Whilst doing some market research for my businesses recently I came across a site that records people's life goals. The site, called "43 things" showed one of the top goals shared by its subscribers was to GET A TATTOO. It ranked second after STOP PROCRASTINATING and before LOSE WEIGHT at number three.

I don't know about you but I find that very interesting. Especially because I have noticed this phenomenon taking hold in my very own home in recent years. I have kids, just out of their teens, who have started getting tattoos - their friends too. Gatherings with their friends often seem to involve conversations about tattoos, why they want a particular tattoo design, what meaning they give their tattoo and so on. My son has even taken to sketching tattoo designs for friends.

Of course tribal tattoos have a long time heritage in many tribal cultures. Many tribes seem to adorn and decorate themselves with them. Among those countries are Japan, Europe, South America and the Polynesias.  

Tattoos are not new to me - actually I've been around a few tattooed people in my life. My dear brother Herman (RIP) was a very talented tattooist (and tattoo artist).  He continued getting tattooed for many years til he was basically a walking art gallery!  Although members of my family and neighbourhood were exposed to the idea of tattoos (through Herman), only a VERY FEW seemed to go crazy for them.  Now though, tattoo culture seems to be spreading like wildfire.

I have to admit I've never really had much interest in placing such permanent markings on my body, thus, I have never actually had a tattoo myself.  I always thought getting a tattoo would be something to regret later in life - but now that doesn't seem to phase alot of people - they just seem to get another tattoo if they get bored with the others. I don't think I would want to be locked into one particular style or design for the rest of my life but maybe I'll change my mind or "catch the tattoo fever" one day, who knows. What about you?

I have to admit I am fascinated by good tattoos - much as I am by other good works of art.  The detail and colours of good quality tattoos can be mesmerising.  And I am not alone in this fascination. A number of TV shows worldwide now promote and share all the ins and outs of the tattooed world.

A tattoo site - vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_facts.htm - published data and statistics on the subject of tattoos. Here are some of the findings:

In 1936 an estimated 6% of Americans had a tattoo.

In 2003, a Harris Poll survey indicated the number of people with tattoos had increased to 16% of the American population.

The American Academy of Dermatology found, in 2006, that around 24% of Americans aged 18-50 were tattoed. Of the 18-29 age group that percentage goes up to a whopping 36%.

At the time of writing they claimed an estimated 20,000 tattoo parlours operating in the USA and on the average, one added every day.

Tattooing was ranked as the sixth fastest growing retail venture in the 1990s.

Again, at the time their article was written, search engine Ask said tattoos were the #1 searched beauty term.

Chinese and Japanese characters are among the most frequently searched tattoo designs on the internet.

Most popular place to get a tattoo - backs. Followed by neck, arm, wrist, ankle. Apparently unmentionable areas ranked high too!

Internet searchers are highly interested in celebrity tattoos, for instance Angelina Jolie or Metallica.

It seems they think women may be the highest tattoo interested group because the top five designs searched on the internet were tribal, cross, stars, butterflies and fairies.

About a third of survey respondents said their tattoos make them feel sexier. Similar, but slightly lower, numbers of people said their tattoos made them feel more rebellious or attractive - but not too many claimed to feel more intelligent, healthy or athletic as a result of getting a tattoo! (5% or less).

A contrasting view of rebelliousness came from the withs and withouts. For instance 57% of those without tattoos perceive those WITH tattoos are more rebellious, however only 29% of the WITHS actually think they are more rebellious - interesting.

42% of people WITHOUT tattoos stated tattoos make people less attractive to them, and 36% said less sexy.

Only 17% appear to regret getting tattoos and of those, the highest reason, at 16%, was because of a person's name being in the tattoo.

Source : www.vanishingtattoo.com

The data indicates a couple of key points about tattoos:

• There definitely appears to be a trend towards more and more people wanting and getting tattoos.

• It's not a good idea to involve names in your tattoos if you are the type that might have regrets.

• There's probably good business out there for tattoo artists!

No matter what your views on the tattoo topic, it's an interesting area. Leave a comment and let us know what you think about the idea of getting yourself a tattoo!

Amanda Wood