ShyGreenGirl's perspective seems like one I can agree with. Contrary to popular belief, tattoos don't last forever; fairly soon you're going to die, though perhaps not soon enough (if you hang out with the wrong master, especially).

Personally, I've got a complete t-shirt of scarification, brands, and ink, etched into my hide by friends at bod-mod parties. Some of it I like, some of it I don't, and I tend to change my mind on which is which; the point being, its all irrelevant over any reasonable length of time. One should be glad for this life, right now; there won't be another, and any day now your country might turn into ****lia (or worse, England).

Edit: Why is $om@lia censored?