the TAO of TATTOOING 27

Foreword

In this series of blog entries I will offer my fledgling, humble interpretations of Lao-Tsu's 81 chapters of the Tao te ching, as it applies to tattooing.  I am in no way attempting to represent myself as a master of Taoist philosophy, however Lao-Tsu's teachings have inspired me for several decades, and I often look to them for inspiration in dealing with the many challenges of my chosen profession.
   I intend to find my way through each of the chapters, and compile them here in my blog until they are complete, at which time I will publish them in book form for my friends and colleagues in tattooing. I hope that my interpretations might assist and inspire my peers, my clients, my friends, to better understand tattooing, and the meaningful impact it has on all of our lives.  And if perhaps these interpretations lead anyone back to the original teachings of Lao-Tsu, well then I will have truly done something to enrich the world.

the TAO of TATTOOING


27


Stubborn adherence to preconceived ideas,
about how to induct customers,
will prevent you from finding the best way.
A tattooer must first listen,
in order to appropriately respond.

Every customer must be guided to their goal,
by a different path than the last.
Interpersonal sensitivity and presence of mind,
are paramount to success.

The difficult consultations may be the most important.
The value of having to work to achieve understanding,
is profound to customer and tattooer alike.
Customer and tattooer need each other.
If you don't understand this, you will not succeed,
no matter how talented you are.