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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:
CounsellorTroi · 03/01/2022 00:45

None. Ouse do to work with people who had them but no friends or family do.

CounsellorTroi · 03/01/2022 00:46

Used to work, that should have been

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 03/01/2022 00:46

None of my family have them - actually my grandad had one on his arm but would never talk about it and I can't remember what it was
I have 10 now, but not heavily tattooed

SnottyLottie · 03/01/2022 00:53

Everyone in (and including) DH’s family (adult) has tattoos. All the men are covered in them, the women tend to have a few small, discreet ones.

Three out of seven people at my work (a mix of discreet and full blown sleeves).

No one in my blood family has any tattoos. In fact before I went to university the only person I know who had a tattoo was my uncle (by marriage) who used to be in the Navy.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 03/01/2022 00:57

Can I ask whether those with partners were attracted to them post or pre-tattoo?
I was attracted to him, he had the start of his sleeve when we met and it was a talking point, especially as we had the same artist doing his arm and my side in the same time period

What I mean is - if partner was tattooed when you met the was that a turn on/attraction?
Wasn't really a factor, none if my ex's had them

Equally if you met someone not tattooed and they decided to get tattooed would that alter your perception or attraction?
Ditto above, wouldn't bother me.

Although I have to say dh has impacted the tattoos I have. In so much as because of him I have a spur-of-the-moment tattoo and we also have "matching" (same style) tattoos for ds. I'm a lot more covered than I think I would be if I'd stay with my ex for example.

SnottyLottie · 03/01/2022 01:03

DH got all his tattoos before we met. I wasn’t attracted to him because of his tattoos. I think most of them are naff to be honest. I think he definitely regrets some of them. But they do not define him.

I wouldn’t be opposed to him getting more tattoos in the future if that’s what he desired, but I would prefer them to be a little more tasteful, and would outright tell him if I thought they were bad or poor quality. I think he’s over this stage now though.

I toyed with the idea of getting a cupcake or my little pony tattoo at uni. So glad that my friend told what a stupid idea that was 😆

BatFird · 03/01/2022 01:13

I have around 20 of varying sizes in both discreet and viewable places. Would love more, will eventually get more.

Probably around 50/50 for people I know having them.

DH has one.
They bare no impact on whether I find someone attractive.

Theworldisquiethere · 03/01/2022 01:17

Me and my 3 siblings, my mum, BIL, SIL, best friend, various other friends all have them. My granny also had several.

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 03/01/2022 01:18

My sister has two - she's the only person I'm close to who is tattooed. I don't have any.

itwasntaparty · 03/01/2022 01:20

I want one, will pluck the courage up one day.

Most of my friends do but they are very discreet, you would t know unless they told you. The ones with less discreet have had laser to remove them. Mostly dolphins on hips!

MrsRubyMonday · 03/01/2022 01:22

Pretty much everyone I know has at least one. I have 20+, my wife slightly more, my mother about the same, dad has less but mostly large ones, my younger sister has probably about ten or so. MIL and SIL both have a couple each, I took my grandmother to get one done a few years back, most of my friends have at least one. I love them, I haven't had a new one in some time and I'm currently pregnant but can't wait to get one dedicated to the baby when they arrive.

RicherThanYew · 03/01/2022 01:23

I have 12 and no tattoo regrets, even the one on my foot that hurt worse than anything I have ever felt (including an untreated fractured wrist) that doesn't look how I wanted it to look because the memory makes me smile. I have tattoos for each family member I have loved and lost but you'd never know unless you asked. I come from about 5 generations of tattooed family members but there was army and RAF going back a while.

misssunshine4040 · 03/01/2022 01:25

@underneaththeash

I know one husband of a friend who had one in his twenties. Another friend who has tried to get rid of one on her arm and has been left with a bruise shaped blur. My nieces have lots of horrible ones, otherwise no. It's very unusual to see them in our town - rich commuter town near to London. They're awful and we've told the kids they'll get less money towards a house/flat if they get one. They could obviously get one after we gave them some money at 25, but hopefully they'll not be so stupid.
the snobbery is dripping from this comment
UndertheCedartree · 03/01/2022 01:26

I have one. My DBF has 6. My DSiL has 1, other DSIL has 2. DNw has 4. DCousin has 1. Lots of friends with 1, odd friend with more, some friends with none.

