Knowing My Boundaries

"It's hard to keep your teacher pants on all the time."

Today I realized that I have a very hard time keeping my mouth shut and remaining professional throughout the day. I just feel like there are so many life lessons I can share that may, or may not, always be appropriate.

Example A:
Girls in my first period were talking about getting friendship tattoos (been there, done that.) And another student suggested they get "real messed up" before they do it. Now they had been talking about this for a few minutes and I had been keeping out of their business but at this point I had to step in and tell them what an awful idea that was. I told them how your blood thins and will mess with the ink and how alcohol messes with your pain tolerance, etc. That part was fine. Until they asked me if I had tattoos. I said yes, because I'm not ashamed. But then somehow they got me to show them 2 of the 3. This is where I should have drew the line. But it's so hard for me because I don't feel like there is anything wrong with tattoos. I've obtained all of mine legally and of sound mind. I think it is ridiculous that teachers are not "allowed" to express themselves with this artform. Thus, I feel like I took myself down from teacher status, just to give them a little life lesson. But does that make me more of a "helpful aunt" type? As you can see, I'm pretty confused.

This example also brings up the issue of students talking about getting "messed up" in front of me. They don't seem swayed from talking about parties, etc. when they are around me and I bet they don't do that in front of "regular" teachers. One of my students even said he was "good at drinking beer" when I was less than 5 feet away.
How in the world do I address this?
Sometimes I pretend not to hear it... Probably not a good thing.
Sometimes I shoot them a "mother" look... Probably not effective.

Example B:
Some of the students that frequent most of Mr. C's classes were in during lunch and gabbing away. I was checking my email (it's my prep time) and I laughed out loud at a comment my friend sent me via facebook, which was then sent to my email. So of course they asked me what I was laughing about and I shared a small anecdote about when LeRoy and I broke up. Again, I'm not ashamed of breaking up with a boy. I'm actually pretty proud of myself. But I just don't know where to draw the line. How much is too much?

My other qualm with students so far is that they seem to be pushing their limits of what they can and cannot say in front of me. Getting messed up is one example but I've also had a student tell me she wanted to smash another student in the face/ hated _____ soooooo much, etc. and I've had students swear in front of me. I can see that they want to know where their limits are, but I also want them to respect me.
It's just hard because I feel like students should be able to express anger toward each other, although I'd prefer it be MUCH more constructive. And I don't have a problem with students swearing, if it is not done frequently or with disrespect to others.
But I know having this leeway (sp?) will get me in trouble in the future because I could possibly not treat my students equally.

So much to think about...