As society is rapidly evolving, tattoos are becoming increasingly accepted; unfortunately, there are some common false misconceptions that may deter someone from getting a tattoo or even regret a tattoo they have. It's time these lies get debunked.

Reason #1: You’ll get discriminated against.

My response: Why? Why would I get discriminated against? Why should I have be afraid to express myself for fear of being discriminated? If someone is telling you that you should not get a tattoo because you will be discriminated against, then ask them this “Why would YOU discriminate against me?” Getting a tattoo does not change who you are and someone who can't comprehend that, has other problems to worry about aside from your tattoos.

Reason #2: You have to pick. Low quality or expensive.

My response: Why does it matter to you? If you choose to get a low-quality tattoo, that you like, then it shouldn’t matter what anyone else thinks because people get tattoos for themselves, not for others. And if you get a ridiculously expensive one? Your money is your business and how you spend it is up to you, you are an adult and are capable of decision making.

4.2 million people in the U.S. today are currently addicted to marijuana and spending over $10,000 or more to support their habits each year according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Alcoholics spend over $432 each year to support their habits and a nicotine addict smoking only a pack a day spends around $2,160 a year according to a study by Time. We have deadly addictions plaguing America today and you’re going to be told that getting a tattoos, or even an entire sleeve, is a problem? When getting a tattoo becomes the biggest problem in our society, then I will consider myself lucky. Until then, let’s focus on what really matters; because, when it comes down to it… the money I spend on a tattoo does not affect you whatsoever. But an addict? That affects you. It affects them, you and the entire community. And did you know that according to statistics.org that 49% of people getting tattoos make the reputation of the tattoo artist or studio their number one concern? That shows that the majority of people are not being ignorant or impulsive, it’s something that they have thought a lot about.

Reason #3: They look trashy.

My response: Says who? Your friend? Why do they get to decide what looks trashy or classy for that matter? It’s not their body. It’s yours. If they don’t like your hair, what do they do? Don’t look at it. And if they don’t like your outfit? They get over it and might even end up liking tomorrow’s. So, they should do the same with your tattoo. Look away. It’s not their problem and it’s not their fight to fight. Then you hear the argument that an outfit or hair isn’t temporary. Okay, what about my voice? Or my face? Or even my personality? What if you don’t like those PERMANENT things? You deal with it. You figure it out, because that’s life.

Reason #4: They are over exposed.

My response: Not all of them. In fact, 1 in 5 people have a tattoo that you cannot see according to a Fox News Poll. I truly believe you would be surprised how many people you know that have tattoos.

Reason #5: They are meaningless.

My response: Quite the contrary, the majority of people that have tattoos have them for a personal, and meaningful, reason. Unfortunately, people are too quick to judge before they give anyone a chance to explain. “Tattoos are pain you wear on the outside.” Whether a tattoo is small and incredibly meaningful or large and meaningful, it shouldn’t matter to anyone else but the one with the tattoo. It’s their body, their story, their expression and their pain. Not yours.

Reason #6: The make a person less attractive.

My response: Quite frankly, if you are spending time around a person who’s saying this, why are you still there? A tattoo does not change you as a person, it does not change your views or your personality or even your attitude. Only 22% of America’s population believes that a tattoo makes you less attractive. What does that tell you? It tells me that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. The majority of people you walk by on a daily basis do not care whether or not you have a tattoo, in fact 24% of people believe they make a person more attractive (Fox News Poll.)

Reason #7: Only low-class people get them.

My response: Are you calling 36% (Fox News Poll) of our veterans low-class? That’s correct, 36% of our veterans have a tattoo. Before you speak and judge and assume, do your research. The military has the most tattooed people out of any other employer. And the government? Is the most lenient employer when it comes to tattoo policies. (Statistics)

Reason #8: They will affect your chances of getting a job.

My response: A 73-16 percent margin proves the exact opposite of that actually. 73% of employers, SEVENTY THREE PERCENT, do not care if you have a tattoo that is exposed. And the 16% that do care? Okay, you can cover it up when you’re at work.

People are faster to pass judgement than they are to pull the facts and think logically without bias or assumption. Our world is changing, our society's evolving rapidly and I’m not telling you that you have to get on the tattoo train, I’m simply saying that you should do your research before you open your mouth; and, think twice before you look at someone you don’t even know and decide what kind of person they are based off of their tattoos.