# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/141 "2013-09-09T17:47:07Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > People have been decorating themselves since we figured out basket-weaving. Some of temporary (jewelry), some of it semi-permanent (henna, ear/body piercings), some of it permanent (tattoos, scarification). Some of it was/is deeply significant, some of it is decorative. Otzi, the mummified man found in a Alpine glacier some years back, had several dozen small tattoos. The most interesting thing about them is that they are in locations that correspond to modern acupuncture points. 🆒 One other thing. I’ve always heard that people should never get any kind of commemorative tattoo for at least 5 years after the event. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/142 "2013-09-09T17:48:56Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Just for the record, even in the world of tattoos, many people draw the line at face and neck work. Hands too, and many artists will not do genitalia, either. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/143 "2013-09-09T17:54:45Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > 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” PBS has had an ongoing series where they followed a group of Harvard-educated physicians, beginning in the 1980s when they were in medical school. One episode is called “The Tattooed Doctor” and his were indeed in placed covered by clothing. Thing is, he can now only get jobs in places where nobody else will work, even though his license is in good standing, and I suspect it’s about a lot more than his tattoos. At the time of the last update, he didn’t even have health insurance. :eek: As someone said on a message board after the last episode aired, “If you buck the system long enough, you will eventually be bucked OUT of the system.” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/144 "2013-09-09T17:57:24Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Where are these tattoo parlors at the malls, anyways? Piercing places, yes. But I have yet to see a tattoo parlor at a mall, let alone a reputable one. There’s one at the mall where I’m going to walk later today, if I can ever pry myself away from this board. 😃 There was one in the mall in the small city where I used to live, too. It got some notoriety a few years ago when a guy got his tongue pierced, and proceeded to pass out at the wheel and crash his car on the way home. He was not seriously injured. ---
**Author:** ![want2befree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3e96dc/32.png) [@want2befree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2befree)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/145 "2013-09-09T17:58:22Z")
I’ve never liked/appreciated tattoos on anyone. But, yesterday, I was watching a documentary about Flight 93, and one of the people who witnessed the plane crash had a big Flight 93/American flag tattoo, and I thought that was so touching. If I were to get a tattoo, Flight 93 would be something I would consider. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/146 "2013-09-09T21:08:09Z")
> [@Bob\_Blaylock](#): > > I very much enjoy the sight of an attractive woman, and it saddens me when they deface and degrade themselves in such a manner. Deface and degrade themselves? Really? So you’re valuing women on how they look? Because that’s the only way that a tattoo would decrease/degrade them. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/147 "2013-09-09T21:11:41Z")
My niece got this large back tattoo of praying hands holding a rosary with my parents’ names on it as a memorial thing. It’s hideous, my niece is not anywhere close to being a devout Catholic (although my parents were), and my mother _hated_ tattoos, particularly on women. A miss all around, because she really did want to do something to memorialize her beloved grandparents. They both would’ve preferred that she go to Mass, say a pray and light a candle. StG ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/148 "2013-09-09T21:14:16Z")
> [@want2befree](#): > > I’ve never liked/appreciated tattoos on anyone. But, yesterday, I was watching a documentary about Flight 93, and one of the people who witnessed the plane crash had a big Flight 93/American flag tattoo, and I thought that was so touching. If I were to get a tattoo, Flight 93 would be something I would consider. I recently saw a program about TWA Flight 800 (and let’s not start a whizzing contest about that, 'k?) and the parents of two sisters who died on that flight said that one of them had gotten a large tattoo on her upper arm. It was a big starburst, and they had opposed her doing this, but after her death, this was how she was identified. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/149 "2013-09-09T21:14:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Bob Blaylock View Post > I very much enjoy the sight of an attractive woman, and it saddens me when they deface and degrade themselves in such a manner. I’d say I like about 50% of the tattoos I’ve seen on women. Some I like quite a lot. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Tacit\_Knowledge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@Tacit\_Knowledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tacit_Knowledge)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/150 "2013-09-10T01:23:06Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > My niece got this large back tattoo of praying hands holding a rosary with my parents’ names on it as a memorial thing. It’s hideous, my niece is not anywhere close to being a devout Catholic (although my parents were), and my mother _hated_ tattoos, particularly on women. A miss all around, because she really did want to do something to memorialize her beloved grandparents. They both would’ve preferred that she go to Mass, say a pray and light a candle. > > StG Heh, I’ve got a grown step-daughter who biological father (who was a friend of mine since the girls were little kids) died as result of a terrible auto accident. Anyway, he was opposed to tattoos. Hatred them. Still her brilliant idea of a “great way to memorialize her father” was to get a big ass gaudy tattoo on her arm with a picture she came up with and his name. Brilliant. A fitting tribute to a beloved father who HATED tattoos is NOT to tattoo his name on your arm. ---
