Grandpa wants to bribe not to get ink

Dear Amy: I am grandfather to three girls, via my two kids. The granddaughters are ages 18, 15 and 11 — and they are all intelligent and lovely.

Ours is a close family, even though we are bi-coastal.

My daughter informed me the oldest granddaughter is talking about getting a tattoo.

If she were to ask me my thoughts, I would tell her I disapprove for the 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 her body and of no personal concern of mine.

Still, I honestly don’t want her to get a tattoo.

What do you think of bribing her 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 this has nothing to do with love nor is it “punishment.”

If they really want a tattoo, they should probably get one. — Too Controlling?

Dear Controlling: If you want to teach these lovely girls to tie the concept of accepting bribes to making choices, then go for it, understanding there are possible consequences.

For instance, the next choices they could run past you might be: The decision to take up smoking, or engage in other risk-taking behavior.

Bribing also might lead them to do what they want, but simply not tell you about it.

I need to add that technological advances have apparently hit the world of ink. There are now tattoo products that advertise as “ephemeral,” designed to fade over a series of months, until they have completely disappeared.

You might suggest this idea to your granddaughter.