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Original poster

Are you surprised if someone has no tattoos?

170 replies

Namechange240 · 06/09/2023 20:39

Is it more common now to have tattoos?
I'm almost verging on surprised if I see a celebrity that doesn't have any tattoos.
I almost expect someone I meet in real life to have at least one tattoo and am taken aback a bit if they don't.
For context, I don't have any at all however it just seems like almost everyone has one.

OP posts:
muddyford · 06/09/2023 21:09

I only know one person with one!

NuffSaidSam · 06/09/2023 21:11

No, I'm not surprised either way when it comes to tattoos. Some people have them, some people don't. If you've got that fact logged, there's no real surprise to be had!

I'm slightly surprised when you see someone who is head to toe covered in tattoos because that is unusual.

GG1986 · 06/09/2023 21:11

No. I don't have any and know a lot of people that don't have any.

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BeMoreBarbie · 06/09/2023 21:12

They are 100% more common now. When I was little my parents were so anti tattoo. First thing I did when 18 was get a tattoo and I'd planned it for years. I now have a few. Everyone I know has at least one. Even people I knew that didn't have one, got one at 40/50/60. They are the acceptable norm now but we still get that to be different or rebel. Jokes on us really.

As for celebs, even more true.

Jewelanemone · 06/09/2023 21:13

Neither my husband nor I, nor any of our parents, have tattoos. I guess that's quite unusual.

I often think about what I'd have if I was brave enough to have one..

MrsAvocet · 06/09/2023 21:13

No. I'm not surprised if people don't have them, but I'm also no longer surprised if they do. When I was young I think there was still quite a lot of stigma attached to tattoos and certainly stereotypes about people, particularly women who had them were prevalent. These days it doesn't surprise me to see say a doctor or accountant with a tattoo but 20 years ago it would definitely have been unusual.

MrsMoastyToasty · 06/09/2023 21:19

Dh, DS and I don't have tattoos. Neither does DM,DF, Or either of my DS. My parents thought they were "common ".

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 06/09/2023 21:19

No

Oblomov23 · 06/09/2023 21:24

Most people I know don't have them.

Guavafish1 · 06/09/2023 21:26

I have no close friends with a tattoo. It's up to the individual.

Alighttouchonthetiller · 06/09/2023 21:29

When I was growing up, the general consensus from older generations in my family was that only sailors or women of ill-repute had tattoos. I still don't like them and don't have any of my own, nor do my siblings or cousins.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 06/09/2023 21:33

No. None of my family have tattoos, maybe 5% of my friends have one (normally a somewhat regretted Chinese symbol on the hip or butterfly on the ankle. Guess our age Grin), and about 20% of my colleagues. So I definitely wouldn't be surprised.

Jl2014 · 06/09/2023 21:35

No

Springduckling · 06/09/2023 21:35

No.
None of my friends or family have them, that I can think of.

But they are getting more common. Saw a lot at the lido recently. A lot fall into the category of 'probably looked nice when 1st done and the person was younger , but don't now'

Cattenberg · 06/09/2023 21:36

No, I’m still slightly surprised when someone I know turns out to have one. Like DD’s teacher, for example. Even though I know they’re very popular these days.

Changingmymind66 · 06/09/2023 21:36

I'm pretty sure it's a class thing... I've worked in hospitals and notice this a lot. Not necessarily the class someone is, but the one they were brought up in or identify with more. So GPs who've worked hard and families are working class might have. I find it interesting. Consultants with tattoos and piercings more in sexual health clinics than cardiac care. Lots of middle class people have tattoos easily covered.

Gowlett · 06/09/2023 21:36

I have a Noughties tramp-stamp (barbed wire).
Most friends, my age, don’t have any tattoos.

nokidshere · 06/09/2023 21:37

I'm 62, my friends are between 38 & 70 and none of them have tattoos. Nor does anyone in my, very large, family.

Chunkyandchico · 06/09/2023 21:37

I know a lot of people, and I only know one person with a tattoo.

whatchagonnado · 06/09/2023 21:37

No. I know a lot of people who don't .
I've just come back from holiday on the Med and seen loads of really bad ones, some were like they had been graffiti'd by a child.
I'm definitely not tempted to get one.

DavinaTheDreadful · 06/09/2023 21:38

No. I'm the only one in my family with one, including aunts, uncles, cousins etc. Dh doesn't have one and neither do any of his immediate family. Don't know about extended.

vampire13 · 06/09/2023 21:38

I have a full sleeve (plus others) and nearly everyone I know has at least 1 tattoo, I can't think of one person off the top of my head that doesn't have one actually 💉

SpamFrittersYouSay · 06/09/2023 21:39

Hate the damned things. Love pure clean skin with no Māori scores or barcodes or names.
As to roses, dolphins or dragons... everyone has one.

Think of something new.

warmmfeet · 06/09/2023 21:39

I am neither surprised or unsurprised - I just don't really care / notice.

DavinaTheDreadful · 06/09/2023 21:39

😂 noughties tramp stamp. 🙋‍♀️ 🦋