Some Ink Won't Go Over Well With Your Family
Getting a tattoo is a personal choice, but that doesn't mean your parents are automatically going to celebrate every design you bring home. Besides, the more traditional and protective they are, the more likely they're going to have a thing or two to say about the placement, style, or design. So if you're trying to avoid getting scrutinized by your parents, definitely avoid these 20 tattoo choices.
1. A Face Tattoo
It doesn't matter how well-designed or how beautiful the tattoo itself looks, getting a face tattoo is simply a hard reality for any parent to accept. It's not something you'll be able to hide easily moving forward, and they're probably thinking about what kind of hurdles it'll cause when it comes to job interviews or dating.
2. Your Partner's Name
Nothing makes protective parents nervous quite like permanently tattooing the name of someone you've been dating. After all, they're probably already stressing over what will happen if the relationship doesn't work out! We're pretty sure their stress levels are directly tied to how long you've been dating too (with the smaller the number, the higher the anxiety).
3. A Neck Tattoo
Just like with face tattoos, neck tattoos are equally concerning. It's not really an area you can hide unless you want to rock turtlenecks for the rest of your life. That's why traditional-minded parents will likely immediately find them worrying, especially in regards to how other people will react to such a highly visible tattoo spot.
4. A Giant Skull
Despite being a popular, edgy tattoo design, many parents don't always understand why their child wants a huge skull permanently displayed on their body. You're probably appreciating the design and artistic style, but they're likely associating it with something much darker.
5. Matching Tattoos With Someone You Just Met
Parents might facepalm hearing you got a matching tattoo with someone you just met for the same reason as getting a tattoo of a partner's name: how can you get something permanent for a relationship that might not be? Even if the tattoo itself is tasteful, they're going to be more worried about your decision-making skills if anything.
6. A Full Hand Tattoo
Another spot on your body that's constantly visible, getting your hand covered in tats isn't going to go over well with your parents. It's going to attract plenty of attention moving forward, and again, your parents likely have your career and professional appearances in mind right off the bat.
7. An Offensive Phrase
Listen, if you're old enough to get a tattoo, you're old enough to know better than to get an offensive one. We wouldn't blame your parents if they got upset at you for this one.
8. An Ex's Portrait
There's nothing wrong with ending things amicably with a past lover, but you're definitely taking it one step too far if you're getting a portait of them tattooed onto your body. Not only will it bring up endless uncomfortable questions about the past, but your parents will also (rightfully) worry that your future partners will have questions of their own.
9. A Tattoo Across Your Knuckles
Knuckle tattoos tend to be associated with rebellious behavior, which is why so many parents aren't fond of them. Even if the tattoo itself is small, dainty, or sweet, it's the placement that'll get your parents not so happy about your decision.
10. A Playboy Bunny Tattoo
We're pretty sure the design speaks for itself with this one. The Playboy bunny is recognizable enough that your parents will know what it is, meaning they'll likely see it as provocative or simply a bad image to get tattooed forever on your body. It's the kind of choice you'll make that you'll never heard the end of from them.
11. Your Favorite Celebrity's Face
It's one thing being a fan of a celebrity, but it's definitely a whole other thing getting a tattoo of their face. Parents won't be able to understand why you'd ever want to get someone you've never met in person tattooed permanently on your body. You'd better hope they don't get canceled either!
12. A Snake Wrapped Around A Dagger
This might be a very popular tattoo design that people opt for, but to some parents, they're going to see it as something far too intense or dramatic. Traditional parents might already be against you getting a tattoo, but when the design isn't as classic or soft as they'd prefer, it's enough to get them just as riled up.
13. A Tattoo On Your Eyelid
Most parents don't expect their children to come home with tattoos anywhere near their eyes. Their initial concern might be whether it hurt or if you're in pain, and then immediately after, they'll start to question why you wanted it in an area you'll never be able to cover.
14. A Very Suggestive Design
Anything even remotely sexual is not going to go over well with your mom and dad. Parents already generally don't want detailed information about this side of their adult child's personality, but when it's permanently tattooed, it definitely makes it harder to ignore.
15. A Misspelled Tattoo
Whether your parents are disappointed that a misspelled tattoo is permanently etched on your skin or the fact that all your years in education didn't help you catch the mistake, the result is still the same: they're just disappointed. There's no doubt that they'll bring it up anytime they see it.
16. A Joke Tattoo
Sure, whatever private joke it was might've been funny in the moment, but that's the key phrase: it was "in the moment." Tattoos are a permanent commitment, and your parents certainly won't find it funny that you decided to get a temporary joke inked onto your skin forever.
17. An Extremely Large Chest Piece
A detailed chest tattoo isn't just noticeable, but it also takes up significant time, money, and commitment, which gives concerned parents several topics to question at once. Even if they're not opposed to tattoos, getting one this large will still bring some shock and surprise.
18. "No Regrets" Tattoo
Few designs are more likely to make your parents question your judgment than the words "No Regrets" permanently tattooed on your body. It's the kind of cheesy and cringey tattoo that might just make them roll their eyes.
19. A Gravestone With Your Own Name Tattoo
You might consider a tattoo of a gravestone with your name on it artsy, deep, or creative, but let's be honest, that's not something any parent wants to see. Even if it's meant as dark humor, it's not the kind of joke family members will be able to accept so effortlessly.
20. A Barbed Wire Tattoo
Barbed wire tattoos have a very specific tough-guy reputation that some parents aren't going to appreciate. It's not the message they want you to convey out in public, and if you get it somewhere especially noticeable, it'll just cause them to comment even more.
