All this talk of body-piercing, self-mutilation and self-decoration....oh dear, it all sounds a bit immature.
I remind myself that as an 18 year old, in the army, I had a small tattoo on my left forearm. It's a copy of my cap-badge, done I think to be 'one of the boys'. Then I grew up, and have bitterly regretted that tattoo ever since. Thankfully, my watch covers most of it, but I keep it covered entirely when in company. If seen, my professional colleagues keep a discreet silence, for which I am grateful.