I am assuming most of the participants on this thread are 50+ age group. I will follow in a bit, gotta eat.

I am 42. So here goes.

Kudos to you for trying and being there.

But that probably wasn't enough. If his parent's response was like that, she is also enabling him. He probably saw similar behavior growing up. By the time he's 18, he's formed a lot of habits and lessons from upbringing. The "too hard" and "I deserve it" are just signs.

I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist. I am just another parent, and who was once 18.

Doing irresponsible things with money you can't afford to lose

Is part of

learning how to be responsible with money.

The "whos" and "whats" and "whys" change with the times but the lesson is the same.

Let him do it and let him and his stupid ass tattoo get in the $chit. If he's a good guy he'll be the better for it, it will just be some time.

okay. I am 37 and here is my take.

I was never fortunate enough to have anyone take me under their wings. I come from a very poor family, divorced parents, and a 3rd world country. I stepped into US when I was 17 and had to pound the pavement all my life. Now things are better, but all hard work.

However, whether it is my nephew, which I have one that is 9 and is going to be in dire need of guidance in life, OR my own Son who is 7, I intend to not allow this kind of **** to fly.

OP, if it was my nephew, and ran his mouth about dropping 7 large on a tattoo, I would smack the living **** of that idea out of his head. Right at that spot. Regardless he is 20 or 30.

Biggest problem nowadays is the excessive leadway parents give to their children.

I was at the gym the other day, saw this poor guy. Had 2 kids with him by the pool. one of them not listening and jumping into pool over and over, and the other one is rolling on the ground giving hissy fits about some ****. Guy had no control. He acted like **** was normal. We are of course talking about 7-8 years old kids, but mannnnn.... I see this when I go to Target, Best Buy, a restaurant.... STOP ****ing treating them like adults. Or don't get involved with them to begin with.

So yes, if it was me, that dinner table would have turned into a warzone. They all hate you for being tactical with your approach, might as well ruin it for everyone.

The reason I asked about the age group is the very fundamental idea I have about the generations. People raised in 50s and some 60s are total different breed than later ones.

Don't even get me started on these millennials and their bull crap entitlements.

OP, you are right. They are wrong.

You are correct in this, he's making a stupid decision and being underwritten by adults who should know better.
Who pays for his schooling and upkeep? If it is not he, then he should be read the riot act.
Or, tell him to put the tat on his forehead...dumbazz

I wonder if he was ready or in the position to hear you.

"Its too hard" - I wonder if his next move is to drop out of school?

Advise him that if he has a financial disaster don't expect you to bail him out.

Funny thing is, they would never expect that. The financial disasters that is so the OP is never in the picture to beginning with.

Sage words.

He is too young for you to give up on him, IMHO. Whatever you do, keep the lines of communication open. It sounds to me that you are the only grown up that kid has in his life.

You need to get your wife on the same page as you in this deal.

Kudos for being a positive example for this young man. If you aren't helping him financially, giving him advice and being an example is all you can do. If he doesn't take the advice and that disturbs you, stand back and remove yourself from the situation.
If you are helping financially you should stop immediately. He obviously doesn't appreciate your effort and needs to learn his lessons the hard way.
My niece did something similar to her mother. She borrowed some money ($2000 or so) when she was unemployed. She finally got a job and the first thing she did was buy a motor scooter and get a tattoo. The difference here is entire family wanted to strangle the selfish little twit and she left a family gathering in tears after nearly everyone came down on her for her selfishness.

My 26 YR OLD niese, and nephews all seem to be living above thier means (or maybe they make alot more than we do. We visited my niese and her husband on thier new 10 acre spread for Easter. This place is 3000 sq ft with fancy furniture in every room, a Cadilac SUV and a Lexus in the garage, and in the barn were all of his "projects" which included 3 motorcycle, 5 garden tractors, 3 old muscle cars, 3 newer project cars in various state of repair.

I think every young person has to stretch thier wings, and splurge on themselves now and then, we can just hope that they don't overdo it. I agree that a college student doesn't need to spend $750 on some stupid tattoo that they will probably regret later on in life. I can't understand the obsession with tattoos either, and really believe that alot of people get addicted to getting new ones whenever they start feeling down, and end up spending money they don't have on worthless adornments.

About 15 years ago when I was in school, they had lasers which could remove just about any tattoo color except yellow. Perhaps the technology has improved since then.

If you get a chance to talk to him again you might want to tell him "hey, tattoo's are a phase. I understand that. At least don't get yellow so if you get tired of it, you can get it removed and it won't totally mess your arm up."

So what if my advice is 15 years out of date :)

Maybe the tatoo will say " Thanks uncle 2porscheguy" :D