I decided to get my first tattoo last year in September. Overall, my experience with it has been wonderful. I love looking down and seeing the art on my arm. I never thought a slab of ink on my skin would be able to help me feel more like myself everyday.

However, there have been times when I've secretly rolled my eyes at some of the comments that are made to me regarding my tattoo. And I am sure that everyone who has at least one tattoo have encountered some of these remarks. Thus being said, guys, here are a few things us tattooed folks are tired of hearing.

1. "You know that's permanent, right?"

This one has got to be first... I mean, um... yes, I am aware that I purposely got tattoo ink latched onto the pigment under my skin so that I can look at it for the rest of my life. But hey, thank you for reminding me in case I forgot.

2. "But how will that look when you get older...?"

I am a part of a quite tattooed generation. Seeing old people walking around with a sleeve will not be a rare sighting at all in the future. Other people mention that the tattoo will look bad on flabby, wrinkly skin. But once expressing this worry to my tattoo artist, she said to me, "Everyone's skin is gonna get flabby eventually... Yours will just have artwork on it!" Lexi for the flabby win.

3. "Is that real?"

Urrrrrrrr... actually no. I wake up 20 minutes early every morning to redraw my fake tattoo exactly how it was the day before.

4. "That will be hard to hide."

Yeah, you're right. Which is probably one of the reasons why I don't want to hide it. Referring back to #1, it is permanent!

5. "Did it hurt?"

This one doesn't bother me as much as it bothers others. I like to share how my pain experience was because each person has a completely different pain tolerance. However, think about a few needles jabbing under your skin, hooking the tattoo ink, and then slicing their way back to the surface. It doesn't feel lovely, that's for sure.

6. The Wedding Dress Pictures Scenario

For girls with visible tattoos, it is extremely common that they might run across those people who mention wedding dresses and the bridal pictures that come hand-in-hand with the event. "How will that look with a wedding dress though...?" Freaking awesome. Again, for those who make these comments, 9/10 of us girls and women with visible tattoos are proud of them and want to show them off. Being in a wedding dress for one night won't change that.

7. "You might end up regretting that in the future."

Which is why it is VERY important to think hard before you get a tattoo. Something with personal meaning to you the better. Sure, they may end up regretting it, but they've probably thought it over. And if not, it's their body, and it will be up to them to decide what to do if they do regret it. It will not affect you in any way whatsoever.

8. "Only ___ kind of people get tattoos."

There are endless amounts of stereotypes that follow behind people who get tattoos. Bikers. Rebellious teens. Criminals. Bad workers. I mean, these are only just a few. It is ridiculous. ALL kinds of people get tattoos, especially now more than ever. It's art. You don't have to fill out an application before you get a tattoo so that you can see if you're the right kind of person to get one.

9. "You won't be able to find a real job."

First off, define "real job" for me please. Aren't all jobs real jobs? But if you're referencing a job in a career later on in life, let me once more shed the light on the now. We are a tattooed generation, for sure. You can look all around and see it. With that being said, I truly believe as we continue to grow into our next phase of life, we will bring a whole new way of thinking to the table. I'm sure there will be less people who are against tattoos. On a personal level, I was a bit afraid that I wouldn't be hired at my current job because of my tattoo on my bicep. I asked my manager, "Hey, I have a tattoo right here... Is that okay?" She looked at me like I was crazy for even asking. Needless to say, I've been working for this company for almost half a year now.

10. "It will be a bad influence on your children."

Uh, why? Because they might want to get some later in life, too? So what? I've never understood how such an intimate and beautiful art form could harm a child from growing up happy. I mean, my tattoo is a flower. That would be like saying, "Ma'am, that picture of the flower hanging in your house will be a bad influence on your child."

11. "You'll get tired of it, I'm sure."

My tattoo has already molded itself onto my body. It would be weird if I looked down and it wasn't there. Sometimes I forget I even have a tattoo. I know a couple of people who say the same thing. Once again, this is because I thought it out extra carefully before going through with it. You wouldn't even be able to know if I did get tired of it, anyway. Not affecting you at all.

12. "What would your ___ think of that?"

Your aunt. Your grandpa. An authority figure. No offense to any family members reading this, but the only people I was worried about accepting my tattoo were my parents and my sister. And that's because they are my immediate family. This tattoo represents many things that mean so much to me, and it has helped me in ways you don't think tattoos can help in. If someone doesn't accept it, it's their loss. It is a piece of me now, and there's no returning it. You don't have to like it, but respecting my desires would be nice. And if someone decides to cut you out of their life because you have a tattoo, they weren't meant to be their in the first place, and you're probably going to be better off without them. Surround yourself with those who build you.

There are so many more things that could be added to this list. It could go on forever. Just take these in mind next time you come across one of us tattooed folks. Maybe think long and hard before saying something that could come off as insulting. We would really appreciate it!