# WHY do people go and cover themselves in tattoo's? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 26, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163 "2012-11-26T16:18:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/81 "2012-11-27T05:47:27Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Until they can’t get a job, then run here whinging about how unfair life is. :rolleyes: _Then_ they care. I don’t see why. I am covered up for reasons other than tattoos, and it’s no problem. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/82 "2012-11-27T06:05:34Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I have yet to see a highly paid professional physician, **lawyer** , accountant, dentist etc. who was covered in tattoos. \ > [@Marley23](#): > > Or it could be that those people wear clothes that cover their tattoos. \ ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/83 "2012-11-27T06:42:15Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > However, I do wonder how those with whole arms or bodies covered will look when they’re elderly. And flabbier, and covered in blemishes. Not the nicest I would imagine. Old, flabby and covered in blemishes isn’t going to look very good _without_ tattoos either. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/84 "2012-11-27T06:58:23Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > [QUOTE=terr] > I have yet to see a highly paid professional physician, lawyer, accountant, dentist etc. who was covered in tattoos. ahem [/QUOTE] If you cover them all up, then I don’t see them. So my statement is correct. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/85 "2012-11-27T07:00:18Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > If you cover them all up, then I don’t see them. So my statement is correct. Only if they wear a cloak of invisibility; you certainly see _them_. You just don’t see their _tattoos_. For all you know half the people you deal with on a regular basis are three-quarters covered in tattoos under their clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/86 "2012-11-27T07:01:12Z")
All of these threads just provoke one big ole’ “_Ehh._” That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/87 "2012-11-27T07:05:38Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Only if they wear a cloak of invisibility; you certainly see _them_. You just don’t see their _tattoos_. For all you know half the people you deal with on a regular basis are three-quarters covered in tattoos under their clothing. True. For all I know, all of the people I deal with on a regular basis are naked under their clothing, too. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/88 "2012-11-27T07:28:40Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > True. For all I know, all of the people I deal with on a regular basis are naked under their clothing, too. Perverts. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/89 "2012-11-27T11:41:17Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > True. For all I know, all of the people I deal with on a regular basis are naked under their clothing, too. I don’t see how you can trust these naked professionals of which you speak. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/90 "2012-11-27T11:49:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Until they can’t get a job, then run here whinging about how unfair life is. :rolleyes: _Then_ they care. Or, like me, they own their own business and give hiring preference to people with body mods whenever possible.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/91 "2012-11-27T11:56:38Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > The main reason I don’t care for them now is because everyone has them. They’re boring now. I agree. Tattoos used to be much rarer, and (IMO) \*meant \*something. It perhaps meant you were in the Navy and traveled the world, or you were a rebellious person bucking against societal norms. But they’ve become sooooo commonplace that (IMO) they’ve lost their appeal. Nowadays, anyone with a few bucks in their pocket can go down to the local mall and get one. (Yawn.) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/92 "2012-11-27T13:15:05Z")
> [@evasgram](#): > > It is so frustrating to me, to see how many people of my generation (I’m 45) and older judge him by his appearance. They don’t know him, but assume that he is trouble just because of his body art. I really don’t care what anyone chooses to do with their body. But I think it is extremely silly for someone to present themselves in a certain manner and then get all upset because people actually form impressions based upon their appearances. That is one of the things humans do best. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/93 "2012-11-27T13:25:21Z")
It’s a shame that these threads always seem to work like this. The OP over-eggs the question, making it insulting and derisory, then other people seem to need to object to the question _even being asked_. But it’s an interesting question nonetheless. What DOES motivate people to do irreversible, highly-conspicuous, socially-impacting things, such as getting their face prominently tattooed? Sure, there probably not a single monolithic answer, but that STILL doesn’t make it a pointless question. ---
**Author:** ![Saraya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Saraya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saraya)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/94 "2012-11-27T14:01:44Z")
> [@Ibanez](#): > > _"WHY do people go and cover themselves in tattoo’s? "_ > > Because they want to, and second don’t care what you think about them when they get them done. Actually that’s exactly what they’re hoping for - they do care what you think. Tattoos historically had cultural meaning and purpose. The modern world has seen them devolve into just another form of status symbolism. They’re also trendy, which of course means people just have to have them. So while there are those that have what you’re all trying to call ‘legitimate’ ink; the majority of people have them because they themselves are boring and not unique - which is ironic since inking is supposed to make you stand out. :thumbs up: for trying too hard. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/95 "2012-11-27T14:15:16Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > However, I do wonder how those with whole arms or bodies covered will look when they’re elderly. And flabbier, and covered in blemishes. Not the nicest I would imagine. This is just a silly argument. Most likely they will look back on each tattoo with fondness, remembering the incident of getting it and the reasons behind it. Why are we all so worried about this one aspect of getting old? Getting old sucks eggs anyway. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/96 "2012-11-27T14:27:11Z")
Let me put it this way. There are just under 7 billion humans on this earth; sharing a myriad of cultural traditions, viewpoints, music, art and literature. Nearly all of them have practiced tattooing in one form or another in their history. So, given that I can interact with so many people, many of whom have a long and honored tradition of tattooing, why do you think I should give a good goddamn what you think about my choice to decorate myself with a bodysuit? As to WHY? I simply like the art form. I find the idea of permanently wearing your art beautiful. I take my art with me everywhere I go. Anyone can hang a painting on the wall, but a well considered tattoo has a fairly deep and significant meaning to the wearer. Others just apply any old thing that strikes their fancy, and they are making a statement about art as well in their flippancy. Oh and just like any other art form, beauty is in the eye of the beholder; so if you don’t care for my work then feel free to keep that to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/97 "2012-11-27T14:29:29Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > I don’t care for tattoos myself, but to each his or her own. > > However, I do wonder how those with whole arms or bodies covered will look when they’re elderly. And flabbier, and covered in blemishes. Not the nicest I would imagine. > > Actually, when I was young, I thought it would be neat to have a tattoo. But I was seventeen then in the 70’s and nobody had them. The main reason I don’t care for them now is because everyone has them. They’re boring now. just [FINE](http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=D9h&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1689&bih=846&tbm=isch&tbnid=rRWHqkRMDS1i3M:&imgrefurl=http://www.yurock.net/old-people-with-tattoos/&docid=kY4iwgZH_FxIVM&imgurl=http://www.yurock.net/wp-content/images/2011/02/old-man-tattooed/08.jpg&w=520&h=648&ei=O860UKHEAZSE9gS8m4HYDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=349&sig=118091403569289537372&page=1&tbnh=143&tbnw=118&start=0&ndsp=42&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:0,i:158&tx=68&ty=52) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/98 "2012-11-27T14:38:54Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > But if I come in to a new doctor / lawyer / physician / dentist and I can see he is covered with tattoos - I will find myself a new one. So what your saying is…you judge people based on the color of their skin? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/99 "2012-11-27T14:41:57Z")
Funny, Joey. Even I’d have to agree not a valid comparison, though, since tattooed people did have a choice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/100 "2012-11-27T14:44:24Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Funny, Joey. Even I’d have to agree not a valid comparison, though, since tattooed people did have a choice. 🙂 I know, I know. I just thought it was funny. You have to admit though, whether or not the person chooses to color their skin, Terr is still judging them based on the color of it. “You’re skin has blue and green and red on it in a whimsical design…I don’t care if you do have a degree from Harvard, you can’t possibly be a good lawyer” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163.md?page=6)