Managing external doubt

I've had folks question me and my tattooing directly; right in the middle of the process. I know how it'll turn out in my head - well, at least close, but I don't express that. I just tattoo.

So I've tried to pay attention to two different scenarios that have been playing out lately.

Once a threshold of mental pain management is reached, some people get overwhelmed and get cranky. They doubt with facial expressions and some even out loud. Some dislike things they were in love with an hour before. Others turn blank and won't respond. It's simply a matter of dealing with the pain.

Then there are people with straight up negative tendencies. Those of which seem to either immediately express doubt and concern to allay nerves. Or those who were nervous, and seemingly positive, that then find themselves coping through the nerves and back to normal: back to those negative tendencies. (this usually takes place about 15 minutes into a tattoo with me).

Both are natural human reactions. Although one more than the other; the second seems to require conditioning. And, of which, it's not my place to pass judgment. In fact, when someone is denying their basic fight or flight response to pain, I guess it only makes sense for symptoms to pop up in other forms. I have to accept it.

So what's my role, as a tattoo artist, while this takes place?

I think I'm still trying to figure that out. Noticing the change in demeanor was my first step. So now I'm focusing hard to remain confident in the tattoo at hand. I can't let their concern effect me - let alone transfer into the final product. Nor can I let anyone project doubt into my confidence.

Also if I let it instill tension between I and that client (if I take it personally) rapport can be torn apart in far less time it took to build it up.