4 letter words tattooed across your fingers

[Divster]

Yes or no?

My 20 year old daughter has just had it done, I am very very very :( about it.

I am not anti tattoos, she has a few others but across your fingers, a letter on each?

Surely there are times when you just need to cover up your tattoos, so is collar and cuff a golden tattoo rule? Or should it be?

[MothershipG]

She has seriously damaged her chances of work.

[HecateHarshPants]

oh dear.

Rightly or wrongly, that's the sort of tattoo that gives a lot of people the worst impression!

The whole 'love hate' across your knuckles look.

People WILL judge. It may even affect her employment prospects. Unfair? Perhaps. Untrue? No.

[NorbertDentressangle]

• as in the words ARSE and FACE, not her actual arse and face IYSWIM
  ...although that would be pretty bad too..

[HecateHarshPants]

I've just clicked your link.

Oh my.

Yes.

This is a bad move if she ever wants a job! People make judgements on the type of person you are based on stuff like that.

They shouldn't. But they do. And there's no point pretending otherwise.

[GobblersKnob]

I have tattoos, but I would never have ones that couldn't be hidden if I wished.

If it were my child I would be upset too op. She could have them removed at a later date though, they must be fairly small.

[bronze]

Not impressed with the tattooist
A lot won't do hands or faces as still more would say no to a not so tattooed personas your daughter seems to be.

I know cos been trying to find someone to do a cross on my ring finger for ages and all the decent established places around here are no hands or faces rules

[AmberLeaf]

Blimey.

I was thinking they were going to be on the sides of her fingers so they are hidden at times IYKWIM?

I think rhianna has one like I'm describing.

V surprised at a 20 year old going for such an old fashioned design.

[Divster]

Its worse, it was done at a house

[Sposh]

Crikey, that's a VERY obvious and unhideable tattoo (the on in the link). She really has scuppered her job chances a lot in today's competitive job market

The best I can suggest is that you see it as her life and she will soon learn (the hard way) that what she's done is going to be detrimental, but it's detrimental to her life. Her actions, her consequences.

Am I the only one that thinks that AIBU across the knuckles would be an excellent precursor to punching someone in mush?. I have never punched someone in the mush before the flaming starts

[Dropdeadfred]

That's awful - sorry

[Petsinmypudenda]

You can buy tattoo concealer now that she can use for when she is at work .

[DonaAna]

DH is a senior government official. Lots of his mates have hidden tattoos that can be seen at the gym but are not visible when they wear work clothes. Visible tattoos and any kind of facial stuff (nose rings, piercings etc) are actively discouraged and, well, applicants with them won't get the job.

On the other hand, if your daughter is into something creative, I think tattoos are pretty mandatory these days. Start a plastic surgery fund for her but let her enjoy the tattoo for a few years until she asks you how she can get them removed.

[bronze]

Unless you're going to say you're called Courtney and your daughter is Frances

[tigercametotea]

I would be mad if I was you.
Nothing much to be done now. She'd have to live with it now, or pay to have it removed later.

[mrscumberbatch]

I'm covered in ink but I still wouldn't get my knuckles tattooed.

I don't think that tattooed knuckles is chavvy, given that I have friends with it done but they are head to toe in tattoos and either work as tattoo artists, graphic artists, textile designers etc.

So basically, so long as you're working for yourself it isn't an issue.

I'd be livid with her.

[Sluttybuttons]

When you say tattoos across the knuckle i imagine big hairy men with mustaches and criminal records.

I have 15 tattoos (i think) but all of them can be covered.

[mrscumberbatch]

Dermablend is a great makeup for covering tattoos on a day to day basis.

I can't believe the tattooist did it given that she has had no other work done. What an arse.

What does she want to do with herself? How can she make this work for her?

[HecateHarshPants]

done at someone's house?

Is this person a professional?

Was the equipment sterile?

Your daughter has been very foolish.

[HecateHarshPants]

Start a plastic surgery fund FOR her? FOR her?

Surely you mean tell her to start a plastic surgery fund herself, eh?

[mumofjust1]

I love tattoo's and have some myself.

I think that your dd will regret this in a couple of years to be honest.

All the reputable tattooists round here will not do any work above collar or below cuffs unless it's integral to a big piece.

The lady who pierced me had "baby" across the fingers of her right hand and "doll" across the fingers of her left. It actually looked pretty and suited her - but she was heavily tattooed and pierced, so was able to pull it off.

I'd be really really upset with my dd in your situation, so you are not being unreasonable in your reaction.

And she got it done at someone's house? This, I would go mad with.

Was this person a professional? Were needles sterile? She's put herself at totally unnecessary risk health wise here, and she really is old enough to know better.

Poor you x

[AnnieLobeseder]

The tattoo artist who did my recent work says she's turned away a few people who asked for visible tattoos. I wish there were more artists with her ethics.

I don't get 'fashion' tattoos anyway. Fashion changes. Tattoos don't. This current trend for hand/foot tattoos has me baffled.

[MammaTonic]

Well, it isn't ideal and I think the thoughts and reactions of other Mumsnetters here demonstrates that your daughter will face negative stereotyping in her life from the majority of people that she meets.

How does your DD feel about the tattoo? Does she love it, or is she regretting it?

I work in an art and design environment and this tattoo on the link that you gave wouldn't look out of place. Yes, it's difficult to hide, but I suppose it depends upon her social circle. If she wanted to get a very straight-laced job, then yes, I can foresee problems. If she was to work in a fashion or design environment, or somewhere not so concerned with conventional appearances, then it would be less of an issue. Also, think about whether she belongs to a subculture. This tattoo is very retro, vintage; think Amy Winehouse and the recent resurgence in 1950s fashions.

I'm trying to put a positive angle on this because it's a real shame for you to feel the way that you do. The tattoo is very on show, but if he has the confidence to carry it and fits into a subculture, then it's not necessarily the disaster that it's currently coming across as, IMO.

[swooosh]

Was about to post that no reputable tattooist would do it unless she was already heavily tattooed elsewhere, then I saw she had it at a house

I'm not much older then her but think she will soon live to regret it.

[Divster]

No get a job a save up!

I was going to send her a text, making out I believed she gone for the stencil instead saying -

I am so glad you changed your mind and listened to advise from others for a change, imagine if you had had it dont with permanent ink, the mess she has made you would have to now live with forever, at least it will wash off, well done, very proud of you for making a grown up decision.

Didnt send it

She has a friend coming down to stay with her in a few weeks, he is going to do her a full sleeve.

Her girlfriend even phoned last minute, to say she thought it was a bad idea and maybe not to have it done!

[mrscumberbatch]

Your daughter needs a reality check.