My girlfriend is furious about my first tattoo

[u/PoundOwn7846]

I’m 19 and got my first tattoo done by a friend of mine today.

I already expected the quality might not be A-tier, but I personally like it, and so do my friends and parents.

However, my girlfriend is absolutely losing her mind over it. She’s been arguing with me about it nonstop, and honestly, I find her reaction pretty weird.

I understand that tattoos aren’t everyone’s taste, but it’s my body and my decision.
I didn’t expect her to love it, but I certainly didn’t expect this much backlash over it.

P.S: Guys, please understand that this tattoo is not affiliated with or intended to represent any racist, hateful, extremist, or hate-related ideology or movement. The imagery is personal and symbolic, representing the cycle of life and death, mortality, eternity, and renewal. The number 2007 represents my birth year. There is no hidden political or ideological message behind it, and any resemblance to symbols used by extremist groups is entirely unintentional. Please don’t make assumptions about me based on a tattoo.

[u/Character_Section445]

I’m not saying it is a prison tat but I am saying it looks like what a skin head would get in prison

[u/eindoordeel → u/Character_Section445]

Really, he knows better what it means, but it look like he killed someone in 2007 or was released from prison same year... OP, I get the idea, but you should've chosen different style at least. It absolutely look like prison tattoo.

P.S. And I mean, not just style, but the idea of putting random symbols together inside the circle is common prison tattoo way. My grandfather had a prison tattoos book and I remebered meaning. And honestly, I'm giggling now. :D Ouroboros - live sentence, skull and bones - murderer, year - year of imprisonment, cross - "good honest christian"

[u/Duranis → u/Character_Section445]

Yeah I try very hard not to be judgemental but if I saw this tat in the wild without knowing the person I would at least strongly consider that they where some kind of white supremacist. The fact it is so badly done really does give prison tat vibes.

I can totally understand why op's girlfriend would be unhappy about that.

[u/WoopsShePeterPants → u/Character_Section445]

I got my tattoos early and I got exactly what I drew put on my skin. They both look like prison tattoos lol.

[u/chuckleberrychitchat]

You said in your edit "please don't make assumptions about me based on my tattoo" and I think you've inadvertently hit the nail on the head around the key problem. People ARE going to make assumptions, and based on what people are saying here, the assumptions aren't going to be great. If people's first impression about you is a possible white supremacy, gang or other association, it could be problematic for you, and will also reflect badly on her. Most people won't ask follow up questions. Do with that what you will.

[u/Soaptowelbrush → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

Please don’t make assumptions about me based on the way I’ve chosen to present myself.

[u/ThePoetofFall → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

I saw a 1400 tattoo on someone during a job interview once. In the moment, I couldn’t remember if it was 00 or 88 for the Nazi tattoo number and didn’t know if it was some other white supremcist thing. God did clocking that tat make me not want the job. Turns out it was a music band thing.

[u/bananahammerredoux → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

Yeah I found that comment to be pretty naive and hilarious because in fact tattoos are meant to signal something about the person who has them. The inherent problem with symbolic imagery is that it’s open to interpretation. And you may not always like how it’s interpreted.

[u/MrMartyJones → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

Bingo: Literally laughed out loud when I read that. "Please don't make assumptions about me based on this large cryptic tattoo with slightly creepy imagery" is something only a kid could say.

[u/CoreyStyles → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

Imagine if his GF got a tattoo of a dildo on the side of her cheek. But it was "not actually a dildo", it was a cucumber, because she just really likes them so much. And putting it near her mouth 'symbolizes' that she eats cucumbers.

It may not mean anything slutty to her, but people will assume, EVERYWHERE she goes.

I wonder how much OP would like that.

[u/Smart_Alecs → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

ya im a brown person and i dont know or care to know every white nationalist symbol out there but this has enough of the similar looking symbology that i would steer clear of this guy. not necessarily assuming anything, and i wouldnt be surprised if i later found out he was very much not a nazi, but i’ve been to enough black metal shows, death metal shows, etc. to know it’s just overall safer to not interact

[u/StPatrickStewart → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

This right here! You don't have the luxury of being able to explain your tattoo to every potential boss, client, random person on the street. If people are making those assumptions on here, people who otherwise don't know you are likely making the same assumptions. Luckily it's a very basic and small tattoo, and could easily be covered, so if you don't want those assumptions to happen, you might want to go get the opinion of a professional tattoo artist.

[u/Spectrum1523 → u/chuckleberrychitchat]

My first thought was I hope he's looking forward to 50 years of telling people "please don't make assumptions about me based on my tattoo"

[u/Different-Idea-8203]

Well that hideous and I have a kitchen table tramp stamp from 2004!

