J.D., grew up middle class, still am middle class (don’t live in the DMV and work in local government).

Love intricate and artistic tattoos. DH has half sleeves and I find them so unbelievably sexy. I have to meaningful and small ones myself, I would get a large one but I don’t want to give my mother a heart attack. We have a friend that is a tattoo artist whose nature and horror scene tattoo work in nationally renowned. The things he can do are simply incredible.

I generally consider it a blue collar choice because it's not acceptable professional attire. In most firms I've worked at, tattoos must be covered because we must convince our clients that we have good taste. It's hard to inspire confidence in your artistic direction if you're sporting that Betty Boop tattoo you got at Panama City spring break 1998.

Graduate/professional degree
Architect
HHi $265,000

40’s, grew up LMC, now MC/UMC as an adult. I don’t like tattoos at all and can’t understand why anyone would get one. I don’t understand why anyone would permanently alter the skin they were born with. Ick!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MC/PhD/250.

I actually like it when people 'own' their tattoos. I like artfully done big and visible tattoos. I am actually more bothered by the little apologetic 'cute' tattoos (butterfly on ankle, etc.) The most beautiful tattoo I've ever see is Ani DiFranco's collarbone tattoo. No hiding that one and it's artful and interesting.

Your income is 250 and you are middle class?

My background is middle class. I guess I'm UMC. Yay.

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people think tattooes are gross looking, that viewpoint crosses all socioeconomic groups.

+1

I've thought this all my life, my opinion is not tied to how much money I make

Generally liberal, well-educated, middle class by DCUM standards. Big ones make me question judgement... and in general I may be prone toward thinking you aren't a hard worker/conscience but I get that my view on this one is old fashioned.

Anonymous wrote:MC/PhD/250.

I actually like it when people 'own' their tattoos. I like artfully done big and visible tattoos. I am actually more bothered by the little apologetic 'cute' tattoos (butterfly on ankle, etc.) The most beautiful tattoo I've ever see is Ani DiFranco's collarbone tattoo. No hiding that one and it's artful and interesting.

Your income is 250 and you are middle class?

Trashy/MC/Graduate Degrees/Cultural Heritage Preservation/$175K.

But maybe age is the better variable to ask about here. I'm 44, but Millenials (it seems to me) have a fondness for permanent body modifications-- all of which look trashy to me. They can do what they want, but I wish their tastes weren't influencing my Gen Z kid's interest in extra ear piercings. Bizarre trends used to just elicit shrugs from me, but it got real when I noticed my kid was susceptible.

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious to see what sorts of people find tattoos trashy (or not). So tell me, do you think tattoos are trashy? What's your background? MC? UMC? Education level? Current occupation/HHI?

Me first. I sometimes find tattoos trashy but generally like them if done well. Example: tweety bird on your boob = trashy. Artfully done half sleeve = not trashy.

I come from a MC background-both parents were professors (English and Sociology). I have a fine art background and have two masters degrees. Currently middle class (for around here) and live in PG county. You?

Yes, trashy.

Background: UMC.

Lawyer.

$300K.

43 yo/UMC/attorney/grew up UC & only attendee privatw school. Tattoos are trashy.

My DH’s side of the family have are mostly college educated PhDs, JDs. I have not seen any of them regardless of age, have tattoos. I don’t have a tattoo but my side of the family, mostly blue collar, have tattoos.

All depends on the tattoo.

I just think “they are different than me in that they decided to do that” like they are into instant gratification or are very literal or are showy about their personal business. Tattoos kind of say “I need you to know that I am this/like this/that this happened” or “for some reason I feel a need to put this on my body to remember this”

I’m just not that way-I’d never put a dead or living person’s anything or a personal like or accomplishment on my body; I will already remember them and don’t need to lead with that when meeting others.

I’ve seen funny ones, cool ones, pretty ones.... just never anything so amazing I wanted it on my skin. Never say never I guess.

MC/PhD/250.

I actually like it when people 'own' their tattoos. I like artfully done big and visible tattoos. I am actually more bothered by the little apologetic 'cute' tattoos (butterfly on ankle, etc.) The most beautiful tattoo I've ever see is Ani DiFranco's collarbone tattoo. No hiding that one and it's artful and interesting.

At this stage of society, if all you know about someone is that they have a tattoo, you know nothing about them. It's all about context and other social cues.

I like tattoos. Don't have any but I like them.