Hey guys,
I (23NB) got my first tattoo several years ago. It’s an album name on my ribs. My longtime friend (20NB) from another country is coming to visit me soon and talked about wanting to get their first tattoo in my city. They mentioned wanting to get the same tattoo as me. I was fine with that part, because it’s an album name and therefore a pretty common tattoo. But then they mentioned wanting to get it in the exact same spot, and how that was meaningful to them bc they have an asshole ex who told them not to get a rib tattoo.
My reaction was kind of non-committal ‘lol that could be fun’ but the more I have thought about it the more iffy I feel.
For more context, my fiancée (26NB) and I *just* got matching tattoos a couple weeks ago, which I told my friend about right before they brought up their tattoo idea.
I have never been the type to do matching tattoos and don’t really want them with anyone other than my future wife.
At the same time, I know that this is a relatively common tattoo among fans of this band and that the same placement is just unfortunate coincidence (they didn’t remember that my tattoo is also on my ribs). And I don’t want to be controlling of their body obviously.
So I kind of want to ask if they would consider a) a different rib tattoo or b) a different placement for this one. WIBTA if I did?
YWBTA
You don’t get to gatekeep tattoo choices, especially since this is a common tattoo and location.
It’s one thing if it is unique tattoo, but that is not the case.
Keep in mind, that there are likely many others who have the same tattoo as you *in the same location*.
YWBTA. You decided to get a common tattoo in a common place. You don’t get to trademark it.
Who cares! They live in another country? Let’s not gatekeep tattoos we will never see. Just forget about it or be super positive and enjoy someone you like who got a tattoo you like.