Quote: "That's my thoughts on it too.
With tattoo's, you either get something personal & considered like Mintball speaks about, or something that's fashionable at the time.
My mate about 12 years ago went for the latter. A huge tribal design down one arm, shoulder and chest, when tribal/celtic designs were all the rage. Looks dreadful now. I remember lot's of girls getting the "deer antlers" at the bottom of their backs too.
These days its "sleeves", which I reckon in 5-10 years will look pretty naff too.'"
Tattoos used to be a symbol of individuality and personal expression; they seem to have been appropriated by the mainstream now, to the extent that not having any is more of a symbol of individuality and free thinking expressionism than the ubiqutous sleeve or sailor tats.
I'm not especially ar$ed, and I certainly don't favour curtailing people's right to do what they like with their own body, but I can't help thinking that the 18-25 year olds who are covered in ink now as a fashion statement, will have some serious buyer's remorse when they enter the grown up world and want/need to be taken seriously.