So, we all have seen the "Your 18+ year old child (child?!) comes home with a neck tattoo. Do you:" and we are presented with very unreal options, including hysterical tears and fawning approval.
In the interest of making this a better survey question, I thought it would be fun to be solution-oriented and come up with some real-life, reasonable options of action. How does one respond to something like this?
A. Tell them that this will make pursuing their dream job in politics a bit more difficult.
B. Meh. A scarf to cover that up will look good in all seasons and add a little flair to their future serving fries.
C. "How much did that cost?" and "That better not have come out of your student loan money".
D. "Well, keep it covered, clean, and out of the sun."
E. "Really? Have you NOT seen my old tattoos lately?" shake your head, children have to learn the hard way, you guess.
Obligatory question: what other options would be attractive choices for this survey?
I'd probably go silent for a while (if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all) then when I'd recovered probably D.
Not notice until your grandchild points it out years later while laughing and pointing at mommy/daddy?
I think the survey would be more engaging if they changed the question daily or weekly, every decade is a bit too long
"Did you go to a reputable tattoo artist, did he use new/clean needles and are you reasonably sure you won't get hepatitis from this?"
"Did you get a tetanus shot?"
"Okaayy...it's your body." Which is pretty much how I feel about tattoos these days.
That's beautiful! Who is the artist? I'd like to make an appointment to have my next one done.
(Yes, I'm an inked and pierced mom and I love my body decor).
Out of your options I would pick "D"
My own saying....
"where did you go? Did it hurt? Keep it clean!!"
I have my own tattoos and couldn't care less if my kids get any.
Kimberly F. choice D.
and if it happens in my lifetime the cursewords would be a flyin! and tatoos that are visible when wearing a t-shirt wouldn't be accepted.
I'd probably go with A just because I know a couple of young adults who have shown up for interviews and been told that if they can't cover the tattoo, they can't hire them. I work with a young man who has to wear long sleeves to work even when it is 100 degrees outside because our school district dress code says tattoos need to be covered. He has a tattoo sleeve that goes up his neck. He also has to remove the gauges he wears in his ears. My husband works for Mayo Clinic. Their dress code also states no visible tattoos. I have nothing against tattoos, but it is a reality that in some professions, tattoos are not allowed.
I feel like the only parent who would pick A and follow it up with, "I don't approve. Why would a smart person like you go so out of your way to potentially make your life harder?"
I'm probably biased because I have never seen a really professional neck tattoo. I also work in a professional environment where there isn't a soul in sight with a neck tattoo.
