Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
164
Guy Puts Rude Old Lady In Place After She Comments On His “Trashy” Tattoo
It’s common decency not to judge someone based on their superficial traits. We don’t know their backstory or what they are going through, and making baseless assumptions is unfair and possibly hurtful.
An elderly woman learned this lesson the hard way during an encounter with a hotel employee dealing with grief. The lady had unsavory opinions about the man’s tattoo and made sure to let him know.
The man, however, bit back and calmly put the rude guest in her place. Scroll down for the entire text.
RELATED:
Judging someone by their superficial traits may not end well
Image credits: Ahmet Kurt (not the actual photo)
An elderly hotel guest learned this lesson the hard way after making rude comments about the employee’s tattoo
Image credits: Alexandra Barbulica – Tattoo Artist (not the actual photo)
The man put the woman in her place, and he does not regret doing so
Image source: anxiousaxolotl4
Older people tend to be more prejudiced because of brain changes in late adulthood
Image credits: Nathan Anderson (not the actual photo)
While the woman’s behavior was inexcusable, it’s partly due to natural occurrence. In an article for the BBC, author and social psychologist Dr. William von Hippel explained that it’s also because of brain changes in late adulthood.
As he explains, the brain’s frontal lobe gradually atrophies as we age. While it does not negatively affect intelligence, it degrades parts of the brain that hinder us from having inappropriate thoughts.
This is likely why older people find it more difficult to find words they want to say and why many voice thoughts they would usually suppress.
In his research, Dr. von Hippel also found that older people rely on stereotypes more and are likely to be socially insensitive “across a variety of domains.”
“Inhibitory ability isn’t stopping people’s true opinions from emerging so much as it’s suppressing their prior opinions,” Dr. von Hippel wrote, adding that older adults simply find it more difficult to suppress prejudices because of poor frontal lobe functioning.
Young people will likely encounter old, judgmental folks like the author did. When these situations arise, experts like marriage and psychotherapist Linda K. Laffey, MFT, advise going for an always-proven method: showing empathy.
As she explains in an article for her website, criticisms often stem from misunderstandings. Many older adults may lack knowledge about the current trends among young people, which could lead to baseless conclusions.
Laffey summed it up perfectly: “respond with empathy, not rigidity.”
“Letting that person know you understand their viewpoint can make a huge difference,” she wrote. “Don’t be afraid to show a little emotion or even apologize if the situation warrants it.”
The author did show the appropriate emotions that the situation called for. He was polite and professional enough in his response but also made sure he sent a strong message that what the woman said was inappropriate.
Many commenters showed sympathy for the author
While others shared similar experiences
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
R Dennis 11 months ago
I dislike tattoos. So I don't have one. When I see someone with a tattoo, I just stfu because they don't need my opinion. If they ask my opinion, I just shrug and say "I'm not a good person to ask, they just aren't my thing." and move on. Really not that hard.
roddy 11 months ago
Besides, the tattoo is already a decision taken. If you don't like it, what's the point of saying so?
Load More Replies...
LaurieAnnaT 11 months ago
My mom used to say “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Words to live by. I’m not a fan of tattoos, but there’s absolutely nothing to be gained by criticizing anyone for their appearance. I do, though, enjoy complimenting people on quirky hair colors or clothes. I may be a Boomer, but I enjoy the joy younger folks exhibit in their hair and clothes.
Nice Beast Ludo 11 months ago
I thought of it as "This is why we keep our opinions to ourselves, Doris!"
Load More Replies...
Say No to Downvoting 11 months ago
My friend has a tattoo of the footprints of her first baby that died and was born at 18 weeks gestation. Many people ask about it and she explains. A common reaction is an awkward “oh, sorry” to which she responds “I wouldn’t have a tattoo like this is such a visible place unless I was okay with talking about it”. The second most common reaction is “that’s beautiful - I also lost a baby/had a miscarriage/had a stillborn” (or a similar situation). Pregnancy and infant loss is still such a taboo topic that is has been a wonderful thing for my friend to find so many people in similar situations to her and to have that door opened to conversation and sharing of stories, grief and memories.
Bob Brooce 11 months ago
Did Hell freeze over? The tattoo picture BP found is almost perfect for the article.
L. Murphy 11 months ago
I take issue with the doctor who claims that older people lose the ability to screen inappropriate thoughts. It's patronizing. Some old people are just mean. Older people in general are more honest because we no longer give a s**t what people think of us. I have always been blunt, but not rude. Seriously, what old person gets that butthurt over a strangers tattoo?
