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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:
feelsobadfeltsogood · 03/01/2022 10:41

My "very" close male friend has some including a full sleeve and I have to say they look fab on him they really suit him and definitely an attraction but I've seen some awful ones done too - I used to be a care worker years ago and I remember seeing older men and women and some older women with very wrinkly tattoos! Not a good look really. That's what would worry me.

Nc123 · 03/01/2022 10:41

Practically all of them. Both my brothers, about 80% of my friends. I’m bad with sensory stuff so I’ve never had one and DH doesn’t fancy one.

zingally · 03/01/2022 10:52

As far as I know, none of my family (right down to cousins) have any. None of my closest friends do either.

I don't have any either. I'm not opposed to them in the slightest, but never seen or thought of any I'd want on my body for the rest of my life!

whatth · 03/01/2022 10:58

@PineappleMojito perhaps hate is too strong a word. I probably was a bit surprised when he got the tattoo but it wasn't a massive problem and I totally understand it's his decision and not mine. I don't feel I need to apologise for not liking them though, as long as I'm careful to not make a judgment.

5keletor · 03/01/2022 11:36

To make it easier, in my close family, no-one doesn't have tattoos (that includes parents, uncles, aunts and cousins). My grandparents didn't, they died a few years ago, though.
My partner doesn't have any but wants them, it doesn't bother me as I have a lot myself.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 03/01/2022 11:37

@feelsobadfeltsogood

My "very" close male friend has some including a full sleeve and I have to say they look fab on him they really suit him and definitely an attraction but I've seen some awful ones done too - I used to be a care worker years ago and I remember seeing older men and women and some older women with very wrinkly tattoos! Not a good look really. That's what would worry me.
I can't help but think when somebody's at the point of a stranger wiping their arse for them, the aesthetic qualities of a tattoo on their arm in the opinion of the arse wiper aren't of great concern to them.
LindaEllen · 03/01/2022 11:50

My dad's sister is covered from head to toe (literally) in them. She is the only one in the family with any at all.

Redact · 03/01/2022 12:15

Dh has 2, no-one else in either of our families have. He got them as a teen and regrets them both.

1dayatatime · 03/01/2022 12:18

None personally. But what I do find fascinating from a societal change perspective (and in a positive feminist way ) is that 50 years ago tattoos were the strong preserve of male workers in tough jobs such as dockers, sailors and labourers.

Today tattoos have clearly gone mainstream but now more women get /have tattoos than men. To have taken something seen as "very masculine" and turned it into something feminine in such a relatively short time is a massive societal change. It would a bit like saying that in 50 years time the majority nail parlours customers would be male truck drivers and builders.

llansannan22 · 03/01/2022 12:19

Three friends, one family member (aged 29).

BorderlineHappy · 03/01/2022 12:21
  • I used to be a care worker years ago and I remember seeing older men and women and some older women with very wrinkly tattoos! Not a good look really. That's what would worry me.

@feelsobadfeltsogood
you have lived to be 80 or 90 years old and a faded tattoo would worry you.Really.

When i got tattoos i didnt worry what they would look like in a few years.I got them because i wanted them.

If i live to a ripe old age,my tattoos will mean something.And if i die younger well i got the tattoos i wanted and didnt worry about anyones judgement of me.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 03/01/2022 12:22

Most people I know have at least one. I have one on my inner right forearm, which I love, but it is only visible when I wear short sleeves.

My DP actually doesn’t have any. I don’t find face/neck tattoos particularly attractive if I was in the market for a new relationship, but I am not.

maddy68 · 03/01/2022 12:23

Most of my family and friends have tattoos

3catsandcounting · 03/01/2022 12:26

None of my family or friends, except my DD24 who had a tiny one on her ankle at uni and now regrets it. It's only my opinion, but I think ink on skin generally looks shit and a bit messy. Beautiful artwork looks best on canvas.

PrisonerofZeroCovid · 03/01/2022 12:35

Family: BIL is the only one - Me, DH, DSIS, 2 x DSIL, other BIL, none. Parents none, My grandad had some but he's dead.

Friends: Close friends - can't think of anyone who has one (that I know of, but live in a hot country so seen most people in swimwear), but wider acquaintances, quite a few - especially gym mates.

MedusasBadHairDay · 03/01/2022 12:35

I used to be a care worker years ago and I remember seeing older men and women and some older women with very wrinkly tattoos! Not a good look really. That's what would worry me.

I guess for me I know that, if I'm totally honest I will dislike having wrinkly skin at all, so tattooed wrinkly skin will actually be better for me, because at least there'll be something to like about my skin still.

OnaBegonia · 03/01/2022 12:41

They're awful and we've told the kids they'll get less money towards a house/flat if they get one
Seriously? you think this is acceptable?
Do you think the police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers with tattoos are stupid too?

TheCreamCaker · 03/01/2022 14:13

I've got one friend (female) who has got 14 tattoos. One nephew with about 12.

Neither me, husband, 2 sons, their girlfriend, or any other relative or friend has got any.

SeaKingdom · 03/01/2022 14:20

I nearly got a tattoo on my ankle when I was 20ish, it would have been a butterfly - got as far as looking at designs at the tattoo artist. I used to wear a temporary tattoo on my ankle all the time. But I was put off by knowing it would fade and go blurry.

Of close family, my sister has a few, my SIL has one, none of my close friends do. Wider family and friends, especially friends I have met since uni, I wouldn’t know whether they have one or not, as it would most likely be on their back or somewhere like that.

Cyderdelic · 03/01/2022 14:25

Ive got around 60% of my body covered (mainly trad Japanese). Ex DP has a full bodysuit. Most of my friends are heavily tattooed, and have many friends who are tattoo artists.

Good tattoos are attractive imo, shite ones are a massive turn off!

Everydaydayisaschoolday · 03/01/2022 14:32

I don't, DH doesn't either. My DD has one very small one on her hipbone. I think she regrets it. Other D.C. don't have them. None of my circle of about 25 good friends have any. 2 nieces (out of 7) and 2 cousins have loads.

Ex SIL had loads and is paying a small fortune to gradually have them removed.

flowerbubbles · 03/01/2022 14:34

None.

PurpleDaisies · 03/01/2022 14:35

Most of my family but very few others.

housemaus · 03/01/2022 14:37

Most of my family have at least one. My sister and I both have a few.

About 80% of my close friends have at least one. Of everyone who works at my business, 50% have at least one (and 3 of them are covered).

Hemingwayscatz · 03/01/2022 14:39

DH and I both do. My Mum has one she sorely regrets from years ago. Grandparents and Dad have none, ILs have none. Think DH and I are pretty alone with the tattoos in our families actually. Friends mostly have them.

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