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AIBU?

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Original poster

...if I don't tell my friend that her tattoo is spelt wrong?

228 replies

Nessalina · 20/03/2014 07:56

Just that really!
A friend has posted a picture on Facebook of her new tattoo and there is a word spelt wrong! I won't say what for fear of outing, but it's got two extra letter in by accident Shock
No one has noticed that's posted on Facebook, and I've checked that it's not a prank (no google images of the same picture) so I think it's an honest mistake.
But... I can't see that me telling her would be helpful, I mean, it's permanent! There isn't a pretty way to fix it, and surely someone else will notice and tell her? Right?
I'm such a coward Confused

OP posts:
aworkingmummy · 20/03/2014 09:55

I don't think I'd tell her either. Someone I knew had a tattoo spelt wrong too - big fan of the Chilli Peppers, but spelt it Chilly Peppers - we did have a laugh but never told him - a bit mean but couldn't help it!

PatriciaHolm · 20/03/2014 09:57

You've got to tell her. Someone will, eventually, and better you who can do it with tact and sympathy than someone who bursts into laughter on a beach and runs away laughing and pointing!

Atbeckandcall · 20/03/2014 09:57

Maybe you could ask if it's it's a word in another language? She'll say no, then ask you why you ask, then you can explain?
I'm really clutching at straws, if it were me though and I hadn't noticed the error, I'd be grateful for someone pointing it out.

fluffyraggies · 20/03/2014 09:57

This is different to a badly fitting dress scenario though isn't it? If your mate had bought a god awful dress and was going to have it surgically attached to herself for the rest of her life you'd say something surely? Tactfully.

The point is she is going to notice/get told (maybe in an embarrasing way) and then wonder why none of her friends told her.

TheBody · 20/03/2014 10:01

to alter a tattoo is painful and expensive.

of course the op shouldn't tell her. it's a mean thing to do.

VenusDeWillendorf · 20/03/2014 10:02

Set up a fake fb / email account and pm her, if you don't want to let her know you've noticed it.

If you do it soon, there may be a compensation from the tat artist, or at least restorative tat to cover it.

MizTiggle · 20/03/2014 10:04

You've got to tell her before she ends up an awful Tattoo fail meme, or someone points and laughs. Do it privately.

MummyCoolski · 20/03/2014 10:05

I wonder if it's supposed to say "captors", as in people who capture/ catch? It's an irregular construction, and the way it is has been spelled in the tattoo follows a kind of logic if that's what they mean: painter; someone who paints, driver; someone who drives, etc.

MummyCoolski · 20/03/2014 10:06

Oops, meant to say that unless this was my absolute best friend, I think that I would be too cowardly to say anything.

ViviPru · 20/03/2014 10:06

I presume quite a few people have seen the photo on FB and no-one has commented. They probably never will. Random passers by on the beach or anyone who is not a close acquaintance of her is unlikely to notice the detail. I would hazard that she could go through her entire life blissfully unaware.

And if you're worried about her eventually realising then being upset you didn't tell her, well just say you didn't notice - highly plausible as she didn't notice herself.....

fluffyraggies · 20/03/2014 10:06

Well this looks like a 50/50 split OP.

I guess this is one that divides people, for the best of reasons. You'll have to do what you think is best now.

Best of luck.

Original poster
Nessalina · 20/03/2014 10:07

No. It's a mistake. She's written the full phrase as the caption to the photo on FB and spelt it right in that!

OP posts:
onechicktwochickthreechickfour · 20/03/2014 10:07

id tell her but only becuase id want to know if it were me

ViviPru · 20/03/2014 10:08

"Capturer" is a peculiar word to have in a tattoo anyway. Confused

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 20/03/2014 10:10

Am I the only person wondering why the hell she wants that written on her leg anyway? People are so bizarre.

I would be so torn on this. I can't stand things being spelled wrong so it would take a lot of effort to keep my mouth shut, but I think I would try. I mean she can just rub it out, can she?

ViviPru · 20/03/2014 10:10

OP, is it part of a much longer phrase OR a prominent word with only one or two words alongside? (i.e. how significant is it within the tattoo as a whole?) /overly invested/

TheBody · 20/03/2014 10:10

honesty is not always the best policy op. sometimes it's kinder to just shut up.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 20/03/2014 10:10

lol - x-posts! I see I am not the only one Grin

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 20/03/2014 10:11

obviously what I mean is 'can't just rub it out'.

ViviPru · 20/03/2014 10:11

Ali did we just cross posts? Great minds Wink

ViviPru · 20/03/2014 10:11

hahah Grin

Original poster
Nessalina · 20/03/2014 10:11

Just to be clear, she doesn't just have 'captures' on her leg (well, capturures), it's part of a larger phrase!

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe40nappies · 20/03/2014 10:11
Grin
MummyCoolski · 20/03/2014 10:11

Well, that does slightly change things if it looks like the tattoo artist had made the mistake. Perhaps she should be given the chance to get her money back.

Alternatively, perhaps she knows and posted on Facebook to see if anyone will notice? If she'll have to go through a painful removal, even at expense of tattoo artist, she might be hoping that she can get away without anyone noticing.

ViviPru · 20/03/2014 10:14

I'm totally judging this person. I feel wretched for that.