I've been thinking to get a tattoo someday, but I was wondering how different countries view tattoos?

I know in Japan, it is frowned upon and thought of as a connection to the Yakuza. In Taiwan, where I am born, they also look down upon it as something only bad kids do and/or that you're up to no good.

But in Canada where I live, it is normal and no one thinks twice about it.

How about you? Is it something bad/good in your country/where you live and why?

I just don't want to be going into a country flashing a tattoo around and everyone looking at me in a certain way 🙂 Thanks!

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It's not like all tattoos are considered gang-related in Japan. Only gang tattoos.
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Believe me, no one is going to confuse a little flower in the crook of your ankle with a yakuza tattoo.

Personally, I think all tattoos look pretty tacky, and so do a fair amount of other people, but that's our opinion. If you're going to get a tattoo, the first thing you have to do is stop caring about what other people think about it.

some tattoos can be pretty damn badass, like say a huge as eagle on your back, that would be pretty cool. To answer your question in my country New Zealand, its not frowned upon at all. Actually it is part of the culture of the indigenous/native people of new zealand...the maoris.

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I don't see anything wrong and I've seen certain tattoos with a very high level of artistry and they're nothing short of amazing. 🙂

In my country in Southeast Asia, well... tattoos are still looked down upon because of their connection with the gangs(secret society). But I think that's slowly changing 'cos more and more young people are getting them, though they don't display them... especially if they're working in the more "civilized" parts of the industries.

Well, it depends. Young people don't really care about tattoos, many of them have one. But of course these are small tattoos, flowers and things like that. A guy with a huge dragon tattooed on his back would draw attention, I think.
However, older people (not very old, around 40 years and more) think that the only people having tattoos are prisoners. When my friend got a tattoo my mother said she looked like a former convict.

Eh, even if people give you bad looks because of it, you shouldn't be bothered by it. It's your art, you have the right to do to your body whatever you want, and if others can't respect that then their opinion of you shouldn't matter to you. Their close mindedness shouldn't hinder how you express yourself.

Where I live its pretty average to have tattoos and show them. Even so, there are certain places on your body where it starts to become unprofessional in the business sense to have them, like your hands and face.

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No body cares about tattoos in most countries unless they are gang related or racist. Some countries, as many have said, are viewed as an automatic gang marking. Personally, I am planning on getting a somewhat extensive tattoo. Most of it would be on my back, but it would also be on my shoulders, collarbone, and my arms and the backs of my hands. The only visible part would be on the backs of my hands, but it is just ornate/tribal lines and crosses. I'm actually quite skilled in designing tattoos, but I might just make it a hobby rather than a career.

@Hanae: Actually, the tattoo design, rather than size, is what draws more attention. A guy in my class had a tattoo that covered his entire shoulder, but it was of a tiger in a forest so people thought it was awesome, but it didn't draw any negativity or attention. A guy I ran into when at the mall had a small swastika (about the size of a golf ball) on his neck and everyone was looking at him like he was America's most wanted. Content has always mattered more than size.

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In the USA it's generally more seen as a young-people thing, I believe. All the old people look down on it, but it's considered uncommon if a person doesn't at least have one by the time they turn 30. (Or at least, that's what it's like where I live.)

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Actually, the tattoo design, rather than size, is what draws more attention

I think the same as the author of the topic - it depends on a country you're in. In mine, a person with any big tattoo would draw attention, no matter if the design is a tiger, dragon, Sailor Moon or some abstract pattern. And a guy with a swastika tattoo... Either someone would report it to the police or he would be beaten up by bad people, I think.

Most people view them as no big deal. I wouldn't get one for myself though. Depends on how you want others to see you.

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Where I live it's not really a big deal so long as it can be concealed. As far as age goes, I've encountered people who think of tattoos as body mutilation across all ages. I've also had a friend in college who got a tattoo as well as a friend of the family in her fifties who got one. It just depends on the individal person.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!

I think I will be getting the tattoo regardless because I think they're very artistic as well. In fact, I might be drawing my own 😛 But I might just keep it a secret from my family, as they don't approve...

Excuse me if I'm being presumptious, but it seems to me like it's mostly Asian countries that associate it with bad behaviour 🤨

I think every culture should be more accepting of it! 😀

Quote from Hanae

And a guy with a swastika tattoo... Either someone would report it to the police or he would be beaten up by bad people, I think.

Are you suggesting Jews are bad people?

The teachers have them at my school and I live in the US.

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