We all know that getting a tattoo is a huge decision to make. For most people, they put hours of thought and research into the process as everyone should since this is something that you will carry on your person for the rest of your life. For some, it is just a spur of the moment thing that can end up with a lot of regrets.
When Cody Williams decided he wanted a tattoo, he put a lot of thought into the idea because he knew that it was going to be a pretty permanent thing.
Cody decided on some Chinese symbols going down his arm, and he knew the exact phrase that he wanted. So, what do his symbols mean? "I do not know. I do not speak Chinese." Really. That is exactly what it means.
Cody says he always loved the way Chinese symbols looked but hated those who got generic symbols that mean things like courage, hope, love, and others of the sort. He also figured since people would always ask what it means, he could mess with people and get a good laugh out of it.
Cody also knew the issues that could come from getting a tattoo in a foreign language, so he did his research. He found two different interpretations and took them to a friend who was fluent in Chinese to get his advice. After she realized what he wanted to be tattooed, she fell out laughing about it and told him the second interpretation was the most traditional and looked the fanciest.
Just as you would think, most people's reactions to his tattoo are along these lines:
"What's your tattoo say?"
"I don't know, I don't speak Chinese."
"You don't know what it says?!"
"No, I know what it says."
"And then they ask, "Well then what does it say?"
"I'll answer, "I don't know, I don't speak Chinese."
He says there is usually more back and forth before the person questioning his tattoo finally gets it, or they get frustrated and give up before Cody takes pity on them and explains it more thoroughly.
When he comes across people who can read Chinese, they almost always laugh and ask if they can take a picture of it.
When asked if he has any regrets, Cody says none at all. He says it is pretty much the ultimate joke etched on his arm forever.