Tattooed folks- do you think its weird when...

[VeganCupcake]

A complete stranger grabs your arm or moves your shirt around to get a better look at your tattoos? I think It is so inconsiderate for someone you don't know to just grab you to see your body art(without asking!?!?!) I'm wondering if it only happens to me?

Also I get a lot of stares at Disney whenever I go - I have "socks" up to my knees, I am just wondering of its b/c its more rare to see them on a woman as opposed to a man? Just curious It doesn't bother me when people stare, b/c I figure they are just admiring my artwork (BTW if you are one of the people who stare b/c you think tattoos are gross you needn't post that here I'm happy with my line of thinking )

 

[WDSearcher]

I figure it's the same as people who walk up to pregnant women and put their hands on the woman's belly. It's that weird sort of "if you put it out there for all of us to see, then we're all allowed access" thing.

I don't agree with it, but it's one of those weird human things.

 

[VeganCupcake]

Haha I was wayyy to angry looking when I was pregnant for anyone to dare try and do that to me! But I've seen it happen! Sooooo nuts to me!

 

[bettymae1121]

I think it's both weird and rude! "Always ask before you touch" was how I was raised, that goes for other kids toys when I was a kid, and pregnant bellies or tatoos now that I'm an adult.

 

[mickeylove2]

Haha, this is too funny! I was just thinking about this the other day. I have a pretty big back piece that is "in process" and I am always being touched, shirt or dress being moved, etc. by people wanting a better look. The funniest for me is my GF lifting my shirt or pulling the back of my dress down for others to see. It always takes me by surprise and I'm always grabbing the front of my top to keep from exposing my chest to everyone. It doesn't bother me when she does it, but it does when it's a stranger, I always just say "please ask and I'll show you."

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

I don't understand tattoos, but I'm not against them and don't care who has them, so I'm sharing my opinion with the not understanding in mind. I guess I feel like if you're putting artwork on your body you must want people to see it or else you'd put it in a place that'd never be seen or not get a tattoo at all.

I mean, I believe in personal space and all, but like a celebrity not having a "personal life" and always in the putlic's view, if you put it out there people are going to try and see it even if that means moving a shirt sleeve to do so. Not saying it's right but like another poster said, that's another weird human thing. I think humans are explorers by nature. LOL

 

[VeganCupcake]

I totally & completely understand why people look at them & are curious. I guess my issue is more with the "why are you grabbing my arm?" At least ask haha! I just really try to respect other people's space- like I never stand right on top of someone at the grocery store so they can feel me breathing on their neck, etc! I'm all about bubble space!

 

[mickeylove2]

I don't understand tattoos, but I'm not against them and don't care who has them, so I'm sharing my opinion with the not understanding in mind. I guess I feel like if you're putting artwork on your body you must want people to see it or else you'd put it in a place that'd never be seen or not get a tattoo at all.

I mean, I believe in personal space and all, but like a celebrity not having a "personal life" and always in the putlic's view, if you put it out there people are going to try and see it even if that means moving a shirt sleeve to do so. Not saying it's right but like another poster said, that's another weird human thing. I think humans are explorers by nature. LOL

Oh, I'm not saying I don't want people admiring my artwork, I'm all for showing it off (hence that's why I wear a lot of sun dresses in the summer.) You can look all you want, heck just ask and I'll step aside and show you the whole piece, but have a little respect and not touch me without my permission. That would be like you having writing on your shirt and someone walking up to you and grabbing the front of your shirt so they can read it. You would have to come to a complete stop, they will probably stretch your shirt a little, and you don't know if they are just trying to read it or have something skeevy in mind while they are in your personal space. It's just common courtesy.

 

[Acklander]

I got my first tattoo 32 years ago, and I don't recall anyone ever grabbing my arm to get a better look at it. Beyond the first couple of years when there weren't that many women that had tattoos, I haven't had much comments or stares either. I think it's more mainstream than you think.

 

[Jennasis]

I have seen very few folks with socks or sleeves that I would feel comfortable going up to and manhandling to get a "better look"! Growing up, my uncle and his biker friends were head to toe covered in tats and they were tough hombres, so I guess the impression stuck. However, when I see something nifty or beautiful I will often compliment the artwork/ask where it was done etc.

I am all about hands-off with strangers.

 

[MIGrandma]

If I wanted to see the entire tattoo I would ask the person for permission to see it, and let THEM move their shirt sleeve to show me. I think it's pretty bold and rude of someone to grab someone's arm, or move their sleeve, to see their tattoo.

Speaking of tattoos, my 17-year-old granddaughter is getting one Friday (she has her parents' permission and has the appointment set). She's getting 3 musical notes behind her ear. Ouch!! I think that would be such a tender area to get a tattoo!!

 

[brasswillow]

Also I get a lot of stares at Disney whenever I go - I have "socks" up to my knees, I am just wondering of its b/c its more rare to see them on a woman as opposed to a man? Just curious It doesn't bother me when people stare, b/c I figure they are just admiring my artwork (BTW if you are one of the people who stare b/c you think tattoos are gross you needn't post that here I'm happy with my line of thinking )

Count me as one of those who stares because I'm admiring the work. I love tattoos, they can say so much about the person sporting them.

 

[pixiewings71]

Well no one that I can recall has ever tried to grab my shirt and move it to see my tattoo but if they did I would probably turn around swinging. LOL That would just not be cool to me at all. And I can honestly say that if I saw you with your socks I would stare because I've never seen a female with them, I would wonder why you chose that, what the picture is and how badly it hurt. LOL

 

[SandrA9810]

I like to stare at some, especially the guy with every disney character tattooed on his body. That's just calling for attention, same with people that wear the pin vest with a million pins. There's a gay couple, one wears mickey the other wears donald. If they didn't want the attention, they wouldn't put the vests on.

