The first really visible tattoos that I got were my two calf tattoos. I used to be really awkward when people would compliment my tattoos, something with which I've become used to now and don't mind at all. A lot of that has to do with how fucking weird and rude people can be. I've had people talk about my tattoos behind me, as if I werent there, and then stop me to ask me some asinine question.
The meaning question sucks. I can't recall ever coming across someone that's asked me that question, and when I responded with, "some have a meaning, others are because I like the image and aesthetic," it's something that they can't fucking grasp. This too used to bug me, now I likened it to buying a piece of art or painting. Just because you like or buy a painting, doesn't mean it has to have some philosophical meaning you associate with it.