Dear Miss Manners

I am writing to you to help me with a relatively new social situation I have recently found myself in. Actually, I have found myself in this situation many times. Perhaps it is my nosy nature, or maybe it is normal human curiosity. Either way, I'm not sure what the best approach is. Here is my dilemma. I frequently find myself staring at other people's tattoos. Not because I presume to decide whether or not they should or shouldn't have one. I just find the choice-making process fascinating. Is it socially appropriate to ask them why they chose that particular moniker or should I just pretend like I don't notice?

Here's an example. While at work yesterday, on my scant 15 minute lunch break, I took my meal outside so I could see the sky. Sitting at the table directly in front of me was a smartly dressed medical resident. She had on really cute heels. She also had a large tattoo of the word "breathe" on the inside dorsal section of her right foot. It was about 5 inches long and 2 inches tall. I found myself looking at it repeatedly while I was eating. I kept wondering what significance that word must have to her to put it in such a prominent location. It was too easy to imagine scenarios that might have made it meaningful enough to permanently etch it on her foot. But I took no action. I just stared in silence and ate my chicken with basil cream sauce from the cafeteria.

I find myself distracted into daydreams about people quite often while I'm observing them. Especially when they are tattooed and give me rich material like that. Would it be rude to ask them about it? Is that something that would offend them? How interesting it would be to see something like the tattoo below? How would I hold back from commenting? Please write back and guide me. Amy