Almost got inked in Miami ...

Tattoos, are today, considered a form of art and self expression. To others it may still be considered a mark of slavery or a form of idolatry as in the Old Testament times of the Bible.

With cultures having evolved tremendously through the hundreds of years that have gone by, I guess it all boils down to one's motivation for getting a tattoo these days.

For me, tattoos are fascinating. It serves as a symbol of something meaningful or beautiful and perhaps, a reminder of what one aspires to be when they grow older. If done well, it can look very artistic and uniquely appreciated ... hopefully it would last through the years.

I had caught an episode of Miami Ink, a reality TV program that showcases the artistic talents of Ami James and Chris Nunez, while exercising on a treadmill some months back. Of course, since I only caught the program that one time, I naturally recalled only the most outstanding guy from the show. He was none other than the well built and heavily tattooed Ami James - the tattoo artist and owner of Miami Ink! I thought he was pretty good looking, too ... there's a certain sex appeal or attractiveness that society has accorded men who are bald, muscular and tattooed!!!

And so my chance to visit Miami Ink - THE tattoo parlor of the world(?) - came a couple of weeks ago while I was in Miami Beach. My colleague and I were walking along Washington Avenue, looking for a nice dinner place when we chanced upon Miami Ink. There were a whole lot of other tattoo parlors along that street but only one that probably accepted customers by-appointment only!

We walked in, taking our baby steps into the tattoo world, expecting to be greeted and treated to a marketing schpeal on why we should get a tattoo ... the benefits of having one in this contemporary society ... and how safe it would to get a tattoo at the celebrated Miami Ink ... blah, blah, blah!

Well, we didn't get any of that. Not even a margarita to calm a tattoo virgin's fears of being pricked and marked permanently. So much for visiting a celebrated tattoo parlor!

Instead, we walked in and witnessed customers sitting on one side waiting for their appointments. On the other side of the room were those being worked on ... each stared blankly at us.

Three tattoo artists with full concentration on three guys getting tattooed. The scene reminded me of a barber's shop. With stone-cold looks and not even the slightest hint of pain from needles drilling into raw skin. It was definitely not their first time.

We hung around the reception desk. A bald and heavily tattooed guy stood behind the desk. No, it wasn't Ami James. But he certainly had an attitude. An arrogant one that turned me off!

I asked whether they helped design tattoos. He said, yes, if we gave him the description of what we wanted.

I asked him if there were existing designs to choose from. He said yes and pointed to a stack of black files. There were too many to go through in a short time and with no assistance whatsoever. Completely unnerving.

I saw a sign on the reception desk that indicated the minimum price of US$200 per tattoo. Photography was allowed as long as tattoo artists were not distracted.

So, we took some pictures and walked out of Miami Ink forever. I made up my mind not to get my tattoo there.

The tattoo conversations continue in my mind. Perhaps I would seek out a tattoo artist, who would take the time to help me design something I was comfortable with, counsel me on the whole process, and would be willing to provide me with post-tattoo consultation. I think that's a reasonable request given the expectations of customers today whose minimal requirement is to be attended to from cradle to grave!