When Not To Get A Tattoo
Because tattoos should be regarded as a permanent feature you shouldn't decide to get one on a whim as the chances are you'll regret it later. There are certain times when it is a particularly bad idea to make the decision to get inked and they are:
When Your Drunk - Although some countries have regulations that make this less likely, many other countries allow you to wander in off the street. So there you are, you've had a few drinks and, usually encouraged by friends, you decide now is the perfect time to get a tattoo. It'll probably be a design that everyone thinks is really hilarious at the time but won't be nearly so amusing in the sober light of day. Also drunks can't keep still which isn't good when having a tattoo done. Hopefully the tattoo parlour will turn you away but don't count on it.
When You're Emotional - Like when you're in love. Falling in love seems to involve a loss of common sense which results in having the name of your loved one emblazoned across your body. Sweet - but statistically that tattoo will last longer than the relationship and no one wants the name of someone they've come to loath on their arm, chest or penis to remind them of how it all went horribly wrong. If you want something to celebrate your love you're best going for a design that's symbolic and won't necessarily have you resorting to laser tattoo removal if it all goes wrong.
When You're On Holiday - There's something about being on vacation that seems to make some people lose their ability to make rational decisions. You come back laden with souvenirs that looked so good in the sunshine of some exotic destination. Thing is they don't look so good now you've got them home. In fact they just look cheap and garish and so you end up throwing them away. I've seen some beautiful tattoos that people have had done to remind them of a wonderful holiday but if you're the type of person who loses the all sense of good taste when they step off the plane think long and hard before having a tattoo. You can't chuck it in the bin when you've got home.
When You're Pregnant - Pregnancy does strange things to a woman's mind and body because of all those hormones rushing around. Even if you've had a tattoo before and you didn't find it particularly painful you may suddenly find that it's now too painful to bear. Also pregnancy can trigger off allergic reactions so you could find yourself reacting to one of the inks. It's all totally unpredictable so avoid combining tattoos and pregnancy.