Just curious, how do the Swiss (in general, of course) view tattoos? In the US, it is becoming much more common and acceptable to have tattoos. I would say in my mom's group more have one than do not.
I have seen more tattoos in Zürich than I have seen since I left the town I grew up in, which had a large biker culture. It is mainly amoung the younger generation, but it appears to be part of the scenery here.
i have tattoos on my hands, my GF lived here most her life but she tells me that i will find it harder to get a job with them on my hands , hence the first impressions....
but to be fair i have also been told it wont be a problem, so i will let ya know ha ha
Depends on your social circle. Certain tattoos might lead to you being stereotyped (e.g. tramp stamps, barbed wire on the upper arm, dolphin on the shoulder blade and other common motifs) whereas others will more than likely elicit interest and admiration, at least from those below, say, 35. The older generation will not be impressed and certain job groups consider it wild and rebellious for men to have an earring or for women to wear more than a pair of pearls.
I'm a bit old-fashioned in many ways and deeply regret having a tattoo done, indeed, a very conservative boyfriend of mine was all for paying to have it removed. Certainly the "only jailbirds and sailors have tattoos" image is gone but I wouldn't want one in a clearly visible place, as I feel I'd be letting myself be put in a box I don't want to be.
Mind you, there is an annual tattoo convention in Zurich so there must be plenty of people who think ink is fabulous!
lol, mine are on my hands , letter in between my thumb and fore finger, on both hands 2 on front of wrists and two on bk , but they all have a purpose, example names and date of births on wrists of my children , and letter of my famils second names on both hands,
but that still shouldnt be held against me for any reason england i have no problem with tattoos, not be happy if i get crap here for them,
see yes im young but i know what i want , if i thought i would regret it in later life i wouldnt be having them done,
and for those who do regret having a tattoo done, all i can do is laugh at yas because why want something then not want ,
you dont leave your kids on the road because ten years they start being a little sh1t... lol its life ,,,,
There are a number of hot spa baths down our neck of the woods visited by people from all over Switzerland. All I can tell you is there are plenty of tattoos on display especially among the 20 to 40 year old bracket and nobody seems to care at all but most are small and discreet in out of the way places.
Sadly you will most certainly regret permanent tattoos in later life. They will be no longer fashionable and you will be the talk of the old folks' home - a punk hair-cut can easily be changed but a tattoo is more difficult...
I think this is really down to the individual, rather than a nation. However, as a regular gym-goer in the UK and Switzerland over the last few years, thus being surrounded by naked women in changing rooms, I could tell you without doubt that there are far more tattoo'ed women in Switzerland than the UK.
Sorry if I was not clear. I am just curious if tattoos are viewed in a positive light, or a negative one. I know that it various across cultures and generations. I thought it would be an interesting topic, and I am bored at home today!
I do have a tattoo, but it doesn't show so I am not overly concerned about the perception.
it all depends really on the tattoos, where they are and how big they are....
I'm in the process of getting my arm sleeved up....its a personal thing and like i said i keep it covered at work....and i dont really socialise with colleagues so thats OK. And if i did socialise with a colleague, they would not be the type to mind...