[u/whiskey_riverss → u/Different-Idea-8203]

Thought you meant a tramp stamp of an actual kitchen table for a minute and was intrigued 

[u/kittiekittykitty → u/Different-Idea-8203]

realest comment 😹

[u/TheanieBeanieChaCha → u/Different-Idea-8203]

I can't stop laughing at this comment bc I so know this 😂 🤣 💀

[u/PradaDiva → u/Different-Idea-8203]

I pictured a tasteful schematic drawing tattoo of a kitchen table.

Idk why but I pictured ikea instructions as a tattoo

[u/MedicineLow]

The oof I just oofed. Don't let newbies use you as a canvas.

Edit: Another comment said this looks like it was done a ballpoint pen due to it not being wrapped and skin isn't red. This is absolutely not a fresh tattoo.

[u/Blank_Page_77 → u/MedicineLow]

THIS! And the comments like “I think it’s sick!” Are flat out lying to this kid. Never let new “artist” tattoo you. But he’s young. It’s fine.

[u/ah_tattoos → u/MedicineLow]

I’m not sure it’s fake. You can tell the skin is raised by how the light is hitting his arm (like in the top of the skull). Also, it does look red around it, especially on the right side. I think it’s just a shitty photo and potentially edited to be a bit desaturated. 

I’d be afraid to see it in good lighting. I bet the friend did a lot worse than we think. OP will be lucky if none of this is blown out.

[u/Additional-Mud8745]

What is it? What does it mean?

[u/OnlyTrust6616 → u/Additional-Mud8745]

It's a mash up of a variety of symbols that's supposed to be a memento mori thing.

[u/FROZEN_DRAGON_ → u/Additional-Mud8745]

Ouroboros: The ancient symbol of a snake or serpent eating its own tail, representing eternity, infinity, and the circular continuum of life, death, and rebirth.

Skull and Crossbones: A classic memento mori motif serving as a direct reminder that all living things are mortal.

Cross and Hourglass: Traditional Christian and vanitas symbols representing faith and the fleeting passage of time.

[u/charlottee963]

It’s a bit shit and my brain automatically assumed it was a white supremacist adjacent tattoo

[u/CoreyStyles → u/charlottee963]

This is why the gf is embarrassed about it I think.

Because of all the people that will look at them, and assume she is with a white supremacist culty dude.

[u/One-Risk-7342 → u/charlottee963]

Yeah, my first thought was it looked like the SS totenkopf symbol.

[u/jroxiee → u/charlottee963]

me too. i think that’s the biggest issue considering it’s in a fairly visible location

[u/Ill-Victory-5351 → u/charlottee963]

EDIT: I get it now! THANK YOU.

wait? how does this look white supremacist? asking genuinely.

I see an oroboros. skull and crossbones and presumably op’s birthdate. usual first time tattoo mishmash and nothing of the usual nazi and nazi adjacent imagery. i know there’s a lot out there so maybe i missed something?

[u/BigDNrgy69]

Your friends and parents are lying to you.

[u/Equus-007 → u/BigDNrgy69]

Or he's dating someone with much better taste than his friends and family.

[u/Foxalot → u/BigDNrgy69]

There is no universe where loving parents think this tattoo looks nice on their kid lmao

[u/WritingTheDream → u/BigDNrgy69]

Or he’s lying about what they’re saying.

[u/NegativeJuggernaut62 → u/BigDNrgy69]

Maybe his friends and family enjoy tattoos that look like a 12 year old is trying to impress the local racist biker gang.

[u/sunflowerads → u/BigDNrgy69]

seriouslyyyy lmao like this is genuinely awful

[u/ThanosBIGman]

I'd be pissed too, it looks like you got branded by a gang with a branding iron. What even is it supposed to be

[u/ohsoGosu → u/ThanosBIGman]

I get the thought that it isn’t intended to be racist but when you get something permanently on your body you should consider what it could be interpreted as by random people.

I’ve skipped getting tattoos for this reason because they are too runic looking and have changed placement because if it gets covered by clothing it could look like the bottom half of a swastika.

[u/MathyChem → u/ThanosBIGman]

It looks like a reproduction memento mori image from the 18th century.

[u/pryncess_gretchen → u/ThanosBIGman]

Haha, it so does

[u/missxmonstera → u/ThanosBIGman]

I was gonna say this looks, like, exactly the same quality as some of the Nazi tattoos I've seen that even look similar to the design. At least looks like it in passing.

[u/fokkoooff → u/ThanosBIGman]

Idk if I would be pissed but I would be embarrassed as hell.

