Very interesting thread, I must say. I think Simon has summed things up very well.
In New Zealand, I live in a society where a significant number of people are tattooed because it is traditional - the Maori hhave been doing it very a 1000 years. In their case, tattoos are often the story of their ancestry. Many older women wear moko - markings on their chin.
For more details see
http://www.maoriart.org.nz/noticeboard/te_uhi/faqThese styles of tattoo are very accepted in NZ, as are other polynesian forms around arms or legs.
IMHO, males with face tattoos are following a warrior tradition and are trying to intimidate - usually very successfully (usually gang members).
If think the gang use of tattoos has influenced most people's reaction to tattoos in general, and creates a negative response. Often this occurs as part of our instant judgement of someone, even before we get to review the 'art' of display.
Another aspect for the general negative response to tattoos may well be that they mark someone as being 'different' and outside to norm - something most people are uncomfortable with and tend to avoid being associated with.
I look forward to your results.
