'You're so beautiful, why would you do this to yourself?': Waitress deals with customers disgusted by her tattoos

Author image for Stephanie Harper
Stephanie Harper
Jul 25, 2023 2:30 PM EDT

Plenty of people love getting tattoos because they feel like they're an artistic and creative way to express themselves. Some people view tattoo art as a way of turning their bodies into somewhat of a canvas where they can showcase meaningful images and messages. Not everyone in the world feels that way, though – Especially when it comes to the boomer generation and above. 

A woman working as a waitress took to Reddit to complain about the current situation she's dealing with on the job. Instead of being able to show up for work serving tables and earning a solid amount of tips to pay her bills, she's constantly fending off negative commentary from judgmental clientele who don't love the tattoo art she has on her skin. 

Since her tattoos are mostly visible in places like her arms, it's difficult for her to hide them from the world on a daily basis. she explained that she's been called "disgusting" and "ugly" by people who've seen her serving tables. She also receives disgusted looks from people who appear to be completely grossed out. Redditors with similar serving stories have flooded the comment section with their two cents. 

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  • 01
    Outerwear - "[Customers] have openly called my tattoos disgusting and that they make me look ugly"
    via Pixabay
  • 02
    Font - Posted by u/Cherry___Popper 21 hours ago Has anyone else had their appearance insulted? I, 21 f, was a server last year at a restaurant for about 6 months or less. I have tattoos on my forearms. A snake wrapping around my entire right forearm with a ghost holding flowers above it, on my left hand a bouquet of
    via u/Cherry___Popper
  • 03
    Font - flowers and a qoute on my inner arm for my deceased grandmother cupped by cherry blossoms. People have openly called my tattoos disgusting and that they make me look ugly (I have a very unique face that people compliment so these customers like to add this to the insults) Let me qoute:
    via u/Cherry___Popper
  • 04
    Font - "You know these are permanent?" "You're so beautiful, why would you do this to yourself?" - old lady who decides grabbing my arm and glaring at my qoute tattoo is appropriate. Don't fucking touch me. She wasn't even a customer, just a random lady walking past the entrance. "Why would you get that?"
    via u/cherry___popper
  • 05
    Font - "It looks disgusting (points at the snake)" "I'd never do that to myself" And more I can't recall but all simular. Overall just grossed out looks etc. I know for a FACT it's because I'm female. I had male coworkers who never got a peep about theirs. Do also note that all these comments were
    via u/Cherry___Popper
  • 06
    Font - made by people atleast 60+. I got many nice comments from people below the age. I even got a R100 tip that read next to it (tattoo money) because I complemented the woman's sleeve. The bill is still stuck on my wall along with another that read "thank you for making my husbands birthday special, Cherry_______Popper" by an old lady. I still cherish those moments and
    via u/Cherry___Popper
  • 07
    Font - sometimes miss waitressing. I loved communicating with people even though I ran into bad apples, the great people made it so worth it. I left due to management forcing me to come in with severe bronchitis to the point I couldn't speak and was coughing and wheezing while preparing the restaurant for opening. I realized he didn't give a s about my health,
    via u/cherry___popper
  • 08
    Font - especially after he told me that my disease was holding back his restaurant. I tried another place that just opened up but management were assholes so I left after a week and most of the other servers did as well. Anyway, what are your experiences? 19 people here 219 Comments
    via u/Cherry___Popper
  • 09
    Font - monycaw 20 hr. ago "oh wow, you're right, I'm actually working to afford tattoo removal but it's so expensive... I'd really appreciate your tips to help get me on my way!" 248 Reply Share
    via u/moneycaw
  • 10
    Font - Cherry___Popper OP Omfg I wish I used this!!! . 20 hr. ago Once a guy tipped me R50 on the bill and then asked me of we split the tips and I said no and that we only get paid in tips and 3% commission so we get to keep it (yeah, we didn't get paid hourly.)
    via u/Cherry___Popper
  • 11
    Font - He then said "oh wow, I wanted to give you this" and handed me a R200 note. That's a big fucking deal. I was astonished and so greatful. He then said "don't use this for tattoos now" with a laugh and a wink... I used it for tattoos 110 Reply Share