[u/Jonnyboi5678]

As long as you’re not gonna regret it in the next 20 years then doesn’t matter what others think.

[u/Sad-Difficulty-2180 → u/Jonnyboi5678]

More like 20min

[u/Far-Tune-9464 → u/Jonnyboi5678]

Regretting tattoos is part of the lifecycle of any tattoo tbh

[u/Healthy_Homework672]

Update us when you get a cover up tattoo next year

[u/Queenasheeba99]

I mean there's nothing you can do, its permanent 😂 But I'm on her side, that's so bad... sorry

[u/DragonflyMuch8343 → u/Queenasheeba99]

Such a random bad location too 😂

[u/Blank_Page_77]

This is why we don’t let friends tattoo us when they are just starting out 😬 It’s def a sketchy tattoo and had you gone to an actual artist with years under their belt, this could have looked WAY cleaner/polished and not a drawing from a child.
I guarantee you’re going to hate this thing within a few years and will probably want to cover it up. But if you’re satisfied by it then 🤷🏻

[u/Precarious3145 → u/Blank_Page_77]

Yup. It might be mean but as someone with a lot of artistic friends; I love them, I'll support and commission them but there's a LOT of them that I wouldn't present professionally, let alone have tattoo'd on me.

I could understand if the drawing was done by their five year old nephew that died and it's a memory but "My friend drew it and tattoo'd it" is gonna be something they'll want covered up when the friendship ends or they hit 23 and realize how bad it is.

Girlfriend is just realizing she's dating someone with poor decision-making abilities. That's almost a right of passage for a lot of people; that painful realization they're dating an idiot and deciding whether to stick it out and hope they grow or end it now to not put up with any future choices. Was dating a girl who decided to buy some $900 purse by putting it on her credit card while we were still broke college kids. "How the fuck are you gonna pay for it?" "That's a problem for future Amber" which eventually turned into me always paying for everything and being told "It's okay, just get a credit card and put it all on that".

[u/Puppetmaster858]

In her defense it’s a very trash tattoo lmao

[u/jetlifestoney → u/Puppetmaster858]

And in a very visible spot

[u/I_see_something → u/Puppetmaster858]

Yea it’s pretty terrible

[u/JCR620]

No Regerts!

[u/dddd11122233]

She mad cause it looks like you did it yourself. In prison.

[u/icy_wight → u/dddd11122233]

This is on the low end of Prison tattoo.

[u/PJ-Student]

If I saw this on someone, I'd assume some sort of white extremist affiliation.

She probably needs some time to process the change before you two can have a productive conversation.  Set the ground rules, both of you need to be respectful, both of you need to be open to eachother's reasoning and feelings, and both of you need to have a plan for next time something triggering like this is about to happen/has happened. 

If you guys can't do that, then the relationship is only held together by Scotch tape.

[u/Reverentmalice → u/PJ-Student]

First thing I thought was that was a new white supremacist symbol

[u/polygramfan → u/PJ-Student]

I definitely thought it resembled a totenkopf at first glance

[u/peppers_ → u/PJ-Student]

I've got something like this and I worry about it being taken that way. It's a homunculus tattoo from Full Metal Alchemist, but majority of people wouldn't recognize it I bet. It's a ouroborus like OPs but with wings on the outer edge and encircles a symbol of earth+fire+air+water (this symbol actually looks like a Jewish star).

[u/Mundane_Option_5588]

My only concern would be what do the symbols in this tattoo actually represent other than that it's just a tattoo and not very well done either

[u/Nervous_Hurry_9920 → u/Mundane_Option_5588]

That he's been a Christian pirate since '07?

[u/Next-Supermarket9538]

Your body, your decision. But it’s also her decision how pissed and disappointed she gets to be about it and if she chooses to break up with you over it, that’s also a fair decision on her part. 

[u/Toebeanzies → u/Next-Supermarket9538]

On the same note if you choose to break up with her because you don’t like her reaction that’s also fair and within your right

[u/cravetrain]

Kinda looks like a white supremacist tattoo. Is that what you were going for?

[u/smegblender → u/cravetrain]

Please don’t make assumptions about me based on a tattoo.

OP is *almost* getting why gf is hopping mad.

Also lmao at the explanation:

The imagery is personal and symbolic, representing the cycle of life and death, mortality, eternity, and renewal. The number 2007 represents my birth year. 

Screams "I'm 19 and this is very deep."

Edit: Thanks u/TooRight2021 , this is looking very fucked up for OP if this was unintentional.

https://www.reddit.com/r/whatdoIdo/s/Gx6Hidd7yP

Edit2: or it was poorly implemented misguided copy (added birth year to an existing patch) https://www.reddit.com/r/whatdoIdo/s/6oiXUWAhaF

Thanks u/jennyfromhell

Fascist or fuckwit... you decide...

