Tatoos and Water Country--they just go together! I remember going to Water Country as a kid and it always did seem to attract just the most attractive people--big guts, bikinis that are too small, mullets, and lots of tatoos. It's all just part of the experience.

Do they still have the sign up that says you can't go in the tube slides if you have braces? That freaked me out as a kid.

I would vote "no" on the tattoo. I always wonder what tattoos look like when you get old and your skin gets wrinkly. I can only imagine it is not pretty!

I always thought the tatoo thing would grow itself out. Once everyone has a tatoo, getting one won't be that impressive anymore. I am 29, I've had a small tatoo since I was 18, and I have to say I don't really like it. I don't hate it, but I really wish I don't have it.

I'm 28 and ink-free. I wanted to get one right out of high school but hesitated (thankfully!) because I just wasn't sure about the commitment.

My only hope is that soon it will be cool and rebellious NOT to have a tattoo.

Last spring during our vacation to Florida, I noticed tattoos on everyone's. I kinda felt left out. Finanlly I bought very good quility temporary tattoo and had it on my ankle. Yay, me! (They are kinda expensive but still quilte worth it since it doesn't come off after days in water park.) Well... after few days(it was still on my ankle even with thousands times of splash of water and lots of shower) I felt little bit bored about it... So my question is how you could commit to a permanant-and-painful tattoo for the last of your life.

You CRACK me up! But the answer to your question...neither...just keep watching The Office and get a rub on tattoo if you feel so inclined :) It will look much better than a real one when you are 80! Glad your family had a great trip! I heard the food at The Williamsburgh Busch Gardens is TO DIE FOR!!!!!

Oh Kristen, hold out!! You are not alone. I, too, have never seen American Idol. And, I am ink free. I figure how can I implore my daughters to NOT tatoo if I do? Plus, I think I would get bored with it. Lots of the tats I see on folks are faded, and truthfully, not very attractive. Also, little known fact -- all those young gals with tatoos across their lower backs? They may not be able to have an epidural. If the tatoo covers the area where the injection needs to be made, they will NOT do it. (The ink could enter your spinal cord and cause trouble there apparently.) So, I am guessing that there will one day be a rash of 30 something gals who curse the day they tatooed their 18-25 year old backs!!

I have two tats. A rose on my upper right arm and Tweetie on my right hip. I'm 80, the tats are not "wrinkled" and I love them. Got them 8 years ago. When I die my body goes to a medical school and I want the students in the Gross Anatomy class to say "wow" look what this old duck did! Either that or my husband can make a lampshade out of Tweetie.

Wondered about the tatoo and epidural thing...From the American Pregnancy Association...."Some women may have also heard that if they have a tattoo on their back, then they will be unable to get an epidural. Very few studies have been done on the risks that could exist for women who have back tattoos and receive an epidural. So far none of these studies have conclusively found any data that shows that there are risks, so most anesthesiologists have no problem giving an epidural to a woman with a back tattoo."
I have one tatoo and almost forget about it most days. It just becomes a part of you like piercing your ears. Of course mine is someplace no one sees it...unless I want them to. I say go for it! When I lose the rest of my baby weight, and for my 40th, I'm probably going to get another one!

Hi, Kristin. I also have never seen American Idol or gotten a tattoo.

Staci, the food was pretty good although I was disappointed that in "France" you could not get French food. Any Phyllis, you are an inspiration!!! Maybe I'll hold off for now but get a tattoo for my 75th birthday, should I be lucky enough to live that long.

Kristin, the nice thing about getting ripe (older) one can do ANYTHING one wants...if one is in good health and condition. Nothing is forbidden...well almost nothing...

I feel about tattoos the way I feel about babies: wish I could have one without the process of getting one, and gosh, afraid of the commitment! And, frankly, don't know if I'll ever do either!

I was just talking to my MIL about that. We were sitting on the Beach at Lake Tahoe and I think we were the only women on the beach without a tattoo. When did this happen?

I agree that tattoos are everywhere. While some tattoo artwork is absolutely amazing and beautiful, I say don't do it. Find a different way to express your individuality. And a note regarding the epidural issue. I don't know if it's so much the ink seeping in or the fact that if will be difficult for the Dr. to see what they are doing. Epidurals are very much done by feeling and sight. The area would have to be able to be monitored for infections and such later. Tattoos might hinder that.

Ha!

Eschew the needle! AI, well, there are worse things I think.

My husband has decided that of the tattoos out there (which I agree are rampant) the leg tattoos are the least acceptable - Hideous on every shape, he says.

I am 51 and got my tatoo last year. I love it. I got it just for me as a reminder of a special time in my life. It is on my lower belly. If you see it, I am wearing way to little clothing and THAT is what I am too old for!

I don't mind seeing tattoos on other people, but I've never been tempted to get one for myself. I put them in the category of body piercings anywhere other than one's earlobes. Don't want them. See nothing wrong with having them. Personal style is ... well, a personal thing, I suppose. It can say something to you and say nothing to someone else.

I hate tatoos and am trying to overcome my obvious predjudice. All you people with tatoos out there, please don't judge me since I'm trying not to judge you. After all, you're the ones who have to live with them. If you love them and you're a good person, you're who you want to be...which I totally support.

Unless you want to bored out of your mind don't bother with American Idol (I only watch the first 3 week for the tryout (it's kind of like seeing an accident on the Highway... you can't help but look even if you don't want too) and for God's sake please do not get a tattoo unless you are emotionally attached to the idea. Speaking as a tattoo lover I hate how trivialized getting a tattoo is now! Both of my own tattoos were designed for me by the artist and thought about for years before getting them. Most people getting tattoos now days just slap on any old design and really do not care about the cultural and spirtual history of tattooing. I blame Miami Ink. So if you have to pick .... go with a night of Simon Cowell, if you don't like it all you have to do to get rid of him is turn off the T.V.

got a tattoo the day I got OUT of the Navy (I didn't want a souvenir of being IN the Navy) and have LOVED it for the past 34 years. It's a small Gemini (my) sign on my left hand. I have another (involuntary) tattoo below my left thumbnail--a stovepipe I was changing attacked me one day some years ago and deposited a spot of soot under my skin. I tried to cut it out once or twice and gave up--I've been thinking about incorporating it into something larger, but haven't. My wife also has a small (private) tattoo; I'd say pick out something you like, design something small and pretty and DO IT!!

Don't worry about American Idol, they recap every morning after. I love tattos. I have 2, plan on getting more. The reason I have mine? Probably my mom, she has 4. But I highly recommend, especially for a woman, put in a place you could cover up. Even though tattoos are less taboo in the professional world than they use to be, why shot yourself. Tattoos should have personal meaning. Everyone that my mother has, a man bought for her. Each one I have, I did it with friends. I bought my sister-in-laws first one, I started going into labor while we were there. It is not for everyone, and yes it hurts, but nothing you can't get over. Their fun, their interesting. It's a form of self expression.

I'll sate the curiosity of the first poster: I am 39, with my first (and only) tat @ 33. It took me that long to decide what I wanted; a ladybug.

Six years later, I still can't decide what I want for my second one, but the itch for the second one is a constant one in need of scratching, which is reflective of the universal truth about tats: once you get one, you want 100 of 'em.

Only get a tattoo if YOU want one. I am ink free! I've seen some tats that I think are really beautiful, but they're not for me. My husband has two (on his legs; he works for a large corporation) and wants more, but keeps in mind that they need to be covered.