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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask how many friends/family do you know with tattoos?

229 replies

recycledcat · 02/01/2022 23:15

Just that really...

I have no opinion either way (I don't have any for full disclosure but that's probably as I'm a wuss when it comes to pain and also indecisive!)

So this isn't a tattoo-bashing thread

Just wondering how many close friends/family you know who have them?

My youngest DS has several but other 4 DC have none. Their friends from what I know have none. My SIL has one and DN has lots.

OP posts:
DelurkingAJ · 02/01/2022 23:17

Almost none. Most of those who have them got them in their teens. At least one of those people by his early 20s described it as ‘in a moment of madness’. I’ve no idea why my friends don’t but they don’t. Plenty of my colleagues do.

CreamFirstThenJamOnTop · 02/01/2022 23:17

DH is covered in them - both arms, both legs, chest and back.

I don’t think anyone else in either of our families have any.

Quite a few of my friends have them.

1stTimeMama · 02/01/2022 23:18

I have 1 large one, my husband has a lot. My sister has a small one, and my BIL has a couple. SIL has 1. I think all but 1 friend has at least 1.

dementedpixie · 02/01/2022 23:21

I have 4, all done after the age of 40. My sister has 1, sil has loads. Dh has none

VintageCookbook · 02/01/2022 23:21

I have three.

DH none.

SIL soon to be getting one.

DM none

DDad has a full arm and leg sleeve

Friends have none

PIL's have none.

Seb342 · 02/01/2022 23:22

I've got a few so has my sister. Nearly all my friends have, varying from one small one to full sleeves and head and throat. I don't regret any of mine and plan to have more.

Exhausteddog · 02/01/2022 23:23

All my nieces (early - mid 20s) have several each. (none of the similarly aged nephews do)
Several (maybe 10) friends or colleagues have them
I don't have any but I haven't completely ruled it out. DH has none.

OwMyToe · 02/01/2022 23:26

One that I know of. Cousin, in her mid-to-late 30s. Some of the others may have one that I'm unaware of.

ImNotCrazyIWasTested · 02/01/2022 23:27

All of them, in fact I can't think of anyone other than my father who hasn't got at least 1...
Gutted that they're banning coloured ink too 😟
tattooing101.com/2021/10/22/are-tattoo-inks-being-banned-in-the-uk/

DappledThings · 02/01/2022 23:30

Nobody in my family. A few friends, mostly only visible when in beachwear so I only know about them because they've mentioned it, never seen them.

One woman I work with has quite a few.

LunaMuffinTop · 02/01/2022 23:30

I have 12 booked in to get another 3 at the end of the month and have another 3 planned. My mum has 4 my sister has 5 and my Aunty has 3. I don’t know anyone else in my family who has them or any friends.

Cocolapew · 02/01/2022 23:31

I have 6, DH has 7, DD1 has none though she wants one but is too scared, DD2 has loads including her hands and fingers.
A lot of people in my work have at least one.

DeeCeeCherry · 02/01/2022 23:32

Quite a few. My Dad had tattoos. So do my DC. 2 DBs have, 1 doesn't. DP has several tattoos. Most of my friends have.

I dont have any tattoos but I dont mind them on others - Id draw the line at face, neck, knuckles tattoos tho as I find that kind of tattoo unappealing Although I'd never directly say so as, their body their choice.

Just10moreminutesplease · 02/01/2022 23:32

I have no idea on numbers but I’d guess around 50% have at least one tattoo.

PermanentTemporary · 02/01/2022 23:34

I know a close work colleague has at least one (whole thigh). My bf has 2 small ones. I'm too old to know many people with them (50s). I was considering it for a long time but got a temporary one instead and it put me off.

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 02/01/2022 23:36

I am the only person I know personally,who does not have a tattoo.

Jisforjuggling · 02/01/2022 23:38

Family - one sibling but only recently and she is much younger. Good friends -none.

StationaryMagpie · 02/01/2022 23:38

i'm the only one in my immediate family, but the vast majority of my social group have them.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 02/01/2022 23:39

DH is covered in them.
I have one.
Both sets of parents have none.

Most of my friends and acquaintances have at least one or two.

Andtheyalllookjustthesame · 02/01/2022 23:40

About 50:50 Of my friends and family. I have a few and will get more for Sure. I would be covered if I could afford it in time or money. I've drawn a few ready to go

Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 02/01/2022 23:41

The only family member i know with one is an elderly uncle who used to be in the navy and had it done 50 years ago.

Original poster
recycledcat · 02/01/2022 23:41

Thanks guys - really interesting to know

Can I ask whether those with partners were attracted to them post or pre-tattoo?

What I mean is - if partner was tattooed when you met the was that a turn on/attraction?

Equally if you met someone not tattooed and they decided to get tattooed would that alter your perception or attraction?

Also can I say "inked" or is that a bit weird?!! It's easier than saying "tattooed" that's why I ask!

OP posts:
episcomama · 02/01/2022 23:43

I don't, none of my family do. A couple of my friends have very discreet tatts, a couple have a full sleeve. They are not aging well, to be honest.

episcomama · 02/01/2022 23:43

The tattoos, that is, not the friends!

DramaAlpaca · 02/01/2022 23:45

My SIL and her DH have tacky matching ones. None of the rest of our extended family, including my sons and all of their cousins in their 20s have any at all. We seem to be an unusually tattoo-averse family. I don't think any of my friends have them either.