It takes patience and training to work with new clients. We ask questions, listen to answers and hear stories of the why, the what and the where for that new tattoo. Questions about safety, sterilization, design, etc. are always welcome. Many people apologize when asking but these questions are valid and very important. It's part of our profession to educate our customers as fully as we can so they may make comprehensive decisions.
Along the way we run into people and situations that, like anytime one deals with the public, test our patience and our training. While we welcome so many questions and can handle most all situations there are some that rankle our hides and may take the smiles right off our faces! You just won't believe some of the things we hear and see!!
For instance:
When a person enters our studio and remarks, "Well, I've never been in a place like this." What do they mean 'like this'? Would that be where the floors are scrubbed nightly, all surfaces disinfected, all efforts made to follow Standard Precautions to protect the customer and ourselves? THAT kind of place? But I am afraid that is not what they mean and it does rub the fur on the cat backwards!
We discuss placement and hear "Oh, well it must be hidden because you see, I AM a professional." So what are we, chopped liver? I travel to teach and to take educational courses, I belong to numerous international organizations (an officer in one and a board director in another), I hold a BS from Purdue.....now define that word 'professional' to me, please. Didn't Mama teach not to judge a book by it's cover? WE might be the first people to advise the newby that maybe everyone in their life won't be as enamored with their body art as they are! We often counsel young people against lower arm tattoos, neck tattoos (oh, come on!!) and other socially questionable areas and ideas. We could just as easily take their money, do the improper piece and send them on their way. Most of us understand the social and moral obligation we have. Is that not being a PROFESSIONAL?
We do NOT know where one can buy illegal substances and we do not know where every smoke shop/strip club/hostess bar in town is. Many of us are mature family oriented professionals who lead perfectly normal lives when we go home. Many tattooers are parents who attend and contribute to PTA's, churches, etc. It's highly offensive when we are lumped into a catagory with a select few. I wonder if they walk into ABC stores and ask the same questions?
Why do some think we welcome foul language? I want to say (and often do) 'So you kiss your kids with that same mouth?' Would these people walk into a bank and talk to a teller like that? Someone failed in their early training of how to talk to a female (or male for that matter).
And of course the late night party animal whom alcohol has brassed up and thinks we want to listen to endless stories and that we enjoy arguing why we will NOT tattoo them. Oh, boy!!
A few TV shows have tried the 'reality' of tattoo studios and have missed the mark completely. We have little respect for that video razmatazz that does not represent our industry in the correct light. Pardon when we don't fawn over that sensationalized hype.
When we give advice why we will not do certain tattoos, like wedding rings or toe tattoos, it is from experience and professionalism. We know the long term effects and do not want our reputations riding on that. Often after our staff goes through the why not's the customer will look them in the eye and say 'well, do you know someone who will?' ACK!!!
We give verbal and written care instructions that come from a dear friend and tattoo consultant, Dr. Kris Sperry, Chief Pathologist for the state of Georgia. After we explain everything we often hear, 'my buddy once got a tattoo done in his kitchen by a guy who just got his 'gun' and he said to use mayonnaise on it. Is that ok?' ACK DOUBLE TIME!!! Now my fur is reallllly backwards!!
Ok, enough of the serious stuff. Want to have some laughs? Check out these comments!!
Phone rings, I answer it "XYZ Tattoo Studio, how may I help you?" Customer says "You do tattoos there?"
Or "How much is a medium rose" How much is a blue car? What is medium? What kind of rose?
A friend had a gal run into her shop, scanning the walls she yelled out, "Help me pick out my tattoo, my bus is coming soon"
Or the fella who came in and wanted his name in script on his arm. Got him signed up, design drawn, he sits down and pulls up his sleeve to reveal HIS NAME IN SCRIPT already in the same exact spot!
To sum it all up, most of us are business people, well trained in our fields and dedicated to our profession. We simply ask for respect as any other person and place of business. Come in, chat with us, treat us as we are treating you. It's quite an experience and we are here for you!
