to not want 19 yo DD to get a half leg sleeve tattoo?

[BlueEmerald73]

DD is booked in to have like a half leg sleeve, I have no idea what it's called but it goes from her ankle to right up top but just doesn't wrap all the way around the leg. She is travelling quite far for it which is the part I do actually respect as she has chosen the artist considerably but I do think it's a bit of a permanent, big decision at just 19. It's consisting of a few things as well, such as a reference to her favourite childhood interest, etc. basically just a bunch of things like that going up her leg. There's also my birth flower in there, which is sweet but I would rather she wasn't getting a tattoo, especially if it has a bit of a reference to me.

I realise it isn't my decision and I would never try and stop her, but AIBU to be a bit sad about it? She's still a teenager.

Yet here you are, quoting me. People with tattoos seems to care excessively about what other people think.

I don't like it, usually. I also don't like things such as asymmetric haircuts, quirky spectacles, and lip fillers. There's nothing wrong with that; I just won't get them, and other people are free to get them if they do like them. Same with tattoos - I am free to dislike them, and give my opinion on a thread specifically about tattoos. My anonymous online opinion shouldn't be a concern to anyone else.

I absolutely understand how you don't want your child to change their natural body.. however unfortunately they're an adult, so it's their decision. I urge you not to fall out about this.

I swear some people get tattoos just so they can feel hard done by. Rebels without a cause. 😆

I would feel the same op. Everyone thinks their tattoo is unique but it looks unique to them not to others. Most people I know regret some of their tattoos what was appealing and meant something to them in their 20’s doesn’t in the 40’s. I was shocked when my brothers told me he was having some of his lazered off and he had tattoo sleeves long before it was fashionable

i think the shall be a shift in trends soon

When did I say people with tattoos are "common", "chav" or "tacky"? I didn't. Your persecution complex is showing. Get over yourself.

Maybe not you personally, but plenty on the thread have, or are you conveniently ignoring that?

I don't have a persecution complex, those are things that have been literally said by people in this thread.

Although there is a chap in a Tesco I visit who has a whole head tattoo.

It's not pretty...

You specifically accused me of saying that. I didn't. I could equally ask, are you ignoring my less dramatic reasons for disliking tattoos because they don't fuel your delusions of victimhood?

I agree. This is definitely a trend, which inevitably means it will go out of fashion.

Tattoos are so basic now. So many people are getting them who really won't have the style to pull it off once the trend dies.

For someone accusing others of ‘victimhood’ you sure are extremely aggressive/defensive. You don’t like tattoos, we get it. People with tattoos (regretted or not) honestly don’t care what you think. Have all the the thoughts about them you want, just keep them to yourself. Unless you wish to share your personal tastes and style and we can judge for ourselves how much is may disgust us?

She's an adult, so yes YABVU. Most people are tattooed or at least have a tattoo these days. It's not like she's walking into a shop drunk as a skunk and getting something from the artists random flash sheet. Sounds like she's researched and getting something meaningful.

Well done tattoos look amazing. I have two half sleeves and various other ones. All well thought and meaningful.

@Supernova23Most people are tattooed or at least have a tattoo these days

Bit of a stretch !! 🤔

Maybe I should say, most people under 30!! I don't know anyone that isn't tattooed. That's people of all ages too. Guess it depends which circles you mix in. I work with doctors that have full tattoo sleeves, one has his neck fully tattooed. I don't think anyone really cares in the year 2023......apart from on here!

I don't care if you don't like tattoos. Why would I? What I don't like is being stereotyped as "common" or any of the other nonsense people are saying. You came on the thread and said that tattooed people are acting like victims or something to the like. Tell me why I should just accept being called a chav by other posters? Does defending myself from being called rude names make me a victim?

As someone from who isn't from the UK, I find the criticism that tattoos are "common" and "not classy" quite funny. Some people really live up to the stereotype of UK people being obsessed with social status! So what if I look "common". I am common. I live the same life as millions of other people in my country. And what does "classy" even really mean? Does it mean trying to be something I am not? Why would I want that?

This is definitely a trend, which inevitably means it will go out of fashion.

I'm not sure you can call something a trend when it's been going for over 5000 years.

Those who feel tattoos are common and classless what do you think about tattoos that have cultural significance like tā moko?

I think as long as it can be concealed if necessary then it is OK. So if she can wear a trousers suit or, if she prefers skirts, has it higher up (above the knee). That said, I have a number of friends who have paid vast sums to have tattoos removed with varying success.

The trend is not to mark yourself so you are identifiable to a particular tribe/have been to so many battles etc

the trend is led by fashion and certain tattoos go out of fashion. The fashion for barbed wire tattoos are not as popular but small face tattoos recently became popular

it’s not quite the same thing

Not everyone gets tattoos as a ‘fashion statement’ though. Yes there are phases of tattoos in popular culture, like the dolphin ones as an example. But many other people have them as a lifestyle choice, because they enjoy the aesthetic of them, much like some like having their nails done or colour their hair. Yes it may be a permanent choice and yes if you decide on it, it does take a lot of thought and recognition of this. If we were taking the op seriously in this regard that’s something that should be made very clear, but as usual it’s descended into the typical load of stereotyping and classism.

lifestyle choice is a fashionable saying too no one used this term 30 years ago

you compared having a tattoo to what people have been doing for thousands of years

its not though is it let’s be honest the majority it’s a fashion that is changing

I’ve not said anything about them being common, tacky. I’ve been called chavy/common on here I rww we couldn’t give a toss

Fine, ‘alternative lifestyle’ if you please. You really can’t argue that being ‘alternative’ is some new fashionable term. Plenty of people find things they love in their teens/20s and follow it their whole life, whether it’s a social movement like being goth, music such as rockers, being a motor/petrol head etc. people will spend a lifetime pouring money and effort into upholding this part of their personality and expressing it whenever possible.

Whilst I don’t agree most people have tattoos, many do. And whilst a few of those who do will get one on a whim, a few others will regret getting one (or many), some will get one and realise it’s not something they could ever sit through again but not regret the one they had, but many many people will have several and be very happy for the rest of their life with that choice. Hell you can be very happy to be continuing to add to your tattoos but even then have one or two you regret (I have one that I carefully planned out but didn’t turn out well unfortunately, I also have one that I just ‘felt’ like and it’s absolutely lovely and gets lots of compliments).

The issue with this thread is that some are taking their perfectly valid dislike of tattoos and using it to platform some ridiculous views and creating some whole narrative about how tattoos are just a flash in the pan fashion movement that will soon die out. They’re a huge industry for a good reason, most tattooist take their work very seriously, I’d say more seriously that most people in employment when it comes for actual passion for the work produced. I think the way people have been speaking on here is horribly ignorant of their hard work never mind the below the bar insults some have thrown out about having tattoos in general. It wasn’t the point of the OP at all.

YANBU.
And it IS your business, since she is your DD and you obviously love and care about her no matter her age. For this reason, I dont think there is anything wrong with telling her your opinion about it, in a tactful manner of course.
But obviously, you cannot stop her from going ahead with it, if she so chooses.

Decorative tattoos have been around for 1000s of years and not all cultures tattooed themselves to identify as a tribe or to show how many battles they had been in, that's a rather narrow view of them, and of cultures you see as "other" with your tribal/battles remark.

Obviously an adult even a 19 year old one is entitled to do what they like with their own body but if this is a first one it seems extreme! My eldest daughter was considering a small one recently and she asked me if I'd mind - she's 31.