# Tramp Stamp poll
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [August 22, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254 "2012-08-22T05:50:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/61 "2012-08-22T20:23:33Z")
> [@davidm](#):
>
> That’s an interesting point. It seems like they must be intended to make some kind of statement to other people, and only certain people.
>
> That’s one of the things I don’t understand about tattoos, especially big ones in an intimate or semi-intimate place. It’s making a statement that can’t be unmade. It can’t be undone (at least not easily). What if you decide one day that you don’t like it? What if you meet someone you really like and they find it unattractive?
>
> I know what I was like in my twenties and I know what I’m like now and… thank god tattoos weren’t a thing at the time. I hate to think what statement I’d have pemanently emblazoned on myself. :smack:
>
> Maybe that’s why people who’ve been around for a few years longer don’t understand it. We know how much you can change over the years and we know that there’s going to be a lot of regret (and already is considering how long it’s been popular now).
>
> It would seem to make more sense to use temporary tattoos. You could use them when you’re going out dancing or whatever but you’re not stuck with them for life regardless how your situation and personality changes.
>
> That said, too each his own.
I can only speak for myself but not all tattoos are “making a statement”. Obviously I’m in a very small minority, but to me they just really aren’t that big a deal. None of mine have any meaning whatsoever other than that they’re creations by an artist I respect.
I can’t imagine myself liking someone who would care so I don’t foresee that ever being a problem.
I’m not exactly a spring chicken (45) and I’ve changed A LOT in the last twenty years but I’ve never regretted my tattoos (on the few occasions I even think about them.)
Also, I’m not seeing how the lower back is the most sagging prone part of the body. I’d say that’s probably where I have the least amount of flesh. Not sayin I have the body of a twenty-something, but my tattoo looks the same it did on the day I got it done.
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### Author:  [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/62 "2012-08-22T20:23:55Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#):
>
> A girl with a tramp stamp is capable of making bad decisions, and that usually works out in my favor. So yes, like 'em.
You may have just changed my mind! 😛
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### Author:  [@Tad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tad)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/63 "2012-08-22T20:27:52Z")
> [@davidm](#):
>
> And more judgmental in other ways. Believe me; I’ve been in both places.
Yes, young people suck for lots of reasons as well. But I’m not sure I understand how anyone of any age can (or would even find the power) to care about an image on someone’s body. If the image is itself offensive, fine. Otherwise, any kind of preference for “untarnished” skin is a cultural thing. In the West especially, where there is so much co-mingling of various cultural signifiers, it seems very strange to me that tattoos would still be an issue. Frankly when I see someone with tattoos, I don’t really “see” the tattoos. That person doesn’t become a person-who-is-not-tattooed. They don’t become uglier or “low class” or any other thing people have been saying here, including when the tattoo is above their crack.
That’s directed at more than just you, obviously. But maybe I’m expecting too much of people here, or asking for too much assimilationist thought. It may be that people’s culture informs their negative view of tattoos more generally (which I don’t forgive or accept but at least recognize). It may be something more complex than that. Either way, it strikes me as very strange and simple to care even a little bit about some kind of image on someone’s body with the caveat that it’s less acceptable because it doesn’t wash off or can’t be exchanged for another image (like clothing can, for example).
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/64 "2012-08-22T20:29:24Z")
Ignorance fought, thanks y’all. When I first saw one of these (circular tattoo just above the tail bone) I was told that it was a lady’s way of announcing that she enjoyed, erm, anterior entry.
And while that’s none of my business, and I have no problem with tattoos in general\*, I certainly did judge her for feeling the need to announce this publicly. I have maybe seen four or five in my life just displayed in public that way, so this was not terribly hard to believe.
So, I never assumed “whore” or anything, but I did assume “inappropriately announcing sexual preferences” and so would not have gone out of my way to make friends.
Glad you set me straight.
\*As with all art, taste are personal, and I like some and dislike others, and some just don’t hit me one way or the other.
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### Author:  [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/65 "2012-08-22T20:52:15Z")
My favorite answer: “I don’t mind ‘em. Gives ya somethin’ to read.”
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### Author:  [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/66 "2012-08-22T21:26:41Z")
> [@Tad](#):
>
> Yes, young people suck for lots of reasons as well. But I’m not sure I understand how anyone of any age can (or would even find the power) to care about an image on someone’s body.
