If you see someone with teardrops, they’ve killed and they’re proud of it. Each teardrop is a murder.
Used to be that way, but grade inflation has descended to teardrop tattoos:
In the United States, it can mean the wearer has killed someone and the number of teardrops may indicate the number of killings. It can also indicate the number of years served in prison or the loss of a loved one or fellow gang member.