Dateline: Desert Storm October 1990
Burnside Tattoos, Portland, Ore., midnight 
Wanted a tattoo to take to war with me, was shipping out in two weeks - got a little heart with ivy on my ankle. Husband held my hand and hell yeah it hurt. Swore I would never get another one.  Now I have a beautiful set of wings on my back and, oh yeah, I am a tattoo artist. Go figure.
- destinyink

I fell asleep during the one on my neck. It surprised me because of all the hype that I went through ..."it's going to hurt so bad," and "I really don't think this is a good idea," from my tattoo artist :P... Not really a funny story, but has anyone else got the inside of their ear done? Now, that's a funny feeling!
- nattykins

I got my first tattoo when I was 46 years old. I went to a local tattoo parlor that I'd read about in the newspaper, because I liked the owner's attitude. The shop's usual clientele seems to be bikers and teenagers. There I was, obviously someone's 46-year-old mom, sitting there getting inked. I watched the other customers come in, take one look at me and just about drop their teeth. That alone would have made the experience worthwhile. I had so much fun watching everyone's reactions to me that I was sorry when the design was all done.
- blu_vespa

A place in San Diego, year 1973.
Doc Webb went in to get out of the cold while waiting on a bus to go back to the naval base. Got a little rose on my bi to show off
my manhood.  Everyone on the ship told me my arm would rot off.  Well, last year for my 50th birthday I got a total of 50 little roses on my arm. One for every year. Oh, the first one never was finished. The bus came and I went back to the base with just the outline.  Last tat I got took six hours.  Back piece took around 45 hours.
- Pops

The last time I was worked on, when the needle began to pound into my humorous joint of my elbow (a particularly sensitive place!), it was the only time I felt a bit wobbly and I made a bit of an "Ahhhhrrrgghhh" sound, according to the tattooist - LOL! He told me he'd worked on many-a-large fella and he had seen folks pass out - even the biggies! I think there are other contributing factors involved at times. If ya need a bit of a break - best to ask. It's also good to be sure you've eaten and your blood sugar levels are up before getting work done. Don't drink beforehand. Duh!
- Swankhipster

When I went to get my first tattoo, I was 19 years old and very, very nervous. No one I knew could come with me, so I drove the two hours to the shop (best one I could find near me) and tried to be tough getting my tattoo ... five minutes into it I had to ask him to stop 'cause I was so nauseous I thought I was going to be sick. Took a five-minute break, ran to the bathroom and then I was fine for the next four hours.  I think it was just nerves and the shock of it ... but still pretty embarrassing as a girl in a shop full of tattooed guys.
- Heather

I received my first tattoo at the age of 7, done with a tattoo machine made with an eight-track motor and a Bic pen. My father bought it for $5 at a local bar here in Great Falls, Mont. I had him put an iron cross on my right hand.
- tattoo york