Rachel Beals

Some people choose to hide tattoos from their bosses and grandmas.

“I think times are starting to change a bit,” said Erica Bobby of Butler Township. “The stigma isn't as it used to be.”

Bobby, who works with youths who have drug- and alcohol-related issues, said her tattoos have not caused any difficulties in her field.

However, when she is out with her four children, she does have people ask about her tattoos.

“I get people that will do a double take and say, 'I realy like your work,' or they will say 'Why would you do that? What are you going to look like when you're old?'” Bobby said.

“I say, 'I'm going to look pretty cool. Does it really matter? I'm going to be old and wrinkly anyway.'”

Rachel Beals of Butler said her employers know of her tattoos, but she chooses to cover them in the workplace.

“You're in a different mentality, you dress differently for work,” Beals said.

Mark Hitchcock of Butler said the tattoo on his arm is visible if he wears a T-shirt to work, but his employer hasn't said anything.

“I think that tattoos are becoming more and more accepted just like other things in culture,” Hitchcock said.

Randi Foertsch of Saxonburg and Samantha Feil of Butler Township both choose places for their tattoos that are not always visible.

“I like to be able to have the option of hiding it,” Foertsch said.

Whether people are on the street or on the beach, if a tattoo is visible, others will probably look.

“People will look at me and be like, 'Oh she modified her body,' but I'm proud of my tattoos,” Feil said. “They can think what they want and see what they want, but you know, it's my body. It's my choice.”