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Original poster

How many of you or your partners have tattoos? Is it part of British culture to have one?

144 replies

MarjorieDoors · 03/11/2007 11:46

It seems to be very much a part of British culture to have one (now idea why).

Anyway, a few weeks ago DH and I went to Spain and the hotel we stayed in was catering for mainly British holidaymakers. One thing DH and I noticed was the majority of holidaymakers had at least one tatoo although most had more than one - and I am talking male and females here. Didn't notice any of the Spanish with tattoos.

DH and I were in the select few that didn't have one and I am just trying to understand what is the attraction is with them?

OP posts:
StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 04/11/2007 15:21

I had a tatoo done earlier this year. I don't consider myself chavvy, or even woring class.

I would never dream of going on holiday to Spain or Greece.

zippitippitoes · 04/11/2007 15:24

spain and greece are both lovely places to visit tho...Barcelona,Valencia,Ibiza as well and the mountains and Greece is wonderful..so much to see and beautiful landscapes so many islands too and lovely people

NKF · 04/11/2007 15:30

They are fascinating to look at. I saw a girl the other day with the words "come what may" tattooed on her back, above her hipster jeans.

persephonesnape · 04/11/2007 16:27

I have full sleeves, a chest piece, some work on the back of my neck and upper back and around my feet and ankles/calves. I work full time in a managerial position in the public sector and manage to drag up my three children single handedly. I'm a very good mother (according to anyone who actually matters) my children are all doing exceptionally well in their state schools.

i think tattoos are becoming increasingly popular across SEC because people now see what is possible in the level of artistry involved in a tattoo through programmes such as Miami and London ink. I also believe that women are becoming far stronger in the customer base, particularly as a way of reclaiming their bodies at the end of a relationship ( as in, well, he'll never see this I've changed since i got rid of him)

tattoos in western Europe, in more recent times (mid Victorian onwards) have been were originally the mark of the upper echelons of society. eg, winston churchills mum had a tattoo ;) it's only in the 30's/40's that working class people, generally those seen as on the outskirts of society, or decent honest working class people - sailors, ship builders, miners etc adopted tattoos as a mark of identification ( actually if you look back to the middle ages, there were tattoos in the UK based on your trade..)

yes, some types of tattoo can be seen as common, even by those of us who are extensively inked. they're generally poorly executed and placed, rather than beautiful, well planned and applied by a master craftsperson.

laurliemonkey · 04/11/2007 16:44

i think people 'outside' tattoo culture are missing the point that there is a massive difference between someone going out to get a tinkerbell (for instance) tattoo, because its cute, and someone who gets a £100 plus tattoo that they've thought about, discussed and possibly designed for months. many of my friends have tattoos that genuinely mean something, and they won't regret it when they're older. that tends to be the people who got one merely because they thought it was cool at the time.

LittleGoldfish · 04/11/2007 16:48

tatoos are tacky I haven't got one or DH but know what the OP was saying about brits on holiday in Spain. Its like spot the person that hasn't got a tatoo (not easy).

WorkingClassToffeeApple · 04/11/2007 17:05

persephonesnape - that's really interesting! What did Churchill's mum have? Is there a decent book about the history of the tattoo out there?

Beelliesebub · 04/11/2007 17:36

I have none but dh has 9 and I like them, they're really nice and very tasteful. If you met dh in the street you wouldn't even know that he had them, he's not bald or got a skinhead, he's not fat, he's very softly spoken, never swears and you certainly wouldn't think he was a chav........
I must admit I'd never thought about tattoo's as a class thing but hey ho - it takes all sorts I suppose........

BecauseImWorthIt · 04/11/2007 17:49

I don't like them at all, and neither me nor dh have any. I hope very much that my dcs don't have them either.

But I noticed that Joss Stone has a really pretty one on her foot - very delicate, flowery lines. I might make an exception for one of those!

Jenswish · 04/11/2007 17:51

I have 2 and am planning another once the baby is born to celebrate the birth.

DP doesn't have any and he doesn't like them (although doesn't mind me getting more)

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 04/11/2007 18:22

Ah yes Zippi, I have actually been to Barcelona and it was lovely. Sorry, meant I wouldn't be going to a Benidorm/ Costa del Sol type set up.

persephonesnape · 04/11/2007 18:32

mstoffeeapple - i have NO idea what mrs Churchill had - i presume a family crest, as opposed to a big bleeding heart with 'winnie' on it ;)

this is an interesting article - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7034500.stm

most of my knowledge (...)is from extensive reading of tattoo magazines/books over the last fifteen years or so - i can't recommend one book, but a lot of websites have a lot of further reading - www.tattoo.co.uk/history.htm this is a good start

TheMadNoMoreBangsHouse · 04/11/2007 18:37

Neither of us has any tatoos, but I keep saying that I will get one on my bumb when I am old and grey (that should be older and greyer saying "treat me with respect" for the people who will look after me when I am infirm and in a home

TheMuppetMuggle · 04/11/2007 18:40

I have one on my lower back, and its very tasteful IMO - i don't agree with having them all over because it just doesn't look nice.
I'd like one or 2 more but thats it!
My DP doesn't have any, but said when our children come along he would have something tasteful done!

NKF · 04/11/2007 18:51

I think Winston Churchill's tattoo had a heart and Winnie and she did it herself in a young offender's unit.

catsmother · 04/11/2007 20:40

Have just done a bit of googling and apparently Jennie Churchill (Winston's mum - or mater probably ...) had a tattoo of a serpent around her wrist, which she covered up with a bracelet when the occasion demanded. Admittedly, there is no absolute proof of this, i.e. a photo, or a reliable written account but it'd seem a little odd if such a rumour had persisted for so long were there not some truth in the matter methinks.

NKF · 04/11/2007 21:27

It could be a rumour put about by lovers of tattoos. Jennie Churchill was supposed to be a real glamourpuss.

ELF1981 · 04/11/2007 21:36

I have one, on my back. I would like another, but I dont want them in places where everybody can see them - ie I wouldn't have them on my am, legs etc.

I dont think I am working class in fact I was raised in a upper middle class family, and both my sisters have tattoos (all on backs).

I dont care what people think of me abroad, I'm not a slattern, I'm well behaved, I hardly drink so I am never part of the "drunk british abroad" sterotype, and dont think that my tattoo should be judged upon - I know MY reasons for having one, and that is fine with me.

EllaAndJosh · 04/11/2007 21:44

tats are trashy looking imo.

ELF1981 · 04/11/2007 21:49

perhaps that is indicitive of the people you see with tattoos rather than the general populations?

BTW - I love this comment on the BBC site:

"It's my 40th birthday next month and I'm getting my first tattoo to mark the occasion. It's my body, always has been and if my parents and in-laws don't like it then so what!? By the way, I'm a civil servant."
Diane

WorkingClassToffeeApple · 05/11/2007 07:42

persephonesnape - thanks for the links!

TrinityRhino · 05/11/2007 07:52

I don't have any but used to want one. The main reason for not getting one was that I couldn't think of anything that I would want to have on my body FOREVER

dh has been in the royal navy for 29 and he has....

none (which I thought was quite unique lol)

TrinityRhino · 05/11/2007 07:53

29 years obviously...

jalopy · 05/11/2007 08:02

I think people are deluded when they say that their tattoos are delicate and artistic. I'd like to reassure you that your tattoos, from a distance or close up, look like bluey,green blobs.

ELF1981 · 05/11/2007 08:08

Jalopy - but YOU wouldn't see my tattoo, so I dont see how it could bother anybody!

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