Tattoos have been around longer than sliced bread, Betty White and the pyramids of Egypt.

I have four tattoos. I love talking to others who have tattoos and helping those who don’t understand why I love them, and that it’s okay to not have one. Recently, I got my fourth tattoo and I have been thinking about how awesome it is to have one; and I would like to share three perks to having tattoos.

[SIDENOTE: I’m not excluding any group from this list, but the ones that are mentioned are the groups I have associated with.]

1. Tattoos are great conversation starters

One of the tattoos I have is on the inside of my left upper arm, so it’s not that visible. Whenever I raise my arm, people have a quick glance and see artwork on me, which of course leads to a conversation. Tattoos are a great way to talk to people you would normally ignore. They create a connection where you both understand the process and the feelings associated with getting ink. It’s an easy way to learn more about others on a personal level. Those who have tattoos love being able to talk about the story behind each of them (silly, memoriam or statement of their life).

2. Tattoos are reminders of significant memories/strength

Tattoos show us that we are alive, well and living life as best as we can. Whether the tattoo signifies overcoming an abusive household, a deceased loved one or a huge milestone like the birth of a child, tattoos show us that we can handle what’s next.

One of my dear friend has a tattoo on her back that reminds her of her faith, and it helps her stay focused on what’s important. Another one of my dear friends has a tattoo that reminds her of the strength it took for a child to survive an abusive home. Both tattoos are very different, but they are reminders for each of them to see and know they can take on the next obstacle.

3. Tattoos are a great way of expressing one’s self

Next to hair color, tattoos are a permanent step to showing the world the type of person you want to be recognized for. Whether it is a Koi fish, a flower, a Bible verse, a word or a memorial tattoo, we show the world what we love and stand for.

There are many reasons that I can come up with for why having tattoos is awesome, but these are three of the main perks. I hope this helps if you are thinking about going to get ink. And if you don’t like tattoos, that is completely fine. However, please be respectful to those who do have tattoos. We are proud of our ink, and don’t want snide remarks we didn’t ask for.