Have you got any tattoos or considered getting them?

the beer revolu · 12-03-2021 04:22PM

Steve Jones wrote: »

Tattoos are so mainstream now I wonder do young people consider them cringey?

In my experience, most young people are very mainstream and conservative, so, no, I'd say.

12-03-2021 04:29PM

the beer revolu wrote: »

In my experience, most young people are very mainstream and conservative, so, no, I'd say.

We’ve really come the full circle when having tattoos is now seen as mainstream and conservative..

The non-inked kids are now the cool outsiders and rebels.

Hellrazer · 12-03-2021 07:54PM

L1011 wrote: »

They went away to practically nothing from the 60s to the late 90s; and then only 'came back' to a much lower level until maybe eight years ago.

Em no they didn't and it definitely wasn't only "8 years ago" - the 60s and even as far back as the 40s was when tattoos started to become mainstream and the 70s was the start of the golden era of tattoos. That continued right up to today. That's over half a century of them being popular and Id argue its probably closer to 150 years of popularity.

I was first tattooed 30 years ago and at that time it was a huge industry even here in Ireland. It was even bigger in the US and UK.

There were previously popular in various waves going back to the Victorian era and have existed for millennia before that

That Victorian era never really ended. In 1891 the electric tattoo machine was invented and made the process a lot easier for the person wanting the tattoo. They have never really been out of fashion in one form or another for the last 150 years. For example in the 1920s cosmetic tattooing ie lips,eyebrows were common among women and that's even popular today and is a huge income for beauticians these days - that's a 100 years of the same type of tattooing.

The ancient tattoos you are talking about were a form of healing and a lot of mummies have tattoos where acupuncture needles would normally be attached. Tattooing in ancient times were not always for decoration of ones body.

The current popularity will end and they'll be deeply unfashionable for decades after that.

I seriously doubt that. The industry is changing every year from new designs and serious artists that are trained in art college starting to basically tattoo masterpieces onto skin which wasn't possible in the past due to the technology at the time.

There have also been breakthroughs in new inks, safer tattooing methods and an industry that has moved along with advancements in technology. You now even have wireless machines that are operated by Bluetooth. No more having to worry about wires all over the place and less chance of cross contamination.

I can only see society as a whole becoming more accepting of tattoos in the future and not less.

L1011 · 12-03-2021 08:59PM

That's not going to happen

A few seasons of fashion designers deciding they want untattooed models and a few of the somehow role model replacements being untattooed and the current level of popularity will collapse.

Trying to claim that a fashion will last forever is very like Homer Simpsons pumpkin futures. And it absolutely is a fashion

13-03-2021 10:15AM

L1011 wrote: »

That's not going to happen

A few seasons of fashion designers deciding they want untattooed models and a few of the somehow role model replacements being untattooed and the current level of popularity will collapse.

Trying to claim that a fashion will last forever is very like Homer Simpsons pumpkin futures. And it absolutely is a fashion

For sure. It’s clearly a trend that’s in vogue now, but will likely have dissipated in a decade or so.

I understand that people get tattoos for their own personal reasons and to mark life events and milestones. I get the rationale. However, without wishing to cause offense, I’ve never once looked at a person and said that they indisputably look better with that tattoo(s).

I know it’s not about aesthetics for most people. From a purely visual perspective, they add nothing positive to physical appearance.

NIMAN · 13-03-2021 10:25AM

Considered one about 20yrs ago, never got it though and glad I didn't.

As for the amount of them now, they seem to be everywhere. Seems you can't see a model on any clothes retailer now without them.

Personally I don't mind the smaller, discrete ones, but some of the OTT ones, covering necks and half the torso are a bit ugly imho.

But each to their own. I do think its a fashion thing at present, and in the next decade or so, it'll be trendy NOT to have tats.

13-03-2021 10:43AM

NIMAN wrote: »

As for the amount of them now, they seem to be everywhere. Seems you can't see a model on any clothes retailer now without them.

But each to their own. I do think its a fashion thing at present, and in the next decade or so, it'll be trendy NOT to have tats.

