What kind of tattoos won't make me look like a tool?

Is this a trick question? Tattoo = Tool.

1. Nothing tribal, unless you're Maori.
2. Absolutely no Kanji or other Asian lettering, unless you can read that language.
3. No band logos, unless that band has been out of commission for at least 15 years, and/or you played in the band.
4. No portraits. There are probably only 50 artists in the US who can do a portrait tattoo and not have it look terrible.
5. No barbed wire or other "badass" stuff. If you want to look tough, go to the gym.
6. No cartoon characters.
7. No sports logos, unless you played on the team.
8. NOTHING FROM THE WALL. Custom work or nothing at all.
9. Avoid anything "new" or "trendy," like throat tattoos and elaborate blackline chest pieces.
10. If you think it might make you look a bit like a tool, it will make you look like the biggest tool in the world.

Based on the pettiness of your question, I'm pretty sure that nothing YOU get would prevent YOU from looking like a complete and total tool.

Seriously, grow up first, then perhaps revisit the issue...

If you need to ask this question, you're not ready for a tattoo.

Seriously as many have said tattoos are for self expression. Worrying about looking like a tool is one of the dumbest reasons for even wanting or not wanting a tattoo.

With that said I'm a huge H.P. Lovecraft fanatic. Have been since I could read basically. The sleeve on my right arm is based on the mythos slightly, but with my own personal twists to the major pieces of the sleeve.

My left arm is something completely different, and while some people would say having flowers on a man is a dumb idea, I don't care. They have special meaning to me. Then again they are twisted cartoon daisies.

You seem to be getting a lot of flack for this question.

A tribal tattoo or armbands are guaranteed to Scarlet-letter you a douchebag, but if that's your thing then go for it. Aggrandizing a part of your heritage to identify with a certain group (i.e. clovers and Irish flags) can have an even bigger effect. Whatever you get you have to make it work for you. Of course it has to be significant to you but don't get one for the sake of getting one.

Tattoos can be great if done right and for the right reasons. Then again if I wanted to know your last name or fraternity letters I could just ask you.

Tattoos have definitely become more of a fashion statement today and it seems like EVERYONE has one. I am not going to lie, I do too...but I enjoyed tattoos and wanted to get one since I was in gradeschool.

I understand your concern about not wanting to look like a tool but then again, look at it this way. No matter how you look, dress, act, whatever, you will always be perceived differently by different people. Tattoos are wonderful expressions of art and shouldn't just be something that is done because it is a 'fad.'

I cannot tell you what to do, nor can anyone else but your tattoo should be something meaningful to you and should be something you have given thought to in terms of your idea and which shop and artist you would like to have do it.

If you are too concerned about what other people think, you will either A) never get one B) shouldn't get one or C) concerned more about other people's thoughts than your own.

Obviously, there are plenty of tattoos that a mass amount of people seem to have. Skulls, nautical stars, hearts, butterflies, Asian characters...are very overdone. But if you get one of these, get it because it means something to you, not just because you walked in to a shop pointed at the wall and said 'ehhh that's cool.' This isn't a McDonalds menu.

I agree with a lot of the answers that have been given already but I have a few other things to add too. The band thing can go either way. I am actually getting a tattoo of some lyrics from my favorite song sung by one of my favorite bands. They are going to be formulated into a shape along with other things I will allow the artist to design. But here is the catch, this band has meant a lot to me and this song has helped me out in many rough times in my life.

You kinda get where I am going with this?

Get what you want because YOU like it and it has meaning. DO NOT get a wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend's name tattooed.
Unless someone died, it is family or your children then that is fine.

DO research on different artists and shops. Look at magazines and talk to people who have tattoos. And not the super buff dude in Affliction gear and tats you see pumping iron at the gym.

I know this is long, sorry! I actually subscribe to a magazine called Inked. Or you can purchase it at Borders or Barnes and Noble...check it out. It has great stories and talks about the pros and cons about tattoos and what is probably not the best.

Good luck!

I agree with the most, if you that concerned that much with what other people think, you shouldn't be getting a tattoo. That's the wrong reason to do so.. I admit that's what I did my first tattoo, when I turned 18, I just wanted a tattoo so I got a got a tribal sun, which I drew myself but that was the only time, every tattoo after that had meaning or purpose.. I didn't realize how poplar they would be, so I eventually got it covered up...

You shouldn't just want a tattoo that is bad ass, any tattoo you get under those pretenses will ultimately reflect that your a tool..

There has been some common trends you should stay away from Kanji, nautical stars, tribal bands.. and lately its' the half sleeve unfortunate...

the half sleeve... which guys get just so they can be seen as "those guys with the half sleeve" which are the guys who never had a tattoo in their life, are in their mid 20's, want to fit in and have that image of the " tattooed guy" who doesn't fit in... you can spot them pretty easily,they usually have a tattoo sticking out their extra tight Affliction or Tap-out shirt.. no matter how many tat's these guys get they'll still be douches..

and in my opinion the guys who go in and are like " give me a half sleeve" just so they have that image, are cheaters, there don't truly appreciate the art and process of the tattoo..

so don't get a tattoo just to fit some image, but because you want one.. You shouldn't be searching for a tattoo idea just so you have a tattoo.

