The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI always want to ask - "Why the tattoos?"
You know what? I just 'discovered' it's really none of my business!I Dont Want To Talk About My Tattoos With Strange Men by Emily McCombs HuffPo
Things I will be keeping to myself from now on:
FakeNoose
(32,349 posts)comradebillyboy
(10,119 posts)lame54
(35,138 posts)I don't have any either
Whatever they are
hlthe2b
(101,715 posts)That said, I truly personally detest them but I'd never criticize anyone for having them. Everyone gets to make their own decisions. No doubt a lot of people dislike the way I dress, the shoes I chose, the car I drive. None of their business, either.
Arkansas Granny
(31,483 posts)with their body is none of my business. One of my own children and all three of my adult grandchildren have tattoos. Their body, their choice and Granny keeps her opinion to herself.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)I had never thought that was an unfounded presumption on my part.
Self-awareness can at times be startling.
hlthe2b
(101,715 posts)No doubt a lot of people chose their tattoos as an "attention-getter" and are happy to talk about them. Probably a good thing to get to know them first...
On that score, there is a big difference between commenting "I like your tattoo or I like your hat, or I like your shoes, earrings, etc" versus engaging in a head to toe "critique". I think the latter is what we are referring to. And to critique someone on a personal level is really a "none of your business if not asked" kind of phenom.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,746 posts)especially ones on the face or neck.
But I do understand they are none of my business.
Aristus
(66,093 posts)If the artwork is especially good, I'll say 'nice ink!' and be done with it.
They thank me, and that's all.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,276 posts)because what other people do to adorn their bodies is their choice and none of my business. If someone asked my opinion of their tattoos I'd probably say something to the effect that it was nicely done, but I'd keep my opinion about tattoos in general to myself.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I don't care what you do to your body, but you cannot avoid comments from people.
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)I mean ... isn't blurting out "So are you f***ing a tattoo artist?" like 1,000X more offensive than "using your tattoo's as a conversation starter as a means to ask you out"?
Seems a bit cynical and disingenuous IMHO to lump these two actions together ... but then again, I'm neither a woman, nor am I afflicted by the recent outbreak, this scourge that's causing 'publicly visible tattoos' to pop up on so many people's epidermis, so ... I may be too privileged to really understand.
Floyd R. Turbo
(26,230 posts)eppur_se_muova
(36,227 posts)Not. Thinking. It. Through.
No sympathy for the offended. NONE.
Don't want people to notice it, DON'T GET IT.
mythology
(9,527 posts)Nobody should be cat-called for example.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)I think tats and facial piercing are disguisting. I have no sympathy for people that get them.
tonekat
(1,805 posts)She goes to stores and people think she's wearing a tight shirt.
MissMillie
(38,454 posts)One is on my ankle, where it can be seen by all.
The other is high up on my thigh, where it can't be seen unless I choose to show it.
I'd be happy to talk to anyone who asked about them. If someone asked, they might want to know something about me.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)When youre experiencing it, that kind of attention doesnt feel like earnest interest. It feels objectifying.
What I'm talking about is my personal presumption that because you have a tattoo, you have 'invited' me to make personal, intimate conversation with you about why you have tattoos, what is their meaning, what is their significance - a damn intimate conversation to have with any person, let alone a total stranger.
That was my presumption. I believe I was wrong to presume that.
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)Without fail, every day multiple people feel entitled enough to talk about it. Mostly it's things like, good god man, have some decency or I wish I was as brave as you. People don't realize how old this gets.
Ron Obvious
(6,261 posts)But hey, people have a right to disfigure themselves I suppose.