[u/Lazy_Internet1998 → u/cravetrain]

That’s what I thought when I first saw it.

[u/antique_velveteen → u/cravetrain]

Same. I saw the sketch and was like "oh boy"

[u/Laiko_Kairen → u/cravetrain]

Totenkopf symbols have the bones behind the skull while the jolly roger has the bones under the skull

But like, how many people know that?

[u/monsterpiece → u/cravetrain]

Yeah, the thing is, OP, that people are going to make this assumption and they will not give you a chance to explain yourself in real life. You’ll lose jobs, get yelled at, get punched, etc.

[u/TrickyTechnician685]

Don’t let your buddy practice on you anymore please.

[u/ballq43]

Bro....when's the coverup

[u/mortyella → u/ballq43]

A sick ass panther should do the trick!

[u/tswd]

Okay I am not trying to be cruel here and I'm not making assumptions about you personally. However, as other people have pointed out, this tattoo is simple, somewhat messy, and the skull and crossbones as well as snakes have signficance in gang and prison tattoos, and while I can tell this isn't a specific gang (at least not a large one), it is very easy for me to see how someone would either assume this is a specific gang symbol or assume you got an amateur tattooist trying to do one of a few similar designs.

This isn't to be mean. I literally have a Master's Degree in Criminology and friends in the tattooing business, including someone who specializes in cover ups and has redesigned tattoos for former felons who don't want hate symbols on their bodies anymore. This tattoo is actually similar to some gangster designs. I strongly recommend you talk to someone about having this adjusted (add more color, incorporate other symbols, or something) if at all possible, with someone who has experience with cover ups for former gangsters if you don't want people to assume bad things about you any time this is visible in public. Plain black tattoos, especially fuzzy or very simple ones, are common for first time tattoos in prison. The skull and snake are also easy to misconstrue as tough guy motifs for someone violent. Sadly we live in a world where people make assumptions and there's no way to avoid that.

Also I'd suggest taking a deep breath and checking in with your girlfriend about what could be different about this tattoo. I'm not going to pretend to know every thought in her head but I suspect she's worried this might be something hateful and/or she's worried about you getting attacked over this. It is entirely possible someone will overreact thinking this is a gang symbol. I can tell this has nothing to do with the Aryan brotherhood, but I'm literally an expert. Most people are not experts. Be careful where you show this off.

[u/MusicMommy2428 → u/tswd]

Add a dapper lil hat to it OP

[u/rohan_rat → u/tswd]

I agree with this. I'd be terrified for my husband's safety if he got this. As personal as OP says the meaning is, no one else knows that, most will never hear the story of it, especially before seeing and judging it. What they do with that kind of judgment is out of OP's control. That's the scary part.

We unfortunately live in a world where certain symbols mean specific things to very unsavory groups of people.

[u/Squirrel_Buster2]

It's a pretty shit tattoo.

[u/amarant7]

As a black dude, I’d have my eye on you if we were sharing a space lmao

[u/Street_Stretch9451 → u/amarant7]

Lol 100%

[u/SheServedToo → u/amarant7]

As a Native American, I have my eye on colonizers. The tat might not have the intention of being hate-related ideology, but it definitely looks hate-related ideology adjacent. You will forevermore have to explain you’re not racist to a lot of people in defense. Some will believe you, some will show disappointment that you aren’t one of them, and some will reluctantly share space while keeping a watchful eye on you.

[u/Raspberry_Trufflez]

Not going to sugar coat this. That tattoo is absolutely terrible. You should have spent the money and went to a professional. Of course your partner would be upset. It is your body absolutely. She has the right not to like the tattoo though. It's hideous. Line work and everything. Before anyone comes after me I'm covered in tattoos. I don't understand why you wanna put something on your body that looks like a toddler drew it? I could understand if a kid did draw it then it would be cute. Its just so bad dude. 😭🥲 If you like it though what ever. Let her have her opinion.

[u/Azyb21cx3 → u/Raspberry_Trufflez]

The line work is just horrendous. Never let an amateur tattoo on you people come on.

[u/BoringAbrocoma → u/Raspberry_Trufflez]

I don't think most of that ink will actually hold, it kinda looks too shallow, so it's gonna look worse.

[u/Fragrant_Pin_5670]

I mean she might be on to something. Maybe she’s just being honest and letting you know it looks like garbage?

