I can't count the number of times I have heard my grandma say "Imagine that you get into a bad accident and need medical attention. As you are being rolled into the hospital you see two people wearing scrubs, one covered in tattoos and one without. Which one do you want performing your surgery?"
In this case, my answer would be "whichever one has the most experience."
The fact of the matter is that these kinds of comments either come from your grandparents (because they care) or people who don't know you and feel the need to give you their opinion.
1. What are you going to do when you're old and wrinkly?
Well if I had to guess, I am going to be old and wrinkly... with tattoos? I'm going to be honest. I never really know how to respond to that one.
But when both of us are old, I am going to be old and hip and rocking awesome tattoos. And you'll just be old.
2. "You're going to have a hard time getting a job with those tattoos all over you"
This is where I have to remind myself that it is okay to peacefully and politely disagree.
On a serious note, the stigma attached to tattoos in the professional workforce is nothing but false. Is there an amount of professionalism that one should have (ex. covering up tattoos) in a job interview? Yes.
However, the world of software and technology is growing exponentially, and it happens to be a world that is accepting of quirky people like myself that are covered in tattoos. Get over yourself baby boomers, times are changing.
3. "What does that one mean?"
Time for me to admit something that I HATE.
Every time I get a tattoo, something inspires it. Usually, it means a lot to me and I think of how many people I get to influence by explaining the meaning of the creations on my skin-- but when the time comes I freeze. "Uh, I think lions are really pretty," I say.
Also, I have a few tattoos that I got because I was bored, so that's awkward.
4. "Did that hurt?"
It's a needle ripping through your skin, it doesn't feel great. With that said, it's an oddly satisfying feeling at the same time, and I think we can all agree on that.
5. "You do know that is going to be there forever, right?"
WAIT, WHAT?! IT WILL???? No further comment.
