Parents and tattoos

I've wanted a tattoo for awhile now and recently I figured what the heck, I'm gonna do it! Unlike a lot of people, there's no way I would consider getting it without telling my parents - God, it would be terrible living with them if I did. They'd view it as a betrayal. I figured it wouldn't matter if they approved or not (and of course they would not..) as long as they knew of my intention. So I told them.

They laughed.

Me: No, seriously. I'm actually going to get one..

Dad: HAHAHA.. Tell you what, why don't you go to Thanasiyur and get it done there. You'll save your money... HAHAHA

Thanasiyur: Short for Thanasikounur(I wonder if that's how its spelled). The teeny-tiny-not-even-worthy-of-a-spot-on-the-map village where my dad was born. So tiny in fact that it has one single shop. And what might this one single shop sell you ask? Why, what else but essential items like soda, biscuits and candy?!

And of course this tiny village would have a local tattoo lady who has probably tattooed three-fourths of the village residents (which isn't saying much). I'm talking about those big, intricate, green, leafy tattoos that many women (mostly old) sport on their forearms.

For days afterward, I kept bringing up the topic in front of my parents, in the hopes that they would realize I wasn't joking.

Dad: Where are you going to get one?

Me: On my leg.

Dad: Well how on earth will anyone see it through your pants then?!

Mom (in hysterics): She'll cut a hole in all her pants exactly where the tattoo is..

Both break into laughter while I consider giving up.

Dad: Tell you what Malar, why don't you draw one on yourself?

Me: Because it will wash off.

Dad: OK how about this, you stitch a patch on all your jeans and pretend its a tattoo!

Me(dumbstruck):........

On and on and on it went until they finally realized I was serious. At which time, my Dad plays the 'Dad' card.

Dad:Well, if you want to get a tattoo, fine but not now. You can get one when you're say... thirty.

Mom agrees.

Me: Thirty?!?!? But I'll know better then!

Sigh.