Some people get tattoos that hold great importance to who they are. Others get tattoos because they like a piece of art, or simply because they want to and can. The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter why someone decides to get a certain tattoo. It’s their body.

During the first week of the semester, I was getting into an elevator when another student aggressively grabbed my arm and started rubbing the tattoos on my wrist. The student continued to question my tattoos while still holding on to my wrist.

Listen, I don’t mind if someone asks the meaning behind my tattoos. But in no way is it respectful to touch or grab someone without their permission.

Another tip regarding respect: if the person you’re asking politely doesn’t want to talk about their tattoo, it is not your place to judge, be rude, or question them on why. Tattoos are very personal to some people and its society’s responsibility to respect that. Move on with your life if someone says no.

For me, my tattoos tell stories about the important people I have had in my life. Some of my tattoos are a reminder of obstacles I have overcome. The art I chose, and will continue to choose, to put on my body is a road map of who I am. So please don’t disrespect that.

Most importantly, if someone loves the way flowers look and they decide to cover their body in them because it’s what they like, it is not your place to comment or judge. Again, everyone has their own body and if you decide to do something differently with yours, that's great.

Maybe we need to remind ourselves the Golden Rule, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." As basic as it is, you don’t want people making comments about your body even though you do not make them about someone else's body.

A lot of people I’ve talked to about tattoos have expressed their excitement about getting one in the future. However, through all of that excitement, I often hear, “But I need to make sure it’s hidden for my job.” Why is there so much stigma and belief that tattoos somehow make a person unqualified?

The art on your skin does not change your ability to perform a job. It’s that simple. I shouldn’t be afraid that the owl on my wrist or the roses on my arm are going to limit my job opportunities. It’s sad that most interview advice columns typically suggest covering up your tattoos before entering the room.

Am I supposed to take away a piece of who I am, simply because employers believe that my tattoos make me a less worthy employee? Unfortunately, the truth is yes—if I want the job.

The truth isn’t what we always want to believe. I know that this is one truth I won’t ever want to believe in. I have hope that tattoos will become less stigmatized in society, and that people will be more respectful to those who have them.

The art on my body is a part of who I am, and I will always stick by the belief that tattoos deserve to be respected—and even appreciated.