why do some people find tattoos so offensive,even in this day and age?
By carl76
@carl76 (123)
8 responses
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Why would you find it naive? Some tattoos are works of art, created by artists who use the skin as canvas. But to some that is a mutilation of the body. What you find attractive, they find repulsive. It would be the same as having a preference for one skin tone, hair color, eye color, etc. over another. Tattoos, especially the full-body variety, can be distracting. They present an image of the person who inked. Let's be honest, the history of tattooing is not one of artful expression in the U.S. Tattoos were used by segments of the society to "brand" their members. And more often than not, those segments weren't the upstanding, good-hearted folks. Of course, that is an overstatement. The history of Navy sailors getting tattoos is long. But they tend to get one or two, not cover forearms, necks, legs, faces, etc.
To call people who find tattoos unattractive and thus can't "get their head around" why someone would want to do that to themselves, naive, is to show yourself to be as close-minded as you think they are.
@carl76 (123)
•
2 Feb 09
thanks for your comment and i assure you i am not closed minded,but look at the facts as you say it's a preference as with hair,race,colour etc. so i can understand why people would not particularly like them but that doesnt give them the right to look down their nose at people who do that is my point,i'm not saying everybody should like them mearly that in effect it's a form of racism,thinking less of someone for the colour of their skin.
1 person likes this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
5 Feb 09
Actually, contrary to skin color, tattoos are completely voluntary. I certainly didn't pick out the color of my skin. However, you did choose the tattoos you put on your body. On the one hand, judging someone because of the color of their skin is unfair because they cannot control it. On the other, judging someone because of something they chose to do to themselves, is part of life. How we present ourselves to the world is a choice. And we have to bear the responsibility of that choice. A tattoo is not required for anything in life, it is merely a form of personal expression. It tells the world something about the wearer. People will judge that person based on that expression, the same as they judge a person who wears a suit and tie, or short skirts, or frumpy clothes.
What we put on our bodies is an expression of who we want the world to see. It is a conscious choice on our part. And everyone should be accountable for the choices they make.
@carl76 (123)
•
6 Feb 09
i thank you for a very well constructed areguement/point of view and although i am well aware of your point i just cant help thinking that you're looking far too deep into it,i have no problem accounting for my actions or my behaviour on a daily level but is it really fair to make a complete outward judgement on someone based on what is essentially a freedom of self adornment.
i just think that although it's human nature to judge people on various issues,tattoo's are seen as this overwhelming deformation of the body and therefore frowned upon when in many cases they are no more than pieces of art chosen by a person.i suppose it's a case of agreeing to disagree,thanks for the comments,happy lotting
1 person likes this
@sam4mumu (114)
•
1 Feb 09
I don't know why people think tattoos are so offensive either. I have a lot of tattoo work on my body. With me being a 23 year old female, people always ask me "Why have you done that to yourself?"....or "Women shouldn't have tattoos on their forearms!"...or the best on " You are only 23, you will regret it one day"....It makes me mad, complete strangers telling me what I will think when they don't even know me and it is none of their business anyway. I get tattoos because I like them, I design all my own and I keep hold of the design for at least a year and if I still want it I will go and get it done. Surely people that comment on them in a bad way could find something better to do. It is all down to personal preference.
@soulist (2985)
• United States
12 Mar 09
I think people still think only "certain kinds" of people get tattoos and then look down on us women that have them. I am tired of hearing that the one on my lower back is a tramp stamp. Just because I have a design there doesn't mean I am a tramp. ya know. I have gotten the why would you do that or are you sure you wanted that. No i don't know if I want the huge faerie on my shoulder like I would do something I didn't want.
Like you said sam, it's all about personal preference and sometimes I think people need to keep their negative opinions to themselves.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
1 Feb 09
I don't find them offensive and if someone wants to have tattoos on their body that is their choice. However, I for one don't want to have my body marked with tattoos. It's not my sort of thing.
I think some tattoos are very pretty or interesting to say the least. But if I get a tattoo it'll be the temporary kind! 
LOL
LOL
@Galena (9110)
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1 Feb 09
I don't find tattoos offensive. I have two myself, one very new and still healing. and I want more. I have at least 3 more planned.
I love to see the way people decorate their bodies, the way these designs express themselves in a way that clothing alone couldn't.
when I see tattoos I don't particuarly like, I'm all the more interested, and I do like to talk to people about their tattoos and why they chose what they chose. when what they chose is very different to what I would choose, often those stories are the more interesting, as their experience is usually so very different to my own. the tattoos help me to understand the person.
I think they are a beautiful expression of the human experience.
@Fortunata (1135)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Maybe because some people, particularly older folks, grew up with the image in tv and in movies that people with tattoos are bad-you know, motorcycle maniacs, criminals, etc., lol.
@valkan101 (21)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Exactly! Half the values being thrown around today came from 1950's era telivision. When you think about it, people have no reason to be offended by body art.
Just like there's no reason for ganja to be illegal. (But that's a topic for another day ;D)
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
11 Feb 09
I have to agree. I'm a teacher and you'd think it was a sin for a teacher to have a tattoo. I plan to one day be covered, and I just don't think people should judge someone just because they have one.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
1 Feb 09
You asked, and I'm answering. I am not a religious man. I am not Christian, but I am Spiritual, and I believe in God. I do not find Tattoos offensive. Its everyone's own business, and I would not be naive enough interfere. However, I do not like tattoos and would not dream of ever getting one. I take great Pride in my body. I've had this body 75 years and counting. For me a tattoo is like Graffiti. If there was a Monument in your town that had been there for ages, and someone came along and sprayed it with paint, defacing the stone, and obliterating the original. You would be upset. The monument in this case is my physical body. I've been with it ever since I was born, and I could not deface it. I feel that God did a very good job in creating my physical. The best way of Thanking Him for his handiwork is to keep it Clean, Pure, and free of Graffiti.
@CourtneyD (1)
• United States
23 May 09
I am writing a paper for school about tattoos. I personally have tattoos and love them and want more. I love the look and feel and what they represent to me. In my paper I am writing about why people like them and why some still view them to this day as "Taboo". If anyone can and is willing to help me the feed back would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Courtney
