I got my first tattoo when I was 18, and I have acquired three more since then. Two are visible at all times (unless I'm wearing long sleeves) and the other two can be seen depending on my outfit. It's been three years since that first tattoo, and there are still questions that still drive me crazy every time I hear them.
Here are a few questions I'm sure you've heard if you have a tattoo:
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Why would you do that to your body?
The way I look at it is: When you put getting tattoos next to smoking or abusing drugs, I think that we can all agree that a little bit of ink on my skin is the lesser of all evils. Shouldn't we be asking these questions to people causing REAL harm to their bodies?
Do you know what that's going to look like when you're old?
Yes I do, actually. It's going to look exactly like it does right now, but on my beautiful wrinkled skin that has seen a lifetime of amazing things. (None of which, by the way, have been compromised by having a tattoo, or eight).
Aren't you worried about getting a job?
If I was from an older generation, then maybe. But since I'm from the generation of "individualism," no, I'm not worried. When the president is finally from my generation, he'll probably be covered in tattoos, too. I wouldn't want to work for anyone who would discriminate against a little bit of body ink, anyway.
You're probably not going to like that five years from now.
This isn't even a question but is still worth noting. Maybe I won't like the tiny diamond I have on my foot five years from now, but that's my problem and will in no way, shape, or form, affect you and your life.
Why did you get it right there?
It's my body and if I want a tattoo on my lower back, then respect that. If I want a fairly large one on the inside of my forearm (which I do), then just let me love it. It's already there and it's definitely not going anywhere.
[Insert question mocking what the tattoo says or means.]
I've had Shriners be a little too condescending of the matching tattoo that my mom and I both have in honor of my grandma. If a tattoo looks ridiculous to you, then keep it to yourself. I might laugh along with you, but inwardly, I'm hoping you'll stop talking so I can go find some more kind and open-minded people to surround myself with.
Does that tattoo even mean anything?
Wow, okay. First rule of tattoo-ism: If it's on my body, it means something. It might even mean everything. If I think a word or symbol or image is important enough to tattoo it on my body FOREVER, then I think that is a beautiful thing and shouldn't be taken as a joke.
