Personally I prefer to know what to expect ahead of time. I know tattoos hurt but I have three. I knew it was going to hurt before I got there and it didn't stop me.

I once had a bladder infection where they had to get the sample by sticking a glass tube straight into my bladder. (use your imagination.) The nurse said, this won't hurt. But when you put a tube into an opening which is only meant for things to Come Out of, it hurts! I would rather know it's going to hurt so I won't be surprised. If I get a nasty surprise, I get angry, and it's no fun.

Now, the funny part of this story is (and I might have told this on another thread in the past), it was Halloween and the nurse had on a long black witch wig and a tall black witch's hat. I swear I thought I was on Candid Camera.

Anyway I think it's important that people know what to expect ahead of time to prevent those ugly surprises.