For thousands of years, humans have marked their bodies with permanent designs known as tattoos. They have varied from plain, sometimes elaborate, other times symbolic, but always personal, and these inkings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment.
No wonder people’s fascination with tattoos remains stronger than ever. While there’s still some stigma about them in our society, a more progressive approach to our bodies, identity, and self-expression is emerging.
At the same time, some people are slightly more skeptical towards body art. They even claim that particular designs, symbols, and body areas where a tattoo is placed can be read as a warning sign. “What sort of tattoo on someone is a major red flag for you?” someone asked on Ask Reddit, and we looked at what people had to say. Let us know if you agree or disagree with them in the comments!
We also reached out to Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo based in East London’s popular Hackney Road, who shared a couple of insights into tattoo art from an expert’s perspective.
#1
Childhood characters doing something unsavory. Like Winnie the Pooh in a dominatrix outfit. Decapitated Pikachu. Something like that.
Image credits: Manateebae
#2
Baby’s faces, find it really unnerving, especially on the calf or top of arm. Why does it keep looking at me?
Image credits: Fun-Platypus-9153
#3
‘Live, Laugh, Love’
Image credits: Even-Juggernaut6678
According to Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo parlor, tattoos don’t really say anything. “There are so many different styles out there at the moment and it’s so varied that you have people with different styles tattooed on them.” Having said that, Adam added that “one thing I would say is that if someone has a body suit or a large-scale piece, then they are a committed, dedicated person!”
#4
“Only God can judge me”.
Image credits: prophylaxitive
#5
Sort: Exes names
Placement: Face
Image credits: hamiltonka
#6
A huge American flag. I’m sorry.
Image credits: scottstots98
When asked what kind of tattoos have been trending lately, Adam said it’s tribal tattoos that are having a comeback at the moment, but in a new form. “I’ve seen lots of biomechanical-esque tribal recently, so that may be a new trend.” Moreover, Adam said that “the ‘fine line’ style is probably the most popular but I don’t think anything is the least fashionable right now,” when asked about tattoos which have gone out of style.
#7
Alcohol or weed tattoos.
Image credits: ballq43
#8
Anything misspelled.
Image credits: Rothines
#9
if a man has tattoo’s of naked women
Image credits: Minimum-Lobster-8252
As the Covid-19 pandemic is over and people are getting back to their normal lives, you may wonder if the initial pandemic-induced surge in people’s interest in getting some ink is over. However, Adam said they have been pretty consistent throughout the pandemic and post-pandemic. “I’d say once we came out of each lockdown was the busiest time period with people wanting to get a tattoo,” he added.
#10
Celebrity. Any kind
Image credits: A_Guy_That_Exists89
#11
The Confederate Flag is literally a red flag
Image credits: EdwardPackard
#12
Any kind of hate symbol/speech is going to be a no from me.
Image credits: AggravatingTear2879
And now that the summer heat is sizzling and everyone’s getting into the beach mood, more people than ever are willing to get themselves a piece of body art. “Summer is always peak tattoo season! As soon as you start showing more skin, then all you see is the empty space,” Adam told us. However, he added that it’s probably the worst time to get a tattoo in terms of healing, but it’s definitely their busiest time of the year.
#13
“Loyalty” The people I see with this tattoo, they usually don’t appear to be the loyal type
Image credits: ReusableBear487
#14
Frankly, I only judge people for racist tattoos. I don’t care otherwise nor do I care where people put their tattoos.
I do tend to judge people with bad tattoos but solely because it generally means a) you didn’t care to do your research or b) you’re a cheap f**k. But I try not to just for the few people out there that got scammed by someone saying they were something they weren’t.
Image credits: HovercraftFullofBees
#15
Anything political or weed-related. It tells me that has become their identity, basically.
Image credits: User_492006
#16
Stupid baseless words like “Pay2play” or “Boss movezzzz”
Image credits: OkLemon1033
#17
Carpe diem.
Image credits: RAB2204
#18
Tear drop under the eye
A teardrop under the eye, if just an outline, Usually means the wearer has suffered pain, or more likely caused pain, or served significant time, for their associates (gang). Perhaps 15 years. A filled- in solid teardrop Usually means the wearer has caused death for their associates (gang).
Image credits: scareintheair
#19
I used to work at an all purpose gas station in Pittsburgh, and was constantly told about a customer who had our store logo tattooed on his arm.
Didn’t make me proud, made me feel like I was joining a very corporate cult.
Image credits: Ok_Sheepherder_8313
#20
An inspirational quote tatted on someone screams they’re trying desperately to prove something to themselves.
Image credits: Ok-Limit5517
#21
Anything in a language they don’t speak/have a connection to
Image credits: hurricanetrash
#22
A cult tattoo. Big NO
Image credits: ZenithChaser69
#23
Brand logos of any kind. If you like any corporation enough to get their logo tattooed on you, I’m guessing we have some major ideological differences.
#24
my coworker married another coworker.. Prior to that wedding.. he asked her to prove to her how much she loved him. So she got a tattoo on her neck with his last name on it.–BIG artistic letters.
Now.. mind you.. this man is a douchebag and a half. and they have “issues” in their marriage.. that tattoo just proves how much self love she had for HERSELF.. which is absolutely 0.
Now before any of you comment let me tell you what she is like. She’s very introverted and never speaks up. this guy controls what she eats, what she wears, and he has no shame in telling us to shut the eff up, if we stick up for her… and HR doesn’t do anything about it.
