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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To point out a spelling mistake on a brand-new tattoo?

67 replies

AmIReadingThisCorrectly · 07/11/2015 10:27

Someone I used to work with has posted a picture of their new tattoo. I haven't really been following them much recently but I guess that tragically they must have had a recent loss as the tattoo refers to an angel baby who was too beautiful for earth. However it has been spelt "angle baby, to beautiful for this world"...I am totally stuck on this one. The person is totally in love with the tattoo and is oblivious to anything being wrong, as are their friends who are commenting. If it were not such a meaningful tattoo then I probably would quietly send a tactful message to point it out in case something can be done quickly. But I feel awful saying anything that could be seen as criticism of a tattoo relating to such an emotive subject. WIBU to say anything or would you leave it?
WWYD?

OP posts:
MadeMan · 07/11/2015 11:07

Tattoo artists can fix anything; Wino Forever.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 07/11/2015 11:08

Unless you can deliver the message tactfully and be there in person to pick up the pieces afterwards I would say nothing.

SoupDragon · 07/11/2015 11:12

You've spelt tattooist wrong.

So what? she hasn't permanently inked it into someone's skin has she? unlike the thick tattooist.

When it comes to word tattoos, the tattooist will check and double check that the client is happy with the spelling. Although it's quite sad that the tattooist can't spell either, this will be entirely the responsibility of the client.

You have no idea what this tattooist did.

Bunbaker · 07/11/2015 11:12

"And people say spelling isn't important...well this is one reason why it is!"

So true. This is a difficult one. I would leave it for someone closer to tell them.

I agree that some tattoo parlours shouldn't be operating.

KitKat1985 · 07/11/2015 11:12

I would say nothing unless we were very close. I think that it's something that needs to be said to her by a close friend or family member.

MrsMolesworth · 07/11/2015 11:13

The sentiment, not the spelling is what matters on this tattoo. No one needs to comment on the spelling. Anyone who reads it should be focusing on what it means to the wearer.

IguanaTail · 07/11/2015 11:15

Say absolutely nothing. Let someone else tell them. Even if it wasn't about something so emotive and upsetting I wouldn't say anything.

GreenPotato · 07/11/2015 11:16

I have to agree, I wouldn't comment. You don't have to be the person who upsets them with that. And if the tattoo means a lot to them, it would take away from that.

MummaV · 07/11/2015 11:22

I wouldn't comment. As someone who has been in this position it's not worth it. A friend of mine had a tattoo with the word were instead of we're which obviously completely changes the context. Someone told her and she hasn't spoken to them since, she's too good a friend for me to mention it! She's happy with it regardless.

I have 2 word tattoos and I always write it down exactly as I want it, get it checked by a few people, then take it in to the tattooist, they have always triple checked that it's exactly as I want it and spelt correctly. Once they even googled a word to check the spelling because they thought it looked wrong (it wasn't).

A good tattoo artist will triple check before tattooing something, if the client is happy they will do it. However they should point out silly mistakes.

TheNewStatesman · 07/11/2015 11:28

How awful that a tattooist would not double and treble check the spelling of all words before starting!

Makes you wonder how many other corners get cut... urgh!

Francoitalialan · 07/11/2015 11:38

Had to share my favourite tattoo fuck ups

MorrisZapp · 07/11/2015 11:44

Well the tattoo seller obviously didn't double or triple check the spelling in this case did they. Awful.

OP, don't get involved. Let someone closer handle this.

Original poster
AmIReadingThisCorrectly · 07/11/2015 11:46

Update - the pictures have been removed. I haven't said anything and am not going to but I guess someone else did. From what I remember, there was space to put the extra "o" in but obviously the other mistake involves swapping letters about. The tattoo is very big and in a prominent place Sad
I also looked at the tattoo studio's page and it's constantly offering walk-in appointments due to cancellations - not a great sign.

OP posts:
Original poster
AmIReadingThisCorrectly · 07/11/2015 11:47

By the way, the tattoo of that baby in Franco's picture looks like Gollum...how could they get it so wrong?!

OP posts:
AnchorDownDeepBreath · 07/11/2015 11:49

I went with a friend to get her nipple pierced in a tattoo place (god knows why, young and stupid).

There was a big sign on the wall saying spelling and grammar was the responsibility of the client and the tattooist would not make suggestions or double check. It made me think that I'd never get tattooed there! I wonder if it's a policy many smaller places have?

Aeroflotgirl · 07/11/2015 11:54

No I would not point it out, if I did not know them very well, let their close friends or relatives tell them.

StealthPolarBear · 07/11/2015 11:57

They clearly didn't double and triple check in this case. If there was any doubt raised about the sentiment you were about to have inked on your body you'd check wouldn't you? I'd be checking every word in the dictionary even ones I use every day.
Surely were instead of we're is easily fixed though?

Francoitalialan · 07/11/2015 12:04

When I'm feeling sad, this makes me laugh every time. Love #16 - does he want men to have sex with his armpit??

pansypanda.com/worst-tattoos/

hackmum · 07/11/2015 12:09

I wouldn't point it out. If the person in question can't spell, and the tattooist can't spell, then I imagine there are a whole load of other people out there who also can't spell, and who will just look at the tattoo and go: "How lovely".

If you break it to them, you will be held responsible - people always blame the messenger.

StealthPolarBear · 07/11/2015 12:11

25 is disturbing. I do love the ones where they used online translation software!

Gruntfuttock · 07/11/2015 12:17

I've just looked at the tattoos in your link Francoitalialan. Horrifying. What on earth were they thinking?

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 07/11/2015 12:22

I couldn't. But hopefully someone will. They'd hopefully approach the subject very sensitively. As I think someone needs to be having a long conversation with the tattoo person. Sorry don't know the scientific name for them.
They can't be making mistakes like that., especially so in such sensitive matters.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 07/11/2015 12:25

The chances are their friends have noticed but they're of the same mind as you. Do we say anything or not

GingerIvy · 07/11/2015 12:26

Someone I've known for years has a tattoo with an incorrect spelling on it. I've never said a word about it. It's taken some willpower sometimes, but never said a word. Let someone else do it.

KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 07/11/2015 12:29

The tattoo artist would've drawn up a design and stencil and shown it to her in advance.

She would've okayed it.

Completely down to her to check the spelling.

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