Why let others opinions sway you either way…make your mind up an do it…or don’t??? Nuff said!!!
I have one, I like it…that’s all that matters to me!!
I agree… go ahead and get that tatoo of Roy Orbison on your butt. What mama don’t know won’t hurt her.
If you’re stoked about having one, I say go ahead and get it and enjoy it. It’s a personal decision I figure.
“Tattoos are for people who realize that without one they would pass unnoticed, something they hate the thought of.”
Very interesting and in some cases probably apply to all tattoo’s, clothing, cars, houses etc etc. At some level we all want “To be noticed”, to be “special”. I think we all search for that in our own seperate ways.
I believe that the “rub” comes when one individuals method of getting attention is in contrast or somehow conflicts with our personal method of “getting attention”.
Personally I find M-Dot tattoo’s…well…boring, thoughtless. I’m not a huge fan of tat’s in teh first place, but have seen some triathlon related tat’s that at least had some “Character” and thought put into them.
I personally try to get noticed by doing what I think is truely uniquely me. Thus M-dot tat does not fall into that category and thus In My Opinion does not fall into that category and thus would fall in the catetogory, for this poll, as foolish.
If I were to get an IM related Tat I would strive to make it uniquely mine, not simply a “branding” to make me “one of tribe”…but that’s me.
~Matt
Cool or fool is entirely up to you, as many have said. I have an M-dot tatoo on my right shoulder/back, and below it are the IM races I’ve finished…its becoming a list, and now am not sure about continuing it, but feel i have to. six on the list so far, and I’ve always said i would do it until I got to kona. Since I’ll be a lottery pick, it may be awhile, and it could extend all the way down my back.
I say go for it, if it makes you happy. (But the wife thing is a concern)
personal opinion - fool. but if you decide to do it, just be careful. the last guy who announced on here that he was getting a tattoo came out of the shop with the thing permanently mounted upside-down on his leg.
oh, and about the wife thing, don’t try to force her into liking it. vanity runs rampant at these things and for a spouse, it’s probably a bit over the top. let it be your thing, travel to races with training partners, and support her in her interests. if/when you get to Kona, I’m sure she’ll happily come along on the trip!
I agree…I find the mdots to be pretty boring.
I can’t see myself getting a tat but if I did I think I would get something more subtle or creative:
GJS makes a good point about the last ST poster who got a tattoo - if you decide to get one, do your research about the artist that you choose to permanently ink you.
As is obvious by this thread, tattoos are not for everyone and they are (and should be) a personal expression. I have never advocated requesting opinions or seeking guidance in an internet forum about getting one. That said, I have several (no IMs though) and would offer a bit of advice:
If you decide to get one, check out first the shop. Ask them about their sterilization procedures, when their last city health inspection was, look at the autoclaving machines. Once you have done your due dilligence on the shop, select an artist. Ask to see examples of their work, how long they have been working as an artist, so on.
When it comes time to get the tattoo, go over the design/colors/desire with the artist in detail before they even place the stencil on your skin. Don’t be afraid to ask them to move the art, scale it down, make it larger, whatever you want. They are well aware that a tattoo is permanent and if they are a good artist they will understand your wishes.
This does not have to be a lengthy process and I would recommend using the internet as much as possible to do research on the various shops/artists. Plan on two trips, a consultation and then the appointment to get the tattoo. One last thing, I have always found it appropriate to tip the artist when they are done, especially if you like the work. It makes it easy to go back to them for more work later on, if you choose.
Good luck with your decision.
What does your gut tell you? A tattoo is a very personal thing, and has to be meaningful for the person who wears it. It shouldn’t matter what other people think about it. If you put the thought behind it, you’ll find the answer you’re looking for. Do you see yourself regretting it down the road? Are you gonna care that it gets stretched out or disfigured when you’re 90? Or are you always gonna look at it as a reminder of something of significance to you?
Having that said, I do have an M-Dot tattoo. I put a lot of thought behind it and incorporated it into a design which is symbolic and significant to me. Think of it like a scar. We all have them from something, and everytime we see them we’re reminded of how we got them. Tattoos can be the same. Other people might look in confusion, disgust, etc., but to you they mean something. They’re a part of you. You just have to ask yourself what that part means to you.
IMO, you should never ask people, especially strangers about something that you are going to ink into your skin for the rest of your life. The only real opinion regarding cool/fool is YOURS. If you want it do it. What it means to you is most important. If the logo changes in years to come would you be pissed or just say your tat is old school? 
Someone posted something about the IM being a brotherhood. I’ve never seen an IM in person but is there a swearing in ceremony involving folks with hooded robes? Do they brand you after the ceremony? Just want to be prepared.
My thoughts right now are that whenever I do an IM I will be happy to hear those words when I cross the line and share the experience with fam/friends.
What should we judge people by?
Somewhat on topic: My wife wanted a tattoo for about 10 years. About a month ago, she got it. The next day, she woke up and said that she made a mistake and wishes she hadn’t done it. A month later, she feels even more strongly. Now she is talking about having it removed. Jeeeez.
Details? Pictures?
Post: And away and away…
First comes the “cool” and “fool” responses…
Then the “I’m not going to be a walking advertisement” responses
Someone (often me) asking for pictures
A question of the legality of using the IM logo…
Finally, the move to Tibbs’ Lavender room
(but I’ll probably read every response)
Has anything new really been posted on this forum in the past 2 years? We could just revive old posts and rerun them every 3 months and all save a pile of time. Or start referring to standard thread numbers: Thread 1: steep vs shallow, Thread 2: Tattoo; Thread 3 650’s are dead … Thread N: The there are no new threads thread
No pic. If I did, she’d put my one remaining testicle in the freezer where she keeps the other one.
She got her family’s cross tattooed on her, uh, hip area. Similar to the guy who had something tattooed upside down, the tattoo guy left off a few details, so it really doesn’t look like her family cross. That was strike one. So when she left there she was already bummed.
It’d be ok IF you also have your finishing time inscribed right there by your tat.
I’m sure somewhere out there you’ll find a 16:53 “Ironman” with an M*Dot tattoo.
I think now it would be fool
I had one done years ago when IM was not as big as now. IM was a huge challenge for me after being told i would never run again at the again of 18. For me it symbolised something and serves as a reminder. Even then i kinda thought it was a little hokey so i had a very small one done right under my sock line on my ankle so that i dont show it too much. In hind sight i should have thought of something else symbolic to me. Now when i walk around triathlons with it i feel a bit of a doofus.
still an Ironman though
shit - this thread is now going to develop into the battle of are you really an IM if you finish that close to the cut off
my fault
.
"Tattoos are about belonging to a group and reminding yourself of something significant "
Nonsense ! How many people forget they’ve done an ironman?
Your G.K. Chesterton quote contrasts with the text above it.