The problem here is with stereotypes regarding the type of people who get tattoos and what the tattoo is of.
I have seen some breathtaking bible verses tattooed on people in the most beautiful script, for example. Detailed portraits of deceased loved ones, scrollwork and vines celebrating the beauty of nature.. More people get custom tattoos these days instead of flash art, which may perpetuate the stereotype with the same old images of skulls and devils, sailor jerry stuff or profane images being recycled.
I design tattoos for people who understand that if something is going to be part of them for the rest of their life, it damn well better be perfect, have some meaning and not just be some kind of counter culture statement for the sake of it. Some tattoo work should really be in a gallery and some work (and indeed some people who get tattoos) make the entire industry look uneducated, thuggish and shameful.
The Victoria and Albert museum in London is a prestigious venue, with giant chandeliered, stained glass tearooms, marble staircases and more rich patrons than you could shake a stick at. Imagine my pleasant surprise upon turning up for an art trip with two other students with body modifications and both doing tattoo apprenticeships, when in comes a staff member covered head to toe in tattoos with 2 inch plugs in his ears. Very polite gentleman.