[u/AgreeableAd1182 → u/Fragrant_Pin_5670]

Well, too late now. I imagine now she’s more mad because shes questioning his decision making capabilities, and possibly questioning herself for being with him, and the tattoo is a symbol of that.

[u/DirectionOverall9709]

I am more concerned whether it was done with a sterile needle.

[u/ActiveAcid]

it’s very.. giving me neo nazi white christian nationalist vibes tbh

[u/frenchfreer]

Buddy, that ain’t no friend! That guy does not like you one bit.

[u/Pumpkin_King_7]

What is the exact meaning of the tattoo?

[u/eggtoof → u/Pumpkin_King_7]

This short video explains it

https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ?is=9th9EVEAvEKP3rks

[u/Sad-Difficulty-2180]

No way your parents like this lmao

[u/I_lurk6]

Is she upset because she thinks it looks a totenkopf? It’s pretty doodley so doesn’t look directly like it, but if she’s tuned into political stuff I could see that being her first thought.

[u/ConcentrateFit5514]

Looks to be drawn with a ballpoint pen so I’m sure it’ll come off.

[u/phantom-firion]

Just another reason to hate Nazis, we can’t even use cool skull and crossbones motifs with the skull slightly angled away from the viewer without uninformed people losing their mind.

[u/gravis_tunn → u/phantom-firion]

It’s not the position or that it’s a skull and crossbones, it’s that it looks exactly like a shitty version of what people are saying it looks like.

[u/CricketNo7666]

TF, son, you lose a bet? Stop gambling!

[u/Positive_Neat9890]

I'm with your gf on this.

[u/kenjiow]

Looks like a white power prison tat lol

[u/MsWS27]

Guys, please understand that this tattoo is not affiliated...

That's the thing about public tattoos. If your tattoo looks like a symbol of hate, 99% of people you cross in your public life are going to think you purposefully got a hateful tattoo.

Congrats. You chose to make yourself look racist, by accident.

[u/byfo1991 → u/MsWS27]

It’s like getting a swastika tattoo and arguing it has its original buddhist meaning.

You may not be lying but nobody will ever believe you and you are kinda dumb for doing it.

[u/RudyTudyBadAss]

Is the 2007 in case you forget what year you were born

[u/VociferousCephalopod → u/RudyTudyBadAss]

I thought that was when he became a pirate.

[u/Wonderful_Dog_1073]

DIY?

[u/Symphonova]

She probably feels stupid for being with someone that would be "dumb enough to get that tattoo". And it's easier to be angry at you than at herself and her own apparent lack of judgement.

[u/Fragrant_Pin_5670 → u/Symphonova]

I would absolutely feel embarrassed for my significant other.

[u/SadieBluEyes]

Okay. Number one: your parents and friends are just being nice so that they don't freak you out about something permanent on your body, I'm almost positive. Tbh it's not well done at all. However, your GF being THAT angry and constantly fighting with you is odd. We need more context, like what exactly is she mad about: was it done in a basement? Is it tattoos in general? Is it the cross with the skull/something about the design?

[u/Ricky_spanish_again]

Probably because it’s fucking terrible

[u/ProudParamedic4107]

You’re not gonna be dating her much longer

[u/complete_data75 → u/ProudParamedic4107]

Yup that’s over

[u/Rawdl]

I tell everyone the same thing. Do what you want with your body but don’t expect me to not have my own opinion about what you do. Just like you can do what you want to yourself she can have her own opinions. Don’t have to agree with em.

[u/Byrdboy]

This tattoo is not NEARLY bad enough for the amount of hate it’s getting in this thread. It’s not great, but it’s also certainly not the worst tattoo I’ve ever seen.

[u/DocFuckinCochran]

It looks like your friend did it, mainly because it poorly done. This infers that they have little/ no experience which further infers that they don’t know, let alone follow any sterilization guidelines, or any guidelines in general. She’s probably pissed because you made a dumb decision, which means she’s looking out for you; you should listen to your girlfriend more often.

[u/Few_Arugula1993]

I mean if you like it then whatever. See a lot of dissing on the tattoo execution but tbh it looks a lot like the picture. The snakes outline is just chunky

[u/Ouvourous]

It’s hilariously terrible, I love it.

[u/E_D_K_2]

Mate that tattoo is shit.

[u/Better_Area3782]

Wow, thats terrible

[u/SenseFederal]

The fact that your parents like it is sad

[u/Responsible-Life-585]

Your stupid body, your stupid choice.

[u/-RansoM-]

I cannot draw for the life of me. I've never tattooed in my life.

I imagine I can do a better job than this though.

