Man, the bullsh*t starts to get pretty thick around here pretty fast....
(1) See my criteria #1 above.
(2) I would never do that... to your face.
(3) No, it's not. This is what we call the "straw man" logical fallacy. Getting a tattoo is a personal choice for putting an indelible, permanent advertisement for the world to see regarding something otherwise personal about yourself. Contrary to that, a person who is African American cannot make the choice about the color of their skin. Likewise, a person who practices Islam can be from any variety of country or nationality that has nothing to do with terrorism. Now, if that black physician wore baggy pants, had gold teeth, and sported a sideways NY Yankees hat while walking around the hospital going "Yo, yo, yo bitches!" he wouldn't inspire confidence either. Likewise, if that Islamic person wore a robe and a turban and let his beard grow to his navel, while strolling the wards, the same holds true.
(4) No, but it advertises to the world to other people how you both (a) view yourself and (b) tells them something about your worldview.
And, don't tell me that you don't cover up your tattoos at work. You know you do.
You are talking rationalizations or second-order reasons. I'm talking about the primary personal intention for displaying a permanent advertisement about one's self, and I am not wrong.
You're a liar.
Tattoos are not classy. Most intelligent people (i.e., who are not trailer park trash, a stripper, or a biker) regret having gotten them years down the line. And, they will then rationalize having done so when they were younger (i.e., I was young, dumb, and full of cum) because there's not much else they can do at that point.
Truth hurts, I know. But, I asked a 20-something nurse recently (who had a full sleeve) how she thought that was going to look when she was sixty. She looked at me like I was speaking Chinese.
Don't be pissed at me for telling you how the vast majority of the population views people with tattoos. You should be appreciating my candor instead. I don't couch the truth in pleasantries. At the same time, tattoo you're entire body head-to-toe if you want. No one is stopping you. This is a free country. Just don't expect me to like you, respect you, or think you are "awesome" for doing it.
-copro