The oldest tattooed mummy is suppose to be from 3400-3100 BCE so that means the tattooing "fad" has only been going on for the last 5000 years at least. That is a long fad...lol

Yes, tats as tribal markings have been around for thousands of years. But as "fashion" statements they have been around only for the last twenty.

I'm with you Gravel. If it is about trends then with a little attention on "design history" or the "theory of clothing" there was a time when various items were considered "inappropriate/ taboo" for women:
- pants
- jeans
- sheer blouses
- bikinis
etc.
Women used to be fined for wearing such items and I haven't even ventured into hemlines or hairstyles.
Tattoos nowadays are no different in terms of how a person chooses to express themselves. It has more to do with a taste level/ subjectivity more than anything else.

It's okay not to be a contemporary of the times, the zeitgeist is not everyone.

Indeed, and twenty years ago it was still considered an oddity. "Normal" people wouldn't get one, only a certain type.
Over here then, can't say for other countries of course.
It used to be that people with tattoos were the kind that you crossed the street for when you spotted them.

Personally I still don't see the need to use your skin as a canvas.
Someone I know is having a scenery from Swedish forest tattooed on his forearm. They live there and love nature.
My idea: take a picture of it and hang it on the wall?!
Or... if I really want to express it I paint it. Like I painted my cat who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in Feb.
No need to have that on my skin.

My son in law is covered in ink. I'm still grateful my daughter hasn't gone for it. When they were first together she also suddenly showed an interest, but she didn't do it, thank the Goddess!!

Funny you should say that, as I do not consider it contemporary at all!
What I consider to be "the now & new" is the higher vibrational, the awakened, the Lightworker.
I am a Lightworker or Lightbringer, very much busying myself with the (global) ascension process. It's what I am, who I am, not what I do.
And no way would I have my skin tainted with tattoos.
I want to keep my body pure & clean :D
That to me feels "contemporary" but not everyone is there yet, not awakened yet.

As such I agree with Motown that at some point this fad will be in the past and no one will choose for tattoos anymore.
I sometimes wonder what the deeper reason is for getting them.
One woman that had lots said that if she had to live in "this meat sack" she was going to determine what it looked like.
That's not particularly the state of mind of an ascended & higher vibrational individual. It indicates she doesn't love nor respect her body at all otherwise she wouldn't call it "a meat sack".
I seriously couldn't believe it when she said that...

I understand what you mean in terms of the contemporary factor, but I was speaking specifically to the fad/ trend of it all. I consider myself to be very spiritual and my ink on my wrist doesn't affect that... Why should it? And as a creative as well it doesn't deter or define the deeper experience. Perhaps I'm a little bit of a rebel in that sense because I have heard this side of the conversation as well and whilst I respect it, it doesn't quite resonate with my own personal experience.

A woman with a sleeve is a red flag. Guys know what I'm talking about.

Everyone that saying it doesn't matter, gonna learn the hard way - just sayin

I agree that nowadays it is how a person express themselves. But it's a ridiculous way because at the end of the day - art is subjective.

I think along with taste, and subjectivity - you missed an important one when it comes to women... attitude.

Women that are covered with tattoos are no different than what they do with their hair, clothes, etc. They do it for attention. But with tattoos in particular it conveys a rebellious nature and a non traditional attitude, so if she's looking for a mate - she better not be looking for a traditional man, because a traditional man will be looking for a traditional woman.

I only say this because I believe for the most part, women are looking for a traditional man - or should be! Unless they want to be the protecting bread winners and want to pursue the men and pay for the first dates, but I haven't come across many of those.

The rebellious thing now (for people in my area) is for people having no tattoos! Sexy AF!

Seems like kind of a silly topic. If a woman wants to get tattoos she should get them. If that is a turn off for you then don't ask her out. A woman being covered in tattoos is a turnoff for me but who cares, I'm pretty sure she's won't be interested in me either.

" But with tattoos in particular it conveys a rebellious nature and a non traditional attitude,"

Not really. Tats these days show conformity with a certain age group, ideal, or "tribe" if you will, just as bell bottom pants, long hair, and beads, did back in the sixties.

Many people try to get them REMOVED later for personal reasons.

Some tats msy not be easily removed.

Even the old bags that you dating that a fresh tattoo would be conveying a non traditional attitude. It doesn't matter age group.

The "old bags" you refer to are trying to show their membership in the same "tribe" as the younger ones. Pretty traditional.

Two. A woman should have two.

Oh wait! Tats...
I misread the title.

Okay, I'm thinking about the hooker in a certain sci-fi movie now. And mmmmm IDK.

Now that is the biggest crock of chit men keep telling themselves.
Any man who thinks and tells this nonsense to others doesn't understand women at all.
When I put on my make-up, have my hair cut, put on a skirt or whatever it is... I do it for me myself and I and no one else!
For some people -female AND male- grooming might be a required boost for their self-confidence (which is still not the same as attention-seeking).
But for others who do not lack self-confidence it's about loving & caring about yourself. Feeling you are worthy. And that's an inside job, has nothing whatsoever to do with getting attention. Attention doesn't create self-confidence and self-love.

That's why you can wear a jute bag, no make-up or anything, and still be attractive when you exude self-confidence and self-love etc.

You also seem to forget the fact that many men need way more time than any woman to get ready to go out. Men can be incredibly vain, -or maybe it's insecurity...

You don't do it for you... you tell yourself that, because it would suggest you were attention seeking which you think you're not doing. That's exactly why she only puts on make up when she goes out, not when she's in her frumpy pants, hair in a messy bun and watching oprah. It's ok, we all lived with your type at one point. Ain't foolin no one!

I was amused "If a man can't accept you as you are"

After telling women you can't accept them if they have lots of tattoos.