**Author:** ![Girlundone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Girlundone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girlundone)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/151 "2013-09-10T01:45:43Z")
> [@](#): > > It takes a special kind of dumb to permanently attach a picture to one’s body. It takes a special kind of dumb to dismiss an art form that has been practiced for centuries across cultures. ---
**Author:** ![Tacit\_Knowledge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@Tacit\_Knowledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tacit_Knowledge)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/152 "2013-09-10T02:25:19Z")
> [@Girlundone](#): > > It takes a special kind of dumb to dismiss an art form that has been practiced for centuries across cultures. And I suppose you’d think it awesome if your buddies all went and got plates put in their lips. After all, it was done in some aboriginal tribal cultures. And I suppose it would fill you with joy to view before a jackal god. And I also suppose you’d get a tickle in your britches if your momma wa into foot binding. After all, these are all idiotic activities once (and still) observed by various cultures. The point being, just because some cultural infants did something doesn’t make it sensible. Sometimes stupidity is just that: stupidity. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/153 "2013-09-10T02:57:17Z")
> [@Tacit\_Knowledge](#): > > Sometimes stupidity is just that: stupidity. Seriously, it’s totally ok that you don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/154 "2013-09-10T03:38:56Z")
> [@Tacit\_Knowledge](#): > > And I suppose you’d think it awesome if your buddies all went and got plates put in their lips. After all, it was done in some aboriginal tribal cultures. And I suppose it would fill you with joy to view before a jackal god. And I also suppose you’d get a tickle in your britches if your momma was into foot binding. After all, these are all idiotic activities once (and still) observed by various cultures. > > The point being, just because some cultural infants did something doesn’t make it sensible. Sometimes stupidity is just that: stupidity. I don’t believe that either communist nor noncommunist China practice foot binding. Though there are a few body modification buffs that have practiced adult foot binding. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/155 "2013-09-10T14:59:20Z")
> [@Tacit\_Knowledge](#): > > And I suppose you’d think it awesome if your buddies all went and got plates put in their lips. After all, it was done in some aboriginal tribal cultures. And I suppose it would fill you with joy to view before a jackal god. And I also suppose you’d get a tickle in your britches if your momma wa into foot binding. After all, these are all idiotic activities once (and still) observed by various cultures. > > The point being, just because some cultural infants did something doesn’t make it sensible. Sometimes stupidity is just that: stupidity. So don’t get one. What I don’t really understand is why it’s so incumbent on you to insult all of us, and I’m also not sure why you haven’t gotten a warning, considering you are directly insulting tattoo-wearers by calling us “stupid, idiotic, idiots, dumbasses, dumb” and probably more. You couldn’t even see my tattoo unless I directly showed it to you. I think it’s rather tasteful, small, and easily hidden. But it’s still grouped in the same category as people who put giant faces all across their backs with horrible art and worse ink. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/156 "2013-09-10T15:15:56Z")
> [@Tacit\_Knowledge](#): > > And I suppose you’d think it awesome if your buddies all went and got plates put in their lips. > > The point being, just because some cultural infants did something doesn’t make it sensible. Sometimes stupidity is just that: stupidity. Plaths awen’t tho bahd, cthept when you twy to eath thoup, then ith geths a wittle methy. Hey, who you calling a cultural infant? ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/157 "2013-09-10T16:50:55Z")
[24-hour waiting period proposed for D.C. tattoos, piercings](http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-06/local/41830505_1_tattoo-parlor-piercings-body-art) ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/158 "2013-09-10T18:20:01Z")
Why do tattoo discussions always devolve into the un-tattooed stating they don’t like them and don’t understand the appeal arguing against the tattooed who become defensive and insult the un-tattooed. And, btw, since when are college students in tribes? If you’re Maori tribal go on and get your tribal tats, but don’t be a college student claiming to have tribal tats. Here is one thing the un-tattooed know: tats do not improve one’s looks. If they did there would never have been carnival freak shows like “the Tattooed Lady.” ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/159 "2013-09-10T18:30:18Z")
When was the last time you saw a freak show at all, let alone one that featured a “tattooed lady”? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163/160 "2013-09-10T18:41:13Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Why do tattoo discussions always devolve into the un-tattooed stating they don’t like them and don’t understand the appeal arguing against the tattooed who become defensive and insult the un-tattooed. And, btw, since when are college students in tribes? If you’re Maori tribal go on and get your tribal tats, but don’t be a college student claiming to have tribal tats. > > Here is one thing the un-tattooed know: tats do not improve one’s looks. If they did there would never have been carnival freak shows like “the Tattooed Lady.” So no comment about **Tacit Knowledge’s** insults towards tattooed people? I don’t expect you to think my tattoo looks nice or like it. I do expect at least a modicum of respect and civility for being human. BTW, I am almost 40. But I am a (returning) college student. So I guess you have me pegged! Only college students get tats! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-go-and-cover-themselves-in-tattoos/642163.md?page=9)