"Well, now we see where all your money goes?"
This is an actual quote from a customer who came into the restaurant where I work. A customer I don't know outside of the three of four times where he has come in and ordered pizza and for some reason, those three or four times gave this customer the confidence to comment about where I decide to put my money. Interesting. Comments like these run a muck in the life of people who have tattoos, and though I would never discourage innocent curiosity, I'm tired of having to defend my decision to strangers. So without further ado, here is the top 5 things you should never say to people who have tattoos.
1. If I was ever going to get that kind of tattoo I would have ...
Wow! If only I would have met you sooner and you could have pointed out all the ways my tattoo could have been better! I'm sure your input would have been life-changing! The truth is, everyone has a preferred style, and your critiquing of a person's tattoo is probably not going to make them feel better and is often seen as rude (especially if you feel the need to point out specific parts of the tattoo you don't like.) If you do feel the need to comment on the design or style of a tattoo, tread lightly and be polite because comments regarding this are often seen as rude.
2. Why would you do that to your body? Your body is a temple!
Everybody makes choices - what color to paint a wall, what outfit to put on or to spend $35,000 or more on college. Every decision, appearance and otherwise, has a range of permanence and consequences, tattoos are no different. And even though tattoos are very permanent, it is still a choice that someone is making about their own body. Telling someone that they shouldn't have gotten a tattoo is not only rude, but evidently, you're also too late. In general, it's good to remember the 5-minute rule-- if a person can't fix it in 5 minutes, don't bring it up!
3. You're never going to find a job with visible tattoos!
Despite the fact that tattoos are becoming more accepted in society every day and that many jobs allow tattoos (though certain rules may follow concerning the amount/content of the tattoos,) it is really no one's place to comment on your future plans or goals. I made the decision to get a tattoo, and I will make the decision about which career to pursue. Though I understand your worry about what my future may hold, my future is my business. Also, you can just wear long sleeves.
4. Is that permanent?/ You know that's permanent right?
What? You mean the hour I spent getting ink injected into my skin is going to result in something permanent?!? Anyone who has a tattoo is very aware of its permanence, and you bringing it up isn't going to make that tattoo more or less permanent or make tattooed individuals more or less aware of that fact. Overall, when you screech this out it's rude and also makes you seem not-so-bright.
5. Aren't you going to regret that?
This is the pièce de résistance of rude tattoo questions... If I thought I was going to regret a tattoo, I wouldn't have gotten it. And if I do regret a tattoo, then I'm probably not too happy about it and don't want to openly discuss it with people. Even if I do eventually regret a tattoo, it's still none of your business. The exception to this is if the person is thinking of getting a tattoo and is seriously concerned about regretting a tattoo, but if you are just asking for the sake of being nosy or making someone feel bad about their tattoo-- don't do it!
Disclaimer: In any serious conversations about tattoos questions about style, regret,
