I have a tatoo from the back of my neck across the back of my shoulder and over the top down to about 3 inches above my elbow. Most people I meet have absolutely no idea I have any tatoos at all until we go swimming or something. A collared shirt covers the bit that extends onto my neck.
For a girl, ribs are hot and I have a thing for chicks with colorful half sleeves of flowers and fairies, but also dragons and kraken and such. Please don't get a tatoo on your calf, no offense to anyone. Some thigh tatoos work, but not if it's your first tatoo. They work on people who are more covered on the upper body.
As for the pain, it's not bad. Don't be a wus. Pain is temporary and that tatoo is going to be there for the rest of your life. I'd hope it was worth the pain...