Tattoos have become so common, I don't see many people taking notice of them these days. I live in CA, I think it is one of the more heavily tattooed states. I notice at the gym, there are at least as many tattooed people as their are people without tattoos (women included).
I have 25 hours of work on my backpiece, It is 11 years old, and I remember the first few years I had it, it would blow people's minds. In the last few years, no one has said a word about it, it just doesn't stick out at all.
I think the days of associating tattoos with felons is long gone. I see more hipster dorks with sleeves than I do hardcore thugs.
My friend has a 19 year old girlfriend, she is about 90 lbs and cute as hell.... with a full sleeve that must have almost 100 hours in it.
I can see why some people might be intimidated by a heavily muscled and heavily tattooed guy. I look to friendly to ever be considered intimidating, not to mention my extensive tattoo work is all hidden under a t-shirt anyway.
I actually did take notice of a heavily tattooed guy at the gym two days ago. The only reason he stuck out to me is because I got the feeling he was really in need of attention. He was in his 40's, obviously on AAS, and had his whole upper body covered in ink. He was wearing a string tank top, I thought it was pretty lame.