Jul 24, 2012
Grandpa responds to granddaughter’s tattoo… He isn’t happy
Redditor Jessica B sent a pic of her new tattoo to gramps and got this creative, curmudgeonly letter in response…
A transcript for easier reading…
Jessica-
Congratulations on your outstanding blunder — destroying the appearance of your body with an ugly tatoo. Millions of people pray that science will come up with a procedure to remove the extreamly stupid mistake they made when they were drunk or on drugs.
When you go to the beach be sure to wear a sweatshirt — or people will point & laugh at you. When you apply for a job be sure to be well covered. I’v never talked to an employer who would hire a female with an ugly tatoo. You might be able to get a job with the circus or a carnival. As for romance you might find some greasy unemployed mentally retarded dysfunctional misfit of a lunitic who thinks tatoos are cool.
I’m returning the picture – you can give it to some abnormal brain dead illiterate reject from the sewers who also think tatoos are cool. Welcome to the clan of social rejects.
If this letter seems a bit brutal – its fulfilled it’s intent.
Shame on you!
XO
- Gramps -
PS – Nice graduation picture
* * * * *
This is awesome. Makes me want to get a tattoo and send a picture to my grandparents.
What a hateful, judgmental ass. The tattoo is not something I’d want to wear the rest of my life, but it’s not something actually offensive like a swastika either. http://imgur.com/ztqYd
Uh…gramps never called it “offensive”. He said getting the tattoo was extremely dumb. And looking at the tattoo I have to agree. Looks like a t-shirt from the 1990s.
Oh, is that her tattoo? I’m really, REALLY shocked then because it’s not what I’d call ugly . . .
Somehow i highly doubt that the innocent stars-on-the-shoulder tattoo is the one she got. I think you’ve got the wrong link there, buddy. For one thing, he made it sound like it is somewhere that she would have to be careful to cover up for a job…..hopefully she wouldn’t be wearing a strapless/spaghetti-strap top at her job!
it doesn’t matter what the tattoo looked like, why would you have faith in an old man who talks like that to his granddaughter? clearly his judgement and logic are not the best, as the world he’s describing exists only in his head! the MAJORITY of 20 somethings have tatoos these days, and they aren’t stinking sewer hobo retards. it’s typical of the older generation to excuse their judgmental opinions as “protecting” those they are criticizing (warning her of the repurcussions tatoos have for your romantic life, chance of employment, social acceptance!), but the world itself has become less judgmental, so they’re no longer protecting anyone from anything. they’re just being RUDE.
As a 20-something with a few tattoos, I think I want to get “stinking sewer hobo retard” as my next tattoo! ;D
I am a grandmother of 5 and I dont consider myself to be “old” and do not excuse any judgemental comments on “protecting” anyone. I do consider my comments to be my opnion and try and offer them as constructive criticism. My daughter has a very tastefull tattoo as do my son in law and grandson. In fact I also have a small ankle tattoo. They were all done by professionals and are very tasteful. What I personally do find distasteful is a tattoo placed in an area that can be taken the wrong way..I think everyone knows what I mean by that. Also one that is so poorly done that you think ” that must have been done by an amateur for free” Tattoos are frowned upon by many in the business world wether the younger generation likes it or not. Why lessen your chance of being chosen for that job you want because of body ink?? Just one from the older generation voicing my opinion!
if i was her i would get 10 more tattoos!
What a moron
Wow, guess hes never been treated by this,http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/23/the-tattooed-doctor/ brain dead reject of a doctor!!! Glad I don’t care what others think of my tattoos! Gasp, I’m a nurse, shame on me!
Right on!
it’s a good thing he’s getting ready to die soon. the world needs less of him.
Because you’re so great.
Why would she show him? She didn’t have to.
Maybe because he’s always been a bit of an ass and at this point since she can’t love him she might as well laugh at him.
maybe because she likes her grandpa and – along with her graduation photo – she was proud to show him off what she got herself for graduation. i suppose she wasn’t expecting that response.
Alright, I get his point and it’s kinda sorta right, BUT times change and some things are more acceptable today that might not have been in his time, including tattoos. There are some extremes that could be a mistake for a young person, depending on their career path – on the neck or face or hands, and I’m guessing we’d all agree.
I’d like to see a picture of what he calls ‘Ugly’ and know IF her tattoo was “pretty” or “nice” IF he would also be upset by her having it!
What’s really puzzling me here is how this letter is “creative.”
i guess it’s just good to finally see a judgmental old man’s thoughts in writing rather than in his eyes and tone. at least that’s more honest, and in this case, hilarious.
