Why Are Tattoos so Addictive ?

I got my first tattoo almost 20 years ago; a girly, swirly, flowery design encircling the belly piercing I had been brave enough to get some months earlier(hey, this was in the early 80s before every pre-pubescent 12 year old girl had pierced navels !). There was no particular purpose, no meaning to it at all, except the age-old raison d'être: It seemed like a good idea at the time. I recall the tattoo artist telling me that they were addictive and that I would be back for more. At the time, I was gritting my teeth from the pain of the needle cutting into my soft lower belly, watching as she swabbed away smeared blood and wondering why the hell I was getting it done in the first place - I was absolutely adamant that I was never going to do it again.

Fast forward 20 years and I've just endured the pain of my 5th tattoo and am already wondering where and what my next one will be. And this last one hurt - I mean, seriously fucking hurt. From start to finish, it took almost 4 hours and was on the top of my foot, where there is little fat or muscle to cushion the impact of needle on bone. I got the hibiscus in Hawaii during a trip a couple of years ago, then had some vines added for more impact and balance.

So, why do I (and millions of others) keep going back for more ? For one thing, I can assure you all that's it's not for the endorphin rush; I get no such high - it just fucking hurts from the first tentative scratch of needle on skin til the time the the very last drop of ink is injected.

And, it's certainly not so that I can endure the scathing criticism that some people feel compelled to impart ... I frequently hear the line, usually with a sniff: "I can only imagine what you're going to look like when you're 70." The answer, of course, is like everyone else with seven decades of living behind them: saggy and relatively unappealing. But, seriously, tattoos won't much help or hinder that, one way or another will they ? And yes, I agree there might be a day when my body designs don't look quite as good to me as they do now, but I will never regret them. I just wish people would understand that my tattoos are not for them to understand and like - they are inherently personal and I love each and every one of them. However, understanding the prejudice of some people, all of my tattoos are in places that can be easily covered by clothing or shoes if I choose - I certainly don't flash them around in the workplace for example.

So, it is a bit of a mystery to me - but I guess it does not need to be explained. And in any case, as far as addictions go, this one is relatively benign.