I started getting tattoos at 18, I'm 29 now and haven't' started I've been piecing together tattoos for 10 year putting lots of though into the concept, placement, meaning and ascetics of each tattoo..

but it doesn't necessarily to have a "meaning"

For instance, I have the whole right side of my body done in traditional pacific Norwest Haidi style artwork. I know what each symbol represent, but does each symbol have a specific meaning pertaining to me...? No.. I like them because they are astatically pleasing, black n red are my favorite colors, I like the style of the tattoo, the simplicity and complexity of them at the same time, and it's original and I've never seen anywone else with them. That's all the reason I need, I don't need any deeper meaning than that.. Although I made sure to research the art and culture, and the symbolism behind the figures before I tattooed it on my body.. and since I was an anthropology minor, that wasn't hard.

I have 6 tattoos, and I am sure some people think I am a tool. Honestly, I don't give a f**k what other people think, I love all of my tattoos, and only 2 of them having actual "meaning" to me, the others are just sh*t I think is cool. Do whatever you want, its your body, and tell anybody who judges you for it to screw off.

If you are worried what other people will think.
Don't get a tattoo.

Many have said Don't get a tribal tat. One of mine could be described as a tribal tat. I am a white guy, but a friend and I designed it together. It represents my family, so to me it is perfect and significant.

I would agree with not getting names, faces, letters or languages you can't read. But that is me. I would avoid getting hands, neck or face tattooed. Sometimes you would rather have your tats covered.

The tat should be for you. Take your time, don't get tattoed in a parlour you feel uncomfortable in or by someone you feel uncomfortable about.

6 years on, I have no regrets about any of mine.

I have a tattoo. I got it when I was 35, which I think is a decent age to get something that is fairly close to permanent.

That said, don't just get something you like. Get something you are ready to bet the bulk of the rest of your life on you liking. In short, make sure you at 40, 50, 60, 80 with perhaps the wife and the kids seeing it and definitely with the body that you'll have at those ages will like it too.

Lyrics, Asian characters, barbwire, etc. that have meaning now are very much like that train set you got when you were 10. It's outstanding and remarkable at the time, but the bloom will come off the rose inevitably.

Personally, I picked a cross. A simple, but not too simple cross that is on my forearm largely because I have been a Christian for a large number of those 35 years and I would take a bullet before I ever renounced that belief. That's me. As such, that tattoo is the most me.

It's when you get something that is transitory that it is or will become very tool-ish.

You have to you figure out what all your future you's will approve of. Do that, and you'll go from tool to cool and everybody will be able to tell.

By not getting one.

It's more of a statement nowadays to NOT have a tattoo then actually having one.

But if you must...just make sure it has a story behind it.

An ugly tattoo with a story behind it is worth more than ink worn merely for decoration.

Get it on your back, and able to be hidden. Even when you're wearing a tank top.

Having been a professional tattoo artist, my recommendation would be NOT getting a tattoo. Don't get me wrong, the industry loves new customers, but it seems like you want a tattoo just for the sake of getting one. From my experience, the best candidates for a tattoo are those who loved the design first, then committed to getting it put to skin. You seem like you might be coming from the opposite direction (not meant to be a judgment of any kind... just an observation). If you're serious about it, you might want to check out some of the information in Tattoo 101, provided by TattooFinder.com (http://tattoos-101.tattoofinder.com/to-ink-or-not-to-ink).

So there you have it. Two cents form someone who has been on both sides of the needle. Ultimately, it's your decision. Just keep in mind that it is an expensive and painful "mistake" if it needs to be corrected.

Why dont you get something meaningful? I plan on getting an imprint of my future children hand print on my chest. If you are proud of your race or heritage,why dont you get something that symbolizes that? It doesnt all have to be Nautical Stars and Tribal Tattoos. Save that for the birds.

Ask Men actually had an article about this located here

To summarize what they said, these are the only socially acceptable tattoos:
- Cover-up tattoo
- Prison tattoo
- Heratige tattoo
- Religious tattoo
- A tattoo of your own design
- Personal mantra tattoo
- Military tattoo
- Memorial tattoo
- Passion/ Profession tattoo
- Offspring tattoo

I think its safe to say that if you get any one of the tattoos listed, youre fine. Otherwise, steer clear.

Screw "ASK MEN" and what's "socially acceptable" as far as tattoos are concerned, get what you want, screw everyone else and what they think. If you can abide by that motto, you shouldn't be getting a tattoo.

Make sure you get a tattoo that is substantial in size. Alot of men get a 2 or 3 inch tattoo in the middle of their arm and it looks rediculous! Also, stay away from tribal,tazmanian devils, and anything that looks like it is ripping out of your skin.

who decides which response is the "best answer so far"?, Because I don't really agree with it.

I have full sleeves and they don't "mean" anything. They are pieces of high quality, professional artwork that I enjoy looking at....nothing more. Everyone is so hung up on this "meanigful tattoo" nonsense for some reason, and I don't get it. We're talking about pictures drawn on your body here, it's really not that big of a deal.

The best idea is to enjoy tatoo culture from a distance--less painful, less chance for embarassment when you're no longer with "Lola".

Here's a tough guy pool cue. Pictured:
Lola

some decent answers on here. but i'm just gonna say it. most people answering, obviously, have tattoos. but the ones who are saying things like "if you have to ask then you shouldn't get a tattoo" or "you're not ready for a tattoo if you have to ask" -these people are idiots and wannabe elitists. they too care about how their tattoos a perceived-it's human nature.

if you're considering getting a tattoo, just put some thought into it, ask around for reputable artists. even better if you know someone with work that was done by an available artist whose style matches your design. as for the design, can't help you there. i started off wanting a moderate sized chest piece that morphed from that to a chest piece/over-the-shoulder/full sleeve.

good luck. hope it works out for you.

I know exactly what you need...
Taz