Don't do something if you don't want people to stare at you. But people getting inside your personal bubble, well that's another story. There's a huge difference between talking to some one and touching some one.

 

[spacemermaid]

I'm pretty heavily tattooed, and whilst I don't mind/have come to expect people to look, especially when I'm wearing something that shows them off, it creeps me out when people want to touch them. (Unless it's a kid, alot of kids don't know yet that one normally doesn't walk up to a total stranger and start petting them; the tattoos around my ankles are easily accessible & a huge favorite with the "under 5" set ) Seriously, though, if someone asks to see some of my ink & I need to pull a shirt sleeve or a pants leg up or a tshirt down a little bit - cool; if they're old enough to know better & just walk up & start rearranging my clothes, no bueno.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

It usually takes me a second or two to try to figure out why someone is grabbing me, and then it's like "oh, my arms. duh." and then the person usually says something nice. I can't really say I find it annoying, but it definitely stops me for a second to figure out what the heck is going on!

Socks are awesome. I want to finish up my sleeves, Disney-style!

 

[LBIJim]

A complete stranger grabs your arm or moves your shirt around to get a better look at your tattoos? I think It is so inconsiderate for someone you don't know to just grab you to see your body art(without asking!?!?!) I'm wondering if it only happens to me?

Also I get a lot of stares at Disney whenever I go - I have "socks" up to my knees, I am just wondering of its b/c its more rare to see them on a woman as opposed to a man? Just curious It doesn't bother me when people stare, b/c I figure they are just admiring my artwork (BTW if you are one of the people who stare b/c you think tattoos are gross you needn't post that here I'm happy with my line of thinking )

Look or even stare all you want. If you'd like to see the part covered with clothing, just ask. I may or may not honor you request, depending on the circumstances. But don't just grab my arm or start moving my sleeve up. That's a big no no.

No one has ever accosted me; maybe a handful of people have asked over the years. It hasn't been a problem. Sorry it happened to you.

Jim

 

[scottishduffy]

I must admit, I enjoy seeing all of the different tattoos that come into the operating room. I am amazed at some of the serious artwork people have on themselves. Not just tramp stamps, but honestly beautiful pieces of art.

If a tattoo looks interesting I am prone to ask the patient what the story is behind it. Especially the older military tattoos. Of course, I never move clothing or anything to see a tattoo better. Odds are I will see it fully in a few minutes anyway. I just really like to hear the stories behind them, or what a particular piece of work means. On occassion I have seen the tattoos left behind from the concentration camps, obviously we don't ask about those. Don't wanna bring up bad memories. It is a powerful thing to see in person though.

Just last week we had a patient with Hebrew writing all across her back. We didn't see it until she was being prepped for surgery. We tried to get the jewish surgeon to translate for us but he didn't know. So when the young lady woke up, we asked her about it. Apparently it was a Hebrew Prayer.

One of my all time favorite patients was during my time at the Childrens Hospital. A teenager whose parents owned a tattoo shop and she had *beautiful* work all over her legs. Her Mom did one leg, Dad did the other. She was also starting to learn the craft as well and had given herself one.

It makes for a conversation starter and gets their mind off of the medical stuff. (I only have one myself)

 

[VeganCupcake]

I had a customer(actually multiple customers) do it to me at work. But one gentleman actually almost yanked my arm out of its socket while I was reaching for one of his items to ring out and started yelling at me for having tattoos. WHAT THE THECK? REALLY GUY? REALLLYYY??? I flipped out and told him if I wanted his opinion I would've asked him for it and I then proceeded to tell him If I wasn't at work and he pulled that crap he would've regretted the decision instantly. I was mad my manager finished the sale for me. One customer was in with his wife and gently grabbed my arm and started twisting it around to look at my work and his wife was MORTIFIED, she yelled at him " it's called asking first and personal space, why would you just grab someone's arm like that? " My favorite favorite favorite customers though were the women who had so much plastic surgery they looked like alien cats from mars with giant cantaloupes stuffed into their shirts that would ask me why I would do such a horrible thing to my body? I would always just say "to each their own"

 

[VeganCupcake]

I must admit, I enjoy seeing all of the different tattoos that come into the operating room. I am amazed at some of the serious artwork people have on themselves. Not just tramp stamps, but honestly beautiful pieces of art.

If a tattoo looks interesting I am prone to ask the patient what the story is behind it. Especially the older military tattoos. Of course, I never move clothing or anything to see a tattoo better. Odds are I will see it fully in a few minutes anyway. I just really like to hear the stories behind them, or what a particular piece of work means. On occassion I have seen the tattoos left behind from the concentration camps, obviously we don't ask about those. Don't wanna bring up bad memories. It is a powerful thing to see in person though.

Just last week we had a patient with Hebrew writing all across her back. We didn't see it until she was being prepped for surgery. We tried to get the jewish surgeon to translate for us but he didn't know. So when the young lady woke up, we asked her about it. Apparently it was a Hebrew Prayer.

One of my all time favorite patients was during my time at the Childrens Hospital. A teenager whose parents owned a tattoo shop and she had *beautiful* work all over her legs. Her Mom did one leg, Dad did the other. She was also starting to learn the craft as well and had given herself one.

It makes for a conversation starter and gets their mind off of the medical stuff. (I only have one myself)

this made me smile thank you!