Would tattoos put you off a guy?

[HelenInHeels]

Just this, really, and why or why not?

Yes I agree there- in my original comment I said that if their tattoos conflicted with my personal values, I wouldn't be interested, in the same way as I wouldn't be interested in someone wearing a MAGA hat. The difference is you can take a MAGA hat off.

I don't like them at all but I could look past one, possibly two, small tattoos that had been done rashly in earliest adulthood. The folly of youth and all that. But that would be my only concession.

I don’t think it’s necessary to dismiss all those with tattoos. My son has a couple of tattoos and they’re very nice. Very artistic and quite expensive (£100s). There’s a waiting list of months to go to that particular artist. He’s a lovely lad with a lovely gf (she doesn’t have any tattoos).

But that very good looking man would look 100% better without all that silly nonsense on his arms. I'd assume he hasn't got much going on in the brains department, perhaps wrongly.
It makes people look poor.

Not having tattoos would put me off a man. I have only ever gone out with bikers.
I only have one small tattoo on my wrist. .

All you could really tell about me from my tattoos are what my favourite animal is, which book characters and films I like, and very little else. The rest would come from actually getting to know me! Most of my tattoos are covered by everyday clothing, so if someone met me, decided they liked me and then discovered I had tattoos and changed their opinion based on that, I’d argue that’s more of a ‘them’ problem.

I do find it strange when people are so dismissive without taking the individual in to account.

I am a big fan of a Korean singer who looks absolutely stunning with lilac hair. I’d need my head tested to dismiss him because of that hair colour (which he looked seriously hot in lol).

I totally accept that this is horrendous double standards, wrong and I should be criticised for it but...

I find tattoos on women more socially acceptable than tattoos on men. Especially when the tattoos in question are say some beautiful cherry blossoms etc rather than say some massive flaming skull etc.

But I totally accept that this is double standards.

It seems every Tom, Dick and Harietta has some banal tattoo nowadays. You're more of an individual if you don't have a tattoo!

It isn't defacing your body. It's decorating it.

Yes, I'd better run and tell my professor DH that he's no longer allowed to write and lecture as he's not intelligent enough. I'd also better quit my own job in publishing; return all letters after my name. If they knew I defaced myself, dear lord. 😔 We are shameful.

Same @GiddyRobin

In fact that tempts me to get another tattoo which says 'defaced as fuck'

I'm thinking around my thigh would be nice. Throw in some hellebore plants.

@TheHotelInspectorsPocket

"No. Because untattooed skin is a natural state. To get a tattoo is to choose to deface your body permanently."

But couldn't this easily read:

"Because skin with no makeup is a natural state. To use makeup is to choose to deface your body temporarily (or in the case of permanent makeup permanently).

I would like to know what the rationale behind a man getting some tattoos are?especially the whole leg/arm/face/knuckle and neck ones?

I was in a sauna once and the man sat opposite me had his whole left leg blue- the tattoo was just blue- that's it. I didn't get it. Then I saw he had a sleeve tattoo of just fish scales. So I thought maybe he loves the water? navy? loves salmon?I mean that is a lot of skin- and the pain?
A man started the conversation with him complimenting it and asked what I wanted to know and the person just said "thought it would look nice".

And this other time a man at the gym had a tattoo of an umbrella- like a clip art umbrella on his shin. The shin is bone and painful, and it really left my head scratching as to WHY? It was a crap tattoo too- it want a kid's drawing, not artistic endeavour, just a really basic boring tattoo. But I dunno, I had to attach a meaning to it- surely it had to mean something for him to go through that- what, weather the storm? love the rain? Is this a MH symbol I am not aware of? who knows.

Man on the train had 1066 in Roman numerals on his knuckles. Just Why???

I know I am judgey here, but when it comes to stuff like this, these types of tattoos on men do make me think there is little long view or practical wisdom.
Without attacking me, someone actually explain why so I can understand. I know some will just say I have to accept, but I would like to understand to be more understanding.

So, yes I do prejudge a man in his 30's and beyond who choose to get one. Getting one in their 20's I may brush over, but a man who is in his 30-40's sitting there genuinely thinking that one blue leg is a great idea makes me think otherwise. It is a turn off- to me.

I am trying to understand.

temporary ones I completely get- but why permanent? why does it have to be so permanent?

Yes it would put me off. I personally don't like tattoos. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't like the people themselves but I wouldn't marry or even date someone with them.

You like what you like, whatever that is.

Why should they? People have their likes and dislikes about any number of things. Why are tattoos protected or exempt from that?

Liking or disliking something is fine, whatever the thought behind it. Somebody who doesn't want to date or marry somebody with a tattoo/beard/piercings/whatever, won't. There will be somebody else wanting to be with them.

What is the big deal about tattoos? These threads pop up all the time and posters get so defensive when there's no need. Have as many as you like, people will think what they think regardless of what anybody says. Stop caring so much about what other people think of your choices.

The answer to your question is in your post.

He just liked it.

It's really not complicated.

Fair enough. I hear you but I believe being curious is important for how connect with people, and how we grow in empathy.

If I never questioned anything, I’d be walking around in a bubble, assuming everyone thinks and feels the same way I do?

Wouldn't just broader tolerance be easier to accomplish?

OP's question is specifically about whether you'd be 'put off a guy' so that's not the same as accepting people for what they are because dating is subjective. Accepting other people's choices (for themselves) is really quite easy to do.

Depends what they are, how well done and where - some tattoos are very sexy others chavvy. Not keen on tribal tattoo sleeves.

Nope I like them particularly on arms but they need to be tasteful. Ex wife’s name on their face maybe not…

Children's names look like he'd forget them if they weren't permanently marked on him.

Yes, I would be apprehensive of the thought process/psychology/decision-making of someone with tatoos.