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People Claim These Tattoos Signal Major Red Flags On People, Here Are 40 Of The Worst Ones
Interview
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 Alex Alvarado, a tattoo artist at Santo Cuervo studio, and Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo based in East London, who shared a couple of insights into tattoo art from the experts’ perspective.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Confederate Flag is literally a red flag
According to tattoo artist Alvarado, you can tell a lot about a person from their tattoos. “I’d venture to say you could even guess nationality based on what style of tattoos they have, but the most obvious answer to me would be how much they have (or haven’t) invested in their tattoos,” he said.
Alvarado argues that this isn’t only monetary investment but also in terms of research, time, and dedication. “Getting a good tattoo is sometimes a very multi-faceted process that could even include travelling to see a specific artist. Things like this can tell you how knowledgeable, patient and committed a tattooed person can be.”
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#2
Any kind of hate symbol/speech is going to be a no from me.
Sioux White 2 years ago
It's a racist and then turns part of its skin black to show you its a racist. Mf morons
#3
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.
And when it comes to the tattoo trends, Alvarado said that there are a multitude of them going on right now and it would depend on where you live, mostly.
“Custom lettering seems really popular at the moment. I’ve seen a lot of very delicate, very intricate Korean-style tattoos lately, and on the opposite end of that, there’s a lot of heavy blackouts going on as well, but it seems all styles seem to be flourishing and being taken to the next level all over the world.” He added that he is mainly a realism artist “and the art I see on social media nowadays usually leaves me in total awe!”
#4
Childhood characters doing something unsavory. Like Winnie the Pooh in a dominatrix outfit. Decapitated Pikachu. Something like that.
#6
Anything political or weed-related. It tells me that has become their identity, basically.
And when it comes to tattoos that seem to be out of fashion, Alvarado said that from what he can see, the '90s tribal style is definitely on its way out. “The majority of cover-ups we’ve done at my studio usually involve some sort of tribal that the client got ages ago when they were ‘cool’ but no longer reflects their taste and personality. But with trends being so cyclical, who knows, maybe tribal will come back in a big way soon!”
#7
Baby’s faces, find it really unnerving, especially on the calf or top of arm. Why does it keep looking at me?
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 2 years ago (edited)
Adorable photograph of a sweet sleeping baby on the left. The love child of Gollum and Sloth on the right.
#8
Anything in a language they don’t speak/have a connection to
Fabian Bernard 2 years ago
Yeah, big regret for me there. Being 19 and stupid, I would seriously like to get rid of it, totally screams whitetrash while at the beach now 😐
#9
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)
Meanwhile, Adam, the studio manager at Vagabond Tattoo parlor, argues the opposite. He believes that 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!”
#12
'Live, Laugh, Love'
Dre Mosley 2 years ago
That's already overused as a wall decoration, and she put it on her body 🤦🏿♂️
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.
#13
“Loyalty” The people I see with this tattoo, they usually don’t appear to be the loyal type
#15
Sort: Exes names
Placement: Face
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.
#16
Anything misspelled.
Roman Hans 2 years ago (edited)
Years ago I passed a tattoo studio with sample art outside. Didn't ponder too long whether I should get a GARFEILD (the cat) tattoo.
#17
eyeball. As in having your eyeball colored permanently. No, just no. Use cool contacts. Dont take the chance of blinding yourself.
#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).
MonsterMum 2 years ago
I thought it meant they made bad choices. I have seen it some quite young people
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.
#19
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.
Race Blakhart 2 years ago
So "Major ideological differences" is reason enough to put a list together, judging (mostly) innocent people for absolutely no reason? Yeah, mock the idiot racist tattoos all day long, but a lot of this list is just bullying people.
#20
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.
#22
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.
#24
A “Punisher” tattoo. Especially if they’re in any sort of authority position.
Alice Sparks 2 years ago
Biggest red flag is if it's a cop. The original punisher comic had him going after corrupt police and politicians. Police have since tried to claim the symbol means "no mercy". It's a massive red flag that whoever has it has temper issues and a lack of self control that they see as a badge of honor. F**k those people.
#25
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.
#27
Lips on the neck
Autistic Wolf 2 years ago
That... sounds like some ... uh... I would guess... trailer-park-girl stuff... What I think of when I read that...
#28
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.
Tiger Pearl 2 years ago
I do understand that, but some probably find it a funny/nice reminder of a time they lived through.
#29
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.
#30
A tattoo of their own face... Unless they're Steve-O.
#31
An inspirational quote tatted on someone screams they're trying desperately to prove something to themselves.
#32
Stupid baseless words like “Pay2play” or “Boss movezzzz”
#33
It's rather inexplicable, but Tweety Bird tats attract the worst
Autistic Wolf 2 years ago
Ever notice how almost any woman who exist with this type of tattoo (and lets face it, men simply don't get Tweety Bird tatts for whatever reason) tends to be SUPER unhealthy in their general lifestyle and life choices?
#34
I know this guy with a tattoo across his collar bones that says “Uneducated genius"
Cat Monaghan 2 years ago
Uneducated or otherwise, I would NEVER refer to him as any type of genius!
#36
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
I’ve Seen Things 2 years ago (edited)
It is the Australian version/meaning as the Confederate flag
#38
I swear guys with roses on their hands are generally a**holes.
Autistic Wolf 2 years ago
A rose on the hand typically tends to mean "if things get heated, I'm genuinely not above hitting the woman I'm with."
#39
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.
#40
Zodiac signs
What do you think ?
CG 2 years ago
This is the best answer. You do you with the tattoos on your body.
Load More Replies...
BordestPanda 2 years ago
Aside from the ones that are racist or otherwise bigoted, this list is really judgmental.
CG 2 years ago
If I could upvote this comment 100 times, I would. You hit the nail square on the head.
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CG 2 years ago (edited)
I know quite a few that raise red flags from different regions, though these are more criminal than red flags. Clowns in Brazil mean you're a Cop K I L L E R (spacing because of possible BP censoring), Epaulettes in Russia mean you are a high ranking member of the Russian mafia, Roman Numeral 13 is tied to Latino Gangs, full traditional Japanese backpieces are tied pretty heavily to the Yakuza in Japan, etc. Aside from the ones with hateful natures, USA flags, getting someone else's name, or something in a language you don't understand, most of the ones on this list seem more like bad personal experiences from the posters.
CG 2 years ago
This is the best answer. You do you with the tattoos on your body.
Load More Replies... BordestPanda 2 years ago
Aside from the ones that are racist or otherwise bigoted, this list is really judgmental.
CG 2 years ago
If I could upvote this comment 100 times, I would. You hit the nail square on the head.
Load More Replies... CG 2 years ago (edited)
I know quite a few that raise red flags from different regions, though these are more criminal than red flags. Clowns in Brazil mean you're a Cop K I L L E R (spacing because of possible BP censoring), Epaulettes in Russia mean you are a high ranking member of the Russian mafia, Roman Numeral 13 is tied to Latino Gangs, full traditional Japanese backpieces are tied pretty heavily to the Yakuza in Japan, etc. Aside from the ones with hateful natures, USA flags, getting someone else's name, or something in a language you don't understand, most of the ones on this list seem more like bad personal experiences from the posters.
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