Backup of the post’s body: Ok, I feel like this is a long story, but I want to provide all the details because I’m genuinely confused—and honestly hurt. My best friend is DONE with me, and I don’t think I did anything wrong.
For context, her husband has done all of my tattoos, except for my most recent one (and the touch up)
So, I went in for a cover-up tattoo. I asked for a dragon with florals around it to cover up some small words on my arm (words he had tattooed on me previously). The words were tiny, so I didn’t think I’d need to seek out a specialist in cover-ups—I assumed it would be relatively easy, especially since he’s been tattooing for 3–4 years.
While he was doing the tattoo, he didn’t finish the dragon’s tail. (The rest of the tattoo was filled in black & white scales, tail was just my skin with black scales) I thought that was odd, and I vividly remember him saying, “I’m going to leave the tail like this because I think it looks good.” He didn’t ask if I wanted it finished—he just stated it.
I acted like I loved it afterward. I’m shy when it comes to confrontation, and on top of that, he’s my best friend’s husband and someone I lowkey considered a friend myself. I hung out with both of them all the time (together—don’t worry). But when I went home, I hated it. I thought maybe it was just shock and it would pass, but as the healing went on, I started to hate it even more.
I know the tattoo could be so much worse, but it really sent me into a spiral. I didn’t want to show my arms. I couldn’t even look at it for too long without getting upset. The more I looked, the more flaws I found. I genuinely felt awful. I looked into removal options and started researching other tattoo artists near me.
Eventually, I decided to get it touched up by another artist—and I did.
Now, I knew this was going to be a sensitive topic. When I got my floral wrap tattoo previously, my friend made a few jokes about how I went to another artist and even jokingly called me a “traitor.” So I didn’t want them to find out I had it fixed and think I was throwing shade at her husband’s work. The last thing I wanted was to hurt either of them.
I decided to talk to her directly. I sat down and simply explained that I went to another artist to fix the tattoo because her husband had blown it out. I said the words: “If your tattoo got blown out, you’d go to another artist too.”
That comment is what upset her the most.
We parted ways, and a few days later I texted her and asked if she was upset. She told me that yes, she was, and she needed time to think about it. She also said she didn’t want me getting tattoos from her husband anymore because I’m just going to “criticize” his work.
But I don’t even feel like I criticized it—I was incredibly gentle. I could’ve gone in angry and hurt, but instead, I stayed calm and respectful. I never once yelled, bad-mouthed him, or made it personal. I just explained the facts.
She also told me she shared what I said with her husband, and his response was, “Well, her opinion is subjective.” And that really got to me. Because no—it’s not just my opinion. A part of the tattoo was blown out. That’s a fact. He had seen it healed twice, looked at it closely a couple weeks later after doing it, and even said, “Let me check out your tattoo.” I was the one who pointed out that the flowers needed to be fixed—he never mentioned the blowout or offered to touch it up.
As both a friend and a professional, I feel like he should’ve said something.
Still, I put my feelings aside. I was respectful. I didn’t make it a big deal. But she’s upset with me now. I paid $300 for the original tattoo and another $300 to get it fixed. I understand she wants to protect her husband, but I really don’t think I said anything wrong.
If my man blew out something permanent on my friend’s body, I would feel awful. I’d apologize. I’d make sure he took accountability, because that’s what professionals do.
We haven’t talked in a week now. I sent her a message saying: “Please try to think about the fact that I have feelings about this too, but I put mine aside to avoid hurting you both.”
She never responded.
The friendship is over. I know that. I’ve accepted it. But I still feel like it’s such a strange thing to be this upset with me over. Especially when I could’ve reacted so much worse—but didn’t.
Now, I keep looking at the before-and-after pictures of the tattoo, and honestly… yeah. I think I was right to get it fixed.
Anyway, maybe I’m not seeing something clearly. Maybe I’m missing something. I really just want to understand—did I do something wrong?
AITA?
Also I wanted to post a side by side of the tattoo but I can’t on here, if anyone has a way for me to do so I will.
Thanks for submitting to the Two Hot Takes Podcast Subreddit! We’d like to remind you that all posts are subject to being featured in an episode of the Two Hot Takes Podcast. If your story is featured you’ll
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Backup of the post’s body: Ok, I feel like this is a long story, but I want to provide all the details because I’m genuinely confused—and honestly hurt. My best friend is DONE with me, and I don’t think I did anything wrong.
