Those people are just narrow-minded "nongmin". I know quite a few ass-kicking Chinese ladies here with awesome tattoos and tonnes of men chasing after them. Older generations don't get it because back in the day tattoos really did mean that you were either a prison inmate or member of some gang. The times have long changed though and people really have to start accepting more radical trends in society. I'm planning to get a big dragon tattoo right under my bellybutton. We'll see how that goes down with people when I sunbathe in mind hot pants in the park....I'll keep you posted!

tattoos are vulgar, and Chinese, who are moar into clean aesthetic, don't like to see paint carved into you. It makes you a clown or some sort. Yes you might be attractive with one, but it deprives of respect. You wouldn't want a woman with tattoos be the mother of your child. You become something like en entertainment.

But some people are satisfied by that, so it's all ok, in a way. But those are still a minority that have said bad rep

Small tattoos are fine. For the bigger ones though...

Apart from in Shanghai, a young Chinese woman who has tattoos or/and smokes will have a bad rep, regardless of her character.

My bet is that it intidimates Chinese guys and is a clear indicator that the woman has a 'strong will'. Additionally, try to imagine the guy presenting his tattooed, smoking girlfriend to the more traditional parents. Wouldn't fly.