Tattoos, some people (me) believe they are works of art and others think they are trashy. I got my first tattoo when I was 15 in some guys apartment (sorry mom), and I have been hooked on them ever since. Five more tattoos later (only hiding four of the total six from my grandparents), I have no intention of stopping where I am right now. The only thing that I would like to stop is some of the comments and questions that are commonly asked to not only me, but others with ink.

1. Did it hurt?

I dunno, it is a needle constantly poking you, or being dragged across your skin (for shading), but to be honest, don't let all the hype of pain get to you. That being said, sure it's uncomfortable, but as long as you're not getting tattooed on one of the "bad" spots you'll be fine. In my experience, the pain has not been that bad, some teeth gritting and deep breaths in certain moments but besides that, just an uncomfortable sensation that gets less and less bothersome as you get more tattoos.

*Disclaimer, I have a really high pain tolerance due to being used to pain after having torn a nerve in my neck, two foot surgeries, and brain surgery.

2. I think I am going to get a tattoo on my chest/ribs/armpits/privates do you think it will hurt?

Well I am no detective but let's use our brains, all of those places do not have a lot of fat to protect them, and generally carry some loose skin around them. Tattoos close to bone and in areas that have loose skin are generally the most painful. In fact, the only tattoo that I can say I experienced a deep pain was near my armpit, my vision blurred for a few seconds due to pain. But hey, who knows, your pain tolerance is difference than everyone else's, I'll just say good luck to you.

3. Is that a real tattoo?

Actually no, it's not, I'm just an adult man that loves to break out the stick-on tattoos to try to trick people into thinking that I have tattoos.

4. Can I touch it?

Here's a crazy way to feel what a tattoo feels like, stranger that has taken serious interest in my arms, feel your arm, what does that feel like? Skin?!?! No way!

5. Yeah, it's pretty, but what's the deeper meaning?

Does it have to have one? Yeah sure some of my tattoos have small meanings to me (except my "mom" one, I love my mom... period) but I am one of the rarer "gets a tattoo because it looks cool" people. Of course I have respect for those who have to have a meaning behind their tattoos, and of course I have respect for those that believe that all have tattoos have to have meaning. That is... if they respect my belief that tattoos can just be art on your body.

6. Okay, so you "thought it looked cool" but c'mon, seriously what's the real meaning?

Well, actually I just like drawing... and I drew something... and thought it would look cool as a tattoo... and now it's a tattoo... I like it, isn't that enough for you?

7. How much do you think (insert tattoo location and idea) will cost?

A lot goes into that actually, first the place you go to, the size, place on body, color vs black and white, how long it takes, the list goes on. I am no tattoo artist but if you want some information, there's this great website called google where you can look up things, and you could even call the place where you want to go to ask!

8. How are you going to get a job with those?

I don't know, maybe by having a good resume, education, interview, and just being likable? If you haven't noticed in today's age, having tattoos isn't taboo, plus just because you have tattoos doesn't automatically mean that you're a rough and tough drug addict.

9. Do you regret them?

Nope, I don't and even if I do someday (I won't) I can still be happy knowing that one time I loved them. You should definitely know that these are permanent before getting one, but if you think you'll regret it before you get it, maybe you should think about it a little bit more.

10. What do you think you're to look like when you're 80? (Thanks for inspiring this one, mom.)

Sure I could get all wrinkly and they could stretch and get distorted, but that just adds character. They are going to add to all of the scars, marks, and bumps that my body has gained and has yet to gained throughout my life. Yeah someday they could look terrible but I am planning (more hoping) that I'll end up like this.

So in my final words I would say this: Tattoos can have no meaning to meaning everything, they can be pieces of art, or "ruining the temple that's your body" but when it comes down to it, it is up to the wearer of the tattoo to decide. There's nothing more insulting when it comes to tattoos than trying to make another person feel bad about theirs, they obviously understood that it was permanent and still got it. You never know too, I've drawn all of my own tattoos except one, so, therefore, it's an extra slap in the face every time I get a negative comment about my tattoos.

I love tattoos, they're works of art that take skill to complete and dedication to get, whether you like them or not you have to admit your attention is always drawn to them.