    via u/Cherry___Popper
  • 12
    Font - monycaw 14 hr. ago ● You'd be amazed how you can turn a conversation with "oh wow, you're right." My other favorite phrase is "Thanks for letting me know!" "You're ugly." "Oh wow, you may be right... thanks for letting me know..."
    via u/moneycaw
  • 13
    Font - Main_Age_7289 - 19 hr. ago Had someone ask "what is that stupid fucking clock on your arm?" Replied with "Oh that's the date that I overdosed on he in and died. What can I get you to drink?" The whole table was silent for a few moments. Lol. 159 Reply Share
    via u/main_age_7289
  • 14
    Font - LunaBlaxx 11 hr. ago I had a table leave because I had a goddess of the moon tattoo telling the manager I don't want a devil worshipper as my server my manager answered your free to go she would be insulted if you had a Jesus tattoo so it's fine miss that manager first off I'm a wiccan bitch
    via u/lunablaxx
  • 15
    Font - I_am_dean 19 hr. ago Yes. "Wow, I thought you were a lady." - upon seeing my tattoo sleeve and gauges. Me - well, I am, so....? They tipped me $0 and wrote "You're NOT classy" Lol. Ok.
    via u/i_am_dean
  • 16
    Font - Isabellablackk 11 hr. ago . I have never received a (legitimate) negative review about my service. I have, however, had at least one negative review at every job about my appearance! I have the full goth look and tone it down a lot for work but it's definitely still pretty dramatic
    via u/isabellablackk
  • 17
    Font - on top of the piercings and tattoos people have said specifically that my service was amazing but didn't like my look so they rated me poorly, it's so annoying but no manager has ever held the reviews against me luckily.
    via u/isabellablackk
  • 18
    Font - I will say my favorite was the 70 year old woman that asked how my manager could hire someone with "satanic eyeliner" (just a winged liner) and how we've "lost our sense of professionalism" AT APPLEBEES. 14 Reply Share ..
    via u/isabellablackk
  • 19
    Font - HunkyDunkerton 20 hr. ago I get a lot of comments from old men about my septum piercing. Mostly along the lines of "why did your boyfriend allow you to get that done? It's ruining your pretty little face".
    via u/hunkydunkerton
  • 20
    Font - I mostly answer with stuff like "oh, he actually insisted, it's a lot easier to walk me on a leash like that, make sure I don't stray off". When they tell me that's rude I tell them that "rude questions get rude answers". 70 Reply Share
    via u/hunkydunkerton
  • 21
    Font - LostInThoughtland 4 hr. ago I forgot to flip mine up into my nose once and served a table of regulars. They were staring like lost baby birds and then one old lady pipes up with "You think you know someone..." like lady you're here once a week and barely mutter "OJ and senior farmers omelette" at me
    via u/lostinthoughtland
  • 22
    Font - Fit-Yogurtcloset714 19 hr. ago Older customer made fun of my hair. It wasn't crazy hair, more Brad Pitt circa Seven/Fight Club. My response, which got a laugh from his buddies was "well buddy, at least I have hair." I've been in the BIZ for long enough that I'm not sucking balls for a tip anymore. Manager had no issues with it either.
    via u/fit-yogurtcloset714
  • 23
    Font - Spiffy Katie 19 hr. ago I'm 5'2, so not the tallest. And when bartending, sometimes I have to stretch a bit to reach the guest. Especially in one part of the bar with the sink under me. Well a few years ago this older lady sat in the middle where the sink is. And as I'm handing her her drink, she can see
    via u/spiffykatie
  • 24
    Font - I'm slightly struggling to put it right in front of her. Instead of meeting me halfway and grabbing the drink herself, or even do nothing, she says "wow they really need to hire taller people" and scoffed. 100% seriously. I just laughed and said I guess. 29 Reply Share
    via u/spiffykatie
  • 25
    Font - reviving_ophelia88 - 20 hr. ago . when I was serving I'd frequently get comments about my tattoos from the 60+ crowd (both arms are fully sleeved) and I'd normally just brush it off or make a joke about it. My favorite ever was when a 65-ish year old woman who was out with 2 other friends around the same age
    via u/reviving_ophelia88
  • 26
    Font - said "you know that's gonna look awful when you're our age, right?" like she genuinely expected me to answer her, so the look of her face when I pointed out at that age no one's skin looks great, and at least I'll be colorful was priceless. 76 Reply Share
    via u/reviving_ophelia88

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