23 replies to this topic

[LittleBeast]

Thats a good point, most people get tattoos as soon as theyre 18- to follow the trend as all their mates have them. As you see alot of young people with tattoos that are just for the sake of it- which is obviousley a choice they make but they have to live with it for the rest of their lives as most will get an off the shelf design.

I spent along time deciding what i wanted as they way i look at it you are limited space wise so use it wisely! I have 2 tattoos at the moment- one is on the base of my back and the other is on the underside of my wrist. Both can be covered up if needed.

I find that older people tend not to approve of the one on my wrist as they say 'what happens when your old- itl look stupid', so it might but it means something to me and id rather it look stupid than regret not having it done. I will have more but i must admit i do cover mine up for meetings at work as people (especially older) dont approve and it saves questions as to why i had it done etc... end of the day it does not and should not matter what others think as long as youre happy.

Hope this is of some help.

[Sam Walters]

What I'd like to know is your attitude towards people with tattoos?
I agree with tattoos and the reasons why people have those, tattoos in my opinion are an art form, there is no right or wrong with an art form. One person views on disgust are another person’s beauty; I believe they are like ink on a canvas or much in the same way as setting up a studio to take a photo you’ve sketched out.


People that are covered from head to toe, or even if they just have one?
Although i believe tattoos are an art form much like painting or pottery, I think it can go a little too far. the natural body is a beautiful thing in my opinion its a shame to cover it up in such a way, small ones are fine as they express the person who has had them done, or for other people as a remembrance ect ect.

you wouldn’t spend weeks spraying a car so it looks amazing and then get a can of black spray paint and cover the lot.


Do you think that the tattoo masks a person or enhances and describes a person?
Tattoos are up to the discretion of their bearers, i think tattoos that express their interest of a memory are the best or even express their personality, for instance a girl at my work has one on the back of her hand/wrist area of a butterfly as she believed that she has a vibrant and beautiful personality and that a butterfly suited that perfectly, personally I think she’s boring as sin but the tattoo is cool regardless.

What about in public places or retail situations - Do you feel threatened by a heavily tattooed individual?


Personally i am not offended by people who are heavily tattooed, even if they are a bit rough around the edges.
i find there is a strangely humble aurora around these people and generally I have found they are much more down to earth and willing to engage in conversation.



However it seems a lot of other people don’t, when confronted by these people for instance a cashier who has just started at a super market may be slightly intimidated by people with lots of tattoos, you can tell this by the persons body language, they make closed gestures and so on.

[Juju]

This is an interesting thread & an interesting project, Bean.

Perception of people & categorisation are important for us to process information & find out the structure of our society & how we all fit together.

Tattoos obviously carry a stigma about the wearer's background & social status that we all interpret & we all make judgements about. I'm tattooed, but they aren't visible to others. My late Grandfather, in one of his more bigoted moments, told me that "all people with tattoos will eventually spend some time in prison" . I don't think he was including Neolithic peoples, Berbers, Maori, Ainu or Polynesians in that sweeping generalisation , but in Western culture they do have associated inferences.

In western culture it is interesting that body modifications (piercings, implants, scarification, branding & tattoos) are all correlated with poor self-esteem and the "mastering" of our own bodies in order find an identity or a sense of "self". Conversely, in tribal cultures (and gang culture too) it is used for identification as a member of a particular community & status within that community.

I find this all fascinating.

All the responses so far seem to centre on a person's reaction to the visible tattoos of workers in the service industry. But what about professionals or individuals in positions of authority?

What would people think if their GP or surgeon had visible tattoos?

Or their lawyer?

Or a judge?

Or even a National Leader?

Edited by Juju, 23 October 2008 - 08:17 AM.

[robson]

As per someones comment above about judging people on who they are rather than appearances, thats all very well but in reality you are judged all the time on appearance alone - if nothing more than just a first impression you give to someone as you pass them in the street. Thats why your opinions on perceptions of tattoos are being asked about, i think.

[Jackman]

As per someones comment above about judging people on who they are rather than appearances, thats all very well but in reality you are judged all the time on appearance alone - if nothing more than just a first impression you give to someone as you pass them in the street. Thats why your opinions on perceptions of tattoos are being asked about, i think.

Yeah i know in reality thats the case... i said in my reply i started waffling on i do that at times.

[Bean]

Thank you so much, everyone! I'm really excited about what you've said and how I can use that!

I think there's some fantastic points being raised here!


I'd be really interested to see what comes of Juju's questions, too!


And, just to let you know how the project is progressing... I've lined up my model!

[rowli76]

My left arm is covered with a japanese style sleeve. I have further tattoos on my right arm, back and right leg. They all mean something to me, be it a reminder of a good or a bad time or simply an expression of myself. I have seen a real shift in the acceptability of tattoos but there is still an element of suspicion towards those of us classed as "heavily" tattooed.

I have experienced security guards following me around stores, parents ushering their children away from me and professionals dumbing down their explanations for me. On the flip side I have many people talk to me because of my ink. I've even had people touching my arms out of curiosity and then apologising. My wife and her family have no experience of tattoos but have embraced them and accepted that they are simply a part of me. They say that they don't notice them anymore and more importantly they never ask me to cover up. My mother is a church secretary and she has accepted my ink even when I visit her at work.

I couldn't definitively state that the attitude towards me is negative or positive, I think they balance themselves out. I love it when people ask (or even touch) but hate the narrow-minded a***holes who address me as a half-witted criminal likely to desecrate their homes and defile their children. People like that don't see past the ink. I am a happily married father of two. I have served my country in the RAF and continue to serve it as a Detective Sergeant in the Police. I do, however, believe that displaying my tattoos in uniform may detract from my professional image. As such I keep covered at work. I wear long-sleeved shirts throughout the year and manage to surprise many of my colleagues on social events.

Hope this helps.

[matty...]

I have a few tattoos, and would like to have more done. The only thing stopping having more done is the job side of things. It seems to me that the older generation still have prejudices against tattoos (well at least most of the people ive spoken to in the past). It seems strange that some people preceive a tattoo as "thuggish" in this day an age of "equal oppounities"!??

In general I have a real interest in tattoos and admire those who get them done, especially when its a properly researched piece and that has been well thought out, or something that is sentimental to the person.

Some tattoos I absolutely hate though! Type in ICE MAN into google and you'll see what I mean! lol

[chelseahelen]

I love tattoos, but they suit some people better than others.

I've a colleague at work that has 14 and the art work on the couple that are not covered up is amazing.

As for heavily tattooed people - good on them. Why should I judge them for what they like?

I will have one given time - but will be music related, as this is close to my heart and hopefully future career.

I think we are way too judgemental in this country regarding anyone who slightly deviates from the "norm" - would regard piercings in this category as I know only too well!

Helen xx