JJ's Guide to Commenting on My Body Art

[jjtaylor]

I am a librarian, and work in a very public-services centered position at my library, which means the majority of my day is spent helping patrons. I have two regularly visible tattoos, and now that it's warmer weather, the larger and more colorful one is getting more attention. I wish very much that I could hand this guide out to patrons who make

Comments

[wildestranger]

"You don't seem like the sort of girl who has tattoos."

I actually had a friend/acquaintance say that to me once. I was too honestly surprised to say much of anything at the time, although later of course I came up with many things. :)

I appreciate the urge to draw attention to the often quite impolite questions behind many of those comments, and yes, it's a shame one cannot use them in a professional context. It's been very satisfying, nevertheless, to read them, so thanks for that!

[mcamy]

I had a friend tell me once I wasn't the type of girl who could wear Doc Marten boots. I bought them anyway.

re: 3

[glitterdemon]

"i probably shouldn't. is there something i can help you with?" for all they know, it extends to parts of your body you wouldn't be allowed to expose in a library. :))

[cluegirl]

I don't know why people don't seem to feel they can take liberties with me about my tattoos, but a lot of what you're describing, I don't get hit with at all.

I think I've been asked only a handful of times to see my back piece -- and then only when I was sitting down in a cafe, and my trousers were riding down just a bit so it was partially visible anyhow. In almost every case where the person asking wasn't already familiar with me, they then went on to ask where I got it, and how bad it hurt, because they were considering getting one there too.

More often, and especially since I got my arm band done, I get shoutouts. And some of those from unlikely people -- bank guards, TSA airport agents, tollbooth operators, and such, saying "Nice ink. Where'd you get it?" I haven't had anyone say anything negative about it.

Maybe it's because I'm not in a service/face-to-the-public job, or something. I dunno.

[rilee16]

5a. It's ok to ask if it hurt, but you pretty much already know the answer.

I've come to understand that this question is almost always someone asking "How much did it hurt," or "What would you compare the pain to?" and wording it really badly. It's like the way people say "I don't feel good" or "This tastes nice" instead of "I don't feel well" or "This is delicious."