Do tattoo's and peircings make someone seem unapproachable?

Question

I don't need some smart *** answer about "be who you are...why do you have them if you care what people think...blah blah."
I just want to get some opinions, get an idea of what goes through your head when you see a person with those things. Im just curious, because it's hard to view myself from an outsiders eyes.
Some family members were trying to explain to me what they thought when they saw a peirced or tattoo'd person and I just couldn't make sense of their perspective. They told me that to them, such things send a message of "Im tough, **** off." But I'm not "tough" nor do I want people to "**** off". So just for the sake of my curiosity, let me know your opinion, do pericings/tattoo's send a particular message to you?

Answer 1

The reactions to piercings and tatoos are as varied as the people with the piercings and tatoos. Personally I find someone that has piercings / tats to be even more approachable. This would be because of my exposure to such people, and I find that those with body modifications are nothing if not bluntly honest. Always remember that people are affraid of the unknown. This applies to the perceptions subcultures as well. Mr. Middleclass average Joe knows nothing about, nor has any interest in what he perceives to be "that type", so obviously his perception will be different from mine. Keep in mind that we as a race strive for the acceptance of our peers; it would logically follow that if someone markedly different from me and my firends enters the room, they will not be instantly received unquestioningly. In short, don't expect your grandmothers euker group to ask you about the story behind your tatoos, but don't be offended because they don't.

Answer 2

honestly, with the aging of this generation (17-23ish) , that persceptive is becoming more and more obsolete. i have bright purple hair and i work as a hostess at a four-star restaurant, and my hair is not an issue with my managers (most of whom are under 30).i personally do not feel that tattoos and piercings make a person unapproachable, though i can understand the sentiment to a small degree. to some, the idea of someone willingly putting themselves through repeated pain/discomfort can be unsettling because they feel it is a form of self-mutilation. and if you notice, most professed cutters/anorexics/bulemics are avoided as well. people who don't know any better put tattooed and pierced people in that category. but i believe than in about 7-10 years this will become, for the most part, a non-issue.

Answer 3

Not really, some people look hot with tatoos and piercings and others it just doesn't work for them. Kids shouldn't have alot of tatoos or piercings, but that is my opinion. That's what you asked for right. But as for adults, it just depends on your style. I have a good friend who only has a small butterfly on her lower back and that works for her, then I have a guy friend who has sleeves and that works for him, now that I think about it I can't even remember what he looks like without tatoos. If your under 18 double think about what your fam is trying to tell you, if your over do what you want. It's your body, design it how you want. take care...

Answer 4

I have 2 tatts and 5 peircings, I have 2 sons, I got to all the parent meetings I even bake cupcakes and decorate them all cute. My sons teachers loves me, I made a banner for their christmas parade, Do I sound unapproachable. Maybe the reason no one smiles is because you don't smile if you smile first they would most likely smile back. And besides who cares what others think I love tatts and piercings-despite what others say.

Answer 5

I would have to see you in person, I guess. If people have alot of piercings and reallly goth makeup, I think they are a little intimidating, but I don't know, that type of thing could be really cute on some girls. I have a nose piercing, and a tatoo on my ankle. I think it's subtle. So the question really is, how much are we talking about?

Answer 6

It's your body, do what you want BUT, be forwarned, people will pre-judge you. Self-expression is cool but, unfortunately Tattoo's and piercing's send a message of :

"I'm a Tattoo'd MORON, I'M STUPID ENOUGH TO PERMENENTLY DEFACE MY BODY, don't hire me"

This isn't how I feel but, it's the way the world works !

Trust me on this one !!!!! Good luck !

Answer 7

Um your family tried to tell you right. I have three tattoos and one is death in Japanese. I get odd looks all day from Asians. When I see someone with a bunch of piercings they look strange as hell. And yes I get the impression of being tough and not to be ****** with BUT I know from experience that is rarely the case. your a white chick? What do you think when you see a black person with a bunch of tattoos, pants sagging hair in corn rows? Get the parallel?

Answer 8

well personally if i see ppl with piercings or tatts im intrigued and sometimes drool ( if its some great art ) i dont thinkit makes ppl unapproachable i have 2 tatts and 3 piercings and pplstill come up and talk to me and most of them i dont know so i think its all in how people where raised ot respond to others ingeneral ......
hope this helped or made sense lol

Answer 9

People ALWAYS stereotype, no matter what. But, it shouldn't matter what they think. It's how you present yourself as well. I have quite a few tattoos and it doesn't bother me what they think. It doesn't hurt me what they think. They don't know me.

Answer 10

well i would have no problem with walking up to some person with tattoos and/or piercings...i have nothing against it at all..but when i'm with my dad he seems disgusted by ppl with tattoos and piercings and seems to give them dirty looks and it pisses me off b/c to me its like just b/c they have tattoos and piercings doesnt mean theyre bad ppl....i mean ur still humanafter all....i think that most ppl get tattoos to mark a certain important event or thing that happend in their life...piercings are just fun.