From what I know, it is possible, even in these "modern" times, to live a normal life without tattoos. I could be wrong though.
However, upto now I have no tattoos and I am able to live a normal life and I have no plans on getting any tattoos done and hopefully during my lifetime, I may be able to live a normal life without having tattoos.
It is my guess that people who get tattoos done on their body, do so because they perceive that tattoos helps them to express their artistic nature, their beliefs, or their feelings. It is hence a self perception and necessarily something that is a matter of perception to those who do not have tattoos.
I have a friend, who instead of walking, she jumps and hops to move around, as she perceives that it is her way to express her artistic nature. I feel, in todays' "modern" world, that is quite normal, ofcourse, as long as she does not bump into anyone while jumping and hopping around.
I have a friend who has tattoos and he says that it is his way to express something about himself and also improve his self-esteem. I guess it is his perception that it improves his self-esteem. Because another friend of mine who does not have tattoos, says that having tattoos would negatively impact her self-esteem.
Therefore, there is no standard perception, nor is there any standard self-perception when it comes to having tattoos.
Having tattoos is normal thing and nowadays, not having tattoos is also a normal thing.