No clue what it means I would assume some white supremacist shit just looking at it not knowing lol

[u/Croatoan457]

Yikes. I would be mad too. It looks like you paid some drunk druggy five bucks to needle that on, especially since I've seen similar done by those exact people and the guy was... A poor excuse for a human to say the least... It just screams poor decision maker and not very smart.

[u/Living-Ad-7051]

What's funny is that the actually tatto is EXTREMELY faithful to the design. All the bad lines were there already!

[u/Salted-Cucumber]

The tattoo is ugly but it's not the artists fault. The tattoo looks exactly like the picture.

[u/Illustrious_Owl_3804]

Ima be honest- I have no idea what this means but it comes off as a trashy supremacist tattoo. I kinda get it.

[u/St_Arcade]

What’s it supposed to mean..?

[u/howanonymousisthis]

I don't believe you actually have a girlfriend

[u/ElectronicHold7325]

Nothing. What else is there to do but avoid getting that ugly tattoo again?

[u/HeckNasty1]

It looks awful but if you’re happy then that’s cool

[u/Flimsy-Coffee1144]

I feel like a lot of these comments are ridiculous..

Op, you’re not the first 19 yo to get a whack ass tattoo. If you like it that’s all that matters. Gf will likely get over it, you may consider a cover up in a few years and call it a day. I got a running pig tattoo on Friday the 13th, at 19. Some said I’d regret it, it’s one of my favorites & people always compliment it lol. To each their own.

People get little tattoos all the time. Not a huge deal.

[u/MusicalScientist206]

Does she think you’re in a secret society now?

[u/Fearless_Sleep_5267]

That’s a terrible tattoo haha

[u/Top_Philosophy5087]

Remember , a girlfriend is temporary , but a tattoo is forever .

[u/holdover10mil]

Lol thats brutal! Terrible quality lol!!!

[u/otownbbw]

I wouldn’t think I’d be pissed over what anyone does with their own body, but I’m personally evaluating if I could stand to look at this more than once. I suppose if she REALLY likes you but can’t stand to look at it, then that will manifest as anger because she really doesn’t want to be the one to break up over a tattoo.

I have negative thoughts about it, but it’s very important you like it. When you get a new gf at least she’ll not know a time before the tattoo so she’s accepting it along with your great personality lol

[u/eazyirl]

This is fine and you probably won't regret it. Think of it as a fun memory. Your girlfriend will get over it.

[u/Current----Reply]

NO REGERTS!

[u/Weary-Bus8436]

It’s not the worst I’ve seen. Not brilliant lining but her reaction is too much, it’s just a tat. If you’re happy that’s all that matters, dude. Can’t believe people born in 2007 are getting stick and pokes, the kids are alright

[u/Impossible_Law_4161]

Add MOB and a few dollar signs $$$. That should help calm her down.

[u/jroxiee]

i want to say this in the most gentle way, but my first impression of this tattoo was that it looks like a nazi/white supremacist symbol. the 3/4 facing skull reminded me of the “totenkopf”/death’s head imagery. and the snake/ouroboros feels too reminiscent of the “don’t tread on me” flag that has been used by many white supremacists.

[u/RevolutionaryAir7847 → u/jroxiee]

I can see the totenkopf but Ouroboros DOES NOT look like the Gadsden flag lol

[u/antique_velveteen]

I mean, it looks like something a 4th grader doodled with questionable white supremacy vibes.

You need to ask her WHY. Besides the fact that it's terrible and in a visible spot. Like sit down, talk about it, and don't be defensive.

Also your friends and parents are lying. Dude this is just bad. I hope when you choose your cover up that you pick an artist that's got a portfolio to demonstrate their talent. Your friend did you real dirty and now you're stuck with it.

[u/Hunk_Hogan]

Dude, you should be upset at that tattoo. Unless that's how it's supposed to look, but it does give off white supremacist vibes at first glance.

[u/Quinhos]

P.S: Guys, please understand that this tattoo is not affiliated with or intended to represent any racist, hateful, extremist, or hate-related ideology or movement. The imagery is personal and symbolic, representing the cycle of life and death, mortality, eternity, and renewal. The number 2007 represents my birth year. There is no hidden political or ideological message behind it, and any resemblance to symbols used by extremist groups is entirely unintentional. Please don’t make assumptions about me based on a tattoo.

The very fact that you had to write this says a LOT about how the world's gonna view your tattoo, not only your GF

[u/TripCautious32]

She’s probably so upset because the fact that you got such a terrible tattoo is making her have to question her decision to date you in the first place. Tough spot to be in lol.

Like she’s probably wrestling with your character, not the ink

[u/InertiaInMyPants]

I really dont like that tattoo, because it just made me realize you are 19 and born in 2007. Ouch.

