Tats: Are We Treated Differently?

[chrisj]

I have very noticeable tattoos on both of my forearms, with lots of black. I don't have any anywhere else at the moment, but I am thinking about going ahead with at least 1/4 sleeves. But, one thing I have noticed since getting the tattoos early this year is how differently I am treated by some people.

First of all, I notice people looking at them all the time. I can't tell if they are looking at them like I'm some kind of freak or if they are just trying to see what the designs are. But I have noticed different attitudes in stores toward me, and how I honestly feel like I'm kinda being watched. It probably doesn't help that I have my head shaved and wear black either, but still.

I wanted to make sure that any tat I got could be covered up, just in case I was in a sensitive situation (such as when I was in court earlier this year...long sleeves all the way there, baby...), and of course in winter I wear hoodies all the time, so no one even knows I have tattoos.

That's exactly how I know I am treated differently. I can walk into any store with a hoodie on and walk around with no problem, but in short-sleeve weather I get that paranoid feeling again.

Just wondering if anyone else had the feeling that they were treated differently with tattoos.

[KRAZGRL]

I've studied similar topics while getting my degree in Human Development & Sociology. I can pretty much guarantee that you get treated differently depending on if your tattoos are visible or not. I have tattoos, but they're not readily visible. Friends of mine with sleeves and/or neck tattoos have mentioned treatment like you're experiencing.

[chrisj]

Here's what I've got so far...

[dvlnblkdrs]

i cant go anywhere without being stopped by people to ask me about my ink work.. atm i have a pinup on each arm.. tomorrow im going in for one more.. on my inner arm... (i am planning full sleeves definitely) i have had drunk people grab my arm and turn me around and all sortsa stuff..

but i have also been requested at work to not show people one of them because someone claimed to be offended by the butt showing.. i kept it covered with a sweater, but a lot of people heard i got a tattoo & i was excited, so i showed a bunch of people.. now when i get a new piece or new session, i only tell a few people cuz idk who was offended... but im ok with it...

[chrisj]

My son worked at McDonald's where they had a strict "no tats showing" rule. He recently told me they had relaxed that rule since so many people had them now.

Used to be, I would try to sneak a glance at another person's tattoos, but since I got mine we kind of check out each other's, and for some reason I am more at ease just staring at someone else's work...and they don't mind.

[kustom play]

im getting my whole left arm done with a koi fish

im a teacher at a school and they have no prob with it. Just have to keep them covered

i think there cool

[chrisj]

Oh god, dvlnblkdrs! I love Bettie Page!

[dvlnblkdrs]

me too, hence the olivia piece(its only slightly modded, if u recognize the art piece.. if not, google tattooed betty)

[severous01]

i have tatoos. and i definitely dont mind being stared at, as long as they're not staring, pointing and laughing or threatening me. my tatoo is on my back, and rises up my neck to the base of my skull...and i have one on my arm that sneaks down below short sleeves. so anyone that sees me from behind usually asks...or even has the audacity to pull my shirt back and look...i'm still getting used to that one.

i see it this way. i got it to show something off i believe in, like/love, feel strongly about. so yes, i want people to see it and ask questions about it. if you feel weird because people are looking at you, maybe you shouldnt have done something so dramatic to draw attention to yourself...or maybe have located it somewhere easily hidden and able to be shown when asked in public.

secondly, i really dont care what people think, how they react, or what they want. it's just simple--they have nothing to do with me. the only people i really care what they think are close enough to me not to consider tatoos and piercings something that changes my personality...or it's not worth bringing up the argument because they care enough about me not to worry about tats and piercings.

i got my tat in the military, so it had to be hidden. i wore long sleeves in the summer and never rose my sleeves unless ordered by officers or supervisors because it's against regs...and if i'm ordered, i'm no longer breaking regs, they are. the military has also gotten lax on tatoos. several people in my shop had tatoos, and not just the young guys. they weren't body tatoos or sleeves or anything like that, but they were noticeable and noone said anything about them. because we did our job and did it very well, we were active in the military community and people knew us.

any way, it's all in your head. or in their head...either way it's easily overcome.

[Dragracer]

I gotta say I was one of the one's who used to stare at folks with Tats! I couldn't believe anyone would do that to themselves. As I grew older, started to ride a bike, and actually met and talked to the folks with the Tats, I realized what an ass I was!

Now, the wife is looking for something for her first Tat!

Me?.. I'm still looking!

[chrisj]

Well, I suppose I did get mine where they are in order for them to be seen, and I don't mind people seeing them. What mostly bothers me is how uninformed people who don't know me make snap judgments based on the tattoos. Of course these people mean nothing to me, and people who know me know that the tattoos are just ink and don't mean I'm not the nice guy I am. I suppose in a lot of ways I like the fact that my tattoos give people who don't know me an idea that I might be a little wild, crazy, or just plain don't care.

One thing is for sure. Anyone who gets tattooed needs to realize that if you get any that show all the time, your life will def be just a little different from then on. I suppose I didn't know how different until I got mine. But I love mine just the same and want more!

[severous01]

i want more too. and screw anyone so judgemental that they want to think i'm some criminal just because i got a tat. you can look at me all you want...do what you want, i'm still gonna be me.

[chrisj]

One thing that lots of people don't realize is that, unless they are done in prison, tattoos cost a fortune. I know a guy who has $2,500 in his back alone, and goes in for more work as he gets the cash. I have $700 in my forearms as of today. So, when you see someone with a tattoo, please realize that this person has paid good money for it.

[dvlnblkdrs]

i just got home from the ink shop.. will post a pic as soon as she's decent...maybe tomorrow when shes lets swoll

[SilverBack]

Not intimidated by people with tats unless they're acting way out of line. I can't see a threat as long as we all still bleed red. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to grown a brain and open their eyes. 2 cents

[Black Yaris]

here is my right side, under my pit.... on the ribs

[PhillyG]

personally, i will say i have always stared at people with tats. i have two myself by they are extremely easily hidden. the reason i stare(and probably always will) is because i want to see what they are. it is really neat seeing some of the beautiful artwork people have. Also, almost always there is an interesting story behind it. so, sometimes i ask for the story if i am particularly impressed with the piece.

[tomato]

OP, to respond very directly to your direct question, Yes, you are treated differently.

either people stare at you because they're not down with tats, or they stare at you because they want to see the art work close up and don't want to ask.

Either way, your body art sends a message and people react to it (some positive, some negative, some neutral).

Some people could also react to your hoodie, or to a suit and tie. I guess it just depends on the context. If you come and hang out at my coffee shop, then you'll stand out if you don't have any tats. But if you hang maybe at the church across the street from the coffee shop, then even the hoodie will make you stand out.