1. Perceptions of tattoos
Do you have/want What are your perceptions of people If approached by a man in a suit or a
a tattoo? with tattoos? man with many tattoos, which
would you, feel more comfortable
having a conversation with? Why?
yes I think people with tattoos are I would feel comfortable speaking to
exactly the same as everyone else either. Because they’re exactly the
same
yes I think people with tattoos generally The person with tattoos, I’d have
tend to be more interesting than more to talk about with them
other people
yes I think people with tattoos are Either, however I’d be more
normal. interested in what the person with
tattoos had to say.
no I find them slightly intimidating The person in a suit. I’d feel too
intimidated by the person with
tattoos.
yes I think people with tattoos are I’d be more interested in speaking to
exactly the same as everyone else. It the person with tattoos, purely
doesn’t make them a bad person because I find tattoos interesting and
because they have decorated their I’d like to ask some questions about
skin. Everyone has the right to do them. But I would feel comfortable
what they want to their body. speaking to either.
no I don’t find tattoos attractive and i The person in a suit. I really don’t like
don’t understand why someone tattoos.
would want one. I think they’re
stupid
no I don’t have a problem with people Either of them. It doesn’t matter
with tattoos; they’re exactly the whether they have a tattoo or not.
same as everyone else. I just
wouldn’t get one myself
yes Even though I have a tattoo, I feel Probably the man in a suit. I’d feel
slightly intimidated by other people intimidated by the other person
who have loads.
yes If they have one or two tattoos I The man in a suit. Because I’d just
think its fine. If they’re covered in think the other person is stupid.
them I just think they’re stupid and
will regret it.
no People with tattoos aren’t any Depends who had a better
different. They could be a bad person personality. I wouldn’t care if they
but that’s due to their personality not had tattoos or not though.
due to the fact they have a tattoo

2. What do you think of gang culture tattoos, If you were approached by someone with a teardrop
for example; the teardrop and the three tattooed below their eye, what would your reaction
dots? be?
I think they’re scary, purely because of the I would feel slightly scared because I know what the
meanings behind them tattoo means
I’ve heard the teardrop means that they’ve I would feel intimidated, and probably try and avoid
killed someone. I don’t really know what talking to them
to think about gang culture tattoos.
I think they’re interesting and creative; I wouldn’t be scared; I’d be more interested and ask
also the way they get them and the tools them why they have that tattoo.
they use is fascinating.
I have no knowledge about gang culture I would probably walk the other way
tattoos
I think they’re interesting, they tend to I’d talk to them like a normal person. They have that
have deep and personal meaning which is tattoo for a reason and want it to be seen and I have
always interesting to hear about. no problem with that.

3. Q&A with tattoos artist
Question Response
Did you have tattoos before you got into Yes I had about 5 of 6 tattoos before I started
tattooing? tattooing. I always wanted tattoos since I was
young. The meaning behind them is the most
important thing to me.
How do you feel about tattooing people? It’s an intense experience. You get to hear about
and deep event or stage in someone’s life. It’s
always fun though, I really enjoy what I do, and
meeting all the different people that want
tattoos. However there is a lot of pressure, you
can’t erase what you’ve drawn so no mistakes
can be made.
How has tattooing changed in recent years. Tattooing has become a lot more popular over
the years for good and bad reasons. Some of the
work people do can be shabby due to the people
that want the tattoo and how impatient they
are. I think now there is a lot of people in the
trade it pushes people that have been in the
trade for a long time to get better and push
themselves.
Do you prefer to tattoo someone that wants a I think it’s a lot more interesting, we can ask
tattoo with meaning? them about it and usually the outcome is much
better because we want to make sure the tattoo
portrays the meaning perfectly. Tattooing just a
design is just as fun and exciting.
Do you regret any of your tattoos? No I don’t. I got all of my tattoos for reasons and
they will stay with me for the rest of my life, just
the way I want it.