As a tattooed young woman, I normally get unsolicited questions and comments about my ink. Just because I have visible tattoos, does not give you the right to comment on my body. Here is a guide of questions to avoid when talking to women with tattoos.

1. “Why would you do that to your body?”

This usually comes from people of older generations where tattooed women were looked down upon. It is my body and I will decorate it as I please.

2. "But what about when you're older? Your skin is going to sag so much!"

Gee thanks for reminding me about the inevitable aging process that we will all go through. Gravity may make my skin a little looser, but my ink will just make me look like a badass granny.

3. “How much did that cost you?”

Please, unless your family or a good friend, you should not ask me about money. You wouldn’t ask a stranger how much they spent on their clothes, so don’t ask about my ink.

4. [If you tattoo is not visible most of the time under normal clothes] “Why even get it if you can’t show it off all the time?”

I didn’t get a tattoo to impress others; I got it to express myself. No, I'm not going to lift up my shirt to show you either.

5. “How much did it hurt?”

This question is usually followed up by someone asking how much it would hurt to get a tattoo done on a different part of their body. Everyone has a different pain tolerance and each body part comes with its own set of pains, so all I can say is you’ll have to find out for yourself.

6. “Won’t you regret that when you need to wear a wedding dress?”

No, just no. I got this tattoo with the full understanding it will be there for the rest of my life, regardless if it’s my wedding day.

7. “Oh wow, girls with tattoos are so hot!”

As much as you think that is a compliment, it really isn’t. I did not get my tattoos to impress you, random stranger, so please don’t reduce me to my ink.

8. [If you happen to be artistic with tattoos] “So I have an idea for a tattoo, will you design it for me?”

That is literally the tattoo artist’s job. They go through years of apprenticeship and spend countless hours perfecting their skills to be able to tattoo people. I will not draw you a tattoo, because in the end your artist knows what will look best.

9. “So what does it mean? Why did you get that?”

If you don’t know my middle name, it probably means you’re not close enough to ask me that.

10. “Why get that if it doesn’t mean anything?”

Simple appreciation of art my friend, now have a nice day and stop asking.

11. “Can I touch it?”

Nope, you cannot. Please step away from me and don’t look at me anymore.

12. “So I’m guessing you don’t want to work in an office?”

Just because I have tattoos means I cannot be professional? Regardless of my aspirations in life, I know my tattoos will not hold me back. In this day and age, tattoos are becoming more acceptable in the workplace, yay!

13. “But you don’t seem like the kind of person to get a tattoo.”

I’m sorry, I did not realize tattoos were reserved for a specific ‘type’ of person. Everyone is free to express themselves, so go out and get some sick tattoos!