I dont work at a shop, but I tend to go in the same shop from to time even if I am not getting a tattoo. But always treat them as a friend and I hope the artists there all think of me as a friend too. I feel like you should always be nice, just out of respect. I feel like if you are nice and respectful to a shop,its artists and its owner then you will be treated nice too. Ive ran into a few dick tattoo artists who do not tattoo me and always turn my head. Im still a little youngin. Only 21. And honestly feel lucky and grateful to even be able to get tattoos and have tattoos. I try to bring in cool old flash books that I bought to share or just anything. I actually just brought the shop some "moonshine". haha. I always feel horrible for the tattoo artist whos getting treated horrible by a customer. I mean even though I do want to find a mentor...ive always looked up to tattoo artists in a "godly" sense. haha All my respect goes to you lucky tattoo artists.