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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To avoid swimming because of tattoo?

57 replies

JamTarte · 21/10/2014 12:57

Would love to take 16mo DS swimming. However, I have avoided it so far because of a tattoo I had done years and years ago and nearly immediately regretted. I've even had it removed (laser) but, as seems to be the case with tattoo removal, the outline is left and it's still very obvious. People tend to ask 'what is that??' if it's ever (mistakenly) on show which I HATE.

Would I be likely to get random strangers asking me in the pool? Stares from other mums? Would YOU just not go swimming at all or AIBU and should just get on with it?

OP posts:
Original poster
JamTarte · 21/10/2014 13:25

Ah, hatespiders I may look into waterproof make up if I go and then feel uncomfortable. You're all right of course in that I shouldn't let it stop DS going swimming.

OP posts:
treaclesoda · 21/10/2014 13:26

So many people have tattoos these days that I feel quite the odd one out for not having one Smile

Go swimming, enjoy yourself! If anyone looks at you funny, they're not worth your time.

Catsmamma · 21/10/2014 13:28

you are swimming....wear armbands...problem solved

you are welcome!

AWombWithoutAFoof · 21/10/2014 13:28

Is it just me who's disappointed it's not a big comedy knob? Grin

squoosh · 21/10/2014 13:31

Aww an old Levellers fan!

Bring a dog on a string, some cider and some dreads. For old time's sake. It will complete the tableau.

Original poster
JamTarte · 21/10/2014 13:32

I'm so sorry AWomb. I shall get a large playground style cock tattooed over the offending area with the words 'suck me' up the shaft.

Seriously though, I think I'm going to bite the bullet and just do it.

(Swim, not cock tattoo).

OP posts:
MyFirstName · 21/10/2014 13:33

Go to Letchworth pool in Hertfordshire. I have never seen soooo many tattoos in my life. But then there are (for some reason) a huge number of tattoo parlours in the surrounding towns. Tis all quite naice round there. But very tattoo-ey .

Seriously, no one will really look. Or care (not to be rude). If they do notice it will be a swift "Oh I wonder look" and then you will disappear from their mind (judgy or otherwise) quicker than it would take for you touch your nose.

And if anyone does stare or you think they are judging? Meh....do you really care? You have no need to care - it would say more about the starer/judger than you.

So, YWBU. Go and enjoy your swim.

Stripylikeatiger · 21/10/2014 13:37

Is it quite high up on your arm? You could buy a rash vest to wear over your swimming costume, would stop you getting cold too :)

whois · 21/10/2014 13:40

Loads of options, but you should def go swimming.
Rash vest and swim shorts (girl surfer style).
Scar make up.
Get a nicer tattoo.
Just don't worry about it.

MrsCakesPrecognition · 21/10/2014 13:44

The usual rule at swimming pools I've used it that nobody comments on other people's appearance. Because commenting suggests you've been looking, and looking implies you've been staring at people in their cossies, which would be weird.
Much better to pretend that we are not all sloshing around in a giant bath in our underwear.

Original poster
JamTarte · 21/10/2014 13:46

Really liking the rashie idea, lurkerspeaks and stripylikeatiger.
But also really liking the idea of just thinking 'so what' and ignoring any odd looks.

Squoosh don't forget the Ozric Tentacles t-shirt and green hair dye...

OP posts:
Sabrinnnnnnnna · 21/10/2014 13:46

Those were the days - Levellers, cider and celtic tattoos! Remember it well.

Seriously, don't let this stop you going swimming - you should never ever let these things stop you doing things you want to.

Hatespiders · 21/10/2014 13:48

By the way, if anyone in a pool (or elsewhere) had the blooming cheek to ask me questions about a thing like that, such as "What is it?" or "Is that a tattoo?" etc I'd be furious and tell them it's none of their bloody business! Would anyone really be so rude and cheeky??

Hope you enjoy your swimming!
(I love it, it's an exercise I can do at my age and not do any damage to my poor old bones!)

ChillingGrinBloodLover · 21/10/2014 13:50

Go with 'so what' - really, you will not be the only person there with a tattoo, dodgy or otherwise.

Seriously, don't let it stop you taking DS swimming, it's really not a big deal.

WitchWay · 21/10/2014 13:55

Wear armbands perhaps Grin

outofcontrol2014 · 21/10/2014 13:57

Honestly, if the worst you have to worry about physically is a tattoo, then GO YOU! :) Seriously, anyone who comments is being a knob and you are within your rights to deliberately belly flop and splash them with cold water.

Jenni2legs · 21/10/2014 14:01

I've seen a few people recently trying to revive my childhood look of 'massive white shirt over cosie' you could do that? Although that was usually only in outside pools for me on day 2+ of any holiday as I always managed to get my shoulders burnt on day 1.

If it bothers you why not go and have a chat with a tattooist and see if you can come up with something nice together to cover it?

AWombWithoutAFoof · 21/10/2014 14:04

I think you should grow extraordinarily abundant pubic hair to draw the beholder's eye downwards.

thewavesofthesea · 21/10/2014 14:04

I wouldn't even notice; I'm always too busy watching my two to notice what anyone else is doing!!

DarkHeart · 21/10/2014 15:11

I definitely wouldn't notice, I am always too self conscious to notice anyone else

Piccarcas · 21/10/2014 15:44

I have bad burn scarring on my legs. IME people are more embarrassed when I catch them looking than I am by them looking. People don't mean to stare but when something 'different' catches your eye, you look, it's not intended to be malicious. As others have said, people are too busy with their own concers to care so don't let it stop you.

TinyDancingHoofer · 21/10/2014 15:45

I can't imagine a stranger asking about your tattoo at the pool. I certainly wouldn't, far to busy wondering if you've noticed my big wobbly bottom.

Knottyknitter · 21/10/2014 15:54

What about a rash vest? Will be easy to get cold in baby swimming anyway as you're not really swimming yourself. I used to have one for aquarobics as tended to get chilly when just working arms or legs alone. Any surf shop will have them, think mine was speedo, but animal and weird fish do them too.

ILiveOnABuildsite · 21/10/2014 15:56

I have three tattoos all of which would be visible in a bikini and two are still visible in a one piece suit. I'll be honest I was too young when I had them done and if I could do it over again I wouldn't. I don't really like them but they are there now and that's life, they are not embarrassing tattoos or anything but I don't tell people that I have them either. I take dd swimming nearly every week and not once have had a comment about them or would I have expected a comment. I think you should just take your son and try not to think about it. Of course as a pp has said if it's a really offensive maybe you should try to cover it up a little.