What's your first thought (honestly) when you see someone with a tattoo?

Question

Do you immediately form stereotypes about the person? Do you think that they are above/below average intelligence? Do you think that they drive a sports car rather than a civic minded vehicle? Do you view them as rebellious or artistic? Other thoughts?

Does it depend upon the tattoo?

Answer 1

I don't necessarily think anything right off the bat. I know enough people with tattoos to know that you can't sterotype them. Personally, I'm an intelligent, open-minded college graduate who drives a pretty sensible car when I'm not taking the even more sensible bus... whether people seeing my tattoo jump to that conclusion (or any other) isn't really my concern. Some tattoos do get my attention more than others and I'm not inclined to make overtures of friendship to anyone sporting a really offensive one, so yes, it depends on the tattoo.

Answer 2

I know a lot of people with tattoos, and most are very satisfied with having them. I usually look at peoples tattoos, out of curiosity. Some of them are professionally done and look really nice. I've seen others that I didn't care for too much. It isn't my place to judge someone with a tattoo. I am just not real sure that some of the tattoos people got when they were young are quite fitting to an older person. The beautiful girl tattooed on a man's arm while he is young, looks about as tired and weathered as the guy in later years.
I heard on the news several weeks ago, that Police officers and people in the military have to keep their tattoos covered while on duty, no matter how hot the temperature gets.
I guess there are pros's and con's about everything.
To each his own!

Answer 3

Depends on the qualoity of the work fisrts of all, then on the placement, then on the subject of the work. I have seen some that are jsut badly done and have to wonder what the person was thinking when they got it. Ther are also some places that I personally would never get one, but that's becasue I don't like peoplle mucking aournd anywhere near my head. That are also occasions that I have seen tats the subject was just a bad idea, or a bad combination of ideas. Usually my first thoughts are to the aesthetics of the artwork. People from so many differnt areas of life and different lifestyles have tatoos now that there really is no longer a "stereotype" of people that have them.

Answer 4

This is a great question! Thanks

Being a tattooed person myself I do not judge other people in any way shape or form. Although sometimes I wonder when people who have multiple tattoo's that are random with no order to the placement, are they getting them as a symbol of the chaos that may be or was at one time in their lives, or do they feel that this is their way of expression whether it be artistically or just what they feel at that point in their lives. I wonder about that but I DO NOT JUDGE THEM.

Answer 5

It all depends on what and where. I'm getting one this Friday, so i obviously don't think it's trashy if done right. I think it's smarter to have one that you can cover up easily when you need to, but i don't judge someones intelligence or character just because they have one. My mom's practically June Cleaver and she offered to go get one with me. So, basically, it depends on the size and place, and of course what it is. It should be the actual tattoo that tells you about the person, not the fact that they have one.

Answer 6

It does depend upon the tattoo. Personally, I think tattoos, especially multiple tattoos are ugly, but I've seen one or two that are ok. My immediate reaction is "oh, a tattoo, why have one?" Not to be sexist but I think men can get away with tattoos more than women can.

Answer 7

I have a tattoo, my husband has a tattoo, my brother has 15 tattoos. The three of us are all professionals, have children, and are active in the community. Mind you, all of are tattoos, including my brothers, are in spots that can be covered by clothing with out trying to look like we are dressing for a snow storm.

I have seen people that, in my opinion, have gone over board with having tattoos all over, including their necks, head, and hands. I try not to judge them, but to me there is no point, you cant tell one piece of art from the next.

Answer 8

if it's a "normal" tattoo, honestly, i don't think anything. if it's like a naked person or a skull with fire out of it or a teardrop on their face, i think they might be really hardcore or might be a poser who really needs attention. but as to whether they're smart or not, you absolutely cannot judge that based on a tattoo. i am a teacher, and some of my very, very smartest students flunked not just my class, but every class they took. point is, grades, tattoos, cars you drive, etc. none of that is an indicator of intelligence. (by contrast, people who judge others based on having a tattoo, that might be an indicator of stupidity, lol!)

Answer 9

i try to see the details and see if it's a common design or something exclusive. i tend to form stereotypes when it's something common or on common placements, specially tribals on lower back or arm, or dolphins/butterflies. if it's something unsusual, i get interested and wonder about the meaning. about the other questions, i learned not to make assumptions based on my own case. i'm nerdy, i wear glasses, i am always the good girl on the school, and i have three tattoos and a piercing that nobody ever suspects to exist, just because my clothes cover them.

Answer 10

It definitely depends on the tattoo. If its a bloody or gory scene, I wonder if they're into violence. If its a half-naked/naked woman, do they not get enough porn? Otherwise, I usually just look at the quality of the tattoo and whether or not its something I'd put on my body.