When did the popularity of tattoos among British people start increasing, what do you think caused?

[LadybirdsTakingTurds]

Can you tell me when tattoos became very popular in British culture? I recently went to a new gym and noticed a large number of young people, both men and women, with tattoos covering their bodies, even up to their necks and covering limbs. I was aware tattoos are much more common now than they were in previous decades but it was even more noticeable with everyone showing more skin.

It's now perfectly normal in the UK to see a person with a heavily tattooed leg, whereas this would have been considered unconventional just half a century ago. What do you think caused it - was it influenced by pop culture or a trend? Do you think its here to stay?

Some of the designs I've spotted repeatedly include lions, clocks, naked women, prayer beads, eagles, elephants, mandalas, chequered flags, clown faces, flowers, skulls, butterflies, roses, stars, and crying eyes.

@Newchapterbeckons
Maltesers have definitely imprinted themselves on my hips.

This made me giggle! Also, I love your username.

Was a talking point for sure 😁

Ha, thank you! I changed it one Christmas and got quite attached to it so I think it’ll stay until I post too many identifying details under this one

😂
Could have been Phil and Grant on each cheek

I worked as a prison education officer for six years. I saw enough tattoos never to want to see another. This has probably coloured my intense dislike of tattoos and to a lesser extent my opinion of their wearers.

Well, that's all I need to know.

Pleased to make you happy.

Me too to be fair! maybe a tattoo isn’t such a bad idea after all 😊

I'm glad you're not a judge

It pleased me more when your comment was deleted

Of course, considering that you moaned about it.

This is such sexist rubbish.

You called me a liar. I called you out on it

Fashion I guess. I have one (I'm 53 and I hate it but luckily it's on my shoulder so I do t have to see it. I had it done at 17). My ex H has a big one that relates to his heritage. My daughter, 25, has three. All are beautifully done and meaningful to her. My son,19 is contemplating his first. My nephew has two sleeves with meaningful artwork. My neice has a poem written in her dad's handwriting. My boyfriend has a whole arm of meaningful artwork that represents his life and that of his parents. My friend is covered, including his neck and hands, and each one means something, be it related to his late parents, his family or his spiritual beliefs. I think tattoos are just more accessible now and accepted as a form of self expression. As they should.
My daughter had her first on her 18th birthday.
I'm just glad that my kids didn't do what I did - get off my face on acid and go to the nearest tattoo place with a stupid picture that my friend had drawn! Yes it's hideous and one day I will get it covered.

Ps... most of my friends have tattoos. 50s. Many of whom have had covers of stupid ones we had in our teens. Most of our children do too.

The day I finally snap I might have fuck you tattooed on my forehead. Go out with a bang! Genuinely makes me smile to think about the reaction I might receive…so maybe I am being converted.

Why is it sexist to say that I think large tattoos don’t generally look good on women? I don’t, it’s my opinion. I think women are beautiful as they are. Men’s arms are generally much bigger so the tattoos look relatively smaller. I don’t think beards look great on women either, is that sexist? I also think men in stilettos look daft (they aren’t great on women tbf, but worse on men). Is that an allowed opinion?

I'm 6ft tall. I'm sure my arms are bigger than some mens 💪

Koolaid - which is why i said ‘generally’ not ‘always’.

Because it's all this bollocks about women being "beautiful as we are" and needing to keep our skin pure and untouched while the men can do what they like. I can't be doing with it.

Haven’t read the whole thread yet, so there might be more answers. The people I know who have this have done it to cover offensive tattoos or ones that don’t fit with their current work. I think cheaper than getting them removed (they were sleeve tattoos before and now and just full black arms).

I don't think you needed to point out that your IQ is low, it's glaringly obvious from your posts.

Of course, of all the things I don’t want my kids to do, tattoos certainly aren’t top of the list. But they’re on the list.

My dad was 85 when he died, he was heavily tattooed during his time in the Navy, you could clearly tell what his tattoos were right up to the end.

Fair play

At least you aren't stating that it reflects a low IQ or the dangler who dislikes folk on sight because s/he has seen a few in their job.

OK to dislike them aesthetically, not so ok to judge personally.