I know what you mean. I was buying some clothes on ASOS recently. Every single model, without exception is covered in tattoos. It’s actually an obstruction to completing the purchase when every model is so visibly inked vs. your own appearance.

These days, it’s actually refreshing to see somebody who does not have tattoos. Particularly, folks in their 20s. Subliminally, it suggests that they have the strength of character to resist the herd mentality following current trends.

Ave Sodalis · 13-03-2021 10:46AM

Hamachi wrote:

These days, itâ€™s actually refreshing to see somebody who does not have tattoos. Particularly, folks in their 20s. Subliminally, it suggests that they have the strength of character to resist the herd mentality following current trends.

As someone in their 20s with an aforementioned tattoo, I can assure you it was nothing to do with "trends".

MrSeanWick · 13-03-2021 10:53AM

I have 3 and am looking to get another few. One will be to cover up one I got when I was 17. That's the only one I regret. Too young to get a tattoo at that age. Does anybody have any recommendations of Irish artists that specifically do Celtic/Nordic designs?

13-03-2021 11:04AM

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

As someone in their 20s with an aforementioned tattoo, I can assure you it was nothing to do with "trends".

And like I said, I understand that. I’m sure you have some rationale for getting a tattoo. My point is that they rarely enhance physical appearance, regardless of the logic for getting inked.

the beer revolu · 13-03-2021 11:05AM

The sneering, superior attitude of some towards people who choose to get a tattoo is uglier than any tattoo I've seen.

the beer revolu · 13-03-2021 11:08AM

Hamachi wrote: »

And like I said, I understand that. I’m sure you have some rationale for getting a tattoo. My point is that they rarely enhance physical appearance, regardless of the logic for getting inked.

To quote a cliché, that's just your opinion, man!

I've seen and admired many a tattoo on many a person and thought that they enhance.
I've seen many a tattoo that I think is pig ugly, too.

What you think is not fact.

Ave Sodalis · 13-03-2021 11:09AM

Hamachi wrote:

And like I said, I understand that. Iâ€™m sure you have some rationale for getting a tattoo. My point is that they rarely enhance physical appearance, regardless of the logic for getting inked.

So? If the reason behind getting a tattoo isn't to enhance physical appearance, why does it matter if it doesn't enhance physical appearance?

Hellrazer · 13-03-2021 11:13AM

L1011 wrote: »

That's not going to happen

A few seasons of fashion designers deciding they want untattooed models and a few of the somehow role model replacements being untattooed and the current level of popularity will collapse.

Most mainstream fashion houses don't use tattooed female models at all but use way too many male tattooed models.

The only way I see that changing is that they start to use MORE female tattooed models - that would only increase popularity.

Trying to claim that a fashion will last forever is very like Homer Simpsons pumpkin futures. And it absolutely is a fashion

I never claimed that a "fashion" will last forever but for what its worth it has endured for the best part of the last 2 centuries as a "fashion trend" in one form or another and you could argue that it has been a "trend" right back to ancient times.

I don't really consider tattooing as a "fashion" trend.

Its an ancient art form that somehow has endured for thousands of years and in another thousand years there will be someone else saying "its going to die out soon"

Its like nuclear fusion we`re always 50 years from it being mainstream and in tattooing we`re always 50 years from it dying out!!

13-03-2021 11:13AM

the beer revolu wrote: »

To quote a cliché, that's just your opinion, man!

I've seen and admired many a tattoo on many a person and thought that they enhance.
I've seen many a tattoo that I think is pig ugly, too.

What you think is not fact.

Did I say it was fact, man?

Isn’t this a discussion forum?

13-03-2021 11:19AM

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

So? If the reason behind getting a tattoo isn't to enhance physical appearance, why does it matter if it doesn't enhance physical appearance?

Because most people like to look the best that they can?

For some, they may feel that being inked enhances their appearance, for others it’s a detractor. Different strokes I guess.

Fionn1952 · 13-03-2021 11:21AM

Hamachi wrote: »

For sure. It’s clearly a trend that’s in vogue now, but will likely have dissipated in a decade or so.

