For the record, I have to say I HATE needles! I don't like having anything to do with them. BUT I pushed my fears aside because for as long as I can remember I wanted a tattoo of a unicorn on my ankle. So I got a tiny tattoo on my upper arm to see if it hurt and I decided it didn't hurt that much so a couple of months later I went ahead and got the unicorn on my ankle...she's really pretty too.
So, if you're one of those ones that hate needles but would like to get a tattoo, you should try to just bite the bullet and go for it. To me, it didn't hurt. It stung a little at first then it just got numb. It really all depends on where you want to get one. If you get one on a bone or around sensitive skin (like around your belly button like the one my sister got. OUCH!) that hurts more than on other areas. The tattoo artist can usually reccomend a place that's not very painful for the tattoo that you want.