why do people prejudge people with tattoos?

Question

i have tattoos on my arms and different places and i can see sometimes when i walk into places that people look at me as if im scum, why is this

Answer 1

because they are ignorant, same thing happens to me, mine are usually only on display in summer as they are on my arms near my shoulders and they are not offensive in any way but you can hear people talking about how awful they look and how young people are stupid for having them done when you walk past them, all i say is fuk them all, its them with the problem not me

Answer 2

It's only been in the last 15-20 years that tattoos have become fashionable. Even though that may sound like a long time, it's not. There are still some people that think tattoos aren't something you are doing for the fashion statement that they have become today.
Besides ethnic and cultural reasons in various races, tattoos were mostly worn by gangs (motorcycle or other), sailors, criminals who did the pieces themselves in jail (hey, they got bored I guess), and other "unsavory" members of society (TPT for example). You didn't find an upstanding citizen with tattoos or body piercings.
It's hard for some people to adjust to change. They can't or won't accept something that is radically differently to them. Even though tattoos have been around for thousands of years, they weren't done for style, they were done for religious and cultural reasons. So people that had them because "they liked them" were thought to be odd in US and Western Europe.
Sometimes it's the art itself that people find offensive. A pot leaf isn't something that inspires trust or confidence in others.
If you are happy with yourself and the work you've had put on your body, then just ignore the small minded people. The only thing you really need to worry about from others, would be a work dress code, some places still don't allow visible tattoos. So just wear a long sleeve shirt to work, and forget what everybody else thinks when you go out. It's your body.

Answer 3

Because it is thought of as a trashy thing to have a lot of tattoos... or maybe that you were in jail, a punk, part of a motorcycle gang... these are all connotations that revolve around having noticeable tattoos.

You know, I used to have some facial piercings, and I'm very well-educated, would dress nicely, but I was still judged for these things. No matter who I am, or what my intention, everyone just made their own judgments about it and the judgments they made about me were completely inaccurate.. as they made their assumptions largely on my piercings. I took my piercings out for this reason, because even though I liked them to an extent, I didn't like the way I was being treated, and that was something that I could not change... I couldn't change how others saw it, so I changed it and now people see me more for me, which is what they should have done in the first place.

I don't think you can do anything about your tattoos at this point, but just understand where people are coming from, and hopefully they'll get the opportunity to know you before they judge you so harshly.

Answer 4

I'm 48 and to the outside world I am everything people think I should be, well educated I have 2 grown up children a wonderful husband and 3 fantastic grandchildren. In May I suffered a blood clot to the brain and the nurses and hospital staff could not get over I had a tattoo and want another my middle aged husband has 3. I am so proud I beat both my daughters to the tattoo parlour.

Answer 5

Because I just don't like tattoos. One on the shoulder such as a flag or an eagle is okay but the ornate defiling of one's body that is so common today among young people born after 1985 preemptively cheapens a person's image. Now add a foul mouth and being a female with a certain look and that's your answer.

Answer 6

Very, very few of us have the ability "NOT TO JUDGE A BOOK BY IT's COVER". The majority of us, when we see someone make some association. Someone in a suit, we assume is a bussinessman, preacjher etc. It might be wrong , but it is human.

In most cultures, untill not too long ago only seamen, a few other trades and SCUM tattoed themselves. Many people now still assumes that tattoed people are SCUM, whereas I am sure many of them are better people than what I ever can be.

You must know that in some cultures tatoos have honourable ethnic linkages.

Answer 7

People who prejudge others are narrow minded and can't see further that their nose end. They are never going to change their opinions so why worry about what they think. They don't matter. The only thing that matters is that you are happy with your appearance. I have a tattoo and I love it. I put alot of thought into it before going ahead with it and I'm glad I had it done. If you are proud of yours, don't let others make you feel inferior for having them.

Answer 8

Not everybody prejudges anyone about anything. But as you must know, most people are not terribly open minded, and are prone to stereo-typing people. I guess that tatoos might have in some people's mind a reference to people who have been in prison, or people who are in gangs or use street drugs. Really, anyone can get a tatoo for any reason, with or wthout having a derogatory reference,.

If you like your tatoos, they certainly aren't hurting anyone else, then if some people are so narrow minded as to prejudge you on the basis of them, they aren't worth your time anyway, if they make up their mind about what kind of person you are without even trying to get to know you, then **** 'em.

Answer 9

I think people stereotype others that have tattoos as 'punks' and sometimes believe they are linked with drugs, alcoholism and violent behaviour. However i feel that tattoos are like jewellery in the way you have different ones to represent your personality and interests and to be different.

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Answer 10

Tattoos were usually a sign of someone that had spent time in prison maybe that is why they stare,although sailors also had tattoos so that is the only thing i know about them,personally i don't like them ,aren't you happy with the skin you were born with?

Answer 11

it depends on what the tattoo are. if i see someone with bulldogs, England, naked women etc i think they look rough, especially when they are on forearms. Other tattoos, which are more decorative are a bit better. My mom has one, my stepdad and brother have quite a few.

I don't normally like tattoos but I quite like them on punks etc. I like the piercings!

I think I feel that I don't like tattoos as my dad alway used to go on about how stupid they were etc but I found out not long ago he was on about having one!