I understand that people get tattoos for their own personal reasons and to mark life events and milestones. I get the rationale. However, without wishing to cause offense, I’ve never once looked at a person and said that they indisputably look better with that tattoo(s).

I know it’s not about aesthetics for most people. From a purely visual perspective, they add nothing positive to physical appearance.

I'd imagine most tattooed folk don't get them done with attracting you (or me, for that matter) as a motivating factor.

That being said, even the most sentimental of tattoos is still about aesthetics for the vast majority of people; that's why most tend to want a good artist. Even if the tattoo means something to you, you still want the damn thing to look good.

For myself, despite being heavily tattooed, a bit of my father's old fashioned conservatism always stayed with me regarding placement, so I've always kept to the point where when I'm wearing office attire they aren't visible, even when working in environments with people with visible tattoos (including company MD/C level). I think we're well past the point where it would have any impact on my career, but perhaps not if I hadn't been so inclined at an earlier point. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle at this point though, so I don't think it is or should be such a concern for young people now.

The old man's dislike of tattooing was also useful belwether for the quality of any artists I considered over the years; if he was reluctantly complimentary you were sure to be on to a good one.

Hellrazer · 13-03-2021 11:25AM

For me its about carrying a piece of art around with me - not to make me look good....A tattoos the least of my issues there!!!

My next one is a full backpiece from the book Paradise Losts etchings.

https://themillions.com/2018/02/a-350th-anniversary-paradise-lost-reading-list.html

The exact picture on that page linked above.

The reason Im getting it -because if a tattoo artist is that good to put this on my skin then he/she deserves for it to be on display.

Hellrazer · 13-03-2021 11:28AM

Hamachi wrote: »

For sure. It’s clearly a trend that’s in vogue now, but will likely have dissipated in a decade or so.

I heard the same thing back in the 80s and guess what that decade has never come.

40 years later we`re still saying it will die out in the next decade or so.

13-03-2021 11:32AM

Fionn1952 wrote: »

I'd imagine most tattooed folk don't get them done with attracting you (or me, for that matter) as a motivating factor.

That being said, even the most sentimental of tattoos is still about aesthetics for the vast majority of people; that's why most tend to want a good artist. Even if the tattoo means something to you, you still want the damn thing to look good.

Interesting take and I understand where you’re coming from. What I find fascinating, is how divergent peoples’ mentalities and thought processes really are.

We all experience significant life events and milestones. Honestly, it would never occur to me to commemorate that by going out and acquiring body art. It’s just not in my frame of reference at all. Now, I’ll happily admit that I’m pretty corporate and fairly career-driven, so maybe that’s not so surprising. I don’t know anybody in my circle who has a tattoo.

I’m fascinated by people with diametrically opposite thought processes, that see their body as a canvas to sketch out their life journey. I guess it’s just two very different world views.

13-03-2021 11:42AM

Hellrazer wrote: »

The reason Im getting it -because if a tattoo artist is that good to put this on my skin then he/she deserves for it to be on display.

Honestly, I’ll never understand your motivation for wanting that design etched indelibly onto your body.

Totally respect your decision to go ahead, but it’s just incomprehensible to me that you see your body as a canvas for what you believe to be art.

No offense meant. It’s just two such different outlooks.

Fionn1952 · 13-03-2021 11:44AM

Hamachi wrote: »

Interesting take and I understand where you’re coming from. What I find fascinating, is how divergent peoples’ mentalities and thought processes really are.

We all experience significant life events and milestones. Honestly, it would never occur to me to commemorate that by going out and acquiring body art. It’s just not in my frame of reference at all. Now, I’ll happily admit that I’m pretty corporate and fairly career-driven, so maybe that’s not so surprising. I don’t know anybody in my circle who has a tattoo.

I’m fascinated by people with diametrically opposite thoughts process, that see their body as a canvas to sketch out their life journey. I guess it’s just two very different world views.

I've never had a significant life milestone and rushed out to mark it in that manner. My own taste in tattooing wouldn't be quite as on-the-nose as that. While they do reference things important to me, it has generally been a significant period after the event and done in a subtle way that wouldn't be immediately apparent to an observer.

