Of you like your tatoo then it's not meaningless.

Isn't getting a tattoo because you appreciate the art more meaningful than copying a tattoo you don't even like just to be an a*****e to your son? Rules for thee but not for me? Enjoy your crappy tattoo that doesn't mean anything except you're a judgemental douche and a tattoo snob, this isn't the win you think it is.

If I were the son, I would make sure to point out "My dad loved my tattoo so much he wanted the same one as me ! He said it's so we could show our bond as father and son." Make it awkward as hell for him.

YTA. For so many reasons. Yucking someone else's esthetic yum. Being judgy based off of an arbitrary set of moving rules. Deciding because something is ubiquitous that it has no value. Trying to force your taste on another person and when that didn't work ruining it for him. Actually thinking other people should agree with all your bad behavior. Did I forget anything?

Ugh this parent. Based on this pattern, their kid is going to be cutting contact within five years....

Son's tattoo now has a meaning: "My parent is a judgemental, controlling, spiteful jerk."

I'll always wonder why men have kids they don't want or like, then proceed to treat them terribly, and then surprised pikachu face when their kids won't talk to them.

I'd have loved it if my dad did this 😊

Never wanted a tattoo, never gotten one, can't say I won't ever get one ..but it's highly unlikely. My sister and both her kids have them and most of her grandkids except the 11 year old. I don't see the need for them. This dad is clearly unhinged. To get a spite tattoo to prove to the son that he shouldn't get one without a deep meaning?? That's methed up.

I'm guessing he is a single dad since there was no mention of his wife saying he is an AH for what he did. He is probably single because he was a controlling AH towards his son's mom and any other women he was ever in a relationship with.

I was really curious if anyone would defend this idiot and what ways they would mock him. The replies did not disappoint

This parent is going to have to have a lot of disposable income to copy the cover up tattoo the son gets. Then the next one and so on. The son is an individual. He has his own beliefs,ideas, style etc. He doesn't have to be a carbon copy of his parents or share their beliefs. I am a perfect example of this. If the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, I came from a completely different orchard. We are complete opposites in every single way. We have been since I was a kid. I always thought I was sent home with the wrong family because we share so little in common and don't look alike but I am not adopted. Guess I got the recessive genes. In some ways I am glad. I have a ton of tattoos by the way. They make me happy and a lot mean things to me. I believe as long as you're doing what you need to do and not breaking the law or hurting others ppl should mind their business and let you live your life.

What a d**k. And who cares if you don't like tattoos? Certainly not those of us with tattoos. And now you have a stupid tribal tattoo you got just to spite your son. I hope your tattoo fades because I can promise you that you don't realize that tattoos take a little bit of maintenance.

I don't believe the guy who wrote this is old enough to be a father.

I designed a tattoo for the tribe of me. Daddy is a díckwad.

Or maybe he didn't want to tell you the meaning having ink on your skin doesn't mean you are obligated to disclose its possibly very personal backstory.

I’m of the older generation and I’ve always wanted a specific tattoo and will eventually get said tattoo. It holds no meaning for me, I just like it. 🤷‍♀️

Dad could've taken the kid to the tattoo shop, make sure it's safe and help him pick something nice, they could've both gotten a tattoo that day and make it a bonding experience. But no, he chose to be a prick.

Isn't getting a tribal tattoo appropriating a culture?

I have 20 tattoos. Some of them were more "for fun" than others, but all of them have a meaning to me. Some meanings are deeper than others. And many would have no meaning at all to anyone else, especially an outsider looking in. My son is 15, and not sure if he wants a tattoo in the future or not. Either way is fine with me. The only hard and fast rule I've given him, is not til he's 18 (in my state, a parent can sign for permission at 16) UNLESS it was for something Very Important, like a deceased friend. AND, in that case, I would have to approve the design and location, and he would have to wait at least a couple months, and think about it, and know he was absolutely sure. Because tattoos are permanent, ofc. And then I'd be happy to sign for him. The ADVICE I've given him concerning tattoos is: 1) Make sure what you want to get, and where you want to get it, is "appropriate". People often judge books by their cover, so don't get something vulgar, like a naked woman- /1

If it's Tribal then he should be part of that tribe. If he's not then he's an idiot and deserves to be mocked.

I think it's funny. If it's just cool, why not have the same one. I would laugh and tell everyone

Tattoos don't need to have meaning. If it's not your body why do you care so much? I'd never get a tattoo because I know I'd get bored of whatever I've permanently drawn on my body. But that's just me and so many people feel attached to theirs and that's nice for them. :)

Obvious rage bait. Stop giving these ppl the satisfaction of pulling one over on you.

I mean, I get why OP is the AH here. But OP turned their son's tattoo from a meaningless thing that he liked visually to a meaningful one by virtue of sharing it with their parent. I'm not disagreeing it was a bad move. But perspective matters.

I'm guessing most of the comments are gen zers with no reading comprehension skills, since she said she said whe warned him if he gets a meaningless tattoo she'll get the same.

I don't get tattoos, they used to be because someone was in some part of the military, tribal, or had deeper meaning to you. Now they are heralded to 'make a statement about you an individual '. How is it individual to have the exact same tattoo as umpteen others - it seems like tattoos have become ' because it's Thursday' kind of thing, the hairstyle this season but more permanent. You're both twits, the kid I'd expect it from!