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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:
LubaLuca · 06/09/2023 22:06

No, I don't have any and neither does anyone in my family so it isn't even noticeable if someone has none.

The only tattoo-related reactions I have are to bad tattoos (in quality or imagination), tattoos on the face, neck or hands, and really original and high quality ones.

Spacemoon · 06/09/2023 22:06

Some of these replies 🤣 right bunch of hyacinth bouquets on here tonight!!!

Personally, I agree with you OP. I don't have any either, but quite often get people looking shocked when I tell them I don't. I especially think people having tattoos in more highly visible places i.e their neck, hand etc is becoming more popular and socially the norm.

The only other people I know who don't have tattoos are my elderly parents and in laws (and my kids of course haha!) The rest of my family do, all my friends do and all of my colleagues do. Most of them have several. My DH has 15+.. I've lost count.

I'm personally not a huge fan of them, but I do think some look really nice and really couldn't care less if someone has them or not. I really don't understand the judgement some people have towards people with tattoos.

gillygeey · 06/09/2023 22:07

Depends on your generation, I don't think most 60 yr olds would have them but many 40 yr olds would

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Usernamen · 06/09/2023 22:08

No. I’m early 30s, don’t have any, and I would say no more than 10% of my social circle / acquaintances have a tattoo.

HamBone · 06/09/2023 22:08

Tattoos are so subjective anyway. I’ve seen some attractive ones (in my personal opinion) and others I thought were hideous. Same with piercings. But it’s not my body so why should I care?!

LindorDoubleChoc · 06/09/2023 22:09

I know very few people who have tattoos - not even among my dc friends (early 20s). I think it's a regional/class thing.

fourquenelles · 06/09/2023 22:13

I must admit I was surprised to see Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons who loves to go topless on stage has no tattoos.

I am 67 and have a small one of the place where my late DH's ashes are scattered. Unless I showed you you wouldn't know.

notforever · 06/09/2023 22:14

I think most people still have none.

ALongHardWinter · 06/09/2023 22:15

I only know 2 people who have them.

thaisweetchill · 06/09/2023 22:15

For someone who has no tattoos I am surprised when others also don't! It's such a common thing now.

HamBone · 06/09/2023 22:16

LindorDoubleChoc · 06/09/2023 22:09

I know very few people who have tattoos - not even among my dc friends (early 20s). I think it's a regional/class thing.

@LindorDoubleChoc I would have said the same until my DD told me that several of her friends had got a tattoo. Her friends are from solidly MC families, the children of doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. They don’t flaunt them in front of parents, apparently one of her friend’s Mum’s has no idea. I’m honored to have been told. 😂

ToughFuss · 06/09/2023 22:16

Nope, it doesn’t surprise me at all. I probably know more without than those with tattoos, certainly in my closest circles, although the split isn’t drastic.

CoreopsisEverywhere · 06/09/2023 22:17

I think more people have them than don’t now, particularly in the 20-50 age group, but none of my family or friends have them (or not visible ones anyway).

LetMeEnfoldYou · 06/09/2023 22:19

My friend plus guitar in a metal band and has none, I was surprised tbh

Oakbeam · 06/09/2023 22:20

It’s not something I’m particularly bothered about but the only person I know with tattoos used to be in the navy.

Comfortablechair · 06/09/2023 22:21

Hey - yeh I know what you mean same as whitened teeth. I got tattoos lasered off at 30 - suddenly hated them and wanted nothing on body. It took ages,
costs a fortune and I’ve still got the scars so I’d recommend my kids never get them. I tend to ignore the plastic people on stuff like
love island they are dull and thick as a plank of wood

BirdiePlantaganet · 06/09/2023 22:22

Is it a demographic thing?

My husband and I are the only ones in our huge group of friends that have tattoos. And I’ve had mine removed! And my husband has just one small one.

Billyhargrovesmullet · 06/09/2023 22:27

The difference between people who do & don’t have tattoos is those of us who have tattoos don’t judge those who don’t

specialsauce · 06/09/2023 22:30

Tattoos are getting a bit passe. I spotted a premier league footballer on Saturday that took his top off at the end of the match and had not one single tattoo. It was so lovely to see actual lovely clear skin.

People are covered in them and I used to be interested in what they depicted. Now they just look like loads of similar scrawling.

Tattoos are fast becoming the opposite of being individual and unique.

Mindovermatter247 · 06/09/2023 22:33

I would love a tattoo, needle don’t bother me never have, my issue is the money. Everytime I get a bit together something happens and I end up having to start again. I’m hoping to get one by the time I’m 40

thorneyislanddoris · 06/09/2023 22:35

Nobody in my family have them and most of my friends except but a couple of friends have small subtle ones.

Namemchangeforthispostonly101 · 06/09/2023 22:37

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to take this down now.

SatelliteStomper · 06/09/2023 22:40

I don't, nor does dh. I don't think ds (20) has any. I have a couple of friends who have them but want them removed. A couple of colleagues (university) and probably 80% of my students!

I'm not a fan tbh. They rarely look good, imo. (Even on Harry Styles...)

Notagains · 06/09/2023 22:41

No, I would say most people don't have tatoos

Fallingthroughclouds · 06/09/2023 22:44

They were a rarity when I was younger. I'm massively needle phobic and it makes me cringe even looking at other people's.