For context, her husband has done all of my tattoos, except for my most recent one (and the touch up)
So, I went in for a cover-up tattoo. I asked for a dragon with florals around it to cover up some small words on my arm (words he had tattooed on me previously). The words were tiny, so I didn’t think I’d need to seek out a specialist in cover-ups—I assumed it would be relatively easy, especially since he’s been tattooing for 3–4 years.
While he was doing the tattoo, he didn’t finish the dragon’s tail. (The rest of the tattoo was filled in black & white scales, tail was just my skin with black scales) I thought that was odd, and I vividly remember him saying, “I’m going to leave the tail like this because I think it looks good.” He didn’t ask if I wanted it finished—he just stated it.
I acted like I loved it afterward. I’m shy when it comes to confrontation, and on top of that, he’s my best friend’s husband and someone I lowkey considered a friend myself. I hung out with both of them all the time (together—don’t worry). But when I went home, I hated it. I thought maybe it was just shock and it would pass, but as the healing went on, I started to hate it even more.
I know the tattoo could be so much worse, but it really sent me into a spiral. I didn’t want to show my arms. I couldn’t even look at it for too long without getting upset. The more I looked, the more flaws I found. I genuinely felt awful. I looked into removal options and started researching other tattoo artists near me.
Eventually, I decided to get it touched up by another artist—and I did.
Now, I knew this was going to be a sensitive topic. When I got my floral wrap tattoo previously, my friend made a few jokes about how I went to another artist and even jokingly called me a “traitor.” So I didn’t want them to find out I had it fixed and think I was throwing shade at her husband’s work. The last thing I wanted was to hurt either of them.
I decided to talk to her directly. I sat down and simply explained that I went to another artist to fix the tattoo because her husband had blown it out. I said the words: “If your tattoo got blown out, you’d go to another artist too.”
That comment is what upset her the most.
We parted ways, and a few days later I texted her and asked if she was upset. She told me that yes, she was, and she needed time to think about it. She also said she didn’t want me getting tattoos from her husband anymore because I’m just going to “criticize” his work.
But I don’t even feel like I criticized it—I was incredibly gentle. I could’ve gone in angry and hurt, but instead, I stayed calm and respectful. I never once yelled, bad-mouthed him, or made it personal. I just explained the facts.
She also told me she shared what I said with her husband, and his response was, “Well, her opinion is subjective.” And that really got to me. Because no—it’s not just my opinion. A part of the tattoo was blown out. That’s a fact. He had seen it healed twice, looked at it closely a couple weeks later after doing it, and even said, “Let me check out your tattoo.” I was the one who pointed out that the flowers needed to be fixed—he never mentioned the blowout or offered to touch it up.
As both a friend and a professional, I feel like he should’ve said something.
Still, I put my feelings aside. I was respectful. I didn’t make it a big deal. But she’s upset with me now. I paid $300 for the original tattoo and another $300 to get it fixed. I understand she wants to protect her husband, but I really don’t think I said anything wrong.
If my man blew out something permanent on my friend’s body, I would feel awful. I’d apologize. I’d make sure he took accountability, because that’s what professionals do.
We haven’t talked in a week now. I sent her a message saying: “Please try to think about the fact that I have feelings about this too, but I put mine aside to avoid hurting you both.”
She never responded.
The friendship is over. I know that. I’ve accepted it. But I still feel like it’s such a strange thing to be this upset with me over. Especially when I could’ve reacted so much worse—but didn’t.
Now, I keep looking at the before-and-after pictures of the tattoo, and honestly… yeah. I think I was right to get it fixed.
Anyway, maybe I’m not seeing something clearly. Maybe I’m missing something. I really just want to understand—did I do something wrong?
AITA?
Also I wanted to post a side by side of the tattoo but I can’t on here, if anyone has a way for me to do so I will.
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Thanks for submitting to the Two Hot Takes Podcast Subreddit! We’d like to remind you that all posts are subject to being featured in an episode of the Two Hot Takes Podcast. If your story is featured you’ll
get a nifty flair change to let you know and we’ll drop a link so you can see our host’s take on your story.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.