I am 20 years old and I have 7 tattoos. Some of these mean alot to me (the luna moth on my thigh and the dark mark on my back) and some I got just for fun on an impulsive whim (like the origami chicken on my leg). I love that my bodily canvas is decorated, but not everyone agrees. Here is a list of the most ridiculous comments I've ever gotten about MY tattoos.

1) "I just think girls with tattoos are trashy..."

Last time I checked, having 7 little pieces of artwork on my body did not immediately turn me into a felon, and I am not in any way tainted. My self-worth is not determined by what people think of me or my body, but if that was the case WOW, would I be out of luck. No, I did not join a biker gang after tattoo number five - but now that you mention it, the Sons of Anarchy seem like pretty nice guys (HELLOOO JAX TELLER).

2) "You'll never be able to get a job with those."

Hello, my name is Casey Scully and I currently work at a preschool. Yes, I have a skull and a snake tattooed down my back and I take care of children ages 2-5 every single day. Employers still discriminate against potential employees by their tattoos (think teardrops and neck tats) and this is their right. However, the negative views regarding tattoos in the workplace are quickly shifting, and if you work in a modern setting with a laid-back atmosphere, and your tattoos cannot be construed as offensive, then this is a non-issue.

3) "You're going to regret those when you're older."

This one is tricky because, well, I might regret these when I'm older. Who knows if I'll still be obsessed with all my tattoos when I'm 70. Honestly, I might just be thankful I'm still kickin it. If nothing else, every time the needle has touched my skin it's left me with a memory.The origami chicken on my leg is something I cherish simply because of the memory that it holds, not because it has some deep existential meaning. When I'm 70 I'll still be able to look down at my leg and remember back when I was 19 and carefree, and that is good enough for me.

4) "Oh yeah I know a girl who has a little infinity symbol on her ankle and the initials of her first cat surrounded by little red hearts on her wrist."

As much as I respect anyone and everyone that decides to get a tattoo, I am not interested in the ridiculous choices that your friends made. Just because I have a tattoo does not mean I care at all about everyone you know who also has a tattoo. Secondly, just because I am a girl does not mean that I have to conform to the go-to feminine tattoo choices (i.e. infinity symbols and arrows). That's cool that you did, but I'd like to put a hard pass on that.

5)"Did it hurt?"

What is the right way to say, "I ugly cried for three hours and snotted all over my boyfriend while a man stabbed me with a needle 100 million times"? Because yes, that happened. Every tattoo is going to hurt at least a little unless you are a superhuman and feel nothing. But depending on the place, color or lack thereof, and the amount of detail, you're either going to be in excruciating ugly-cry pain, or just feel a few casual pin pricks. 10/10 though, it's worth it.

6) "What does it mean?"

This question is okay if you're really close with someone, but if you are a stranger, mind your own beeswax. Some of my tattoos have absolutely no meaning and some of them have an elaborate and very personal backstory that I don't feel like sharing with someone I met literally three seconds ago. Either way, it's my business and you don't have a right to get offended if I don't want to tell you.

6 1/2) "Oh I could never get a tattoo that didn't mean anything to me..."

Well that's cool, but I did and my life is pretty alright. Your passive-aggressiveness has actually not affected me and I'm going to continue to get little (or massive) pieces that I like and think look nice on my body, whether they have some deep meaning to me or not.

7) "Do you have any, anywhere else?" *wink wink*

My tattoos are not an invitation for your sexual innuendo, and surprisingly enough it is incredibly inappropriate for you to ask me if I have any in places you will NEVER get to see. My tattoos do not make me an easy target for pervs, do not make me loosey goosey and definitely do not make me "the fun and edgy girl you get to talk to at parties".

8) "I don't like girls with tattoos."

Once upon a time, on a first date, this man-baby told me that we would never work simply because he didn't like girls with tattoos. Not to mention my (at the time) black hair or my multiple facial piercings; it was the memorial tattoo to my late father on my thigh that sealed our fate as a couple. Saying you don't like girls with tattoos is like saying you you wouldn't date a girl who wore makeup or dyed her hair. You can have that personal preference, but chances are, we wouldn't have worked out anyways.

9) "Are you done yet?"

Literally, the last tattoo I got, I got at 2 a.m. on a whim for $20.00. I am also only 20 years old. I have a lot of clear skin that I'll probably fill as I get older. For now, 7 may seem like a lot but it's not like I have double sleeves on both arms and legs. You asking me if I'm finally finished is just as demeaning as saying you don't like girls with tattoos in the first place. I'll probably never be 100% finished, just stuck waiting for my next big idea (or the next Friday the 13th).

10) "What are your kids going to think of you, all covered in tattoos like that?"

Well, they'll probably think their mom is a certified badass with an incredibly high pain tolerance and a "take-no-crap" attitude, because that's what I am. I plan to be an amazingly open mother, who teaches her kids to be loving and accepting, kind and compassionate and creative in all aspects. With that being said they'll probably love that Mommy has pictures painted into her skin. I'm sorry your kids won't get that same artistic experience.