DON'T Rule in Choosing Tattoo

+ Don't limit yourself—not in the beginning anyway. Later, when you're running out of skin, limit yourself. In this phase of getting a tattoo, however, he it your first or your fifth, let your mind wander and ponder every possibility that presents itself before narrowing your choices.

+ Don't let somebody else pick your design. Let your next truck, wedding dress, or cell phone be a group choice, but not your tattoo. There's only one person that it has to satisfy. To be a good design choice, it has to satisfy that person. This isn't to say you won't talk to people about it and hear their input and their opinions, but you are in control—unless of course you're one of those actors in The Lord of the Rings who all got the same tattoo, or your fraternity demands it, or your combat unit is shipping out tomorrow and they bully you into it. Then it's OK.

+ Don't let the tattoo artist pick it. That's just weak.

+ Don't pick a design that you don't understand—really understand, including runes or kanji or Sanskrit. Do your research instead of letting something get lost in translation.

+ Don't get your significant other's name. Pay for a billboard on Valentine's Day, have your marriage proposal done on the side of a blimp, bring him or her breakfast in bed every day for ten years but never have your boyfriend's, girlfriend's, or spouse's name tattooed. It is the number one reason why people regret their tattoo later.

+ Don't do it to please somebody else—not even a hot-looking tattooist. www.tattoobody.org