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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:
housemaus · 03/01/2022 14:47

@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'd hope a care worker was more bothered about giving good, quality care than whether or not the person they were caring for looked good.

I imagine their hair and skin wasn't what it was when they were in their 30s, either, but why does it matter? If you love and get enjoyment out of something, that's enough, who cares what someone else thinks?

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/01/2022 14:48

I don’t think any of my family have any, although my nieces and nephews might get round to it. I have some discrete ones that you only know about if I choose to show them, and my bf has one that is also hidden under clothes. My friends are defo split: some do some don’t. I don’t mind or care either way, it’s an individual choice (although I do find good ones very attractive on a man..)

RobertaFirmino · 03/01/2022 14:48

I'm not too fussed about them myself. Some of them can look fantastic but many look hideous. Especially those DIY stick & poke kits. So many people making a complete mess of themselves. Should only be available to trained artists, not the gen pop.

RobertaFirmino · 03/01/2022 14:50

Oh, and WRT do I find them attractive on men, it has no bearing. Anyone can get a tattoo can't they - having one gives you absolutely no indication of what that person is like (unless it's a swastika etc.)

VintageCookbook · 03/01/2022 14:51

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

I can't imagine i'll give a shit when i'm that age!

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 03/01/2022 14:53

Me and all of my friends. None of my family as they all think tattoos are vile.

Fimofriend · 03/01/2022 15:16

Almost none. I am really not into tattoos. However, one of my nieces got one for a very good reason and it is so tastefully done. Yep, she had one because her boyfriend got one and suggested she got one too and her tattoo looks like a diamond owned by Scrooge McDuck in one of the comics from the seventies. Damn... It was difficult to keep a straight face, when she showed it to me.

yellowleaves123 · 03/01/2022 15:26

I know two family members without them that I would class as my generation. A few more people of the previous generation don't have them.

I have several, 80% of my friends have at least one, DH does. BIL and SIL do. I definitely know more people with tattoos than without.

Zotter · 03/01/2022 15:28

One friend

ToastyFingers · 03/01/2022 15:30

Almost everyone I know, I can think of one who doesn't but he definitely plans to.

Theonewiththecandles · 03/01/2022 15:43

I have 6, my husband probably has a similar number, he's had 1 since we've been together whereas I've had 5 in as many years. I find tattooed men in general very attractive, though my husband's tattoos aren't ones I would personally get as I prefer full colour, I do still like them
Mum has a few, both my sister's have a few. Not sure about the in laws but I don't think anyone has any. I have 2 best friends with none, 1 with some and 1 who is absolutely covered. Not many people at work do either, at least not in my team. I'm wanting another one soon!

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 03/01/2022 15:46

No one in our family/ friends has them.

TheGoogleMum · 03/01/2022 15:48

I have one but doesn't tend to be on show. Nobody else in my family has any. DH doesn't. Most my friends don't, some friends considered it but didn't. I used to be friends with more tattooed people but we've difted away over time. I dont mind tattoos and don't regret mine, though I do think they're better when they can be covered up

OhGiveUp · 03/01/2022 15:51

Neither me nor my DH have any, but our kids do, along with some of their friends.
I don't know anyone else who have them.

Pushing30 · 03/01/2022 15:53

My mum has none, I have 2 and both my brothers and sisters all have a few.

VestaTilley · 03/01/2022 15:55

Two female friends have a few small discreet ones. They’re the only people we know with them, and we are fortunate in having big families and lots of friends.

HemlockStarglimmer · 03/01/2022 16:04

None of my immediate family have any. One niece has one. My cousin has two.
I have two. I'd have a sleeve if I could afford it. But now I'm semi retired I doubt I'll ever be able to.

PhilCornwall1 · 03/01/2022 16:09

Only me in my family.

I got it at 46. Only my wife and boys know. If my mother knew, she would shake her head and say I was having a midlife crisis. That certainly isn't the reason I had it done.

SofiaMichElf · 03/01/2022 16:09

None.

crazyjinglist · 03/01/2022 16:13

None, I don't think. Definitely no family (on my or dh's side). No friends (that I know of!). I don't like them, but I don't judge people for having them - it's just a matter of taste/preference.

NutellaEllaElla · 03/01/2022 16:27

A couple of my friends have tattoos. They won't know that I do because I don't tell people.

Superhanz · 03/01/2022 16:28

I have 7, I like 2, don't mind 2, don't like 1 and absolutely hate 2. There's one I want lasered but I'm too afraid of the pain so I cover it but it restricts the clothes I wear. My tattoos make me look a bit chavy, I really regret even starting. I'll try and encourage DCs not to get them but I got mine when I was young and wouldn't listen to the good advice I was given. My DH has half a sleeve but his looks good as he paid a lot for it. Most people I know have them, and most regret them.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/01/2022 16:33

I have over 20 tattoos. Love them all. I had one lasered off that I had done when I was younger and a cover up done this year.

In my family, my mum and stepdad have tattoos and a couple of cousins do. None of my close friends do. My ex husband has none and dislikes them. Many of my work colleagues have them (factory work.)

I am the most tattooed person I know!

Namechangedforspooky · 03/01/2022 16:37

How would you know how many just our of interest? I have a couple of tattoos as does DH but I doubt anyone else knows they’re there unless I tell them.
It’s never crossed my mind that anyone would alter their opinion of me because of them. They have personal significance to me, not for anyone else

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/01/2022 16:39

I find tattoos attractive and prefer to date tattooed men. When non tattooed men chat me up they always go on about my tattoos, I think some of them have a kind of fetish for it which is a bit weird. And the ones who dislike tattoos obviously wouldn't be attracted to me anyway