Yeah. If the popular media and tabloid press have taught us one thing, it’s that few people care what other people’s bodies look like.
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/67 "2012-08-22T21:39:46Z")
> [@Tad](#):
>
> Yes, young people suck for lots of reasons as well. But I’m not sure I understand how anyone of any age can (or would even find the power) to care about an image on someone’s body. If the image is itself offensive, fine. Otherwise, any kind of preference for “untarnished” skin is a cultural thing. In the West especially, where there is so much co-mingling of various cultural signifiers, it seems very strange to me that tattoos would still be an issue. Frankly when I see someone with tattoos, I don’t really “see” the tattoos. That person doesn’t become a person-who-is-not-tattooed. They don’t become uglier or “low class” or any other thing people have been saying here, including when the tattoo is above their crack.
I have always just found body mutilation in any form to be instinctively repulsive ever since I was a little kid. That goes for those African women that stretch their necks out with stacks of rings as well as sorority girls with tattoos of any size or style. There is no value judgement involved. It is just disgusting to me and lots of other people. Tattoos are a deal-breaker for me when it comes to dating. I won’t tolerate them a romantic interest any more than I would them sawing off their leg at the knee. It just isn’t my thing.
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### Author:  [@Tad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tad)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/68 "2012-08-22T21:42:24Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#):
>
> I have always just found body mutilation in any form to be instinctively repulsive ever since I was a little kid. That goes for those African women that stretch their necks out with stacks of rings as well as sorority girls with tattoos of any size or style. There is no value judgement involved. It is just disgusting to me and lots of other people. Tattoos are a deal-breaker for me when it comes to dating. I won’t tolerate them a romantic interest any more than I would them sawing off their leg at the knee. It just isn’t my thing.
I think you’re really stretching your definition of body mutilation there, especially in terms of tattoos. It also seems really weird that your hang up about a picture on someone’s body would dismiss every other characteristic they have–but hey, it’s your life I guess.
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### Author:  [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/69 "2012-08-22T21:44:55Z")
Some people get tattoos as a cry for attention. I just saw this woman crossing the street the other day with her thighs covered in tattoos, wearing hot pants. Her thighs were as thick as her head and covered in what appeared to be cellulose that actually looked like scars. Overall, I think she had some issues with personal hygiene as well. I think she was trying to show off her tattoos, but forgot to look at what the tattoos were on. I was so distracted by the ugliness of her thighs that I didn’t even notice what the tattoo depicted.
I think people who get tattoos as a form of body art are fine. Those that try to shove it into people’s faces are disturbed. I can see a bunch of future cat ladies with sagging tramp stamps wearing tube tops.
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### Author:  [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/70 "2012-08-22T22:26:45Z")
> [@MLS](#):
>
> No, I’m not.
>
> I see these things and think of the needle going into the skin and damaging it. I think of how nice smooth clear skin looks, and to me, a tatooed skin looks unpleasant. As I said before I try very hard not to judge the person, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy looking at it.
It’s still weird that you would have to “try very hard” not to judge someone for having a tattoo. And I really, really hate the look of those gauge ear piercings because I think they look gross, but I don’t have to \*try \*not to judge a person for having one, because all it means is that they have different taste than I do (and they’re a lot less squeamish), not really anything about their character.
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### Author:  [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/71 "2012-08-22T22:55:24Z")
One big reason that I don’t have any tattoos is because of my father and his cronies. Enough men who served with him in the Pacific got some art. It was usually crudely done, and by the 1960s (when I was old enough to notice) they had faded and bled to the point that the original art was unrecognizable. Black and green bruise-like smudges that might have been a bathing beauty or an anchor at one time. No thank you.
Now, I know that ink technology has improved, and there are some real artists doing tattoos in every city, but early exposure has set my attitude. (That is not to say that I give a damn what \*you \*do to your skin.)
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### Author:  [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/72 "2012-08-22T23:09:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#):
>
> Guy, 30, don’t care. If you’re a guy my age you’ve dated at least one girl with a tramp stamp. They’re inescapable. On occasion, I even find them hot.
Things have changed indeed. I’m 50, and have never dated a girl with any tatoo at all.
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### Author:  [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/73 "2012-08-22T23:34:13Z")
As long as it says “My name is Brandi” (or whatever) I’m good.
