Hey, everyone. Looking for a little feedback on something. (Yeah, I've got my own ideas on the subject, but I'm not exactly impartial...lol.)

So, my wife has me seriously considering getting a couple of tattoos. For one, the design and placement is already decided. (Gonna have the kiddo draw us a picture of Yoda...I'll be getting it on my right bicep, she'll be getting it on her left shoulder blade.)

Last week, though, the idea came up of also getting either the symbol for my Chinese zodiac sign, or those of all three of us. When that idea came up, my first instinct on where to have that one done was the front of the hip. Myself, I see that one as a more personal & intimate one, and that seems like a personal and intimate spot for it. My wife, on the other hand, said that seems like a "girly" spot for a tat.

Personally, I think that most anyplace is fair game with one possible exception: women have pretty much staked a claim to the "tramp stamp" area.

Thoughts?

I waited untill I was 40 to get my 1st tattoo too. After 20 yrs of marriage & 4 kids I decided it was safe to get their names permanently inked on my body. I haven't seen many guys with tatts on the front of their hip but I guess I have never really looked either. My job kinda dictates that I keep mine tasteful and where they can be covered unless I choose to show them. . I wanted to go with something pretty bold & big if I was going to do it so I chose my back across my shoulder blades. I add the grand kids to it as they come along. Next will be on my upper arm. Your chest over your heart is good unless your hairy. just a thought.

Yeah, she suggested the chest, but there most definitely is a hair factor.

What about on your thigh? Its a large flat area and it can be covered wit shorts or boxerbriefs. A painfull one is the chest under the arm, maybe? Around the leg above the ankle?
I think your idea is intimate and personal though.

Ooooo...tattoos on guys!! My favorite subject

I will give you a female perspective...if thats ok..I have to agree with your wife on the hip placement...it is a girl thing.
The thigh is good as is the calf. I love tatts on the ribcage, but it is an extremely painful area to tattoo and definitely not the way to go for your first.
I have my zodiac sign tattooed on my ankle...but the wrist is also a nice spot.
Any place is fair game, but you need to consider if you need to hide it for work etc. All my tattoos (4) are relatively hidden, to look at me on the street u wouldn't even know!

Good luck and i hope i was some help..lol

ps...and I looooove the idea of kids drawing a tattoo design...Yoda is made of win!!!

x

Thanks for the feedback so far, folks.

And the female perspective is most definitely appreciated (as are the props to Yoda).

I'd stop just short of saying that covering them for work is a "must," but given some of what I'm occasionally called on to do, I consider it to be fairly necessary. With shorts allowable under our dress code, that's part of the placement I'm trying to take into account.

May have to see what she thinks of the thigh.

Or maybe convince her to take some naked pictures of me from a few angles and Photoshop the tat in to see where we like it best.

Any other thoughts out there?

The front of the hip sounds like a great idea to me! And believe me, getting a tattoo there is not a 'girly' move as anyone who has gotten a tattoo can tell you!

Noo...not at all!! In my "personal" opinion, the hip area is a bit like the lower back or "tramp stamp" area as it is delightfully called...is traditionally a more female area to tattoo. Just my opinion.
A tattoo done anywhere on the body is definitely NOT girly...its a huge decision and one that shouldn't be made lightly. It is permanent and if you want it removed, will actually cost more than what it did to put it on in the first place!

Nothing girly about it! The placement can make or break your experience. There are big differences in the amount of discomfort you endure. Basically the places it hurts more when you get pinched or stuck are the places you will have more discomfort. The endorphins kick in in a few minutes but anyone that has had a tattoo knows you still feel it. The thigh may be a pretty good choice. Having your kids draw Yoda for you is a really cool idea. My son is designing my next one to add his daughter’s name & space for any more grandkids that may come along. Do your research, choose someone good & enjoy!

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Between it, input from the wife, and research into the relative comfort/discomfort levels of having the various potential locations tattooed, it's looking as if the outer thigh is going to be the winner, with the symbols running vertically. I think I may still take a pic of the area and do a quickie Photoshop job to get an idea of how it'll look.

If everything goes according to plan, she'll be buying me the tat for our ninth anniversary next month. Now...to decide if I want it done before or after our actual anniversary weekend, since my gift to her will be our long-planned, often-postponed weekend at a nice hotel with no outside distractions...no phones, no computers, no kid...just us, room service, and no clothes.

I was going to suggest the forearm since I tend to think that if you're going to get some important tats, you should display them proudly. But alas, there is the work thing to worry about so I guess that won't be an option for you. Makes me glad that I don't have to report to anyone in my "job" so I can get tats/piercings wherever I damn well please.

Sounds great!!...

Just a word of advice.....tattoos are painful, and are very annoying afterwards....sort of like a bad dose of sunburn is the only way i can describe it...so you might want to plan your weekend away and the tattoo on different days....just sayin

Good luck with it all...would love to see a pic when its done!

Oh, they'll definitely be different weekends. Just not sure if it'll be before or after.

I'de go a couple of weeks before or after some time. They itch and peel for about that long. Use the save or cream they give you! It helps with all of the after affects & helps set the ink. I wouldn't want to do anything to break up the "US" time on your special weekend!

I have been an admirer of body art for some time, but I have to say that I have NONE, and probably won't for religious reasons. Being Jewish, body art/excessive piercings are not well received (the exception in modern times being the marks the Germans made back in the War). I do not know about your religious background, but that may be something to consider. If I had any body art, I would have to have it removed before I die, or I could not be buried with my family in a Jewish cemetery (by Jewish law).

I would also suggest considering what it may end up looking like in 30 years when your body ages; when your skin starts to sag, and you don't have the muscle tone you may have now.

Just my 8 pennies' worth.....