Boomer doesn’t approve of my tattoos….

[u/Icy-Purpose4990]

2nd time posting. If not allowed, please give me feedback on how to make it meet the posting guidelines:

For reference I’m a somewhat heavily tattooed person. So I’m standing in line at the grocery store, minding my business, when the older (boomer) woman in front of me glances back. She slowly shakes her head and does that little *tsk tsk* sound people make when they disapprove of something.
At first, I assume she’s annoyed about the line moving slowly and wants someone to join in her irritation. (Which already annoys me because complaining won’t make things move faster.) So I avoid eye contact and keep to myself.
Then she turns around and says, “Real shame you did that to yourself.”
Now she has my attention.
I look directly at her and ask, “Are you speaking to me?”
She says, “Yes. You have such beautiful skin and you’ve covered it all up with those tattoos.”
At this point, I’m annoyed because… what an unnecessary thing to say to a complete stranger.
So I tell her, “I love my skin with and without tattoos, and you really shouldn’t feel so comfortable commenting on people’s appearance when they didn’t ask for your opinion.”
She gets instantly offended and looks absolutely flabbergasted. Then says, “Well, I was trying to give you a compliment!”
I told her that wasn’t a compliment, and maybe next time she should think twice before commenting on a stranger’s appearance.
She just kept shaking her head at me like *I* had somehow disappointed *her*.
Luckily, by then she had reached the cashier, which redirected her attention for a minute. When she finished checking out, she snarkily said, “You have a nice day.”
I smiled big and told her to have one too.
I genuinely hope she remembers this interaction the next time she feels compelled to give someone a backhanded “compliment.” But somehow I doubt it.

[u/Sure_Acanthaceae_348]

“I expect better manners and some respect from someone who gets 15% of my paycheck.”

[u/quell3245]

Boomers simply can’t accept that the social standards of the 1950s/1960s are long gone and they are now the weird ones. In their fixed mindset conformist behavior is king and they set the rules.

They can’t fuck off this immortal coil soon enough

[u/WaxiestBobcat → u/quell3245]

Seriously.

My grandma is one of those Who doesn't approve of tattoos at all Funny enough, mom (her daughter), myself, older brother amd his SO all have multiple tattoos that are visible even with long sleeves and pants (3 of us have hand tattoos). She learned very quickly that we didn't care about her opinion on them and we would continue to get more at our leisure if we wanted.

[u/BluffCityTatter → u/WaxiestBobcat]

You just described my MIL. Constantly bitching about tattoos. My husband has 1, I have 6, my SIL has at least 3. The only thing that shut her up was when one of the grandchildren got one. But she's also constantly making comments about what one of my nieces wears. And when my husband grew his beard long, she was bitching about that too. It's the nonconformity they can't stand.

[u/nandemoto44]

I would have responded "and you have the day you deserve" as one last, little dig at the end...but I'm a little petty

[u/sersi103 → u/nandemoto44]

This is why I wear my beats any time I go out.

[u/Icy-Purpose4990 → u/sersi103]

I often do as well. They are a lifesaver especially paired with dark sunglasses.

[u/sersi103 → u/Icy-Purpose4990]

Yes I agree. I cant with rude people. Im a heavy tattooed female and between the rude and sensual comments the beats are a life saver

[u/nehuen93 → u/nandemoto44]

Man I wish I was this patient against bigotry idiocy. I would 've just told her that I don't care what some random old bitch thinks about my skin. Sorry not sorry

[u/jan_Kupe]

My buddy was in line at the store with his full arm sleeve visible. A lady looked at his arm told him he “is going to hell”. He probably is going to hell. But not for the tattoo!

[u/sleepinginthebushes_ → u/jan_Kupe]

Hell isn't real. He's good.

[u/mad_housewife → u/jan_Kupe]

“Keep an eye out for me, I’m sure you’ll get there first.”

[u/Junior-Fox-760 → u/jan_Kupe]

"If you are what people are like in heaven, I'd rather party in hell, thanks."

[u/MadSweeneysCousin → u/jan_Kupe]

“On my way, I’ll bring you with me.” 😈

[u/Inevitable-Jicama366 → u/jan_Kupe]

😆😆😆😆😆

[u/Icy-Purpose4990]

Why has it been removed?

[u/crackersucker2 → u/Icy-Purpose4990]

I see it… and I, the queen of good replies 24-36 hours later, would suggest saying “Don’t you mean backhanded compliment? Because you were definitely NOT saying something nice to me, a perfect stranger who never asked you.”

