23 replies to this topic

[Bean]

Hi Guys!

Owing to the number of topics there are on the forum about tattoos, I figure I'd like to pick your brains a bit, if I may!?


I'm about to begin a photographic project, exploring tattoos and how they're perceived.


What I'd like to know is your attitude towards people with tattoos? People that are covered from head to toe, or even if they just have one? Do you think that the tattoo masks a person or enhances and describes a person? What about in public places or retail situations - Do you feel threatened by a heavily tattooed individual? Or, if YOU'RE the one tattooed, do you feel that people react to you differently?


If you could just let me know your thoughts on tattoos in general and your experiences - Those questions are just a starting point, but I'd be really interested to see where it goes.

I don't want anyone to be offended or anyone to feel like they can't say what they think - So please remember that this is purely for research purposes and that everyone is entitled to their own views.

Also, if anyone would rather not air their views in public, could you please PM me with your thoughts?


Thank you!

[JohnGordon]

Hi Bean, I think that tattoo can enhance a person to some extent but can also do the opposite. At the end of the day a tattoo is like wearing what you believe in or your personality on your body. I don't get intimidated by tattoos, feel threatened by people with them or think differently of someone because they have tattoos.

I don't have any tat's but I would like at least 1. I've just never managed to get myself to sit in that chair, mainly due to not knowing what to expect. I know a lot of people with tat's and some say it hurts like hell, some say it's relatively painless. That's part of the thing that's stopping me I could deal with the pain for a while but the only thing I've ever wanted is very intricate and would take quite a long time.

hope this is of some help

[sheree&the-gt]

I have a few random notes on my wrist. I forget about them really, but I work in a restaurant, and I find when people see it, their pretty intrigued to know what it means. As it's small, and if needs be I can cover it up easily, I've never come across somebody who seems put off though.

I think reactions change sometimes depending on the age of the person really. An older person (like my grandma's age) might be a bit more threatened / offended than a younger person, i.e my age.



Hope these help.

x

Edited by sheree&the-gt, 22 October 2008 - 03:55 PM.

[mini93]

i think they deffo represent the person there on. as you know jean i have matching thing on each arm, now i dont believe my mum likes it as she called me an effin idoit when i told her and if i go to see my granma or any other of my family i wear long sleve T or jacket, because i dont think they approve.

Seems to me most people who i see comment on them say they like them, which im glad about i guess, but more to the point there mine.
Im not really a fan of coloured tatt's but in some cases can look good and made to work well but i think that largly depends what it is and positioning.

my friends bro has a 1/2 sleve on his arm and i think that looks really good, all done in grey scale and well thought out

i dont think anybody treats me differently apart from the odd comment but nothing bad, not like i speak to many old people who are usualy more likly to disagree, does make me feel tiny bit different because there in rather promenent place right on my arm there always there when be lifting a spanner of writing notes in uni....also i seem to be rolling my sleves up more...what a show off

i have seen some people who have been tattoo'ed n i just think...why, like a guy who had some tribal stuff from past his tshirt line up close to his ear then wrapped over his left eye, that kinda thing to be honest isnt my taist and if it were me something like that i would regret, i dont much think tribal can be made to feel your own unless you have personalised it with something else intergrating into another piece

[bcjames]

What I'd like to know is your attitude towards people with tattoos? People that are covered from head to toe, or even if they just have one? Do you think that the tattoo masks a person or enhances and describes a person? What about in public places or retail situations - Do you feel threatened by a heavily tattooed individual? Or, if YOU'RE the one tattooed, do you feel that people react to you differently?

I think a tattoo can only enhance a person, even if that takes them toward an alter-ego, thats still an enhancement rather than a mask. I think I prefer sleeves or large pieces over people with just a random small one. I guess that comes from past experiences of knowing people who get one done for fun, and people who are really into it. In retail or relations it really doesnt bother me. If anything I probably relate to the person more so have a better rapport.

Hm not sure if that makes much sense!

[89red]

I had my tats on my lower arms when i was 18. At the age of 25 i was a completly different person.
I had a top job and was asked to play for the company cricket team. Attitudes towards me changed when i wore a short sleeve shirt during the first match. Only slightly but people were different somehow. I forget i even have them now . I dont regret having them, just where i had them. I give this advice to anyone youngish having a tat ....DONT HAVE IT WHERE YOU CANT HIDE IT!!!....Tattoos are also very addictive....even now 20 years on i get the urge to pop in and get one! hope this helps you good luck

[techno-steve]

tattoos help to define a person and thier personality, i never feel threatened by a person with tattoos unles its a big fat biker dude lol

[Jackman]

Tattoos, i have none at the moment but i know i do want one... its just what and where i dont know.

