Are tattoos a trend or a fad? (its late, I'm tired, and I feel like ranting a lil bit)?

Question

If tattoos are a fad, and will be dead in a few years (or decades, whatever), then why have they been around for so long? I'm talking about the true tattooees, the ones who get them to express themselves, or as a reminder of something or someone, not the ones who get them to be cool or a badass.

While I'm up on my soapbox, I might as well ask why people think they would care what their tats will look like at 70, 80, etc. At that point, do you really think your looks will be your main priority? I know I will probably just be concerned with whether not I can still wipe my own a.ss.

This question is aimed at the ignoramouses that have nothing to do other than come to the tattoo section and bash something they know nothing about. Go away.

And of course...
show your tats!
I'm done.

Answer 1

I suspect the reason tattoos are considered 'a fad' is because over the last decade or two tattooing has become far more mainstream than it used to be, with the result that far more people, fom more diverse backgrounds, now have tattoos.

I mean, for many, many years tattooing was mainly restricted to certain groups of people, and everyone else could comfortably stereotype a tattooed person as fitting into one of those groups. (OK, that's a bit of a generalisation, but bear with me...) Nowadays, though, people from all walks of life get tattoos and display them proudly as the works of art they are. I like that; I think it's great. But I can see why some people find it threatening, just as they do any other change.

And - don't shout at me for this - there are 'faddish' elements in terms of what tattoos people get and why. Here, I'm not talking about the 'true tattooees'; I'm talking about the great mass of people who wander into tattoo studios and pick some bit of flash off the wall without much thought. I used to work in a tattoo studio and I hated it when people did that, more than I can say, but you have to accept that for every person who gets a meaningful, well-thought-out, beautiful tattoo, there's someone who gets a dull spur-of-the-moment one (and possibly later regrets it). One obvious factor caused by easily accessible quality tattooing is that more and more people go and get tattoos because they can. Tattoos are everywhere, and there isn't the same stigma attached to them as there once was, so people who probably never would have thought of getting a tattoo thirty or forty years ago now do get them. Sometimes when they maybe shouldn't.

The downside of this, for people who really care about their tattoos, is that they get lumped in with the mass of people (who, let's face it, do exist) who have seen tattoos on pop stars, watched Miami Ink a couple of times, and think it would be a bit daring to go and get a tattoo with their mates one afternoon. Annoying, but true. So we get to hear the constant lecturing about how 'it's permanent, you know', when we knew that full well, and our own tattoos aren't just some generic tribal thingy, but meaninful, planned, and cherished designs applied by brilliant artists. It's a bit pants being lumped in with that lot, but I can understand why people do it.

There is an upside, though. Quite honestly, if tattooing wasn't as popular as it is today, I don't know if I'd ever have really discovered it and gotten into it. I think we benefit from the popularity (which could at present be described as a 'trend') as it makes more and better artists available to us, and introduces us to the artform in the first place. Take the studio where I used to work. It was light, bright, and clean, a million miles away from the stereotype of a dingy backstreet tattoo parlour; and because it was so welcoming it made many people (particularly women) feel more comfortable about coming in to find out more. It did really good business, and through working there I was introduced to tattoos and what they can be. Had that studio not existed, I don't know if I'd have tattoos and be here today; and had tattooing nor become more popular I doubt that studio would have existed. And if the increased popularity of tattoos in the general population got me interested, the I bet there are many, many other people in the same position. More every day, I suspect. So, hurrah!

I hope that essay of mine makes sense... You did ask, you know!

Answer 2

I think alot of people think it's a fad because they see more than a few girls with tattoos( flowers and stuff) above their butt or those playboy bunnies, and there are probably more than a few girls who think their cute and "fashionable", but just because some one might get a tattoo because it's cute or they think it's makes them look bad@ss doesn't mean all people with tattoos are like that, so I wish stupid people would quit saying that tattoos are just a trend. I have two tattoos and they both have a meaning to me and I won't give a sh*t if no one likes my ink when I'm 50 and up because no one will be thinking I'm sexy even if I didn't have tattoos, and if I have kids and grand -kids I'll proudly show them my ink because it's a part of who I am.

Answer 3

Another good rant, Mike. I guess people will probably never get it. I don't understand how they can call it a fad or trend either.

That is weird that this post isn't showing on the main page, yet.

EDIT: Sometime between 2 hours ago and now, it decided to show up, lol.

Answer 4

I think more people have them now than ever before. When we do get 80 if you do not have an old tattoo on your body the other old people are going to laugh at you for being different. Everyone will have tatts at an old age. I am not planning on being in playboy at 80 so I don't care what I look like. I don't ever want to have to regret not doing something when I was younger and then it will be to late. Enjoy life now. It could be over tomorrow.

Answer 5

exactly! i don't think tattoos are a fad. they do have trendy surges (when people get them to be "cool") but tattoos have never disappeared from the map entirely. shoe styles, pants styles, hairstyles are all fads, not so much with the tattoos.

i also don't care what my tattoos will look like when i am 70. it's not like i would have magically looked fabulous if i didn't have them. i'll still be old and wrinkly and not some kind of covergirl model or anything!

show your tatts!

Answer 6

Good one, Mike.

I will like my tattoos when I am 70. I like them now. I wouldn't have gotten them if I didn't like them, now would I have. And for some reason, it is still not socially acceptable for women to be heavily tattooed. To those people, I spit in your face.

I am tired, too. It is 9am and I am already ready for a nap...

Answer 7

Can I add to your rant?

And this could possibly be aimed at "true tattoo devotees" Most of my tatts are butterflies. And I grow tired of see questions like "I want to get a tattoo and not some dumb butterfly or fairy like most girls" and I know lots of other girls have tattoos...but thats not why I got them.

My mother has called me her butterfly since I was a flighty little 3 yr old. Different from my siblings (who were aggresive and focused and driven) I was carefree and capricous. I have always considered my self a wood spirit of some sort...so I dont care how many other girls have butterflies...these are mine, I love em...always will and you can keep your judgemental opinion to yourself.

Answer 8

I dont think they are just a fad, I think they are becoming more acceptable in the mainstream, so more people are getting them as a form of self expression!

Answer 9

I leave a little bit to late for work each day. I am trying to leave just 5 minutes earlier, but it never happens that way.

Answer 10

I love my tats but I also know people who have them and regert them.I truely think it comes down to what you get and why you get it.I have the POW MIA picture on my arm.I got it to pay respect to the men and their familys of the ones who where prisoners of war and that was missing in action.Those to me gave the ultimate sacirfice to protect my freedoms just do to the fact that many of those died and suffered and never was returned to there familys and therefore their familys was never givin the chance for closer.