I’m generally not a fan of tattoos or piercings and if someone in my family has something noticeably new, I will ask them about it. “Hey, that’s new, any story behind that?” I may not want it on myself, but I’m curious about why they do. People usually get tattoos that have some meaning. if it’s visible, they ought not be surprised or offended if someone is curious about it, similar to asking about a shirt or a haircut.
I’m pretty old school, generally don’t think much of tattoos, have never gotten one, and hope my son never does.
But I see many people with tattoos almost every day, and can’t think of any reason I’d ever tell any of them, “That tattoo of yours is ugly.” Why would I? Better to keep my opinions to myself- EXCEPT on the rare occasions I think a tattoos is genuinely cool or interesting.
Once in a blue moon, I’ll compliment a tattoo I like. But I’d never tell anyone “I hate your tattoo.” Even if I really DO hate it.
I would have held up a red dinner napkin and shown great dissapointment if she didn’t charge me, you so are doing something right.
My Wife has more tats than our daughters, older girl has more piercings than the rest of the family combined, younger daughter is the one with hair colors previously only see on coral reef fish. They don’t say anything against my moustache or hats, and I don’t say anything against their expressions of individuality. None of it changes who they are.
I don’t comment on anything. In general, I’m fine with most piercing / tattoing. However, tattoos on the face/neck and piercings of the gauging / stretching variety I find borderline disgusting and (IMO of course) make the wearer look more like a pain-fetishist than someone just making a style statement.
Damn, I wish I’d thought of that! :smack:
I’m happy I did not allow any unpleasantness to interfere with our sparkling dinner table conversation about asparagus pee and the 7 stages of poop. Thanks to last night, I now know I was a solid stage 4 this morning. Yay on me! 
Just wanted to give an update. The kid just stopped by - drove in for a family gathering.
Still don’t care for the ring - think she would look better without it - but I realize I just don’t care anymore. She seems happy, healthy and beautiful (no - I’m not about to pull a Trump!) Sounds like she is absolutely kicking ass at work - going to be giving a presentation at a national convention in Feb. All I can say is - things have changed since I was a young lawyer, wondering if I ought to remove my hoop when appearing in court… She seems to be comfortable with her funky-meets-professional (I don’t know what to call it) style of clothing, hair/make-up, etc.
So long as she’s happy and enjoys spending time with her old folks, I really don’t care about the nose ring or the tats. Her life, her choices. Thanks all for being a sounding board!
You sounds a lovely dad! And you’re not obliged to like anything, just respect your daughter’s choices.
I recently got a new tattoo (the only other one I have is twenty years old) and told my parents, who are like you; they love me to bits but don’t care for tattoos. I sent a picture when it was done. They wrote back saying “Not as bad as we thought, quite a cute little bird. Are you happy with it? Does it have a meaning?”. I’m happy with this - they voiced their doubts which they are perfectly entitled to do, but are happy for me because I am happy. My advice is a little late, but in case anyone else is reading, I think “Are you happy with it?” is a really nice diplomatic out - you don’t say you like it, but still show an interest.
I would admire the fortitude it takes to tattoo yourself. Unless I am misunderstanding “She proudly informed me she had done it herself”.
I don’t exactly fit the OP’s requested demographic. I don’t have any tattoos but am pretty ambivalent towards them in general. Two of my three kids have them and I have complemented well done pieces even on complete strangers.
Many years ago my grandfather, a charter member of this particular Southern Baptist church, attended a service where the youth had arranged for a contemporary Christian band to perform. OK, it was a rock band. Pretty hard rock Christian music. Suffice to say that it was music never before (or probably since!) performed in that sanctuary. After the concert I grinned and asked my grandfather, who was in his late 80’s, “How did you like the music?” I expected the typical “too loud, not music, couldn’t understand a word” type answer. He responded with an answer that truly changed my life. He said “Not my cup of tea, but I can see how some folks could worship to it.” Ever since I have tried to filter my opinions through that lens - I may not care for it personally but as long as it doesn’t harm others and makes someone happy I’m not going to judge it harshly.
If they come up in conversation, I’m quite open about how disgusting tattoos/body piercings are. If they don’t come up, and I just see one on someone, I just keep it to myself and think YUCK, maybe shake my head or roll my eyes. If I had kids, I’m sure they would be well aware of my opinion on the subject long before they were old enough to engage in such mutilation.