Inked

Before today I had never stepped foot in a tattoo parlor. They always seemed frightening and unhygienic. Today I learned that they are not that scary ( as long as you're not the one getting the tattoo ) and actually very clean. The place wasn't filled with a bunch of guys named Big Mike covered in a million tattoos. Instead I met a lot of nice staffers, who were not at all scary or intimidating. They all did have tattoos, but nothing too extreme.

The most interesting thing that I noticed about the parlor was the atmosphere. People would just walk in and ask if an artist was free. Their manner was so casual, as if they were just stopping in for a walk-in haircut. Its almost as if they were just walking down the street and decided that they needed a tattoo right at that very moment.

While waiting to be seen I could overhear one of the walk in going over his tattoo idea with one the artists. From what I could hear it was to be a woman's face on his chest with the hair flowing up onto his shoulders. To me it just sounded very intricate and painful.

I guess I should mention that I wasn't there to get a tattoo, my friend Paul was. I tried to provide moral support, but I don't think I did a good job. Seeing as how I was just as freaked out at the idea of him getting a tattoo as he was. It also didn't help the situation that while waiting one of the tattooing room doors was open and we could see and hear someone getting a tattoo. My grimacing and cringing probably did not make him feel any better either.

After waiting for a couple of minutes, Paul's turn came and he was told to go the third door. The next hour was filled with cringing, moans of agony, and an almost fainting episode. In the end it was an interesting learning experience. I was very interested in all the tools the artist used and enjoyed observing him. With that said, I don't think I would like to return to the parlor anytime soon. Paul probably won't be needing my moral support for another ten years or so.

Today was definitely enlightening. I had never seriously considered getting a tattoo. It was always just a silly idea floating in the back of my head. Well after today, that silly idea has been killed and it will never return. I really think that if you're considering getting a tattoo, you should watch someone else get one. It is quite the experience and one I never thought I would witness.