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### Author:  [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/74 "2012-08-22T23:53:18Z")
I think the Tramp Stamp Zone is an area that lends itself well to inky adornment. When I see a woman with a tramp stamp, I make no assumptions about her sexuality or availability, other than maybe an overtly sexual one advertising the wearers desire to attract sex partners…something I’ve not seen in real life.
I judge them as I judge all other tattoos:
1. Is it well done?
2. Is it interesting?
If the woman wearing it is otherwise attractive to me…
3. Does it enhance or detract from her attractiveness?
I would not hesitate to date a woman with a good looking (to me), non-offensive tramp stamp.
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### Author:  [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/75 "2012-08-23T00:36:32Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> But perhaps I shouldn’t speak here, since my tattoo is small (1 inch square), easily covered by my watch, and one solid color (copper). I do agree a big colorful dolphin on your leg might be annoying after a while.
Does copper even show up on your skin? When I got mine, the guy was like, “your options are black, blue or green.”
> [@suranyi](#):
>
> Things have changed indeed. I’m 50, and have never dated a girl with any tatoo at all.
36% of Americans under 30 have or had at least one.
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/76 "2012-08-23T01:02:02Z")
> [@Tad](#):
>
> I think you’re really stretching your definition of body mutilation there, especially in terms of tattoos. It also seems really weird that your hang up about a picture on someone’s body would dismiss every other characteristic they have–but hey, it’s your life I guess.
If tattoos are considered ‘art’ by their proponents then I can’t be wrong because it is all subjective. Let’s put it this way, a tattoo on anyone is never a positive in my view. A really attractive person could get away with a small or hidden tattoo if they are really attractive and have a good personality otherwise.
However, once you get to the body mutilation level and attention whoring of a tramp stamp, a half-sleeve, or heaven forbid a full arm sleeve, you just become like any other gimp to me and they are all the same level of attractiveness - 0. You just turned your body into the equivalent of a side of a bridge where trashy people spray-paint graffiti while under the influence. It is not a value judgement and I didn’t accuse you of anything. It is just remarkably repulsive to some people.
I always admired rock stars and other alternative types that don’t show any visible tattoos. That is becoming the way to truly stand out and be different.
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### Author:  [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/77 "2012-08-23T01:08:19Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#):
>
> Yeah. If the popular media and tabloid press have taught us one thing, it’s that few people care what other people’s bodies look like.
I want you. I don’t care about yoru body.
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### Author:  [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/78 "2012-08-23T01:37:23Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> The only thing that bothers me about so-called tramp stamps is they are clearly intended for other people to view. I mean, you can’t even see it without the aid of a mirror! My tattoo is predominantly for myself and only distantly for anyone else.
Yeah, but have you ever put a pretty sparkly hair clip in the back of your bun? Maybe everyone won’t like it…but some people will, and those are the types of people who probably share your sense of style. The clip isn’t for you to look at, but it allows you to express your style and have a connection with others who share it.
One of my favorite things is when another woman compliments my shoes. I love that because I have a thing for pretty shoes and I love when I meet someone who shares my opinion about them. It’s fun. Some people with tattoos may not care what you or I think of them, but they have friends and a social circle and people who are into their little slice of culture and music and art…they like it when their tats are appreciated by those people, so it isn’t unusual for them to put some art on their backs, or whatever.
Just using your point to jump off on, though. Because I have heard others wonder why someone bothers to get a tat on their back, and I figured they may not have thought of that. I personally don’t have a lower back tattoo, but I see them all of the time. Some are truly awful, but it never occurred to me to take the stupid ‘tramp stamp’ nickname seriously and judge the woman on that. Not that I would judge a ‘tramp’ anyway.
ETA: Really Not All That Bright, at least you had a trio to choose from. There was a sign at the tattoo shop I went to, “I don’t do color tattoos on black customers, so don’t ask”.
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### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/79 "2012-08-23T05:49:55Z")
I don’t like tattoos, I don’t think they’re attractive on anyone, and I have no problem with people thinking I’m judgemental. (I don’t think anyone is surprised at this point by my posting this.) Tramps stamps are no different - if it’s a tattoo, I don’t care for it. I guess in some ways I’m _less_ judgemental - I hate all of them. 😃
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### Author:  [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tramp-stamp-poll/632254/80 "2012-08-23T05:57:21Z")
Thinking tattoos are unattractive is not inappropriately judgmental. Thinking that _people with tattoos_ are tramps/criminals/idiots/etc." is.
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