Ask Amy: Grandpa wants to bribe girls not to get ink
Dear Amy: I am grandfather to three precious girls, via my two wonderful kids. The granddaughters are ages 18, 15 and 11 — and they are all intelligent, hardworking, charismatic, and lovely.
Ours is a close family, even though we are bi-coastal.
Recently my daughter informed me that the oldest granddaughter is talking about getting a tattoo.
If she (the granddaughter) were to ask me my thoughts about this idea, I would tell her honestly that I disapprove for the simple reason that body ink is for the most part permanent, extremely painful, and complicated to remove.
But she hasn’t asked my opinion. It is, after all, her body and therefore of no personal concern of mine.
Still, I honestly don’t want her to get a tattoo. Not now, not ever.
So, what do you think of the idea of bribing her (and her sister and cousin) not to get one?
I have in mind telling all three girls that if they will refrain from getting a tattoo until, say, age 30, I will provide a “bonus” to their inheritance (I’m thinking $10,000 each.)
I would be careful to explain that this has nothing to do with love — I will love them regardless, of course — nor is it “punishment.”
If they really want a tattoo, they should probably get one — but if they choose not to, or at least to wait until they are 30 (when I will most likely be dead), I will reward them for indulging me.
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