# When did tattoos become passe? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2017, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022 "2017-01-13T10:39:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Waymore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/1 "2017-01-13T10:39:21Z")
As a wee lad growing up in the 80s, the only people I knew with tattoos were bikers, sailors and excons. Having a tattoo, at that time and in that cultural millieu, was a clear indicator that one didn’t abide by society’s standards. Then it seemed, some time in the 90s, tattoos became common among those who wanted to seem edgy but really weren’t. Would be mma fighters, the town jizz jar, and so on. Now tattoos are ubiquitous. Every CPA and church deacon has one. When did this transition happen? Extra points for temporal specificity. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/2 "2017-01-13T12:23:46Z")
August 29th, 1997 at 2:14am (eastern time). ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/3 "2017-01-13T12:39:59Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > August 29th, 1997 at 2:14am (eastern time). Yes, that was when CPA Barry Goldberg got a tattoo of (ironically enough) a jizz jar. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/4 "2017-01-13T13:02:53Z")
Color me confused. If this is true: > [@](#): > > Now tattoos are ubiquitous. Every CPA and church deacon has one. How can they be considered passe? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/5 "2017-01-13T13:40:39Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > If this is true:How can they be considered passe? I think that they might be considered passé among the original bikers and edgy hipsters since “normal” people are getting them. The first group, I don’t think so. The second group probably. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/6 "2017-01-13T13:42:46Z")
I saw a shampoo commercial yesterday and was surprised that the generic pretty-hair actress had one on her wrist. Maybe she \*wasn’t \*a generic pretty-hair actress, but a celebrity I wouldn’t know because I’m old. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/7 "2017-01-13T13:44:51Z")
I don’t have one. Should I have gotten one when not having one became passe? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/8 "2017-01-13T14:13:09Z")
It’s more of a fad/trend. Bikers, sailors and excons are still getting them. Though they were trending since the late nineties, shows like Miami Ink (2005) really started to popularize them. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/9 "2017-01-13T14:22:02Z")
I’ve never liked tattoos. I find them repulsive to even look at, which was fine for ages as they used to be largely hidden underneath clothing. Now they are not only constantly visible, there are people with neck tattoos working at the Post Office. It’s bizarre and, from my personal point of view, disappointing. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/10 "2017-01-13T14:32:10Z")
I’d say they became “acceptable” rather than passe. Plenty of people are still getting new ones and the existing ones aren’t going away. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/11 "2017-01-13T14:34:44Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > Color me confused. > > If this is true:How can they be considered passe? They’re not popular anymore since everyone gets them. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/12 "2017-01-13T15:10:44Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > They’re not popular anymore since everyone gets them. Thanks, Yogi 😛 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/13 "2017-01-13T15:16:49Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’d say they became “acceptable” rather than passe. I would go more for this. Personally I blame the military; like wearing desert cammo at the mall, the number of people with past service and a tattoo made everyone want to go out and get one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/14 "2017-01-13T15:59:24Z")
Certain jobs now require you to be covered with tattoos, like barback or bartender. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/15 "2017-01-13T16:15:18Z")
Interesting question. I wonder why we haven’t had previous threads about the popularity of tattoos and people who don’t like them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/16 "2017-01-13T17:41:08Z")
I got my first before they were commonplace, continued adding to my collection as they became more popular (and pricey) and continue to add to my collection now that they are passe. Others’ opinions never entered into my decision making process. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/17 "2017-01-13T18:11:47Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Interesting question. I wonder why we haven’t had previous threads about the popularity of tattoos and people who don’t like them. I know, right!? \*\*GuanoLad \*\*has been dying to share his opinion on tattoos for some time 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/18 "2017-01-13T20:14:36Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I would go more for this. Personally I blame the military; like wearing desert cammo at the mall, the number of people with past service and a tattoo made everyone want to go out and get one. 🙂 Which is ironic. According to a marine corp friend of mine the military has pretty strict policies regarding tattoos. Exceptions can be made; but it might not be easy. > [@kayaker](#): > > I got my first before they were commonplace, continued adding to my collection as they became more popular (and pricey) and continue to add to my collection now that they are passe. Others’ opinions never entered into my decision making process. Individualists Unite! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/19 "2017-01-13T20:40:14Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > Color me confused. > > If this is true:How can they be considered passe? _Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded._ - Yogi Berra. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022/20 "2017-01-14T00:03:19Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I know, right!? \*\*GuanoLad \*\*has been dying to share his opinion on tattoos for some time 😉 I’m still waiting for someone to agree with me. I persist in the eternal face of disappointment. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-tattoos-become-passe/777022.md?page=2)