Speaking as an 18-year-old girl with tattoos, I can definitely say that I've gotten my share of weird looks when people learn that I have ink. There are those who show interest as to why I got my tattoos and the stories behind them, and then there are those who respond with a judgmental look, a simple, "Oh," and go on with their day. I'm not saying that I need to be asked a million questions, but it would be nice if people would stop assuming that I am "unprofessional" or "foolish" when they learn that I've been tattooed. Society is constantly telling us that one's perception of another should not be based upon outside appearances, but rather, their personality. This mentality doesn't seem to transfer over when tattoos come into play.
Most of the time, tattoos are not done from a drunk or spur-of-the-moment decision, as many people may be inclined to believe. Many individuals, including myself, spend weeks, months, or even years deciding on a design that they feel proud to have on their body. People will spend hours researching or drawing until they find the perfect design because most tattoos convey a story. If you see an interesting tattoo, I can almost guarantee you that there are several reasons that person chose that specific design. These reasons or stories let you know the individual better and create a bond between the two of you that may develop into a new friendship.
The assumption that tattoos are unprofessional needs to stop. And no, I'm not talking about full body tattoos or ones that make your face look like a scary clown; I'm talking about the ones that might peek through your clothing on a summer day. The ones that should not distract an employer whatsoever, but somehow are seen as improper. Tattoos do not indicate how hard of a worker one is or how qualified they are for a position. In fact, they can show the creativity and potential of future employees.
Tattoos should be appreciated for the sheer fact that they are a piece of art. Tattoo artists have the responsibility of creating a permanent work of art that their client will see every single day. They transform the human body into a beautiful canvas rather than just a blank slate. Their designs convey the stories of their clients in a way that invokes wonder and awe. If this isn't something to admire, I'm not sure what is.
To those of you who ask me, "What's going to happen when you get old and your body gets wrinkly?" or "What happens if you don't like it anymore?", I have a few things to say to you. First off, when I grow old, I am going to look back at my tattoos with fondness because I will reminisce on the stories behind them. I will not be concerned with how they look on my skin. Also, if one day I decide that my tattoos do not accurately represent my being any longer, they will still be apart of my journey. They are a part of who I once was and help me share my story. If my biggest regret in life is getting a tattoo, then I'm pretty excited for where life is taking me.
