You are bound to know someone with a tattoo. It's a growing business. I, myself, have three. None are overly big, my biggest one being the one on my left shoulder and even that one is no bigger than my hand (Note: I am not a big person). I love my tattoos. Every one. They empower me and gave me with a confidence I didn't previously have with my body. After asking my fellow inklings in and out of the workplace, I've compiled a series of phrases that if you have a tattoo, I'm sure you're sick of hearing.
1. OH MY GOSH, You have a tattoo?!
Yes, I have a tattoo. Do you think I'm telling you just to get a reaction out of you? It's like telling someone you just got a haircut; it's obvious and yet, it still blows peoples' minds... like excessively.
2. You realize that's permanent, right?
No, I just spent a hundred plus dollars for it to only last a week.
3. Did it hurt?
OK, you are taking a needle to your skin and permanently etching a design onto your body. Now the level of pain depends on the person and the placement of the tattoo, but common sense would state that yes, it does hurt.
4. Is it fake?
Are you actually asking me this? Yes, you caught me. I went out of my way to craft an intricate design on a fairly out of reach spot on my body just so I could say "Hey guys, I have a tattoo."
5. What does it mean? or I don't get it.
Personally I don't mind telling people what my tattoos mean but some people do. For the love of all things inked, please don't say "I don't get it." It's not yours to get. Tattoos are, often but not always, very personal and they need no explanation if the owner of said tattoo does not wish to give one.
6. What if you hate it in the future?
OK? I don't think I will, but I chose it for a reason. If for whatever reason I do end up disliking it, I will cross that bridge when I get to it and you know what? Unless you're paying for it, it still will be none of your concern.
7. Did you cry when you got your tattoo?
As a matter of fact, I did not. And if I did, I still wouldn't tell you.
8. Have you ever seen a grandma with a tattoo?
No, but when I do, you can bet I'm going to tell her it's rad.
9. Oh, I bet you're going to get addicted to/ get more tattoos now.
Actually no, that's not how any of that works. If I choose to get more tattoos, it will be of my own sound decision and not because I'm addicted to them.
10. Aren't you worried about not being able to get a job?
No, not really. I know plenty of people who have tattoos and are employed. I have tattoos and am employed. Yeah, there are places that aren't tat-tolerant, but there are plenty of places that are. If it becomes a problem, obviously I won't work there.
11. Why did you do it? or You're just doing it because everyone else is.
OK, sorry my age generally corresponds with the people I hang out with so the timing of my first tattoo happened around the same time as them. My bad. Also tattoos have been popular for years. They empower men and women alike. When and why I get a tattoo is entirely up to me.
Just because someone has a tattoo does not make them any different from anyone else, therefore they deserve the same respect you'd give anyone else. We are not automatically hooligans and barbarians just because we are inked, so please stop acting like we are. Also, remember when your mother scolded you for staring?
News Flash: It's still impolite. :)
