To wonder why virtually every woman in labour / partner / mum of woman in labour on OBEM has tattoos?

[CruCru]

Do so many people have them? Or just in Leeds (where OBEM is currently set)? It's starting to distract me from the show.

currently enjoying a nice bourbon actually

I think you're just noticing them because it's filmed close up. You wouldn't naturally be seeing certain parts of people in everyday life, would you?!

But they do, don't they? I've started watching out for them when I start watching and am surprised when someone on the show doesn't have any.

think they are lots more popular than they used to be!

my grandma hated them wheras i quite like them and am generally in the its their body to do with what they like club

LRD - perhaps you're right.

I think it might be more to with the age group, think that a lot of the people having babies now might be about the right age to have got one when they started to be fashionable/acceptable/more mainstream again!

I think tattoos are very very common these days.

ooh, common as in lots of people have them. I wasn't being snobby.

Haha quick save hectate, we knew what you meant though :)

noooooo. Don't tease me the "these days" in my first post is proof of meaning!!

I have full sleeves/partial hands and my legs done too and nurses are still always surprised. I suppose having the odd one is getting more common but I'm still in the minority for the time being. None of mine are remotely like the ones on OBEM either...

40% of Americans aged 26-40 have a tattoo, not sure about UK though. It's going to more unusual not to very soon. I think it certainly can't be called 'alternative' and I'm afraid it's a bit like baby names:the vast majority of people believe they're being original in their design choice and then a few years down the line they realize everyone else had thought of it too.

Like Leniwhite, I have loads. A half sleeve on one arm, full one side of lower arm on the other, some wrists, hands, back, back of neck, foot, thigh, chest, hip and even fanjo (sure I have forgotten some too!)

Nurses are always surprised. :o

Also the same, none of mines are in any way like the ones on OBEM.

I read last week that 20% of adults in the UK have them. I still don't like them though.

Schro - your fanjo - really? Ouch

Yes, just 4 outlined hearts with blue shading that go diagonally down my pubic area (direction of hip to pubic mound IYKWIM)?

And yes, it hurt like buggery.

Become v popular in last 25 years or so.in 1890s to about 1930 they were upper class,Churchill mother had one! From 30s to as about 1990 th err y were for sailors and bikers and gen considered a bit rough.now no class assumptions attach IMHO

Ooooh I sense a impromptu survey coming.....

Ta daaaa

Ooh, you've got your rude nickname back. How nice!

yup, I thought I'd wear my Weasel coat and leathers for a little while

Who doesn't appreciate a weasel?

SillyBeardy doesn't when I shit in his slippers. I only do it in weasel form