Why would you do that to yourself?

Maidofmer
Maidofmer Posts: 908 Member
in Chit-Chat
Why do you do that to yourself?

I've heard this since I was a teenager, and I know full well it's not meant as a compliment or as a natural curiosity, especially when it's said with a very condescending tone.

Here I am, at the gym, minding my own business, staying out of everyone's way listening to my ear buds, music on max so I can stay in my own little world. I'm on the elliptical, trying for my 65 minutes, and a lady comes up behind me and pokes me on my side. Like a hard jab poke. I hate, HATE being touched by strangers, especially on my sides, with no warning, and while I am on a machine. I don't know anyone here, so it's not a friend. Case of mistaken identity perhaps? Waiting for a machine? Nope. There was about 15 other ellipticals available, and the look on her face, a look of disgust and, well, just a ***** look gave it away. I slowed down cause I don't want my progress erased.

"Yes?"

"Why do you do that to yourself?"

I know what she meant. I love to dye my hair. Now it is a crimson burgundy color. I also have various tattoos and piercings. I am 24. I am not going to put up with some stranger trying to put me down. I turn it around and she goes away pissed.

"Exercise? Well, I want to lose weight and get healthy. Same as everyone I guess."

Ugh. She points to my head. Nooo, (snobby tone) <i>that!</i> Why do you do that?

"Oh, uh, the music helps me get through it."

She rolls her eyes and moves a hip. "Uh, your hair."

"I put it in a bun so it won't stick to my skin when I sweat."

She's mad and I'm having a ball.

Gawd... No! Why do you dye your hair that color and have all those tattoos and piercings? I mean, why would you do that to yourself?

No side stepping that one.

"I like to, I like them, and I want to."

Snobby and ***** like. They look awful and you should have never done it.

I'm not one for petty name calling or telling people **** like that. I then ask her why she wears make up.

　

Uhh, it makes me look good. One eye brow raised, hands crossed, I'm-better-than-you stance.

　

"Shame they don't make make up for personalities because yours is disgusting."

　

She opened her mouth, shocked and feeling insulted, giving me the dirtiest look yet.

Cheesy, I know, but I got what I wanted. I smile, put my ear buds back in, and continue my workout.

　

I don't get people like that. I'm sure we all went to kindergarten and watched Bambi at one point in our lives. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. And keep your hands to yourself.
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Replies

  • GenF32
    GenF32 Posts: 184 Member
    Haha, nice work. And well done for being so creative in your response! I guess your body art is just the outward expression of your creativity.

    I would probably have only managed a "*kitten* off".
  • leslturn8
    leslturn8 Posts: 505 Member
    Great responses! People need to mind their own business!
  • Addis_Daddy12
    Addis_Daddy12 Posts: 548 Member
    What gall and insensitivity to have to do something like that to a total stranger.
  • Koma_Zd
    Koma_Zd Posts: 11 Member
    Very good comeback :)
  • Maidofmer
    Maidofmer Posts: 908 Member
    thanks. I wanted to at first, but then i'd be in a bad mood and not finish my work out
  • Groovyca2022
    Groovyca2022 Posts: 21,378 Member
    Nicely done!
  • waipepe
    waipepe Posts: 110 Member
    I would have just said " I don't speak English" in some foreign accent. This usually limits the conversation or completely freak out on purpose when being touched by making some odd gestures. Poke her and say no no . Haha
  • BonnieandClyde29
    BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
    wow that was brazen of her!!! You responded well, I would've gone off especially her touching and poking you, like damn lady go bother someone else, or mind your own!!! Crazy *kitten* people!!!

    I generally get compliments for my tattoos, but my boss smacked my arm twice when she saw a "newer" tattoo that I had (it had already been like 10 months, and she had just noticed it) asking why I would get that? So I asked her well why did you get that tattoo on your lower back that I saw when you bent over? What was it anyways I couldn't tell it looks older...wooo she was mad, but hey mind your own!!! lol
  • Miffylou
    Miffylou Posts: 307 Member
    Thumbs up to you. :drinker: Your body your choice, people need to mind their own business.
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    lol! whatta *****. i would've been so taken aback. i think you handled it fantastically. she's probably a very unhappy person stuck inside that nasty epidermis.
  • adlace
    adlace Posts: 375 Member
    so not cool. People need to mind their own business. You could also say your hair and tattoos attack people who touch you without your permission. And give them the crazy eyes. But you did awesome.
  • TikiTony13
    TikiTony13 Posts: 323
    people do think they can touch u coz u have tats!ive had it.
  • MrsMX
    MrsMX Posts: 98
    You owned her!!
    Lets hope she thinks seriously before judging someone else so poorly . . . .
  • Maidofmer
    Maidofmer Posts: 908 Member
    thanks all. with my tats, I have two on the left wrist and one on the right. you can only see them if you look at them. the rest are pretty well covered. but still, I just don't get it. guess some people just suck.
  • Loasaur
    Loasaur Posts: 125
    People seriously need to keep their noses to themselves. Who gives two ****s what you do with your own body? It's not like it's hurting other people. People need to not be so judgmental of others and you were right, her personality is downright disgusting!
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    I'm giving you an internet hug right now. It cracks me up when people go out of their way to volunteer their unasked opinions.
  • SunnyDuckling
    SunnyDuckling Posts: 204 Member
    Go You! She was way outta line, urgh! I can't stand people touching me either. :angry:

    I wish I was as good and quick and clever with comebacks. I would have been so icked out by some stranger touching me that I would have lost the ability to construct a coherent sentence.