Kathy Brooke 11 months ago
"If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all". My gran's social wisdom still applies. I have no tattoos because I'm needle phobic but they're a great conversation starter. You tell someone "you're a work of art!" And they'll open up about themselves and what their ink means to them. Great way to get to know people.
Vinnie 11 months ago
I learned about tattoos as a subculture just by admiring someone's tattoos. He told me he regretted one of his tattoos because the artist turned out to be a terrible person. I shared what I read about a performance artist who started getting tattoos and piercings after quitting heroin.
Load More Replies... winterwidow87 11 months ago (edited)
Reminds me of when i watched an old dude literally cross the road to reach a young woman (she must have been in her early 20s at best) and tell her she looked nice but her hair ruined everything and she should change her hairstyle. I don't even remember what kind of hairstyle she had, i only remember thinking she looked cool 2 seconds before the guy appeared. I was too young to react and say anything but it made my blood boil. What makes someone go to a complete stranger and tell them something like that? Even if you don't like their hair/tattoos etc. is it so hard to mind your own business?
R Dennis 11 months ago
I dislike tattoos. So I don't have one. When I see someone with a tattoo, I just stfu because they don't need my opinion. If they ask my opinion, I just shrug and say "I'm not a good person to ask, they just aren't my thing." and move on. Really not that hard.
roddy 11 months ago
Besides, the tattoo is already a decision taken. If you don't like it, what's the point of saying so?
Load More Replies... LaurieAnnaT 11 months ago
My mom used to say “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Words to live by. I’m not a fan of tattoos, but there’s absolutely nothing to be gained by criticizing anyone for their appearance. I do, though, enjoy complimenting people on quirky hair colors or clothes. I may be a Boomer, but I enjoy the joy younger folks exhibit in their hair and clothes.
Nice Beast Ludo 11 months ago
I thought of it as "This is why we keep our opinions to ourselves, Doris!"
Load More Replies... Say No to Downvoting 11 months ago
My friend has a tattoo of the footprints of her first baby that died and was born at 18 weeks gestation. Many people ask about it and she explains. A common reaction is an awkward “oh, sorry” to which she responds “I wouldn’t have a tattoo like this is such a visible place unless I was okay with talking about it”. The second most common reaction is “that’s beautiful - I also lost a baby/had a miscarriage/had a stillborn” (or a similar situation). Pregnancy and infant loss is still such a taboo topic that is has been a wonderful thing for my friend to find so many people in similar situations to her and to have that door opened to conversation and sharing of stories, grief and memories.
Bob Brooce 11 months ago
Did Hell freeze over? The tattoo picture BP found is almost perfect for the article.
L. Murphy 11 months ago
I take issue with the doctor who claims that older people lose the ability to screen inappropriate thoughts. It's patronizing. Some old people are just mean. Older people in general are more honest because we no longer give a s**t what people think of us. I have always been blunt, but not rude. Seriously, what old person gets that butthurt over a strangers tattoo?
Kathy Brooke 11 months ago
"If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all". My gran's social wisdom still applies. I have no tattoos because I'm needle phobic but they're a great conversation starter. You tell someone "you're a work of art!" And they'll open up about themselves and what their ink means to them. Great way to get to know people.
Vinnie 11 months ago
I learned about tattoos as a subculture just by admiring someone's tattoos. He told me he regretted one of his tattoos because the artist turned out to be a terrible person. I shared what I read about a performance artist who started getting tattoos and piercings after quitting heroin.
Load More Replies... winterwidow87 11 months ago (edited)
Reminds me of when i watched an old dude literally cross the road to reach a young woman (she must have been in her early 20s at best) and tell her she looked nice but her hair ruined everything and she should change her hairstyle. I don't even remember what kind of hairstyle she had, i only remember thinking she looked cool 2 seconds before the guy appeared. I was too young to react and say anything but it made my blood boil. What makes someone go to a complete stranger and tell them something like that? Even if you don't like their hair/tattoos etc. is it so hard to mind your own business?
You May Like “This Man Was A Literal Child”: 76 Times Men Assumed They Knew More Than Women Woman Shows How A Bloody Pad Was The Only Thing That Would Get Men To Stop Following Her Older Man Thinks He’s Superior To Younger Generations, Gets Taught A Lesson By 35YO Woman Instead
Ilona Baliūnaitė
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Rūta Zumbrickaitė
Related on Bored Panda
17
61