You might be surprised at who around you has tattoos; most of my career has also been in a corporate environment and I've rarely shared any information let alone visual confirmation of my tattoos with those I'd perceive as more conservatively minded. I'm sure there are a few in my professional circle who'd claim to know no one with tattoos despite knowing at least one person who has a fair bit of coverage out of view.

Hellrazer · 13-03-2021 11:46AM

Hamachi wrote: »

Interesting take and I understand where you’re coming from. What I find fascinating, is how divergent peoples’ mentalities and thought processes really are.

I suppose that's what makes us all different.

We all experience significant life events and milestones. Honestly, it would never occur to me to commemorate that by going out and acquiring body art.

None of my tattoos were because my goldfish died and I wanted to get inked to mark their passing. Some people get tattoos for those reason but a lot don't.

It’s just not in my frame of reference at all. Now, I’ll happily admit that I’m pretty corporate and fairly career-driven, so maybe that’s not so surprising. I don’t know anybody in my circle who has a tattoo.

Heres a question - have you seen these people naked?
I know plenty of people ein very high up positions fairly well covered in tattoos but when the business suit goes on you would never know.
My tattoo artist has tattooed someone really high up in the banking industry over here that has almost a full body suit.

I’m fascinated by people with diametrically opposite thought processes, that see their body as a canvas to sketch out their life journey. I guess it’s just two very different world views.

It is interesting to see people take on it. Tattooed people never comment on people that have no tattoos but untattooed people make it a lifes mission to oppose peoples tattoos in their entirety.

Believe me Ive had this discussion for years and its never going to change.

Bob Harris · 13-03-2021 11:49AM

Hellrazer wrote: »

I heard the same thing back in the 80s and guess what that decade has never come.

40 years later we`re still saying it will die out in the next decade or so.

Very true, The trend of getting tattoos hasn't changed it's more mainstream than ever. It's the type that have changed. In the eighties it was a single forearm or upper arm tattoo. Now it's whole arms, neck, hands. The more the merrier.

13-03-2021 11:50AM

Fionn1952 wrote: »

You might be surprised at who around you has tattoos; most of my career has also been in a corporate environment and I've rarely shared any information let alone visual confirmation of my tattoos with those I'd perceive as more conservatively minded. I'm sure there are a few in my professional circle who'd claim to know no one with tattoos despite knowing at least one person who has a fair bit of coverage out of view.

In my case, I’m certain. All my hobbies are sports-related. I play football, run, and swim. I’ve seen all my friends / colleagues in those environments. Not one has a tattoo.

It’s just not prevalent in my circles and the industry I work in is pretty progressive. I can only imagine that it’s even less common in more conservative professions like finance and law.

13-03-2021 11:58AM

Hellrazer wrote: »

Heres a question - have you seen these people naked?

It is interesting to see people take on it. Tattooed people never comment on people that have no tattoos but untattooed people make it a lifes mission to oppose peoples tattoos in their entirety..

See my other response. I’ve seen these people in communal showers after sports. Zero tattoos.

Life’s mission? Hardly. It’s a difference of opinion. Some think tattoos are body art displaying the aesthetic prowess of the artist. Others don’t understand that thought process or motivation at all.

It’s a different world view, that’s all. I’m not going to march up to somebody and demand their reasons for getting a tattoo. I’ll just quietly acknowledge that we clearly have different mindsets.

sabat · 13-03-2021 12:00PM

Name one thing that's more aesthetically pleasing to men than a naked female body-we're literally biologically wired that way. By default any lesser addition will detract from that form-how often do you see a woman with a great pair of legs ruined by a smudgey inky mess?

Fionn1952 · 13-03-2021 12:09PM

Hamachi wrote: »

In my case, I’m certain. All my hobbies are sports-related. I play football, run, and swim. I’ve seen all my friends / colleagues in those environments. Not one has a tattoo.

It’s just not prevalent in my circles and the industry I work in is pretty progressive. I can only imagine that it’s even less common in more conservative professions like finance and law.

