To have politely "had a go at" this stranger on the train.

[BextheBambi]

Ok, bit of background. I'm quite an alternative looking woman, have a bit of a babyface and quite a few piercings. I understand that to some people piercings and tattoos are quite intimidating, mine are all quite small and silver. I don't want to be too "in your face". I'm also 7 1/2 months pregnant and it shows very prominently.

Anyway, after walking the length of the train to find a seat because all business men seem to try and avoid eye contact, so they don't have to give up their precious seat, I finally find a seat opposite this woman. She's an older business lady.

As I sit down she looks me up and down, tuts very loudly and proceeds to give me a look that I can only discribe as being "utterly disgusted". Now, at this point in time I'm very hormonal, achy and tired so I decided to ask her what exactly her problem was.
To which she answers "well you're hardly going to be a responsible mother" and that is verbatim. the guy next to me's mouth practically hits the floor.

AIBU to have said "I don't really think you can judge that just by looking at me. My apperance doesn't tell you anything. You'll probably be dissappointed to know that I'm not the product of 'your taxs' and actually come from a middle class background. Shock Horror"

Personally I would not get a tattoo, I do not really like them, but my sister has 2, one is betty boop and one is a butterfly.
Sis was a city banker (not working at the moment due to cancer) and was 32 when she got her first tat!

A tut and a look? No, the 'what is your problem' comment is a well known confrontational statement - ie: two strangers in a bar, one says 'what's your problem'.. and everyone else knows trouble is ahead.

I find it somewhat ironic that the people who want to be a bit "different" and "express their individuality" all end up looking roughly the same, give or take a pierced eyebrow here and there.

I still think the lady started it although I do see shelpit's point so perhaps "Is there a problem?" would have been a better question.

I will say I am not a big fan of tattoos personally but a tattoo has absolutely nothing to do with a person's ability to be a good parent.

People make shallow, easy, lazy judgements about one another based on appearance.

This is unfortunate for those who suffer as a result, but very difficult to resist for those of us that make such judgements.

Many people would think twice about offering a job to someone with "Hate" and "Evil" tattooed on their knuckles...similarly, someone with pierced eyebrows, nose studs and so forth might find it hard to get employed as a child care assistant.

I may be wrong on this and am happy to debate it, but it always strikes me that there is an element of self-loathing involved in such dramatic changes to one's appearance.

Some people do judge, it is wrong but probably human nature.

I used to be a biker and hope to be again some day . I made sure I was wearing nice clothes under my leathers and my hair was clean, face made up, but I still got attitude from some people. I put up with the hassle because I loved the freedom of the open road, and leathers and helmets are vital safety gear if you want to ride a motorbike so there was no way I would go without them to make others feel more comfortable.

I'm not sure about the element of self loathing BA. Expressing myself through my appearance is a positive thing, but there is a balance. If my appearance prevented me landing a job I really wanted I would tone it down. Maybe not doing so would be showing a degree of self loathing - not sure.

None of this may apply to the OP anyway!

Multiple piercings have become so mainstream they're almost boring...nothing to comment on imo, the receptionist at my vets has her lip pierced..and at least 4 piercings in each ear....looks good to me...(I have a few)

Tattoos are a bit different...I love them on men but think they look awful on women....if I'm being completley honest.