I want to call this man ignorant and small, but I also want to see the tattoo. There are some tattoos that truly are bad decisions that will negatively affect a person. There are also great tattoos that other people will frown upon (relatives, employers, etc) that mean the world to the wearer.
There were a couple lines in that letter that suggested that he has a negative opinion of tattoos in general, not just bad ones, and that’s where I have to draw the line. As a person with several tattoos (and plans for several more), I’m disgusted by attitudes like this. Why is the decision to get a tattoo an immediate indication of an “unemployed, mentally retarded dysfunctional misfit of a lunitic (sic)?” I’m currently in graduate school for music, I’m engaged to an elementary school teacher, and I love teaching music to all ages and have done so for over 6 years. I’m not greasy, unemployed, mentally handicapped, dysfunctional, or a “lunitic” (nice spelling gramps).
Ok. I apologize for the sermon. I know none of my fellow commenters share his viewpoint, but I felt like stating my case.
Oh, and a couple more things. Before he spews about someone else being dysfunctional, he should learn how to function within the rules of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. Here’s a big one: before he lashes out in a vile rant against “tatoos,” he should learn how to spell what he so strongly detests. No one is taking you seriously, old guy.
Why do you think no one is taking him seriously? He made some very good points. I too would like to see the tattoo and its location. Depending on her career path, she may very well encounter problems finding employment if it is visible. My company doesn’t hire people with visible tattoos and I know many others do not as well.
I agree with you chris I am a manager and I would no way hire aperspecive employee with a showable tattoo no matter what the tattoo
was.
Well then you’re profiling. Employment should be based on work ethic and reliability. If the tattoo is offensive, that’s one thing. However, if the tattoo is tasteful you have no right to refuse someone employment. I hope I never work for anyone like you. I’d report your company to the BBB if I knew where you work.
My former employer was very strict about tattoos. You could have tattoos, no matter how tasteless, but they could not be seen under any circumstances. I, for one, am completely against tattoos. I don’t care if it’s a butterfly or a snake or a tattoo of a loved one. They’re repulsive to me and I don’t know why anyone would want to do that to themselves. I won’t even date anyone with tattoos. HOWEVER, if you want to get a tattoo, it’s your right to do that to yourself, I won’t try to stop you…unless you were my child. The grandfather was trying to make a point to his granddaughter, but he could have put it a nicer way. On the other hand, we don’t know the grandfather. We don’t know if that’s his normal attitude that he gives to everyone or if he’s just a crotchety old man or if he’s really a sweetheart and was offended that his granddaughter would even think of doing something like that to herself.
Then you’d better report the military and the police to the BBB because they don’t allow visible tatoos. And it is an employer’s right to decide what image they want to project to the public and whether a potential employee maintaints that image….tatoo or other style choices.
I have worked in many management positions for retail stores and restaurants. It has always been the policy to not hire someone with visible tattoos. There is too broad of an array of tattoos that people choose, to be put in the position of deciding if it is offensive or not. It would be discrimination to allow some tattoos but not all of them. I understand why employers choose the no tattoo policy. I do have a tattoo, but I chose to have it on my shoulder so it would never become a problem. I love it, and live with it every day but that doesn’t mean that everyone would love it.
well I really didn’t say I would not hire them with a tattoo I said a showable one if it offends my guests she or he would have to keep it covered and there is makeup to cover tattoos, It all depends on what the tattoo is. You need to chill out and grow up,. And all work places have policies. I guess you are still looking for your first job ,GOOD LUCK.
Who is being judgemental here by wanting to report her company? Why shouldn’t the company have the right to employ whomever he wishes? It’s his company!
He sounds like an illiterate twat.
Are you clear on what the word “illiterate” means?
Makes me want to see the tattoo
Am I the only one who finds this rather funny?
no. I think it’s hilarious! (and I have nothing against tatoos) He’s expressing his opinion and telling it like it is. Laughing. Out. Loud. (seriously)
Oh, good! I thought I was the crazy one, hahahaha! I especially love the last part: “P.S. Nice graduation picture” xD
I am I the only one noticing some grumpy affection in this letter? The tone sounds harsh (and the opinions generally out of date) but it also seems as if there’s been a good relationship between grampa and granddaughter.
I think this is a grandpa who loves his grand daughter
and sees her as a lovely young lady n he thinks this tattoo is going to alter her looks no matter where it is the letter should have been personal. there is alot of skanks making comments n has little respect for older adults about this letter.