    Team you! :drinker:
  • onwarddownward
    onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
    I can't imagine anyone being that crass to come up in your face and talk to you like that. Wow. She will have some serious negative Karma coming to her.
  • Camera_BagintheUK
    Camera_BagintheUK Posts: 707 Member
    You're a class act! Well done for the smile at the end, Queen of the impervious untouchables! We should all take a lesson from you, well done!

    :flowerforyou:

    PS I've been looking at your photos, and I think you look gorgeous!
  • Lovesthings
    Lovesthings Posts: 167 Member
    I am not going to lie... I am totally the person who would approach you to tell you I love your hair, or your tattoo is amazing. I think people generally like to be complimented, even by strangers. But obviously, NEVER while they're working out!!! ugh. I have tattoos myself, but am afraid I am "too old" at this point to rock the colored hair that I secretly wish for :) Luckily for me, my daughter LOVES it too... so she has been rocking a color stripe in her hair since 3rd grade!
  • AstroRocket
    AstroRocket Posts: 119 Member
    Bloody hell, what's with people these days. She would hate me too then, I also have tattoos and my hair is green, well currently anyway ;)
  • emmalouc93
    emmalouc93 Posts: 328 Member
    Nicely handled, maidofmer!

    When I was a little younger (still young now, hence, younger :P) I had a lot of different colours and most piercings, and I was bullied for it in school.

    Why did I do it? Cos I loved it, and it looked pretty cool!! You look brilliant, and I would rather look at people with crazy hair and piercings/tattoos/whatever the hell you want than a cookie cutter image of someone.

    People are RUDE, I put up with a lot of comments on the street and in school over it, but I came out a better person for it aswell. People are disgusting, and they probably won't ever change so we might aswell have fun when dealing with hate and tell them where to go!

    You're the best!
  • ladymiseryali
    ladymiseryali Posts: 2,555 Member
    People give me dirty looks all the time because of my hair style(long mohawk) and my piercings. Some mothers even pull their kids closer to them, like they're scared I'm going to infect them or eat them. That's THEIR problem though, not mine. I like how I look and that's all that matters. The only bad part is that my fiance and I often get followed by security because of how we look.....meanwhile while they're focused on us, there are people shop-lifting off to the side, or some terrible mother man-handling her kid or some brats running amuck.
  • Maidofmer
    Maidofmer Posts: 908 Member
    You're a class act! Well done for the smile at the end, Queen of the impervious untouchables! We should all take a lesson from you, well done!

    :flowerforyou:

    PS I've been looking at your photos, and I think you look gorgeous!

    why thank you. that's an ego boost I need, especially after her :blushing:
  • Maidofmer
    Maidofmer Posts: 908 Member
    I am not going to lie... I am totally the person who would approach you to tell you I love your hair, or your tattoo is amazing. I think people generally like to be complimented, even by strangers. But obviously, NEVER while they're working out!!! ugh. I have tattoos myself, but am afraid I am "too old" at this point to rock the colored hair that I secretly wish for :) Luckily for me, my daughter LOVES it too... so she has been rocking a color stripe in her hair since 3rd grade!

    thank you, and you're never too old to dye your hair. I had a teacher in high school, pink, blue, green. she was one of the favorites. my daughter, 3, love everything. I have a pumpkin on my ankle and she goes "mommy, its the pumpkin patch with jack!" She also calls my hair "mermaid hair" and she get streaks in her hair. (the kind from the can that last a day you get at the dollar store)

    great job mom
  • Mrs_Bones
    Mrs_Bones Posts: 195 Member
    Good for you for standing up for yourself. People are so unbelievably rude. The reality is, it doesn't make one bit of difference in her life what you look like. People should learn when to mind their own business. We really don't make the world a better place by judging one another and it makes me sad that people have to be so ridiculous over something that just doesn't matter.
  • FigMagician
    FigMagician Posts: 7
    That was nicely played. You gave her every option to quit her BS and in the end she walked away in a huff. Sorry you had to deal with such a rude person. Glad you were able to finish your workout!
  • kittenful
    kittenful Posts: 318 Member
    I think it's cute when people think I need their validation to feel good about my body mods. I am happy with what I chose to do, that's what really matters. You handled that situation brilliantly!
  • james6998
    james6998 Posts: 743 Member
    Great responses! People need to mind their own business!
    I have my tongue split, i love it, my wife loves it and i dont care who doesn't. Why would you do that to yourself? Because i wanted to.
  • Shan790
    Shan790 Posts: 280 Member
    I am not going to lie... I am totally the person who would approach you to tell you I love your hair, or your tattoo is amazing. I think people generally like to be complimented, even by strangers. But obviously, NEVER while they're working out!!! ugh. I have tattoos myself, but am afraid I am "too old" at this point to rock the colored hair that I secretly wish for :) Luckily for me, my daughter LOVES it too... so she has been rocking a color stripe in her hair since 3rd grade!

    there is a girl in my yoga class with bright pink hair tattoos and she always has her hair up in a retro pin up girl style. I freaking love it. And I told her so, just not while we were in downward dog :) I wish I could rock the look too.

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