Getting a Tattoo
With society changing in so many ways, getting a tattoo is not as taboo as it used to be. There are a lot of individuals who are choosing to get a tattoo or three now days.
I worked in a tattoo shop called Wind-chimes Tattoo in Delaware. I was the receptionist, which required me to greet the customers as well as help with their decision of what they wanted. I also handled the money and relayed the work to the artists. Sometimes my job called for “Special Care” such as holding the hand of a first-timer. Whether people know it or not tattoo artists are not just out for the money. I have seen a lot of artists turn work down because the person did not seem sure enough about getting the tattoo, or the piece they had picked out was not a real good choice. Our slogan was ” Yes it hurts”, which is the number one question everyone asks. Of course it hurts.
We had strict rules at Wind-chimes. We did not tattoo anyone under the age of 18, and they had to present identification no matter how old they were. We did however allow 17-year-olds to get tattooed if they had a parent present with the same last name and address. The reason for this is even though a lot of people have parents that do not have the same last name it is too easy to just get anyone to come and and act like a parent. No one wants angry parents coming in wondering why their child has a tattoo. We did not tattoo hands, feet, and faces. Hands and faces because of the inability to cover if you need too, and feet because you really need to go without shoes while it is healing and that is just not possible for most people. We did occasionally try to talk people out of getting their boyfriend/girlfriends name tattooed on them. I think everyone can guess why. We also did not tattoo if you were under the influence of alcohol, mainly because your blood thins and you do bleed during a tattoo, also who wants to wake up with a permanent mistake on their body. We had a very handsome young man come in for a cover up one time, he had a dripping condom tattooed on his arm. He said he could not get any girl to go out with him because of this tattoo he had got one night when he was drunk.
The people I have seen get tattooed has varied. I had the pleasure of meeting a Washington Redskin football player who came in to get a tattoo with at least 20 other family members on Fathers Day. He wanted a Tigger, in memory of a son that had passed away from an illness, on his arm. He handed me his credit card and said take care of what ever they want. We had two artists in house that day and it took 12 hours to get all of the work done. I had a young woman come in for her first one, she wanted an inch high initial on her ankle. She had a death grip on me the whole five minutes it took to do the tattoo . I had a lady who had a tattoo removed and came in to have the scar it left tattooed over. I had a 65-year-old woman come in with a few of her friends, her husband had passed away, and she said she had wanted a tattoo for a long time. She had finally built up the courage to get one and she did. She picked out a pretty little butterfly. Of course I had to hold her hand too. I had a father bring in his 13-year-old son for a tattoo. I explained to the father that we could not do the tattoo because we don’t believe a child is mature enough to make that permanent of a decision. He left yelling a tattoo shop with morals!
I have eight tattoos myself with the value of about $3000.00. You would never guess that I have the by looking at me unless I am wearing shorts. I get asked all kinds of questions. Where did you get that? Did that hurt? Do you regret that? I also get preached at about them too. Do you know what it says about tattoos in the bible? Yes I do. I always thank them for standing up for what they believe in. Getting a tattoo is a personal choice and should require some thought. The reason for my first tattoo was simple. I was a country girl who had just moved 700 miles from home and I wanted to shock people. Some people get them to stand out, or maybe to be an individual. I have seen many people get ‘In memory of” tattoos. I have seen people get tattoos for everything from parents to pets. After you figure out what you want you have to choose where you want it. I believe this needs serious thought. Some people have jobs in which it is not proper to have a tattoo showing, I worked at a fast food restaurant and they did not want to see them either. Also the amount of pain has a lot to do with where you get the tattoo. Places that do not see the sun will hurt more as well as anything near a bone. If you plan on having children ladies, do not get a tattoo on your stomach. Your tattoo will stretch with your stomach, and when your stomach goes back down to size your tattoo will not. Believe me it gets ugly.
Do research on the shop before you go. Check to see if they have any complaints, ask too see their sterilization process. Ask to see pictures of their work, most artists keep a portfolio of all their work. A good artist will give you all the time you need to decide on what you want. Do not ever let someone push you into getting work done before your ready. When you have checked everything out to your satisfaction, go for it. Tattoos are costly for good work. Be prepared to spend some money on your tattoo. Most shops carry a minimum. The shop I worked for had a minimum of $40.00. One of the pieces I have cost right around $600.00. Good thing I did not have to pay that. Remember you do get what you pay for. Purchasing a tattoo is not the time to go cheap. For what ever the reason you decide enjoy it and take care of it. Beware, tattoos are addicting. My saying was always once you get inked your stuck for life.
