People get tattoos for a whole host of reasons, and while some opt for designs that hold personal meaning to them, others simply want something that they like the look of, whether it has meaning or not.
But one mum has caused a stir online after she confessed to getting the exact same tattoo as her son simply to "prove a point" to him about getting tattoos just because they look "cool".
The mum explained she isn't a fan of tattoos, and when her 19-year-old son told her he wanted to get one, she was adamant that he spend some time thinking about what he wanted inked, as she told him it had to be "at least a little meaningful".
She then warned him that if he picked something "meaningless" then she would get the exact same one to prove how "silly" it was - and she followed through with her threat.
In a post on Reddit, she said: "I am not a fan of tattoos. Only because they are so ubiquitous now. When I was a kid tattoos were rare and rebellious. Nowadays they are everywhere and that's fine. People can decorate themselves however they want. But, for example, my grandfather had tattoos. His were from when he was in the military and were a memorial to his friends.
"My son has wanted a tattoo since he was little so I told him that was okay but to really consider whatever he got and have it be at least a little meaningful and not just do it to be 'cool'. I told him if he got something and it had no special meaning I would get the exact same one.
"I guess he thought it was an empty threat because he got a tribal armband tattoo. I asked him about it and he said it just looked cool. Okay, well I have disposable income and a high pain tolerance.
"Now we have matching tattoos and he no longer wants to show his off.
"He says I'm an a**hole for getting a tattoo just to prove a point. I think it's silly to get a meaningless tattoo to look cool."
Commenters on the post were baffled by the mum's decision to copy her son's tattoo, especially after she told him that tattoos should be meaningful - as she's now got something with no meaning inked on her own skin too.
One person said: "Getting a copy of the tattoo of your son and saying tattoos have to be meaningful and well thought about doesn't really match. The only thing you showed him is that you're an a**hole AND you don't stand behind your ideals."
While another added: "I'd rather have a meaningless tattoo that I like the look of than have a tattoo that permanently shows what a petty and toxic person I can be."
And a third posted: "At 19 he didn't need your permission or approval for it. 'I liked it' is plenty of reason to get a tattoo, and it's really none of your business why someone chose how to adorn themselves. You might as well have gotten a tattoo of a giant red flag on your forehead."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@trinitymirror.com.
