I got my first AWESOME tattoo from an artist who I am reticent to go back to because I felt like there was some weirdness between us. He is an established curmudgeon, but certainly not unprofessional, but there is this lasting feeling of weird! This was 7 years ago, and I'd like to go back to get some more work from him, because I really loved the piece he did and the work is damn good, but because of this weirdness, whether it's his attitude or maybe I was just too green at the time and my nerves were off-putting to him, I haven't gone back. I did gather up my courage several years ago to go talk to him about options for what we could do around the piece, but I was so afraid of talking to him and the attitude was so fucking WEIRD that I stuttered and stumbled and ended up leaving. And to be more specific re: "weird", which I've overused in this post: gruff, unfriendly, attitudey, angry? It was really an amalgamation of adjectives that apparently I can't fully place, and though my imprecision is annoying to me, I'm gonna go with it for now. (but apologize for it: sorry re imprecision ;)).
So I guess the point is that I at least want to go to someone who I am at least comfortable approaching! And as much as I'd like to get more done by this guy, whose work is excellent, it's too much stress to even go in. I do recommend him to other people though, because part of me feels like the attitude was generated by my nervousness at getting my first large, visible tattoo - if I were approaching him now, maybe I wouldn't notice it?
One thing - if I hear a tattoo artist talking major shit on other artists or customers, I won't go to that person. Bad manners! Unprofessional, impolite. Bad juju for my tattoo, I think. The tattooist doesn't need to be my best friend, or chat me up the whole time (after all, they're working and I'm dealing with getting tattooed!), or even make a total 'connection' with me, but I do appreciate eye contact, a smile, basic manners, and a professional attitude. Soo...my .02.