SpankyPankhurst · 03/01/2022 01:27

SIL has a discreet tattoo. My grandfather had one from his navy days. No one else in my family does. I don't and my husband doesn't. I really don't fancy men who do.

None of my close friends does, but several acquaintances and colleagues do.

I think the more the better if you have them- a whole sleeve or neckful looks artistic and intriguing- but not sexually appealling.

UndertheCedartree · 03/01/2022 01:32

@underneaththeash

I know one husband of a friend who had one in his twenties. Another friend who has tried to get rid of one on her arm and has been left with a bruise shaped blur. My nieces have lots of horrible ones, otherwise no. It's very unusual to see them in our town - rich commuter town near to London. They're awful and we've told the kids they'll get less money towards a house/flat if they get one. They could obviously get one after we gave them some money at 25, but hopefully they'll not be so stupid.
That's hilarious how controlling you are trying to be! If I was your DC I'd just get one if you said this! I mean I'm sure they're not stupid - if they want one they'll just get one where you can't see it and then they'll get the ones they want where you can see after 25. People don't just stop getting tattoos at 25! This is when they start to have more disposable income so would start getting bigger ones!! Grin
Athenajm80 · 03/01/2022 01:34

Urgghh, please don't say "inked", that's the kind of thing that people round here say, along with 'do you like my new ink?', usually as they show a shitty piece of work with wobbly lines and patchy colour but it's ok cause their mate did it for £50.

I have a full sleeve, half a sleeve, both legs nearly covered, chest (above my boobs) on each side, and am planning my back piece with a great artist in Exeter. Unfortunately, as with all good tattoo artists, she's booked up months ahead so it's difficult booking in as I have to travel a few hours to get to her. Totally worth it though.

My nephew and sister have both starting having tattoos. Happily they listen to my advice to find an artist whose work they love, rather than just going to the local shop. They have realised that a waiting list and a higher price, whilst annoying, usually means the work will be of a much better quality and also last better.

I know loads of other people with tattoos, but that's cause I combine holidays with tattoo conventions and have some great friends in the industry - one even hooked me up with a crazy good artist that I was desperate to book in with. He had a cancellation at the convention so I agreed to have something he wanted to do and I got a calf piece for free instead of the £700+ it should have cost. Best holiday ever!!!

Seemssounfair · 03/01/2022 01:35

Tattoos can look nice, even attractive, if a good design and done right. I have 4 family/friends with tattoos and they all look like they were done by a kid let loose on a cheap colouring in book and bright permanent markers.

If you are going to get something permanently etched into your skin at least get it done right! i think simple designs generally look better and have more impact.

Theunamedcat · 03/01/2022 01:36

Even my mother has one only my dad and myself don't

MajorNeville · 03/01/2022 01:38

I have 3, dh has 3. His sister has loads and so does stepdd. No other family member has any, 20 yo ds has none and I doubt that'll change. Friends, probably 50:50. I'd have 2 of mine removed in a heartbeat, none of mine are visible when dressed and the one I'd keep isn't even visible when in a bikini.

MollyBloomYes · 03/01/2022 01:38

I've got several with plans to have more whenever budget allows (I save up for detailed work to be done rather than choosing from flash). My family don't have any. My mum had a tiny one by her ankle but regretted it so much she had it lasered and my dad never knew about it. Dad absolutely hates them but is resigned to me and my ways. Brothers clean as a whistle but their wives both have at least one.

Friends wise I'd say most of them have at least one, some far more heavily covered. I get them because I like them, I can't draw for toffee but I love the idea of wearing someone's art that I've contributed my ideas and story to. Each to their own though, it is after all, our own skin to do what we want with Smile

DowntonCrabby · 03/01/2022 01:39

Zero family members or extended in terms of us/parents/siblings/siblings partners but both of my best friends have and 3/6 other close friends.

blueshoes · 03/01/2022 01:43

I don't have any close friends or family who have a visible tattoo.

UndertheCedartree · 03/01/2022 01:44

@recycledcat

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!

My DBF had tattoos when I met him and has added since. It would depend what the tattoo was but he has a few I could see (i.e with clothes on) that I found pretty sexy and has had more done like that. He also has one that is hidden under clothes which I found attractive for a different reason - it shows his softer/more feminine side which I like.
Nat6999 · 03/01/2022 01:47

I'm the only one until end of January when ds is 18, he already has an appointment booked for his birthday.

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