If i saw a person convered in them it wouldnt bother me but would i feel scared... that depends on the person, some people in general get me a little worried tattoos or not. Will all depend how they act to if they worried me.

I really like them, some are nice and done in good areas which can easily be hidden, some are out in the open for everyone to see.

One thing we need to remember at the end of the day is we shouldnt judge people for how they look, we should for how they are as a person. I knew a person who was covered in tattoos and well built... looking at him he would scare you or make you think ill avoid him. He was the most down to earth person i knew, so kind and thoughtfull and wouldnt hurt anything.... sorry im wallfling but i think you get the idea

Its not how they look... its how they are that matters.

[rozzer!]

i have friends with tattoos and friends without. i also have tattoos as do 1 of my sisters, my mum, and wjhen he was alive my dad. its a way of life really as opposed to anything else. my tattoo means soo much to me as not only is it a reminder of my dad, but a permanent reminder of WHERE his ashes are. if you cant understand the wording you will never know where they are! i dont want to seem like a big girls blouse for admitting this but i do find myself intimidated by heavily tattoo'd people, until i get to know them! as said previously said they are really down to earth, mostly! i know a few who are total nutcases tho, and avoid them like the plague! i have a friend who tattoos and is tattooed a fair amount. he is 1 of teh nicest people i know!

[Mini_the_Minx]

I think tattoos are about being unique. Its about expressing yourself. Your interests, emotions, love, hate, etc.

Each of my tattoos means something to me and I have never regretted them. My body is like my canvas, its a way for me to show people who I am.

Saying that, anybody can have one of those plain tribal patterns on their back like all their mates (no offence intended)

I have nothing against people with tats or piercings. Its your choice if you want one or 100. And I can't stand people that come up to me saying 'Uh, you have a tattoo,thats horrible' Its upto me if i want it, don't like it, don't look!

[*DJH*]

Me personally i would never have a tattoo done (same goes with piercing) i don't like them at all, i'm just old school in that way.

But i do understand people who have them for a genuine reason, a guy who works at our place is from a cherokee indian decent, he has the same tattoos that all of the men in his family have had from way back when. That to me makes sense of a tattoo

[JamesF]

What I'd like to know is your attitude towards people with tattoos? People that are covered from head to toe, or even if they just have one? Do you think that the tattoo masks a person or enhances and describes a person? What about in public places or retail situations - Do you feel threatened by a heavily tattooed individual? Or, if YOU'RE the one tattooed, do you feel that people react to you differently?

I know I'll be shot down for going against the grain but I don't like tattoos. But then that's like saying I don't like purple platform boots. I'm not bothered if people have them but I wouldn't ever have one. It doesn't entirely change my view of people.

In an informal situation like person to person I wouldn't think anything of a few tattoos. If I was being served in a formal situation like in a restaurant or a shop I would see it as a bit unprofessional to have lots of tattoos on view. Like being unshaven or having a scruffy haircut, shirt untucked etc.

The ones I like least are on the arch of the back, above the backside.



If people want tattoos, that's their business and their decision. But that doesn't mean I can't dislike them.

[Nick Warwick]

i like tattoos and alot of my friends have them, i dont think anything different of the person having them, yes people can get tattoos that look stupid and rubbish but at the end of the day its their life and their choice to do it, why should you care if somebody else doesn't like it its not on their body so they have no need to mown in my opinion.

i have a half sleeve my mum and brother know about it but my dad doesn't just for the fact i know he will go mad at me because he is one of them people that judge you for having them so im saving myself the time and not showing him to get shouted at.

Tattoo's are another form of art its all down to personal taste.

[Bean]

I really appreciate everyone's responses so far - thank you for being so honest!

Some great points have been raised, so I will look into these further!

[*Raz*]

OOooh what a good question!

Hmmmm

I think it is about people expressing themselves in someway and trying to make themselves unique and some tattoos have hidden meaning or are sentimental . Sometimes people might get a tattoo to ''follow the trend'' because their friends (Im thinking the younger generation) are getting them done.

I do like some tattoos but others Im not keen on. Each to their own though. My cousin has a really good sentence written on his arm, about his service in the army.

How about looking at the celeb trend of tattoos now? There are so many celebs with tattoos that have them and there seen as fashion items now! The celeb tattoos have hidden meanings behind them! Robbie Williams has lots

Also what about looking at stereotypes. Do some people stereotype people with Tattoos..... Everyone stereotypes, even if you dont realise you are. Some people think that people with tattoos are 'thugs'. etc, others may associate tattoos with a particular music taste etc

Rach xxx