I Love TATTOOING....

I do, i really, really love what I do. Not very many people get to be happy at work everyday, and genuinely love what they do. With that not many get to be able to be as flexible with there schedules as we can... So why do some people treat tattooing like it isn't a "real job". Many of us have busted our asses to get where we are, and I have only been in this for about five years, I can only imagine how some of the veterans feel. What I am getting at is the lack of respect that is shown to tattoo artists. Now dont think I am getting high and mighty, I'm not saying get down and kiss our feet... just a basic PROFESSIONAL respect and understanding. Most of us treat our clients with a professional courtesy, I think it is ok for us to ask the same in return. So since I am all about lists, here are a few things you could do, to show the artist in your life a little something.

1. SHOWER... no one wants to tattoo your dirty ass, do not come from the gym, do not come from doing yard work, or house painting, digging ditches, running a marathon... you get the picture. Take a shower, use some soap.

2. DRESS APPROPRIATELY... we do not want to fight your clothing to properly apply your tattoo, enough said. Put some thought into it, dress comfortably and with an idea on where your tattoo is going. Also, dont wear that $300 designer top that we could ruin with ink.

3. LEAVE YOUR KIDS AT HOME... a tattoo studio is no place for children, it is really boring for children. Also you need to be with the artist and be focused on getting your tattoo... not babysitting. Also flash is expensive, and kids like to color on it.

4. NO DRAMA... leave your drama at home with the kids... no one wants to hear you fight with your significant other.

5. HAGGLING.... im not going to come into mcdonalds and ask for ten cents off of my burger... or try to make a deal with foot locker on some jordans, if you asked they would laugh and tell you to fuck off. What would you do if a tattoo artist asked you for a hook up.

I could go on forever, and this is seriously the longest tattooing related rant i think I have ever been on.... so I will end with the big one....

NO CALL NO SHOWS..... i think this is the holy mother of being disrespectful. Not only is it highly inconsiderate, but can ruin someones week... Some of us work by appointment, and do not get paid to just be at work... we rely on our appointments and tattoos as our income, sometimes budgeting on what we believe we will be taking home that day. We love what we do, but it is still a job. One of these "no call no shows" can wipe out a huge block of someones day... for example today (probably the reason for my rant)... I had one of these for my noon appointment, I had blocked out 3 hours for it.... as the time went by I watched that entire block of time waste away... a time that with proper notice i could have filled with another appointment, and not wasted my morning.

sorry if you are still reading.
im done.