If you work in as corporate an environment as you suggest, I'd say it is quite unlikely that you regularly play a game of five aside with Laura in HR, Bill the IT Helpdesk Technician, Gloria the APAC Marketing lead, along with the entire c-suite and everyone else you have a professional relationship with. It is unsurprising that it wouldn't be prevalent in your circle of friends; people of a like mind tend to gravitate together. The equal and opposite would of course apply to me and so my own circle of friends would likely be overrepresentative of the general population. I had a look for some numbers out of curiosity and found an article in The Guardian stating that in a 2015 survey, 20% of all adults in the UK had a tattoo of some sort, and 30% of 20-39 year olds. I would expect broadly similar numbers here. With that level of mainstream it is incredibly unlikely that you literally don't know a single tattooed person.

I do know a few people quite high up on the corporate side of banking with tattoos though, and while it certainly isn't full sleeves and face tattoos, it isn't as uncommon as it would've been twenty years ago. I'd imagine significantly below the 20% of the general population level, but certainly above the practically 0% you're suggesting. I wouldn't know very many people in the legal professions apart from my own company's legal team (who I'd be shocked if they had a tattoo among them in fairness).

13-03-2021 12:24PM

Fionn1952 wrote: »

If you work in as corporate an environment as you suggest, I'd say it is quite unlikely that you regularly play a game of five aside with Laura in HR, Bill the IT Helpdesk Technician, Gloria the APAC Marketing lead, along with the entire c-suite and everyone else you have a professional relationship with. It is unsurprising that it wouldn't be prevalent in your circle of friends; people of a like mind tend to gravitate together. The equal and opposite would of course apply to me and so my own circle of friends would likely be overrepresentative of the general population. I had a look for some numbers out of curiosity and found an article in The Guardian stating that in a 2015 survey, 20% of all adults in the UK had a tattoo of some sort, and 30% of 20-39 year olds. I would expect broadly similar numbers here. With that level of mainstream it is incredibly unlikely that you literally don't know a single tattooed person.

I do know a few people quite high up on the corporate side of banking with tattoos though, and while it certainly isn't full sleeves and face tattoos, it isn't as uncommon as it would've been twenty years ago. I'd imagine significantly below the 20% of the general population level, but certainly above the practically 0% you're suggesting. I wouldn't know very many people in the legal professions apart from my own company's legal team (who I'd be shocked if they had a tattoo among them in fairness).

As you say, it’s likely confirmation bias. We tend to associate with those who share a broadly similar outlook. I’m in the 20-39 bracket and from my perspective, that 30% value is inconceivable. However, I do accept that it may be reflective of wider society.

Obviously, I’m not playing football with ‘Laura’ from HR, but I do play regularly with guys who work in tech, finance, and operations. There’s also 5 or 6 nationalities represented on the team. I can state categorically that nobody is inked. Pre-Covid we played weekly in a corporate league. I’ve played matches against literally hundreds of guys. At most, 5% had a visible tattoo. Just asked my wife if any of her friends are inked. Apparently one friend has a small ankle tattoo. That’s it.

It’s clear that we have very different experiences and associate with different people. The old adage of birds of feather continues to hold true.

the beer revolu · 13-03-2021 12:44PM

Hamachi wrote: »

As you say, it’s likely confirmation bias. We tend to associate with those who share a broadly similar outlook. I’m in the 20-39 bracket and from my perspective, that 30% value is inconceivable. However, I do accept that it may be reflective of wider society.

Obviously, I’m not playing football with ‘Laura’ from HR, but I do play regularly with guys who work in tech, finance, and operations. There’s also 5 or 6 nationalities represented on the team. I can state categorically that nobody is inked. Pre-Covid we played weekly in a corporate league. I’ve played matches against literally hundreds of guys. At most, 5% had a visible tattoo. Just asked my wife if any of her friends are inked. Apparently one friend has a small ankle tattoo. That’s it.

It’s clear that we have very different experiences and associate with different people. The old adage of birds of feather continues to hold true.

I'd say if you shared a communal shower with me, the chances are that you'd say I had no tattoo but you'd be wrong.
Just how closely do you scrutinise your naked colleagues and opponents while in the shower that you are so sure none of them have tattoos?

Have you got any tattoos or considered getting them?

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