It’s All About Personal Preference
People remain divided about tattoos—and we’re not just talking about the location. Some people prefer to have a completely blank canvas, while others can’t help but salivate over the hottest sternum tattoos or the cutest little hearts. Obviously, it all boils down to personal preference. Everyone has the right to choose their own ink, and tattoos can be a deeply personal memento, but some tend to rub guys the wrong way.
1. Your Ex’s Name
We can’t always wind back the clock; however, that doesn’t make your ex’s name any more appealing. It’s obviously way more upsetting to have a painful reminder etched into your skin, but a lot of guys get put off by this one.
2. Your Own Name
It’s hardly rare to tattoo your first or last name on yourself, but not every guy likes the look. Some would even consider it cliché, which doesn’t help with the brownie points. It’s an even rougher pill to swallow when it’s in an obvious spot.
3. Face Tattoos
Face tattoos don’t really fly with anyone, let alone men. We’re not talking about teardrops or anything either; some face tattoos pay homage to pop culture or beloved quotes. Either way, they aren’t the most popular.
4. A Hodge Podge Collection
Some people love an adorable collection of tattoos. It sort of looks like a school locker, an entire sleeve dedicated to someone’s favorite moments in life. However, some guys don’t like the look, finding the indiscriminate ink far too random.
5. Tattoos in Another Language
Hold on a second—there’s nothing wrong with a tattoo that’s in another language. That said, a lot of people like the aesthetic appeal of foreign characters, opting for phrases they don’t know the meaning of. It’s a bit of a convo-ruiner when someone asks what your tattoo means, and you can’t tell them.
6. Lower Back Tattoos
We’ll skip over the rude name reserved for these and dive right into the controversy. What was once considered a beloved area quickly became a common spot, and it doesn’t appease most guys anymore.
7. Barbed Wire Armbands
Barbed wire armbands came and went with the wind, and a lot of dudes aren’t a huge fan of the trip down Memory Lane. In all fairness, this was once one of the most popular choices among ink-lovers! But nowadays, a lot of people see it as a tired design.
Tony Alter from Newport News, USA on Wikimedia
8. Massive Tribal Tattoos
Tribal tattoos faded away with tribal shirts. You know the ones we’re talking about—button-downs with massive designs that ate half the shoulder. Unfortunately, a lot of people consider this a 15-year-old fad.
Stiller Beobachter from Ansbach, Germany on Wikimedia
9. Zodiac Signs
Astrology is polarizing enough; zodiac sign tattoos only pile on the divide. Horoscopes have a pretty even split between devout believers and stern naysayers, so it’s always a toss-up whether your Aries sign will catch the right attention.
10. Cliche Phrases
“This too shall pass.” “Carpe diem.” “Believe.” These phrases and more constitute some pretty cliché options! It’s obviously not a deal breaker to have them, but some guys roll their eyes at the mere sight of them.
With those out of the way, let’s dive into some classic options that just about every guy can get behind.
1. Something With Personal Meaning
At the end of the day, the right guy accepts you for who you are—and that includes your ink. Anything with a good story behind it is more than enough for decent men to take an interest in. After all, they say a picture’s worth a thousand words, so who knows how many stories your tattoo holds.
2. Family Dedications
There’s something so heartwarming about your family’s initials. The best part about them is that you have plenty of ways to show off: a bouquet made of hand-drawn flowers, their initials, or even signatures, let everyone know just how tight-knit you are.
3. Minimalist Flowers
Not everyone’s a fan of full-sleeve gardens (though we personally enjoy the view). However, it’s hard to deny the charm of minimalist flowers! They go just about anywhere, from your fingers to your thighs, and make a sweet, delicate option.
4. Semi-Colons
Semi-colons hold special meaning, and while a lot of people have them, that doesn’t mean they’re cliché. If anything, they signal an openness to talk about mental health, acknowledging the struggles without the stigma.
5. Hip Hearts
You don’t need a massive tattoo to catch people’s attention. Sometimes, a simple hip heart is cute—and naughty—enough to rock with confidence. In fact, the smaller it is, the better it is, and your little heart can be a great thing to show off to someone special.
6. Loved Ones’ Signature
One of the sweetest ways to pay homage to a loved one is with their signature. Plenty of tattoos remember grandparents or siblings with a bittersweet message, often pulled from birthday cards over the years. They don’t take up a lot of space on the skin, but they do in the heart.
7. Full-Back Pieces
Go big or go home! It’s not always easy to rock a huge back piece, but those who dedicated hours in the chair know it was all worth it. Say what you want about intense ink, but it’s hard not to get mesmerized by the designs.
8. Simple Dates
Even if you aren’t a fan of tattoos, simple dates hardly mean a $400 piece. A lot of guys love the simplicity of basic dates, especially when they hold special meaning. Think of them like the ultimate conversion starter.
9. Ankle Tattoos
You just can’t beat the ankle tattoo. It almost doesn’t even matter what you put there—the spot alone is more than enough to hold a sultry charm. We all know guys go gaga for gams, so showing them off with a little ink always nabs their attention.
10. Sternum Tattoos
It might hurt to get your sternum inked, but it’s also a top-notch spot for most men. From butterflies to intricate floral designs, this delicate area is both sensual and girly. You just need a high pain tolerance!
