you should really know you want it just alone. It's not the end of the world if you get one and don't end up liking it, especially if it's in a small discrete place, but it is a serious permanent thing so you do want to give it the same amount of serious consideration. Good luck!

 

[aerialriver]

I have many, and most of them I regret. I went through an interesting phase in my early 20's and got 12 within 6 months of each other. Now many are faded and blurred already and I realize the work wasn't great and I don't like 90% of them because they are either too big, in too visable of places, and the worst while most people think you want attention for your tattoo I am so sick of it. I got them for me and I have random people walking up to me in Wal-Mart asking what they are, what they mean, why I got them, how many I have and feeling the need to physically touch me and invade my personal space. I guess by getting them you become some sort of circus attraction. I really feel like I should charge admission! I also have issues with jobs and have to cover myself and people think I am a criminal or something just because of the ink and for the record none of it is remotely gang related or offensive.

Another issues is they are addictive and it isn't just me, the 3 newly 18 coaches all had to get one and now are on their second, third and forth ones! And I know what you are thinking you won't be that way and you will be able to cover yours but do you plan on having a baby ever? The hip area stretches and your nice scripted "courage" will be a faded blurry blobby mess.

Ok lecture over here is my advice. REALLY think on it for at least 6 months, think about the placement and possible issues, also realize word tattoos are so common you are not going to be unique. Also take a sharpie and write it where you want it, see how it looks, see if you tire of it and if you go for it visit a few shops and look at their books, talk to other people and find the best place don't look at price it will be on you forever and cheap tattoos are cheap tattoos. Good luck with your decision!

 

[cher062]

Aerialriver your response about having tats is the one I hear from many of my friends who had gotten them when they were young only to regret them in what I consider a short time (5 - 10 years) out of a life time. Many have had them removed but even that still shows something where the tat was.