WWYD friends tattoo mistake

[FrustratedBeyond]

Both my friend and her DH had matching tattoos today, but both have 'could of' instead of 'could have'... WWYD... Gently inform her to save a shred of her dignity or save my embarrassment to point it out and say nothing? I know its not issue of the century but Im interested to hear what others would do.

It’s not fixable. It’s clearly very personal too. So don’t say anything.

If she subsequently says “why didn’t you tell me?” you can be honest- you didn’t want to upset her.

Someone I knew’s Dp had a tattoo done with the writing about if you never make a mistake you’re not trying hard enough. She showed us all a picture all proud and happy until one lady pointed out it was the wrong ‘your/you’re’. The ladies face fell until I said that I thought it had been a deliberate mistake to show he was working hard........phew!

Sounds like they have lost a child? Don't say anything.

Is it a memorial for a deceased child (just wondering because of the wording)? If it is then definitely do not say anything.

Regardless I probably wouldn’t correct the grammar as it’s not like she can change it, but especially not if it’s a tribute to someone that has died.

It wasn't a child, DH's mother

If being grammatically correct mattered to them it would be grammatically correct. It sounds like it's a memorial tattoo and if I was you I'd keep my mouth shut. You pointing it out isn't going to change the fact that it's done now.

overnightangel Unless it is something that can somehow be corrected, telling her won't stop people potentially mocking the tattoo. If it's a memorial tattoo, mocking it would be in very bad taste - not that mocking it would be OK otherwise.

It would jump out at me too, but language/usage is always changing; maybe they’re just ahead of the curve?

Goodness dont say anything! If she asks just feign ignorance. You had no idea it should be could have.

The sad thing is someone else told me just after I noticed to I feel really sad to know this could potentially gossiped about... I know Im on MN discussing it but Im not slagging her off! English can be hard to get 100% correct, which is why I won't say anything

I wouldn't say anything.

It obviously means something special to both of them and that's all that matters really, yes it's grammatically incorrect and very visual but I expect it would cause unnecessary upset and stress if it were pointed out.

Currently sat here giggling at my own spelling and grammar in that last post!!

Say you assumed it was a lyric/quote and therefore correct

Unfortunately the direct quote is could have

I'll just say Ive never heard of it lol

If she asks why you didn’t tell her just say you didn’t know it was wrong - there’s really no need to make a big deal of it at all, a lot of people make that particular error so it’s really not an unreasonable assertion that you thought it a correct use.

If someone else says something and you are asked, I would just lie and say I'd never noticed. 'Could of' is a very common error, so many people might indeed not notice it.

x-post with Brie

Someone will tell them. Then you say you never noticed.

I often wonder who all these tattooists and signwriters are that can't spell and don't point out mistakes?

There's a 'reasturant' near me. Full on sign in relief. Who the hell didn't notice that?

Thank you all!! Makes me feel so much better in my decision to say zip

It's quite possible they wouldn't be concerned if they did find out - the sentiment is what's important to them and that's obviously how they'd express that sentiment personally.

Omg naked that cracked me up!

Tell her. You are her friend. It's not a case of the messenger being shot - her DH isn't having an affair FFS! It's just correcting her grammatical error. Not all is lost, a good tattooist can rectify the design... to varying degrees of success.