A few months after we turned 18, my best friend and I went to the tattoo parlor in our hometown. We walked in and as she talked to the artist, I perused all the flash art on the walls.

I had anticipated holding her hand and telling everyone she didn't cry whether or not she actually did.

I heard the artist tell her that she couldn't get the tattoo she wanted because it would overlap a scar on her arm. Instead of leaving the parlor, I asked the artist if he had time to tattoo me instead.

I walked into that parlor in support of my best friend. I walked out of that parlor 45 minutes later with my first tattoo.

That was before I came to college.

A lot of people, however, get their first tattoos during college.

I overheard a tattoo artist note that tattoos are big in college towns because they're both a rite of passage and a fashion statement.

He would know -- he works in one of the four tattoo parlors in downtown State College.

Looking back on my first experience in a tattoo parlor, there are several things I wish I had thought about ahead of time.

Many tattoo-less people ask, "Does it hurt?" Having an electric needle raked across your flesh does not tickle. Once completed, your tattoo will continue to hurt for another day or so.

Everyone experiences pain differently, so if you ask around, you may hear everything from "It wasn't so bad" to "It was worse than childbirth."

The pain you can expect is based solely on your own threshold of pain.

Another thing newbies may overlook is the notion of a respectable establishment. I got work done in the first parlor I went to. You should visit a few parlors before choosing one. You will be paying the people in this establishment a handsome sum of money to inflict bodily harm upon you that will have a permanent effect, so choose wisely.

You may also think, as I did, that any artist in the shop will suffice. You should talk to a few of the parlor's artists to find the one most suitable for your tattoo. That big, hairy guy whose nickname is Surly may be really talented at flower tattoos. If you want a flower tattoo, he's obviously your man. You won't know that unless you ask around.

Once you've selected a shop and an artist -- it's time to decide what tattoo you want.

People get tattoos that mean something to them just as often as people get tattoos simply because they like the way a design looks. Whether you're having a custom tattoo drawn for you or selecting a design from the flash on the parlor wall; the most important question you can ask yourself is, "Will I like it in 30 years?"

If you're unsure about where you want your tattoo, draw a rough outline of it on yourself with a marker. That way, you can look at it throughout your daily activities and see if it works where you put it.

Once you have all the details worked out, you're ready to make an appointment.

Many first-timers may be tempted to simply call in, but it's a good idea to go to the parlor and discuss your tattoo with your artist in person. This way, the two of you can look at the design and talk about size and placement. Make your appointment for a week or two later so you have ample time to reconsider.

I encourage this because the total time I spent thinking about my first tattoo was five minutes.

On the day of your tattoo, get a shower.

It may seem really obvious, but you may be so preoccupied that it slips your mind. No tattoo artist wants to work on dirty, stinky skin.

Wear clothing that grants easy access to the area being tattooed. I've seen a lot of first-timers wearing long-sleeved, button-down shirts to get a tattoo on their upper arm.

If you're getting a tattoo on your upper arm, wear a tank top. This way, you don't have to take your shirt off in the middle of the parlor.

Sometimes, the entire tattoo experience is so overwhelming that people may space out during the most crucial part: the after-care instructions.

Your artist will tell you how to take care of your tattoo as it heals; heed his or her instructions to avoid your tattoo fading, scarring or otherwise healing improperly.

Another thing newbies may not realize is that it is a good idea to tip your artist.

Tattoo artists provide a service, and they don't get paid extremely well. If he or she was friendly and did a good job on your tattoo, throw some extra money his or her way.

My final piece of advice is for first-timers and veterans: Always put sunscreen on your tattoos. Sunlight breaks up the ink particles and causes your tattoo to fade and become fuzzy.

And if you don't have sunscreen -- find me, I keep some in my purse for just such an occasion.