Full disclosure: I actually have a few tattoos myself, which is why I tend to frequent the tattoo and piercing shops near me so much. I like body art and body modification. I dig the rebelliousness that comes with tattoos and piercings. There's just something so emphatically cool about going semi- or fully permanent with a statement about your beliefs that I can't help but want to be near it.

The problem - seeing the clear difference between the good shops and the ones that aren't so good.

I mention my tattoos because I want you to understand that I know what it's like to go under the needle in a tattoo shop. Before I got my tattoos, I would pop in a tattoo shop here and there just to become acquainted with the staff and to get a feel for the atmosphere. Once I felt comfortable enough with what I saw, the process started. Every time I left with some new art, I shops near me  out feeling like a king. I've been on the hunt for some new art lately, so I've used the same process. Sure enough, some shops just weren't up to snuff.

Here's some of what I learned about the tattoo and piercing shops near me:

Clean and Meticulous - The best places do what feels like a lot of work to make sure they're being as clean as possible. Artists are going so far as to show you what they're doing step-by-step so that you know everything's on the up-and-up.

About the Art - Passionate people who enjoy what they're doing is what makes tattoo and piercing shops such great places to hang out. It's all about the right vibe.