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.

Beez - I don’t think women need to keep their skin pure, I just think that generally large tattoos are ugly on women, less so on men.

Still just misogyny 🤷🏻‍♀️

The thing is, people with tattoos often say that their tattoo is personal to them, meaningful, representative of their true self etc etc. So when I see someone with a big skull on their back, and a snake winding round their arm, with scary eyes and huge fangs…..well, if that’s what they feel represents their true self, I’m going to be slightly wary of them.

People have to be aware that their outward appearance is going to give an impression, and that people will form opinions based on that impression. Those opinions may change once they get to know the person, but forming initial impressions is not something anyone can control.

People with tattoos can’t assume everyone will love them as they do. Don’t be sad about that fact, but definitely accept it.

You know what’s ugly on women? Judgement of other women.

I was a teenage goth and now at 40 still very much alternative. Heavy music and tattoos just came hand in hand and I couldn't wait to start getting them. I'm very lucky that my love of alternative culture educated me in tattoo styles and artistry and I found a great artist who
I've worked with for the past 15 years and has given me some brilliant artwork over the years. Pretty covered now; arms, legs, chest and back. I favour neo-traditional with bright colours and bold lines, tattoos that will stand the test of time. There's definitely a hierarchy in tattooing; lions, pocket watches, angels etc are considered mainstream, unoriginal and there's a "type" associated with them. I have a very corporate job at a senior level, it is much more acceptable now to be a professional and also be tattooed. For me, tattoos are part of who I am, the alternative music, culture, the way I dress. I don't have many tattoos that have a deep meaning, I have original designs created by my artist of things I love, that he won't then replicate and at 40 years old I've no plans to stop getting tattooed anytime soon.

A poster earlier stated that she felt uncomfortable being treated by a nurse who had a tattoo, full stop.

Thats not looking at someone and just not 'loving' it, it's making a decision that a professional person is inferior at their job.

I find that a little odd. And very shallow.

Thank you for a thoughtful post and staying polite.

Wetbandits - we ARE allowed to find different things attractive or ugly. It’s fine!! I’d never say to someone with a tattoo that it was ugly, but I am allowed to think it. There are other things I find ugly too - those big hole making earrings, the ones that stretch the lobe, I find really disconcerting and grim (no idea why!). I find heavily muscled body builders deeply unattractive. I also think big hair bands on bald babies are hideous. Moustaches are an unattractive choice on everyone. All of these are my opinions that I’m allowed to have - I just shouldn’t upset people who make these choices by telling them. I can’t believe there is nothing that you find ugly! And tattoos are a choice - not the same as saying someone has an ugly face!!

The swallow is 1 for every 5,000 nautical miles. I loved going and having mine done. Of course now I've read this thread I realise that I was bullied and abused as a child, am a self harming thug and belong to the seedy underbelly of society.
I still think it looks very pretty, especially with a nice pair of sparkly sandals.

I bet the doctor who @Newchapterbeckons demands to see has a whole raft of tattoos under his / her clothes along with a prince Albert / pierced clit and nipples.

Sparkly sandals!

You do realise that only folk on low incomes and IQs wear those, plus your feet must be very grubby.

Don't even get me started on painting your toenails

I was suggesting I sat opposite a consultant you fool. I sit opposite a lot of consultants.

I am a manager. I am on 30k. Sorry does that not make me a professional? Because its not 130k?

I am a little worried about you

Yep, Beckham started it, it made the news as it was unusual for a public figure. Hard to imagine now as it's so mainstream.

I recently saw a man in a professional position with a short sleeved shirt and arm tattoos and I surprised myself by how 'wrong' I thought it looked!

This is interesting. Does the fact that EVERYONE finds things unattractive make us ALL mean/vile/nasty if we think it but don't actually say it? Are we only #BeingUnkind if we voice those opinions? People are hauled over the coals on MN for saying lots of things when those doing the calling out probably think similar things about other fashion statements on different people. I find it disingenuous.

Got loads. Some amazing, some shit. Sometimes I'm ambivalent about them. Sometimes I love them, sometimes I'd happily have them magically removed.

Mostly, I don't care. I wanted them at the time. Suppose it depends how many and how good they are. I'd say I've almost got a sleeve that extends to a huge one on my shoulder. Most of them are seriously good artwork and if I get comments, they're usually favourable or general interest.

Perhaps that's the difference? A random butterfly on your wrist is still a person with ink but a person with a lot of it and good artistry is slightly different? I've never had mine to be 'different' btw, it's more unusual not to have any these days but a sleeve of good art is imo not the same as a pink bow on your shoulder blade or the wrist butterfly.

But if the one off, small one is what you want then great! Your body.

As previously stated, we do not care if you find them ugly. We do care if you say we are aggressive, have a mental illness, low IQ, etc.

@Meadowy but part of the process of stencilling the initial design on is sizing up? I spend quite a bit of time working out how my designs will flow with someone's anatomy, and getting the perfect size/placement. So if a woman has a smaller arm the design is smaller. I mainly make artwork for women and it's often more delicate, tattooed with a finer line.

Yougov says that 25% of people have a tattoo. The biggest age group is 30-39 (35%) but 18-29 yo is only 22%. Maybe they haven’t got round to it yet or maybe it’s a fashion that’s on the way out?
It’s definitely not more unusual not to have a tattoo - I don’t know anyone with tattoos visible in their daily life. It must vary hugely depending on your social circle/ employment.

Nobody’s - some people will think that’s misogynistic too! Why should women have more delicate designs?

Don't be daft, she's talking about sizing a design to fit the available space. But you knew that.

This is just dickish.

My friend has just had hers removed. She regretted hers from the off. I dont have any myself. Came close back in my sheep days of following the crowd when i was young but now im so glad. Some of them look really awful and id wonder really if they like them or regret. Ones on women up to their chests/neck area look so bad. Face one should be illegal imo

Fuck me. Thank god I've a few tattoos rather than being an absolute dick.