For the love of tattoo: Artist shares story of dedicated walk-in customer

Cebu City, Philippines— Tattoos are one of the things that you can have forever.

So, to those who’d want to get one, it’s very important to know what you’re investing in.

Tattoo artist Jonathan Burgos has inked a lot of customers in his Jburgz Tattoo shop in Barangay Apas but he was amazed when, one day, he met a tattoo fan who was so determined with the craft that he decided to give him a huge discount.

Burgos asked, though, not to name the customer since he had no permission to do so. But he revealed that the customer was a simple construction worker.

He shared the story in his Facebook page, and it has so far got a lot of attention online.

Here’s his story:

“He was just a walk-in client who happened to pass by our studio… it so happened I was outside the studio because I have no client that time… I can see the excitement on his face when he saw our tattoo studio. So then he inquired how much would it cost for his tattoo(the pic on my post) so I told him that it would cost him 2.5k because of the size & design that he would like to get. To my surprise without hesitation he decided to get inked (not like those pa cool na mga tao would say “ay mahala”)…so while I was preparing we did a little chit chat… he told me that he really save some extra for his tattoo because he understands the cost to get inkede, he even told me that my profession is not an easy thing to do, so I looked at him and smiled and replied ‘maypa ka sir, kasabot ka, salamat kaayo,” he said.

(He was just a walk-in client who happened to pass by our studio it so happened I was outside the studio because I have no client that time. I can see the excitement on his face when he saw our tattoo studio. So then he inquired how much would it cost for his tattoo(the pic on my post) so I told him that it would cost him P 2,500 because of the size & design that he would like to get. To my surprise without hesitation he decided to get inked, not like others who would even hangle for a much lower price. So while I was preparing we did a little chit chat. He told me that he really save some extra for his tattoo because he understands the cost to get inked, he even told me that my profession is not an easy thing to do, so I looked at him and smiled and replied: ‘Thank you so much for understanding, sir.’)

Burgos said  he was really touched with the construction worker’s dedication and respect to the craft. This is why  he decided that this person deserved to be treated.

“Ok so fast forward were done with his tattoo… before he was about to get the money from his pocket I told him ‘Sir ani nalang tagaan tika ug dakong discount 1k nalang na imong tattoo… salute kaayo ko nmu sir imo jud gitiguman imong tattoo,’” he said.

(Ok so fast forward were done with his tattoo, but before he was about to get the money from his pocket I told him, ‘Sir, I’m going to give you a huge discount, instead of P 2,500 just pay P 1,000, because I salute you dedication to save up for a tattoo.’)

Burgos said he was so happy when he saw how the eyes of the construction worker glistened with happiness when he walked away with his dream tattoo and extra cash.

This story proved after all that sometimes, it does pay to be dedicated to things that you love. /bmjo