Your first tattoo

I presume you've picked out a good tattoo studio and know what you want for a tattoo. There's a few things that most tattooists rarely tell people before they come in for their first tattoo. I know I always forgot to mention this stuff and/or the person was a walk-in customer and so there was no opportunity.

Some people are either so nervous or so excited about getting their first tattoo that they don't eat that day. Eat something! It's not unusual for people who haven't eaten anything to pass out. You don't want to pass out, so eat something! The same goes for piercings.

No matter how normal and even traditional it is to be drunk while getting your first tattoo, it's a terrible idea. I never really noticed that drunk people bled more than others (which is the conventional wisdom), but I certainly did notice how drunk people were pretty much the only customers whom I didn't like tattooing. Drunk people, even those who have had just a few, move around alot and they don't even know it. You can tell 'em to stop, but they just can't help themselves.

On the day of your first tattoo, you should ideally be:
1. Well rested
2. Sober
3. Not high
4. Well fed
5. Sharing a ride if driving is neccessary
6. Excited

Afterwards, you can do whatever you want.