My question would be more along the lines of what *part* of tattoo/ing are you asking about being a fetish?
Whether it's a fetish to actually have tattoos done on one's body?
Whether a person has a fetish for tattoos on others' bodies?
In order for it to be an actual 'fetish,' by definition, means that it would involve '...the use of non-living objects or body parts that most people would not regard as sexual in nature as one's focus of sexual arousal.'
I personally, would say that I have a fetish for tattoos on others. That is, I am extremely aroused by the sight and feel of tattoos on others' skin - no matter where - and it *does* make a person more sexually attractive to me (yes, I have some of my own as well - but I don't react to my own).
Amusing, but true....I realized this was a fetish for me when I saw Billy Bob Thornton take off his shirt, and all I could think was, 'I want to lick his tattoos.' Shocking the hell out of myself, since, as a general rule, I find the man himself rather unattractive.
As for a fetish for getting tattoos...well, I would tend to think that would lean more toward S&M-related culture/issues. In my experience, I've known many people who feel that the pain of getting a tattoo can be...cathartic (?right word?). That is, it helps them to let go or emotionally release something, while creating a permanent reminder of the thing/feeling in question at the same time.
A friend of mine in college wrote her thesis about modern primitives (as opposed to traditional tribal tattooing, i.e., Maori) and (the general gist being) how tattoos, piercings and the like can be a way of expressing experience/pain to the outside world without having to put it into words.
Just my thoughts. I could be completely wrong. But hey, sometimes different perspectives can inspire new ones.
Much luck to you,
Vicki
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