No, you can't touch me. No, I don't want to hear about how I'm going to regret them when I'm older. Yes, I enjoy my personal space just as much as the person in aisle eleven. Now, will you please let me shop for my frozen pizza in peace? Thanks.
As a young girl who is moderately tattooed and pierced in various visible areas, I've had many uncomfortable experiences. It seems as if any moral compass is thrown out the window once these people spot an inked body, and proceed to treat their target much differently than someone who is not tattooed. To each their own, but I seem to remember a phrase that has been ingrained into my brain since kindergarten: If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it.
1. No, you cannot touch me.
"Oh, no I'd rather you no--"
And you're touching me.
2. Constantly having your intelligence insulted.
"You know those are permanent, right?"
What makes me seem incapable of forming thoughts above a third grade level? But yes, I'm fully aware.
3. People being so blatantly hypocritical.
I have always been told to be my own person and express myself the way I feel is best. I'm sure these people criticizing me have preached the same thing at some point. But when "myself" is not something they particularly agree with, suddenly it's wrong? Makes sense.
4. Being treated like a walking museum.
Listen, I do not mind if people look at my tattoos. I'm not against curiosity and respectful questions. However, when you're having a conversation with me about something trivial while staring at my shoulder or arm, it can become a little awkward. "Excuse me? My eyes are up here. Thanks."
5. Having people assume your interests are toxic.
"Are you going to stop getting tattoos when you have kids?"
"Are you going to stop being nosy once you have kids? I didn't think so."
6. Addressing our elderly years as if we'll turn eighty-five when the clock strikes twelve.
I am constantly be told, not asked, that I will regret them when I'm elderly. I have two responses to this. The first is that life is short and many people do not get the privilege of living into their wrinkly years. I'm going to live for now in every way that I possibly can. The second is that just like you will be old and saggy when you're 80, I'll be old and saggy with tattoos. None of us are about to be looking cute.
7. People assuming you have a nasty personality.
Elementary School 101: Don't judge a book by its cover.
8. Having your career questioned.
"Do you really expect to get a job with those?"
It's 2017 and people are still think this way...Really?
9. Always being "politely" insulted.
"You would look so much prettier without all of those tattoos."
Or if they just aren't polite at all:
"You're going to have trouble finding someone with all of them."
10. Suddenly having your nonexistent wedding criticized.
This is my personal favorite. People are always telling me that on my wedding day, tattoos will look horrible with my wedding dress. But didn't you just tell me I would have trouble finding someone because of them? Whew, glad I don't have my wedding dress to worry about. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do need a partner if I want to get married? Thought so.
As I said earlier, it's 2017, many of these ideas are quite old fashioned. Hop on the accepting bandwagon, or at least have your moral compass close when you see something that may not be quite your style. There's already enough negativity out there, we don't need any more.