This girl still sticks with him. When we ask her why.. she gets quiet and says.. she doesn’t have a car and begs us not to get involved.
SO seeing their partner’s name on a very clearly visible area while the partner does not have any tatz is a major red flag.
Image credits: Dimple_from_YA
#25
Zodiac signs
Image credits: samiam871
#26
Cheetah print ??
Image credits: BamboozledBum46
#27
I was once friends with a girl who had ten tattoos, all of which were matching tattoos with other girl friends. She’s no longer friends with any of them. Two big red flags there- intense codependent friendships, many enemies/falling outs with past friends. She even tried to get me to do a matching tattoo with her once. No thanks.
Image credits: pbd1996
#28
Anything that’s trending. Trends DIE. It tells me that the person isn’t willing to put anything unique on their body & they just want to follow with what’s cool right now. For example people who get clocks, eyes, lions, etc.. are probably the same ones who would’ve gotten tribal tattoos back in the 90’s-00’s just because it was cool at the moment. I dont have any hate towards these tattoos by the way. They look nice.. its just people get them because its trending.. so to me that’s a red flag to permanently put something on yourself just because its trending at the moment. Also anything with your ex’s name.
Image credits: 1keric
#29
I think this might just be an Australian thing but having the southern cross tattoo anywhere is a red flag.
Don’t know why it’s specifically the southern cross but holy s**t every person I’ve ever met with that specific tattoo has been a walking red flag
#30
The old feather and infinity symbol is mostly a giveaway for being a bit uninspired.
#31
Comedy and tragedy masks. First three people I hooked up with had them in places you couldn’t see with clothes on.
Apparently I have a type.
If I unwrap another human and find one, I may faint.
Image credits: No_Lick_Asbetos
#32
Being a tattooist for 11/12 years. Really in my eyes it’s usually people with not well done house tattoos who throw up the most red flags.
Thinking they are owed something and plain rude especially when someone is about to stab you lol
In no way am I trying to say house tattoos are bad what I’m saying is the sense of self entitlement and the need to have it done then and there breeds a different type of client that is usually rude or is an a*****e in my experience.
#33
I know this guy with a tattoo across his collar bones that says “Uneducated genius”
Image credits: ProcessImpressive211
#34
Tattoos of anime characters. I watch anime from time to time, I’ve seen so many. I read a ton of manga as well. I get if it’s a small tattoo referencing an anime, but big tattoos of anime characters are red flags.
#35
A “Punisher” tattoo. Especially if they’re in any sort of authority position.
#36
Om symbol- not hating because I imagine a lot of people have one, but I feel like the person is very clearly telling me not to hang out with them lol.
#37
Any symbols of Soviet Union or other socialist countries. Portraits of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mao etc. The red flag with hammer and sickle of course too.
#38
Lips on the neck
#39
eyeball. As in having your eyeball colored permanently. No, just no. Use cool contacts. Dont take the chance of blinding yourself.
#40
Erogenous zone.
I’m nobody’s idea of a love god, but I’m reasonably capable of finding your happy spots without garish billboards to guide the way. You’re a partner, not a cheesy amusement park.
A few encouraging words and movements is more than enough.
#41
I swear guys with roses on their hands are generally a**holes.
#42
I knew a girl whose initials were VW and she had a Volkswagen logo tattoo. She was obsessed with their cars too; she didn’t just get the tat because of her initials.
Image credits: C_IsForCookie
#43
this seems to be an unpopular one and may just be from personal experience but full or half sleeves of one particular fandom/media. Never met someone who commits that hard to harry potter and isn’t a bit off somewhere else
#44
It’s rather inexplicable, but Tweety Bird tats attract the worst
#45
Anything tribal on a neon white man
#46
A tattoo of their own face… Unless they’re Steve-O.
#47
Bible/gospel quotes are an immediate no from me
#48
The number 88. It’s used in the Aryan Brotherhood as an abbreviation for Hail Hitler (explanation: H is the 8th letter of the alphabet)
#49
Usually initials, normally of three letters, most associated with gang names
#50
Name tattoos are generally distasteful. You really couldn’t think of a different way to honour your loved one? Knew a guy who had “family” written in a huge terribly overstated script across his forearm… what, like you’re gonna forget?
ETA if you want to honour someone, get a symbol for them or smth that you actually put some thought into. It’s just the effortless name tattoos that get to me
#51
Any kind of emo/goth cartoon character. Like Spongebob or Patrick.
#52
Clock tattoos. Especially if it comes paired with roses or a lion. It a very specific tattoo but the people who get them are always so rude.
#53
If I see the Eureka stockade flag on someone I get a bit nervous.
#54
Getting the generic lion with crown and hourglass or pocket watch, just like the wolf and the owl…
#55
Those semi-colon tattoos.
Met, maybe half a dozen men and women with one.
All bats**t, and unapologetic entitled about it…
#56
my ex is 17 so he doesn’t actually have this tattoo but he genuinely wants to get a harry potter death eater tattoo
edit: need to clarify it’s not HP that makes me cringe it’s the death eater specifically
#57
Nightmare before Christmas tattoo because you know their going to be very annoying.
#58
Insane clown posse..
from Bored Panda https://ift.tt/Rj3DbOi
via IFTTT source site : boredpanda
