1. Did it hurt?

Any time a needle punctures your skin, you will feel pain.

2. But you'll never get a job with those.

I'll just move to Austin and keep it weird.

3. But you're so pretty.

Does the tattoo make me less attractive? Does it mean I'm less of a person? Does it mean you like me less? Oh, whatever will I do without your approval?

4. At least it means something.

Look, just because someone else's tattoo doesn't have a specific meaning, that doesn't make it any less beautiful or awesome or important to them.

5. Were your parents okay with that?

The majority of humans born before 1970 do not love tattoos. Use this as a rule of thumb when asking the above question.

6. What happens if they mess up?

First of all, the artist is a professional. They won't mess up. Second, please don't capitalize on my fears like that.

7. But won't it look bad when you get older?

If I'm sixty years old, and the only thing that makes me less attractive than I was when I was twenty-one is my tattoos, then I think I'll be pretty happy. However, I'm pretty sure the tattoos won't be my most unattractive feature then.

8. But tattoos are permanent.

Good, you looked up tattoo in the dictionary.

9. Is that real?

I'll say "No" just because I can.

10. I don't think I could ever get one.

Okay, I get that, and I understand it, but I could not care less. I love my tattoos. They make me who I am, and that's what matters to me.