It has been a little over two years since I got my first tattoo, yet when people see me they have absolutely no clue that I have one, let alone two. When people first learn I have multiple tattoos their reactions are priceless. The most common response is, “Really, I never would have guessed you would be someone to get inked” or “Your parents really let you do that?”
Tattoos are something that can draw out strong feelings in one person and no reaction from another. The stereotype surrounding a person with tattoos is no longer relevant. Anyone walking down the street could have one, and you would never find out. The stigma that was once associated with tattoos doesn’t exist anymore. Our generation is the most accepting of ink and people who have little or lots on their bodies.
For many people they are more than just a picture, symbol or quote; my tattoos are not meaningless ones I got on a dare, mine are ones that I will always cherish and keep as a part of myself. So when people ask me questions or respond in a rude manner I simply don’t care what they have to say. They will never interfere with my ability to apply for and maintain a job nor will they ever be seen by anyone unless I’m in a swimsuit. Just because you never guessed I would be inked doesn’t mean I can’t be. It simply means I’m not a part of the outdated stereotype you use as a reference.
When you act surprised that my parents allowed me to get two tattoos, my response is not elaborate. It is in fact only five words: “it is my own body.” My parents do not control what I do as a legal adult. BUT my parents support me no matter what, so when I was 17 and told them they didn’t say "no way." Instead they asked where and why. I was 18 when I got my first tattoo; my dad paid for it as a gift for my birthday and my mom is a big fan. It’s not an elaborate design but something simple, a reminder of someone I lost due to the horrible disease of cancer.
The second tattoo didn’t take nearly as many months for me to plan, once again a simple saying that represents my lifestyle and my heritage and the fact that I have a pretty amazing dad who would get an identical one on his shoulder. The tattoo says is in Italian and says “Forever Family, Friends, and Food.” The thing is these aren’t silly sayings or names to me; they represent a huge portion of my life and allow me to stay connected to someone who left the earth six years ago. Tattoos for some may be wrong, tattoos for others may be over the top. Yet, tattoos for many are a reminder to stay true to someone or even themselves. I fell in love with mine, and when they are questioned, I don’t get mad, but I’m hurt that someone judges me for two tattoos that have nothing to do to them. Next time you see someone with a tattoo ask them the story. You never know what you will learn about a person from the ink on their body.
