[maliam]

Of course it's painful but you'll have to weigh in if you think it's worth going through. My artist had told me the two most sensitive places to be tattooed were lower abdominals and the underside of your upper arm (notice some men only have arm wraps that go part-way around). One girl earlier mentioned having her nipples pierced was more painful; I didn't think so. So it varies person to person.

Before having mine, a woman told me it felt like someone sticking a knife in her back and carving her flesh (ew). I don't think it was that horrible, but there is a dull pain punctuated with sharp zingers here and there. You'll know when the artist moves to a new pain-receptor (nocioreceptor) zone. My mom got a tattoo on her toe to celebrate 50 and she loves it! I think it's wonderful.

As for the slutty indications that men have made about tattoos on women, they seem to forget tattoos have been around a very long time. They started in Polynesia (my heritage) and both men and women were tattooed for various reasons. I hope you find an artist you really like and good luck!