I have a few tattoos and had a few piercings while growing up (ear cartilage, eyebrow). Ditched the piercings somewhere along the way but obviously kept the tattoos. My first tattoo I got with my brother, it was a really cool experience for us. The guys that were tattooing us were actually brothers too, made it all the cooler. We both got Celtic crosses, though different variations and in different spots.

The next one I got when I was in a pretty bad place mentally. I guess it was a mix of wanting to express myself somehow and wanting to feel a bit of physical pain to offset mental distress. It's a rugged tattoo, purposely drawn a bit skewed to remind me that nothing in life is perfect. There's a long story behind it, but it's very personal.

The final one that I got (but won't be the last) I got while I was working a suit & tie job. I felt like I was losing my individuality and trying to fit myself into the mold that society thought I should be. So, one day after work I hopped on the subway to the village and stolled into the shop. Needless to say I got a few funny looks from other customers but the artist that had done both of my other tattoos was there and welcomed me right in. It was another Celtic tattoo, a big Celtic shield on my left shoulder. This is my favorite one, simply because he did an absolutely stunning job and it certainly helped me regain a feeling of individuality.

So I guess, from my own experience at least, there are many different reasons to get tattoo's. I will never get anything to make a statement though, or anything to go with any trend. All of my tattoo's have been well thought out and are simple symbols that will withstand the test of time. As for extremely visible tattoo's on someones face/neck, I can't help but think they regret it sometimes, it really limits you socially in terms of work and relationships. I think Cindy put it really well when she said it's a little bit of rebel when I'm usually proper. Though I never wore any black lace panties under any business attire