Hep C can occur with tattoos, however, if done in a clean facility, with unused, autoclaved needles, gloves, etc. this is unlikely to happen. Also, you aren't going to catch hep. C by sitting next to someone, hugging them, etc. If you are going to be intimate with them, you have every right to know if they have been tested for hep c, and you don't have to find some special way to do it. Just say, if we're going to be intimate, I need to know if you've been tested for certain things, because I prefer to be safe when it comes to my health. If a person is NOT going to be intimate with you, and you're just friends, don't expect an answer (let alone an honest one). They might consider it personal, and think it's no one else's business, unless that person is going to be taking a risk being with them. But like I said, if the needle and facility was clean and things were done right hep c is possible, but unlikely. And again, if you are going to be intimate, you don't have to be ridiculously delicate about it. It's your business and your risk if you're getting physical with someone, AND they should be very open and honest in such a situation. If you need it for peace of mind, you can also get them to sign out copies of the test results and show them to you.