[u/stacity]

Dang. I’m sorry but it’s terrible.

[u/MontyAllTheTime]

to each their own and all that but it looks like a really shitty aryan brotherhood prison tat lol

[u/Northern_rose69]

I like it, I genuinely hope OP does as well despite other people here disliking it. Someday it’s going to be a really fun memory and part of a wicked collection I’m sure

[u/Boulder1983]

I'd also be upset at finding out I was dating a Death Eater.

[u/PeanutPast6490]

Looks like it was done with a crayon, sorry

[u/Antique-Bat-4463]

What does she not like? The actual tattoo, any tattoo, location of the tattoo?

Yes your body your choice, but it's her right to not like it.

[u/cedricdiggory4ever]

i’ve never commented on this subreddit but this looks truly terrible dawg i’m sorry

[u/jrod823]

I love that this shoddy ass tattoo is only going to look worse and worse the older you get.

Truly a masterpiece of being young and really fucking dumb.

(Chef's kiss)

[u/UnderstandingKind757]

You gonna regret that in a few years for sure. Sorry man no shade but it doesn’t look good at all. It looks like a random inexperienced guy got a tatt gun off amazon and did it. Or like it was a stick n poke. It ain’t wrapped up and parts of it are prob gonna fade since your friend prob don’t have experience.

[u/PorkRinds416]

Buddy, I dont want to sound rude but it looks like a 12 year old did it. Line work is terrible, shading is horrible. Some lines are fatter than others, the bones look... yet again... horrible. The person who gave you this tattoo did not do a good job at all.

[u/complete_data75 → u/PorkRinds416]

It’s incredible to me that people just let their buddy deface their body with seriously amateur work

And people do this with the same thought process as buying socks

[u/DianaPrince0809]

I like the original drawing with the hourglass and Roman numerals. Sucks the artist went with Arabic numbers

[u/dirtydawg197]

What does it mean or meaning for?

[u/Sea_Campaign102]

It’s not very good…

[u/Scared_Brilliant6410]

Are you a pirate? Maybe I’m just playing Black Flag too much.

[u/Background-Onion-997]

The skull absolutely ruins this haha

[u/CarthageGotBambozled]

Bro as someone who got a fair amount of tattoos from 16-21. At 35 i still legit enjoy 3 of them. The other ones im saving up for tattoo removal or a cover up, either one will probably cost 5k lol

Bru just wait a few years and see how you feel about your new idea

[u/Dear-Appeal-7007]

I mean it does look quite rough 🤣🤣🤣 getting a tattoo is one thing getting a bad tattoo is something else 💀 Shes allowed to not like it but shes not really allowed to terrorise you over it 🫠 I would tell her, yeh you dont like it whatever, moaning won't make it disappear so leave it alone or we're gona have to break up 💁‍♀️

[u/15Kat-tattoos]

I think your friend should keep practicing 😅

[u/GapSlight472]

Not a fan tbh I hope you like it but the bones and skull are just so janky. I see a cover up in your future 100%

[u/Bi0_Nerd]

Furious is a bit much. It’s not well done, but you like it. If she’s just being honest that it doesn’t look professional, then she’s being honest. If she’s being mean and actually angry, that’s immature. For the record, I think the tattoo choice is immature, too, simply because it looks like your friend got supplies on Temu and practiced on you.

At the end of the day you have to live with it. I do think your friends and family might be being nice because it’s permanent. Nobody withs fully formed frontal lobe is taking this to a tattoo artist and asking for a replica, and no professional artist would put their name on this.

NOW, if you love it because your friend is close with you and it has meaning to you for that reason, cool. It’s not my preference. I like professionally done work. I’ve also loved when parents have their kids names or art on them, and of course that doesn’t “look” like stellar art. The difference is it’s usually pretty obvious it was meant to look like a child drew it. None of this is an insult, because it’s permanent and YOU love it.

Just say:
“I get you don’t like it, but I do. It’s my body, and what matters is that I’m happy. I’ve heard you kid and clear, now, If you can’t support me, then you need to be quiet.”

[u/RavenMcG]

Look, you are 19 and will have that tattoo longer than your girlfriend. Use this as a lesson in bad art and get it covered when you get bored with it.

[u/Hypornicated_1]

Did the tattoo artist have epilepsy?

[u/No_Shift_Buckwheat]

Why? Because it's ugly?

[u/kodasoda]

Wow this is….wow.