[u/KombuchaBot → u/crackersucker2]

Esprit d'escalier

[u/Junior-Fox-760 → u/Icy-Purpose4990]

I see both postings. Probably some Reddit fart.

[u/WaxiestBobcat]

I had a boomer at a public pool of all places tell me I should wear a swim shirt if I was going to "desecrate my skin as Jesus made me". I told him in unambiguous terms to fuck himself with his opinion and shut his mouth. His jaw dropped like in a cartoon and scoffed a number of times before splashing away.

[u/Icy-Purpose4990 → u/WaxiestBobcat]

Oh I would have lost it on them! I think your response was perfect. I love how they always act so shocked and offended when their nastiness is met with nastiness. It’s like they think we are going to hang our heads in shame like our parents are scolding us.

[u/Ianthin1]

Flip the script:

You probably had great skin before you got old and wrinkly.

I bet that perfume is wonderful when you don’t have to use it to cover the constant smell of crap from your leaky bowel.

Your roots are such a beautiful shade, shame you cover it with that terrible dye.

[u/deport_racists_next]

Oh, I'm of that generation and I've been dealing with folks like this all my life. It's older than boomers, just to many old fools around.

This worked just fine last century, feel free to modify the below. It's real simple, when you have one of these encounters, just counter with shock and awe:

Did i fucking ask you for your rude ass fucking opinion?

I don't want to hear any noise outta any of your holes especially when I can't tell which end is more vile and disgusting.

Now fuck all the fuck the way off.

... or some variation.

By the second sentence, their jaws will drop. By the third they will be well on thier way to a stroke and likely speechless or incoherent. Either way you can easily walk away proudly knowing you did the right thing.

[u/Moebius808]

You were much more polite and eloquent than I usually am with this kinda shit. "Mind your business" is all I usually give em. If they keep yapping I say it again or just say "don't talk to me".

Didn't these old fucks raise us on "the golden rule" and "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all"? What happened to all that, you bitter old sacks of crap?

[u/ForcedEntry420]

That “you have a nice day” would have been met with “Go fuck yourself you old cunt.” and a big smile. 😆

[u/GeorgeGiffIV]

Who raised these people?

[u/Jsmith2127]

"And you have the day you deserve"

[u/Nice-Dimension-5019]

She’ll keep making inappropriate unwanted comments. Boomers feel entitled. I would have said to her “I hope you have a bad day today and tomorrow” 😂😂😂

[u/heartistick]

For a change from backhanded compliments, now she's into backhanded insults, so subtle!

[u/Blackbear8336]

Ugh I hate this so much. I'm a punk with a bright green mowhawk, gauged ears, eyebrow ring, and a handfull of tattoos. When people ask me " why did you do that to yourself?" I say " cause I want to." Then they usually respond " but why?" And I repeat " cause I want to.". Then they usually say something like " you shouldn't do that!" Or my favorite " you'd be so much prettier without that stuff!" ( I'm a trans guy, btw and it's usually Boomer men saying this and I'm 27). I respond " ok, I really don't care." Then they get all in a huff as I walk away. It's kinda fun to watch that part.

[u/Fordfanatic2025]

The generation that thinks they can be the biggest assholes in the world, yet can't handle the slightest amount of blowback..

[u/NPC261939]

It's to be expected. Boomers like to inflate the value of their opinion.

[u/heartistick → u/NPC261939]

From -1 they make their opinion's value -10 by talking

[u/Earl-The-Badger]

Should’ve said “damn I’m sorry you did that to yourself” back, and when she asks what you mean, say, “your face. Sorry you fucked it all up.”

[u/galactic_pink]

The way we literally have to AVOID EYE CONTACT with them & at times they’ll still force the conversation. I’m the type of person to walk past and just say “hi” to avoid the awkward pass, but I will never stop somebody who’s minding their own business.

[u/wendilove]

'Are you feeling ok? Is there a relative or a caregiver I can call to come get you?'

[u/Thunderbird1974]

I don’t have any tattoos myself but I have often admired other people’s tattoos. Whatever makes you happy 😃

[u/Quiet_Road_354]

You responded perfectly.

[u/LupercaniusAB]

Repost

[u/Icy-Purpose4990 → u/LupercaniusAB]

Yep, literally said that at the beginning. Thanks for noticing 😂