to think that NOT having a tattoo is more unusual than having a tattoo if you are under, say, 40 and live in the UK?

[bibbitybobbityhat]

This is certainly my perception.

Am I wrong or am I right?

I only know a few people without ...

Well, you know, men get tattoos in horrible places too, but it's called a tramp stamp because it's mimicking that stupid trend of your butt floss thong underwear sticking out the back of your trousers. I'm sure if men had tattoos replacing the stupid trend of showing acres of boxer short off, it would have an equally amusing nickname. :o

Disagree. I think I'm the only one in my family and close friends to be tattooed..

I'm 30 and just got one after 12 years of waiting for inspiration. I would estimate half the people I know in my age bracket have one or more tattoo. Is there something wrong with it?

Saw a guy with a creepy one all over his face - just awful.

I'm in Ireland so maybe different. But I'd say out of my child-hood mates it's about 50/50 at this stage. Out of my college mates it's probably 90/10 in favour of no tatts.

big assumptions here that poor & scruffy goes hand in hand with having a tattoo. I'm not a fan personally, but most of my London/Manchester-creative-la-di-dah-middle-class-bohemian friends have tattoos. I expect the general perception of a tattoo on here is of the general tasteless, but they don't have to be... pinterest.com/joannerebecca/tattoos/

Having noticed this recently on our family hols in Ibiza (very quiet not clubbing part) I think it is more an age divide than a Brit one. We were very much in the minority being late 30's and without a tattoo but we stayed in a very mixed hotel in terms of nationalities and it was the same with the guests from other countries. Most under 30's had one.

haha agreed. All the friends I'm talking about are the most silver-spooned celtic tiger cubs one could hope to meet.

Well I agree that having a tattoo these days certainly isn't unusual!!

I'm probably the least tattooed of all my friends

Oh, and it's only shitty cheap tats from your local scratcher which blow out, fade or turn green. Go to a decent artist and your tattoo will look as good 20 years from now as the day it was done.

It is one of those questions that nobody can really answer properly because of the popularity of hidden or non-obvious tattoos, so I don't know that this thread will accurately reflect what is out there. Agree with the notion that it varies a lot from place to place.

I was aware of lots of tattooed acquaintances when I was in my 20s, but these days I can't think of as many offhand. But they might still be there, just less noticeable because we are all knackered parents in practical clothing rather than energetic social animals showing off our adornments.

I don't have any, and don't want any. I don't hate them all, but it's rare that I see one I like a lot (and ViviPru ... I reckon there are as many "London/Manchester-creative-la-di-dah-middle-class-bohemian" people with no taste, as in any other group. They may believe that they have excellent taste, but that does not make it so )

I disagree - I am 40, live in Essex and most of my friends are not tattood!