[u/VelkaKocka]

It looks funny and as long as its not like something offensive or inappropriate I see no reason for your girlfriend to fight you. I guess by your age that both of you are pretty young, evaluate for how long do you want to be with someone like her and are there other problems in your relationship that need addressing

[u/masripremed]

looks garbage

[u/Economy-Energy-8394]

Looks like shit

[u/duckinradar]

Totenkopf. I don’t see anything else.

[u/gwilson33]

Yeah it’s kinda shit but at the end of the day. If you like it then that’s all that should matter

[u/NflJam71]

Buddy, it looks awful. What should you do? Save up money for a few years and then after it fades a bit, pay a real tattoo artist to cover it up. It looks like this is their 1st time drawing something, let alone tattooing someone.

[u/Remarkable_Ad2733]

Join a club did you?

[u/BrianDamage0973]

You should be mad. That thing is fucking terrible.

[u/No_Comfortable7571]

LMFAOOOO

[u/WildlifePolicyChick]

The reason why everyone 'likes' it is because it's a little late in the day. It's a bad tattoo, but it's permanent now.

Related - your GF is freaking out because it is a bad tattoo, it was created by some clown so who knows if it was done hygenically; she's questioning your judgment, etc. Maybe all of the above.

But again, you're stuck with it now.

[u/Automatic_Society850]

It is not the tattoo, it is the fact that it represents the fact that you're a moron that cannot trusted to make adult decisions, therefore not a suitable mate

[u/one-scrib]

this looks like the type of tattoo that someone who has a confederate flag attached to their pickup truck would get

[u/Oelloello]

Yeah I wouldn’t want to date someone with that tattoo either. It definitely looks sketchy, even if you didn’t intend for it to have any negative meaning.

[u/Maleficent-Bug5051]

Regardless of whether or not it truly is a symbol of white supremacy, at first glance, that is absolutely what it is giving...sorry, man :/

[u/suprNova718]

Get a swastika next but put a little bow on an end. Seriously though, your body, your choice. This imagery will illicit negative responses.

[u/Playful-dick57]

And don't blame her if she breaks up over it. If she hates it that badly, that's a strong possibility. She didn't know it was coming.....

[u/PmMeUrNihilism]

On the bright side, she now has a perfectly valid excuse to break up with you 

[u/matrimftw]

Consider this a lesson in "yeah I've got freedom of choice but not freedom of consequences". Until you get this covered up you've got a really fucking shit tattoo

[u/bufooooooo]

Looks like complete shit. Looks like shitty aryan brotherhood prison tattoo. Also anyone walking on the street that sees it will think the same. Get it covered up asap

[u/JasonF818]

oh the stupid things 19 year olds do. Give it 20 years and your going to see it your girl friends way.

[u/Ab0ut47Pandas]

It's your body my dude. Do what you will with it.

[u/1Negative_Person]

I know you swear that it’s not racist, but it absolutely has totenkopf vibes, and many people who see it are going to assume that you’re a Nazi. It’s an exquisitely stupid tattoo.

[u/SammaVaco]

She's probably the smart one in the relationship. I recommend checking all major life decisions with her in future. :-)

[u/06Wahoo]

Did you know her opinions on tattoos before getting it?

[u/SpphosFriend]

Not to be a dick but It looks like a prison tat.

Is your Buddy an actual licensed professional tattoo artist?

[u/Objective-Sweet-118]

I truly don’t know if this represents anything specific. I Google image searched it to try to do my own research & it says that it’s not affiliated with any certain group or racism so I truly don’t know, it definitely doesn’t look like a Nazi symbol, in my own opinion, but obviously I’m coming from ignorance here so just do you bro… you knew a homie was doing it even though he was inexperienced. It truly doesn’t look that bad as people are saying.

[u/funkkym0nkyy]

I stopped going to a restaurant that I really liked because an employee had a tattoo that I interpreted as racist. Yes, personal meaning is important in a tattoo, but so is how other people are going to perceive you based on their interpretation of it. Maybe consider the history of the inspiration of your piece, because it gave me the ick the second I saw the photo.

As for what to do: start researching for your first cover up.

[u/thepyrocrackter]

Looks like Nazi shit

[u/TheChosenJedi]

It’s awful, brother. It’s poorly done, it’s oddly placed, and worst of all, it looks like a white supremacist tattoo. I’d go get a coverup by a professional asap

[u/Mtrees2404]

I completely believe you when you say it’s not a tattoo that’s associated with white supremacy, racism etc.

BUT

It just looks like a tattoo a racist white supremacist would have on them.

I’m sorry dude, I think it’s time to get that covered…

[u/LoudLawlessAndLost]

It’s a good tattoo. Unfortunately it also looks like a nazi’s tattoo they would they would have got in prison.

[u/swaffelen]

That looks like a white supremacy tattoo...