Neck Tattoo Refused To Whiny Blogger, Who Cries Discrimination: Artist Responds

A neck tattoo in tattoo culture is frequently something that a tattoo artist reserves the right to refuse. That’s because it symbolizes quite a commitment to the ink lifestyle, and if you’re walking into a shop with no visible tattoos, there’s a good chance the artist will refuse.

If he’s a craftsman anyway.

That’s what happened to whiny blogger Jane Marie at the site Jezebel, and as one would suspect from one who writes for a site that so frequently enjoys playing victim, the allegations of “misogyny” and “discrimination” were quick in coming.

First, Jane Marie shared what Dan said to her.

“A neck tattoo on someone without a lot of tattoos is like lighting a birthday candle on an unbaked cake.”

“Stunning analogy, right?” the whiny blogger asked. “I wonder: Does Dan know what an analogy even is? And then suddenly I’m fighting back tears because, as Dan has already correctly assessed, I’m just a feeble-minded, hysterical girl. And then I ask the next thing that pops into my head.”

That next thing? “Would you say this to a guy?”

“Dan luh-hiterally paused, looked askance, and said with a slight nod, unconvincingly, ‘Yeah,'” Jane Marie wrote.

From there, many Jezebel commenters had to “correct” Jane Marie that refusing a neck tattoo isn’t uncommon in the ink community, nor should it be.

Still, there were enough supporters, who didn’t get it, that it caused something of an internet backlash for the artist, Dan Bythewood — enough of a backlash that he felt the need to respond anyway.

In comments reported by Inked Mag, he said the following.

“I was targeted by a blogger via Jezebel.com who would like to see me out of business. The reason? I refused to tattoo her neck, as I regularly do when asked by a sparsely tattooed or un-tattooed customer. Where she really got it wrong is assuming that I refused her service for sexist reasons, even after I informed her that I refuse neck tattoos on men and women weekly. Her misguided attempt to make this a feminist issue is a disservice to true feminism. It trivializes it in a wolf cry and makes slanderous assumptions of my character (just ask my mother, three big sisters, three beautiful nieces, and all of my wonderful female friends). I am a far cry from a misogynist. Although I appreciate all of the support I have received from the tattoo community, I would also like to ask that all the harsh name-calling directed at ‘SeeJaneMarie’ stop now. We strongly disagree with her opinion, but I also strongly disagree with calling women ‘b***hes’ or ‘c**ts’ for having strong opinions, even if those opinions are misguided.”

You can read the rest of his statement at this link, but it’s more of the high road. Props to Mr. Bythewood for his decidedly more mature response.

What do you think, readers? Should a tattoo artist be allowed to refuse a neck tattoo to anyone for the reasons set forth? Sound off in the comments section.

[Image of neck tattoo via Jezebel piece, linked above]