When I was 18 and got a tattoo of the country of Spain on my left wrist, I didn’t anticipate using my left hand to drop beer and plates of food in front of people 50 times a day and subsequently being asked “What state is that?????” each time. Since I’m usually at work when I hear this, I have to be polite and respond appropriately, but I’ve got to be honest: I hate being asked this. As with many peoples’ tattoos, mine is fairly personal; it’s not a story you chat about in passing with strangers on the street.
That’s not to say I never talk about it. Last weekend, I had a couple who stayed through the majority of my shift, asking lots of questions about the menu and enjoying their bottle of wine. We chatted a lot and had built a rapport, so I didn’t mind too much when the woman discreetly tapped her wrist with an inquiringly look. Likewise, I didn’t mind divulging a bit of the story behind my tattoo when my coworker shared some stories of her own trip to Spain over drinks a few nights ago. It’s the people who haven’t spoken a word to me besides ordering their food who ask “What state is that?” in between bites I don’t feel the need to explain to. It’s the 14 year old girls at Lollapalooza who said “I love your tattoo! What does it mean?” that I don’t want to converse with, for fear that I have already inspired them to get their own infinity sign or arrow tattoos (good thing they couldn’t see the Coco Chanel quote on my torso. Sigh.)
That’s not to say I never talk about it. Last weekend, I had a couple who stayed through the majority of my shift, asking lots of questions about the menu and enjoying their bottle of wine. We chatted a lot and had built a rapport, so I didn’t mind too much when the woman discreetly tapped her wrist with an inquiringly look. Likewise, I didn’t mind divulging a bit of the story behind my tattoo when my coworker shared some stories of her own trip to Spain over drinks a few nights ago. It’s the people who haven’t spoken a word to me besides ordering their food who ask “What state is that?” in between bites I don’t feel the need to explain to. It’s the 14 year old girls at Lollapalooza who said “I love your tattoo! What does it mean?” that I don’t want to converse with, for fear that I have already inspired them to get their own infinity sign or arrow tattoos (good thing they couldn’t see the Coco Chanel quote on my torso. Sigh.)
Visible tattoo FAQ
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Q: What state is that?
A: It’s actually Spain. A country. In Europe.
Q: Why? Is that where you’re from?
A: No, I’m not Spanish. I visited Spain and it obviously had an impact on me.
Q: I thought that was Michigan at first ha ha
A: I wouldn’t get a tattoo of Michigan that didn’t look like a mitten and excluded the upper peninsula. Ha ha.
Q: I was going to guess Ohio/Wisconsin!
A: Being born and raised in Michigan, that is blasphemous and insulting. Get out.
Q: Where is the red dot?
A: Actually, that misshapen red dot is a heart. It’s on Seville.
Q: Oh, I don’t know where that is/I’ve never heard of it
A: Well, if you look at my wrist, it’s in the southwest of Spain, in the region of Andalusia. Although it is the fourth largest city in Spain, you’ve never heard of it because it’s not Madrid, Barcelona, or “where the bulls run.”
Q: Don’t you worry you won’t get a job with a tattoo like that?
A: Well, you’re actually speaking to me right now *at* my place of work, where I make more money than many of my student peers, and no one here has ever questioned my position here due to my extremely minimal visible body art. It is also quite ignorant to assume that regardless of my education, ability, and personality, I will not be hired due to my completely tasteful visible tattoo. I wouldn’t ask how you got a job if you had a blatantly unattractive outward appearance, would I? Thanks for your backhanded “worry” for me.
Q: But why wouldn’t you just get the tattoo somewhere else on your body?
A: There are several reasons why:
—Not every tattoo is suitable for every part of your body. This abstract concept is called “placement” and poor placement can ruin a perfectly good tattoo. I didn’t think this tattoo would look very nice anywhere else.
—I didn’t think strangers would constantly be sticking their nose in my business just because I have a tattoo you can see while I’m fully clothed.
—Because it’s my body and I can put it wherever the hell I want.
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Most of these questions are asked with genuine curiosity, not maliciousness. But keep in mind that a tattoo is a part of someone’s body; prying too deeply would be the same as asking someone why they style their hair that way, or why they talk the way they do. I know many people who love to discuss their tattoos; the inspiration behind it, the details, the artist who did it, how long it took, how much it hurt. Others are willing to share less, and it’s not your right to know just because it’s not hidden from your view. If someone gives you a vague response about their body art, that’s your cue not to press further. Next time you interrogate a stranger about their body, choose your words carefully, or some grumpy little troll like me will blog about you.
—————————
Q: What state is that?
A: It’s actually Spain. A country. In Europe.
Q: Why? Is that where you’re from?
A: No, I’m not Spanish. I visited Spain and it obviously had an impact on me.
Q: I thought that was Michigan at first ha ha
A: I wouldn’t get a tattoo of Michigan that didn’t look like a mitten and excluded the upper peninsula. Ha ha.
Q: I was going to guess Ohio/Wisconsin!
A: Being born and raised in Michigan, that is blasphemous and insulting. Get out.
Q: Where is the red dot?
A: Actually, that misshapen red dot is a heart. It’s on Seville.
Q: Oh, I don’t know where that is/I’ve never heard of it
A: Well, if you look at my wrist, it’s in the southwest of Spain, in the region of Andalusia. Although it is the fourth largest city in Spain, you’ve never heard of it because it’s not Madrid, Barcelona, or “where the bulls run.”
Q: Don’t you worry you won’t get a job with a tattoo like that?
A: Well, you’re actually speaking to me right now *at* my place of work, where I make more money than many of my student peers, and no one here has ever questioned my position here due to my extremely minimal visible body art. It is also quite ignorant to assume that regardless of my education, ability, and personality, I will not be hired due to my completely tasteful visible tattoo. I wouldn’t ask how you got a job if you had a blatantly unattractive outward appearance, would I? Thanks for your backhanded “worry” for me.
Q: But why wouldn’t you just get the tattoo somewhere else on your body?
A: There are several reasons why:
—Not every tattoo is suitable for every part of your body. This abstract concept is called “placement” and poor placement can ruin a perfectly good tattoo. I didn’t think this tattoo would look very nice anywhere else.
—I didn’t think strangers would constantly be sticking their nose in my business just because I have a tattoo you can see while I’m fully clothed.
—Because it’s my body and I can put it wherever the hell I want.
——————
Most of these questions are asked with genuine curiosity, not maliciousness. But keep in mind that a tattoo is a part of someone’s body; prying too deeply would be the same as asking someone why they style their hair that way, or why they talk the way they do. I know many people who love to discuss their tattoos; the inspiration behind it, the details, the artist who did it, how long it took, how much it hurt. Others are willing to share less, and it’s not your right to know just because it’s not hidden from your view. If someone gives you a vague response about their body art, that’s your cue not to press further. Next time you interrogate a stranger about their body, choose your words carefully, or some grumpy little troll like me will blog about you.
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