Hey man, I agree with you that tattoos should be thought out and have some sort of meaning. And anyone who tries to tell you what you should or shouldn't do to yourself should fuck off.

I myself am tattooed and pierced and I would NEVER think of trying to push either of those on another person. They should be expressions of individuality, even if it is the same ol' earring that everyone and their brother has, as long as there is some intrinsic value in it for you.

That being said, if you are considering a tattoo, think about it, hard. Tattoos are permanent and serve as a window into that moment of your life. For instance, I have a tattoo of my daughter's name and birthday running along my collarbone. There is deep personal meaning behind that. Don't be the kid who decides they want ink and walks in and and chooses a piece of flash off the wall without thinking about the decision.

I highly suggest you spend the time to research tattoo design, meaning, etc. before getting inked. www.bmezine.com is by far the best online resource I have come across in the area of body modification. Go, check out some tattoos, check out some experiences, learn. You may go there looking for information on one subject and come away with the desire for something completely different. That's how I got interested in suspension.

And fuck anyone who feels they know what is best for you as far as body mods go, they are a personal expression, and anyone who says different has no right to be in a tattoo/piercing studio.

Peace