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.

Tattoos have always been popular; the only reason why it used to be seen as only sailors and criminals had them was because their tatts were recorded when they were arrested/went to prison/died/joined the navy. People have always decorated their bodies - they are well documented on ancient preserved bodies such as mummies and bog bodies - and because they took a lot of time and skill before the invention of the tattoo machine in the 19th or early 20th century, they were expensive so a lot of wealthy people had them to show off their money. As it became easier and cheaper to do, tatts fell out of favour with the rich when poorer people were able to get in on them.

In the sixties and seventies tattoos were not popular. And very few women would have got a tattoo.

Well, this thread has really made me think again about getting one - I think I’d like a small, fairly fine one which represents how much I love the forest and running in it. Might start to look around at some local artists and see if I can find one I like…

How would you know whether they were covered in tattoo's or not?

@meadowy a lot of women just prefer more delicate designs. And some men. Just like some women like to wear skirts, along with a few men. Personally I wear massive, bold, colourful designs, like skulls and snakes and swallows, but I have an "eye" for the more intricate stuff it turns out, so that's what I mainly do.
Everyone's free to get whatever they like tattooed though, that's what makes it so interesting and unique.

You could say the same about a lot of things - lots of “normal” women now have a million ear piercings (which I think looks gorgeous) whereas that used to be only for “alternative” types eg goths, hippy types etc. And then hair colours - it’s not unusual to see people with pink hair etc who aren’t part of a subculture.

These things are fun and a way to express your creativity and personality. If you don’t like what someone else is decorating their own bodies with, you need to fuck off and mind your own business.

I find it bizarre a pp wouldn't trust doctor/lawyer/judge who had a tattoo. Believe me, you just can't see they have them. Tattoos are not an indicator of trustworthiness. What a bonkers thing to say.