I could very well be getting a tattoo from a buddy of mine imminently. I was thinking of having some kind of pattern or tribal design on my middle-upper bicep on my right arm. It seems like kind of a cliché to get a tattoo like this, but I figure that if the tattoo doesn't have any specific reference, I will regret getting it slightly less in 15 years. Plus the location allows it to be easily hidden or shown off.

What I am asking is whether something along these lines would be tasteful? I will upload some designs possibly at a later date. If anyone has any suggestions I am open.

Get a barcode.

A few years ago I would have bitched you out for wanting a tribal tattoo, as it was my opinion that only morons got tribal tattoos, and only moronic tattoo artists designed them as the majority of them don't require a lot of artistic skill to design.
Since then I've gotten a tribalesque tattoo myself.

For me, tattoos should be unique to the individual, and have meaning behind them.
If you're considering a tattoo and find yourself thinking, even slightly, 'What if I regret this?', then you're not ready for a tattoo.

For instance - I have two dragons entwined on my upper back between my shoulder blades. The way they're designed (it's my design but I had my tattooist alter it slightly), makes it look like they're either fighting, or showing affection. For me this symbolises have and love, and also companionship.
My next tattoo will be above my current one, with the text "I am nothing without you". Believe it or not this is not a reference to my boyfriend (as much as he'd like to believe). It's for everyone and everything who has made an impact on my life and, ultimately, made me who I am today.

Give it some serious thought.

Get a barcode.

This. Every little guido douchebag has that tattoo on their bicep. Do you really want to be associated with them?

This. Every little guido douchebag has that tattoo on their bicep. Do you really want to be associated with them?

I know 2 people with barcode tattoos and they're both idiots (I am in no way justifying tribal tattoos, they usually look just as bad)

A tribal tat is so cliche. It's almost like having a skull with snake going through the eye socket or a heart with a dagger going through it. You should check out sleeve tats, there cool, might regret it later in life.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2036332475_9988491472.jpg

- Diesel

I know 2 people with barcode tattoos and they're both idiots (I am in no way justifying tribal tattoos, they usually look just as bad)

ah, I thought that the barcode tattoo idea was sarcastic and meant to say that he's a tool for wanting a bicep tribal tattoo, like most people with them.

ah, I thought that the barcode tattoo idea was sarcastic and meant to say that he's a tool for wanting a bicep tribal tattoo, like most people with them.

Yeah, it probably was sarcastic actually. Either way, everyone knows barcode tattoos look terrible. Even the people who get them know they look terrible.

Well, I dont want a tribal tattoo really, I just want some kind of pattern.

What about qoutes? Possibly done withing some kind of pattern or design to meke them both less obvious and more artistic?

barbwire around your arm. why anyone would even get a tatoo if it wasnt barbwire around your arm is beyond me

i ran out of arm for barbwire tats so i got a tat on my back of an arm with a barbwire around it

ah, I thought that the barcode tattoo idea was sarcastic and meant to say that he's a tool for wanting a bicep tribal tattoo, like most people with them.

Indeed it was sarcasm.

I'm still after getting the Element symbol with Earth, Fire, Water, Earth around it (no, not Captain Planet).

Nothing too big though.

i ran out of arm for barbwire tats so i got a tat on my back of an arm with a barbwire around it

fuck yeah