Thank you for the reasoned, well-put response. I understand ethical issues arising with tattoos, and most tattoo artists I know also really want their clients to be happy. All of my tattoos were discussed at length with the artist because they really wanted to ensure that I got what I wanted, and I appreciate that.

Honestly, I only responded to your initial comment because you didn’t specify which alcohol reference she was referring to. I just thought you just sucked at reading comprehension, so you got some massive side-eye from me. Then you clarified that you were talking about a different reference that wasn’t related to the…

You know that drinking often leads to people making questionable decisions, right? Have you ever had alcohol before?

Yes, she was intoxicated and they refused her. It was the correct thing for them to do because people have impaired judgment while intoxicated. I don’t really get why you’re side-eying her for it.

I don’t really understand what your point is. I am not deciding anything about anyone’s shop policies, and I think you know that. I am aware that I am just a person and not a Decider of Anything. However, if I think something is wrong or outdated I am going to speak up in the hopes that it furthers dicussion.

I wasn’t trying to argue either - I have enough people angry at me for not knowing who the ice cream face guy was.

I am heavily tattooed and well-aware of shop policies on why they don’t tattoo hands and necks. I also agree that “his work, his rules,” and she should’ve respected that. Artists should absolutely have the right to refuse jobs and kick people out of their shop. I just think that refusing to do neck tattoos for…

I disagree. This policy is outdated and should be re-examined and reconsidered in general.

There are things that I’ve wanted on a drunken whim that also turned out to be good* ideas while sober. It happens sometimes.

Eh, it kind of sounds like the first place kicked her out because they could tell she had been drinking. Drunk people always swear they’re acting normal when in reality everyone can tell they’re off. And I’m sure tattoo artists have to deal with that shit all the time.

I have never stated nor implied that she was denied because she was female. I know that a lot of artists have a “no necks” policy. I am arguing that just because the policy is common does not mean it is correct. I think it’s condescending.

It sounds like the first place turned her down because she was drunk, which was absolutely the right thing to do.

So, you’re giving her a side-eye because she had wine, went into a tattoo parlor, and didn’t get a tattoo?

I’m not arguing that he’s being sexist. I’m arguing that adults should be capable of making their own fucking decisions. Denying someone a tattoo because the artist thinks he’s doing you a favor is condescending. I do think artists should have the right to deny jobs, but this policy doesn’t make sense. Just because…

Ugh, people are really getting hung up on my mistake about the face tattoo. That aside, yes, artists have a right to refuse jobs. I just think his reasoning for refusing her neck tattoo is fucking stupid and condescending.

A few weeks ago, I was refused a tattoo. At a tattoo parlor. By a tattoo artist. At 1 p.m. on a Sunday, prior to consuming any Bloody Marys.

It’s a refusal that doesn’t particularly make sense to me though. Adults should be capable of making decisions about their bodies. The artist is not personally responsible if she suddenly becomes unemployable due to a small neck tattoo. So why should he care?

She’s not mocking his work. She’s pointing out that he was perfectly willing to do somewhat odd tattoos on people (sorry, the ice cream cone is absolutely bizarre), so it’s weird that he would refuse to do a relatively simple neck tattoo. Compared to the other examples, what she wanted isn’t particularly extreme.

Okay but we’ll have to get tattoos to seal the deal.

Some say fun, others say masochistic.