I am finding this whole thread fascinating - especially the difference in people's tasks (likes and dislikes).
Historically tattoos are important for many social groups - in Maori and similar societies it appears that tattoos are an important part of their culture. Indeed the Maori/Phoenician cultures could be the genesis for western tattoos (certainly the word 'tattoo'), brought back to Europe by sailors exploring the world (and sailors are a major group of tattoo 'wearers')
I found references to tattoos being illegal for a time in Japan and even now the Japanese have some rules about 'covering up' when in certain work places. I know in the UK there have been examples of people being refused employment because of extreme tattoos (i.e. over their face). A very recent incident involved a woman being deported from Sri Lanka because of her
tattoo of Buddha - but in this case it was the image, not the tattoo that caused the problems.
Historically there is a linkage between tattoos and criminality: in China, Japan and, more recently, western society tattoos identified alliances to gangs (but so could long hair or a beard as a friend of mine discovered when working in Asia!) - this has led to prejudice against tattoos.
More interesting is the question about when a tattoo is not really a 'tattoo' - to explain. I watched a recent UK TV show about tattoos were a woman who had both breasts removed due to cancer was having 'fake' nipples tattooed onto her chest (and they looked very real). Women are also having lipstick tattoos for cosmetic purposes

- tattoo lipstick
- are these really 'tattoos'?
Great thread 😁
MJ