It seems to me that the razor was not as sharp as it should have been. I suspect that the barber was trying to get more shaves than he should have out of the razor -- probably an economic consideration.

When shaving with a straight, you might get a slight tugging, but certainly nothing that painful. I, too, have gotten tattoos, and I can assure you that straight-shaving is infinitely less painful!

Also, I suspect the shave prep was not adequately done.

I shave with a straight every day of the week and, usually, the morning shave is the best part of the day.