Blizzard

Hello...I am new to LST. I am a tattoo fan, but not an aspiring artist. I will leave that to those who know the craft. As for me, I mostly just read the forum posts, learn things, come up with topics to discuss with my tattoo guy, and laugh at those who think they have a corner of the market on everything tattooing. Here is my intro thread...happy inking!

I am not professing to be tall or bulletproof; I am simply commenting on a thread. I didn't drone on...I NEVER professed to be an expert at anything other than my field. But you're right about one thing: I am judging those of you who behave badly. I've followed the threads here for some time as a lurker; I have several tattoos, admire those who excel in the field and do quality work, and I am interested in reading intelligent discussions about the art. I rarely feel the need to jump in, and am usually happy being a spectator. However, the original poster DID NOT violate any of the LST rules. He must have, however, violated your "unofficial" rules...as did I. I am not a tattoo artist, nor am I an aspiring artist, nor am I interested in an Intro thread or in any industry secrets. I just know that many of you are rude, snobbish individuals about your "trade"...and I wouldn't let you tattoo me simply based on your exclusivity and "holier than thou" attitudes. Blast me all you want...for not creating an Intro thread, or for my opinion. It matters naught to me. Perhaps your defensiveness is simply due to the fact that you know I'm right.

I am not a tattooer...I am a tattoo collector, and I am interested in the forums. However, I have noticed that many of you are quick to ridicule or jump on anyone who asks a question about tattooing. Please allow me to remind you: The goal of LST is to create a positive and respectful place where both tattooers and collectors alike can access a wealth of information about Tattooing, share their own experiences and perspectives, and cultivate valuable relationships within the tattoo community. I think the original poster was respectful, asked a legitimate question, was trying to access your wealth of information about tattooing, and was sharing his own experience. He was not rude or asking for industry secrets. For you all to reply in the manner you did is outrageously rude. He has apprenticed, which you all indicate is the only way to have an opinion; he works in a shop currently, which most of you indicate is the only way he is a "real" tattooer. I will tell you this: as a tattoo collector, I would never go to an artist with the bedside manner I see in many of you. Rudeness will not earn or keep my business. I wonder if many of your clients leave your chair thinking the same. There are four of you that I would NEVER allow to tattoo me. Your snobbery is appalling. For the record: I'm an English professor. I have two Masters Degrees and am working on my doctorate. I have been in "my trade" for more than 20 years. My peers are not nearly as secretive about our field as you people are about yours. And when we have a question about a piece of literature, we ask each other, we discuss it, sometimes online, and in a pinch, we Google it. What a bunch of unprofessional hacks we must be.