That’s not exactly difficult or much of a task though, is it?
Augh. I hate this, because people like to just reach over and touch tattoos without asking. I don’t encounter it that often because mine are pretty well covered 98% of the time, but still. Ask first, okay?
Is this a male privilege thing that I’m totally unaware of? I have had visible tattoos for years, and I’ve never had anyone reach out to touch them, or even really ask. (My wife likes to touch them and make an “eww!” face when they’re fresh, because she’s weird.) Is this one of those things that dudes can go their whole lives ignorant of, but which are a part of the experience of being a woman and having tattoos? Are these sleazy guys who are just looking for an excuse to touch, or is it other people who do this? I am so curious.
I honestly don’t know? Mine are covered up most of the time, and honestly I’m a touchy-feely person in general so people tend to know it’s kind of okay to touch me in general, but my biggest and most visible tattoo is on the middle of my back, and so whenever I’m wearing a tank top or a v-back top it’s kind of out there. Whenever someone touches it when I’m not expecting it I get serious douche chills. My back is also very sensitive in a way most people’s aren’t, I think, and that’s why my reaction to it is strong. But then again, I’m a huggy touchy-feely person so that might just be the kind of way people perceive me to interact with the world? But I know I’m not alone in that complaint. I know plenty of men and women, personally and famously (Mark of Mark Reads, for example) who have complained of this, and I’m positive I myself have been guilty of it in the past when I’m not thinking.
I guess that’s a longabout version way of saying I don’t really know, but I don’t think so? I do have more visible tattoos planned soon, though, so I’m SURE I will complain about it if it suddenly turns out that everyone likes manhandling me more now that I have pretty colors on.
I have very visible tattoos and perhaps people also think I’m approachable because I get touched about once a week, usually on MUNI or BART. No, seriously, it happens so often that I’ve stopped being polite about it.
The last time it happened was at LAX while I was sitting down and waiting for my flight. Some older woman (probably 10-15 years older than me) literally walked up to me and lifted my arm up to look at my sleeve. I rudely told her that she better stop touching me or I’d notify security.
I mean, I get that having visible tattoos means people will look at me. I don’t consider it rude to stare at my tattoos because I know they’re colorful or eye-catching or, in the case of my crossbuster tattoo, potentially offensive. But I am touched constantly without people asking and I have no patience for it.
TL;DR Version: Please do not touch people’s tattoo’s without asking, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
All my friends - especially my lady friends, but seriously, all my friends - with tattoos have a stable of appalling stories about strangers groping their tattoos uninvited. This is a big reason I’m planning on getting my backpiece done fairly low on my back, starting at the bottom of my shoulderblades or so and ending around my hips, because I really, really don’t like when people touch me uninvited. I’d prefer to have it start around the nape of my neck and end at my natural waist, but the idea of someone just coming up and touching it where it shows above the neck of a shirt BLERGH I CAN’T DEAL.
UGH I can’t believe this even needs to be said but, PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS.
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE! It is not okay to practically molest my hand &/or arm to get a look at a tattoo. If we’ve hugged, we’re cool. If we haven’t, stay the fuck away you creepos. Also, my hair. I’m glad you like the color…that does not mean you can touch it. Jeepers.