I personally think he’s pulling her leg a bit…note the little “ps-nice graduation picture”. For all we know, they’ve discussed tattoos before and she knew she would get a rise out of him. This whole thing just feels more playful than nasty to me. What is nasty are some of the comments I’ve read.
Agree with you mary
He should get a gramp stamp.
winner
I will admit that I jumped to my comment while I was pretty flared up, and that there may be some grandfatherly joke going on. Honestly, I still see it more the other way though. Someone posted a picture of the tattoo earlier up the page, and with that in mind the letter is a lot more infuriating if it’s meant the way it sounds (note the last line of “If this letter seems a bit brutal – its fulfilled it’s intent.”). I understand that certain tattoos really don’t have a place in a professional environment, but for those managers that have commented on here saying that visible tattoos of any kind are deal-breakers, I find that to be very close-minded and you are indeed profiling. I agree with Offended in that I would not want to work for you either.
Chris, I was pointing out that it’s difficult to take him seriously because of his horrible usage of punctuation, syntax, spelling, etc. I don’t know about everyone else, but I find that a poor usage of our language discounts a person’s credibility in many situations.
Josh, I don’t agree that a person’s poor usage of English discounts them in many situations. My own grandfather dropped out of school in the fifth grade to work full time to support his mother and siblings. He was very intelligent, though he couldn’t spell well and used improper grammar (and sometimes vocabulary.) :oD
Educational opportunities do not equal intelligence or worth. Let’s not be grammar snobs.
I have to disagree and argue that it is completely acceptable to be a grammar/spelling snob on this one: While it is true that grammar and spelling skills are only a sub-sect of the intellect, and that a person may lack written language skills and still be quite intelligent… It is also true that people who have tattoos can be highly intelligent, functional members of society. Just because his grammar skills are awful may not mean he is unintelligent, in the same way that just because his granddaughter has a tattoo doesn’t mean she’s a low-life scum bag who never has opportunity for employment. Now based on argumentative rules of engagement, since he called into question the latter of these it is within reason to call into question the former. As you defend him- arguing that we shouldn’t judge him based on his writing skills, so too you defend her- we shouldn’t judge her based on her tattoo. The argument raises the general point that if it is not acceptable to hold bais based on grammar skills, then it is not acceptable to hold bais based on a tattoo- which negates the grampa’s primary premise, thus proving Josh’s point valid.
It seems unlikely that the tattoo in that picture is the one she got. Gramps clearly states the tattoo is on an appendage. Your shoulder isn’t an appendage. He seems fairly literate and obviously took some time writing that — it just doesn’t seem likely that he’d call the shoulder an appendage.
Appearance. Not appendage.
What an ignorant, narrowminded douchebag. I particularly like the sexism thrown in: “I’ve never talked to an employer who would hire a female with an ugly tatoo”, just to make it clear the guy is living in the 1950s.
Tatoos are stupid, everyone eventually regrets them, if you dont yet you will. And I am not some old grandma, Im a young conservative mother of four, who employs 60 people, Still, Its not like I wouldn’t hire someone with a tatoo, I just know that it shows poor judgement and that everyone regrets tattoos eventually, ask any 50, 60 or 70 yr old and they will tell you they regret it.
That’s a pretty broad statement to say everyone who’s ever gotten a tattoo regrets it later. And just because someone has a tattoo doesn’t mean they have poor judgement. Too many stereotypes and generalizations in your comment.
Hahaha! Good for him! There are very few who will tell it like it is when someone gets a tattoo. And, he’s right; I’ve met very few employers who would hire a woman with a conspicuous tattoo. Actually, most would not hire a man with one either, but the jobs wherein tattoos are generally accepted are not ones women tend to seek out.
The comments from those offended by his letter are nearly as hilarious as the letter itself.
Didn’t we see a video of a laser tattoo removal on here a couple weeks back?? And there was the post with the progression photos of the tattoo removals from the face of the ex-skinhead awhile back. Just seems to me that technology is to the point that tattoos are no longer the permanent “oops” that they may have once been.
Just maybe her grand father had a tattoo at an early age and went through h— and he is trying to keep that from happening to her, JUST SAYING.HE IS HER GRANDFATHER,How many of you have a grandfather that would approve of a tattoo?
My grandfather didn’t care about mine.
“TATTOO.” IT IS SPELLED “TATTOO.”
I’m gonna have to withhold judgment until i see a pic of the tattoo. What if it actually is ugly?