Tattoos allow me to tell a story about myself, just as your judgment tells a story about you.
1. “You’ll regret those tattoos when you’re older.”
It’s safe to say that when I have four hip replacements and a bad knee, the least of my worries will be an ink spot on my rib cage. Instead, it’ll serve as a nice reminder of when I was young.
2. “You’re just getting tattoos because it’s a fad right now.”
Tattoos are definitely a fad—that’s undeniable. But, like most fads, people are attracted to them for a reason (because they’re a great outlet for self-expression). Sure, there are people who get impulsive, and probably regretful, tattoos, but a well-thought-out tattoo is something to be proud of.
3. “You won’t get a job with all those tattoos.”
Considering 40 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo, it’s safe to say I can manage finding a career for myself despite being inked up. Different fields and different jobs have separate requirements for applicants, so let’s stop making the assumption that all tattoo fanatics are condemned to a life of unemployment. Anyways, how often do you go to work naked?
4. “Art is meant for paper, not your body.”
If you’ve ever been inside a building, visited a man-made lake or stopped by your local McDonalds, you’d realize this claim is total crap. Art is all around us because it’s any application of human creativity, and tattoos are just another example of creativity put to use.
5. “Tattoos are too expensive. You’re wasting your money.”
I’d hope something that’ll permanently be on my body for my entire life is expensive. Besides, people make their living giving tattoos, so I don’t mind dishing up some extra cash for a kickass addition to my growing collection of ink.
6. “What’s the point of that tattoo, anyways?”
It’s safe to say that every proud “tattoo totee” has been asked to explain their ink at one point or another. The beauty of a tattoo is that a design that seems trivial to one person can have profound meaning to the next. The majority of people get a tattoo because it jogs pleasant memories, pays tribute or keeps them focused on a goal, so let’s stop prodding for the meaning behind people’s ink.
7. “Tattoos look so trashy. Why would you want one?”
Luckily, I got my tattoo for myself and only myself—so no need to classify my bodily artwork. Besides, who decides what’s trashy and what’s not?