# Black men and earrings. Can we let it go already? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 14, 2010, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402 "2010-05-14T06:31:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/81 "2010-05-16T04:11:50Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > \ > > [Here](http://kspiercingcom.trustpass.alibaba.com/product/100719724-100545188/Nose_Stud_Jewelry.html) [are](http://www.ael-nose-studs.co.uk/) [some](http://chicks4bloggin.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/nose_piercing_gold_stud1.jpg) [pictures](http://www.saraindia.org/02/the-nose-ring-is-indian-culture-for-women/) of non-dark-skinned people who IMHO are rocking their nose piercing just right. Ew. Ew ew ew. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/82 "2010-05-16T04:51:47Z")
There there, you don’t have to have a nose piercing if you don’t like them. Even men don’t have to have earrings if they don’t like them, although I persist in considering that to be a downright sinful waste of hotness potential in almost every case. I guess we can’t have a world where **every** guy is sporting a sexy earring though, it would become too difficult to get any work done. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/83 "2010-05-16T10:47:37Z")
My granddaughter had an ear tunnel a couple of years ago. I rarely see her, but don’t those things grow back? My beautiful sparkly enchanted baby… Okay. She will be 23 in a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/84 "2010-05-16T11:29:30Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > They’re not illegal for minors, why would they be? Body piercing a minor without parental permission is against the law in most states. > **[Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ACAW_enUS324US324&q=body%2Bpiercing%2Bregulations%2Bby%2Bstate&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=)** ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/85 "2010-05-16T11:52:51Z")
> [@Oni no Maggie](#): > > :rolleyes: Yes, it was completely my intent to indicate that there are no people-of-mixed-but-largely-Negroid-descent outside of the U.S., whatsoever. Thank you for clarifying that. > > It couldn’t _possibly_ have been that I’m American, and 99.9% of the P.O.M.B.L.N.D. I’ve met in my life have been as well, and that I was **using the polite terminology in general use here.** > > Nope, I was totally just being snooty and excluding any P.O.M.B.L.N.D. that live in the rest of the world. Because I’m ALL ABOUT DELIBERATELY PISSING FOLKS OFF. > > Happy now? Jesus Motherfucking Christ On A Pogo Stick. Calm down. Based on what I’ve read of you, I don’t think you’re at all about deliberately pissing anybody off. But I also don’t think (but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong) that you’re about coming across as so insular and self-obsessed as to be totally ignorant. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/86 "2010-05-16T11:57:39Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Sure, but I think unobtrusive jewelry can be part of a professional look. If a female newscaster can wear a modest pair of small pearl stud earrings, or if a male newscaster can have a simple and unostentatious tie tack in his tie, then I don’t see why a male newscaster can’t wear a small and discreet stud or hoop earring. > > And I’m really not seeing how [Ed Bradley’s small gold hoop earring](http://blogs.sltrib.com/tv/uploaded_images/EdBradley-767577.jpg) would be considered “bling” or “distracting”. This is bling. Ed Bradley’s look is not bling. That’s what I get for commenting without actually seeing the guy. I just assumed that, if the OP is noticing the earring, it must be pretty gaudy. I’ve seen that guy a bunch of times, and I never noticed his earring. And studs are okay as long as they aren’t shiny enough to catch the light. When I think earrings, I think of actual rings, or hoops or something. And it’s precisely because it makes you “more attractive” that I have a problem with it. When I see a female with earrings, I think they are trying to get people’s attention. When I see a male with them, I think he’s trying to get female attention. It’s irrational, I know. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/87 "2010-05-16T12:36:08Z")
The number of men (regardless of ethnicity) I’ve seen lately (being the last couple of years) wearing earrings has been… zero. Must be an American thing. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/88 "2010-05-16T12:40:56Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The number of men (regardless of ethnicity) I’ve seen lately (being the last couple of years) wearing earrings has been… zero. Must be an American thing. A guy I know from the UK has two. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/89 "2010-05-16T13:30:47Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The number of men (regardless of ethnicity) I’ve seen lately (being the last couple of years) wearing earrings has been… zero. Must be an American thing. You need to get out more. I’m Australian, and I’d say around 50% of the guys I know have a lobe or two pierced. And, as I stated above, I’m 44. It’s not like I don’t know anyone who lives in the 'burbs and has a proper job. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/90 "2010-05-16T13:41:27Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > You need to get out more. I’m Australian, and I’d say around 50% of the guys I know have a lobe or two pierced. And, as I stated above, I’m 44. It’s not like I don’t know anyone who lives in the 'burbs and has a proper job. I work in retail and have done for years. I see a _lot_ of people. None of the guys I’ve noticed have sparkly-costume-jewellery-type earrings. I see heaps of guys who look like they’ve got part of a socket-spanner kit in their ear, or have plain rings as part of some sort of alternative culture thing happening, but earrings like your wife/girlfriend/mum/sister? Zero. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/91 "2010-05-16T15:14:28Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > There there, you don’t have to have a nose piercing if you don’t like them.\ Unfortunately I still have to look at them. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/92 "2010-05-16T17:37:58Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > But… but how else are they supposed to schlep their [cell phones?](http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/smartaleq/cell_dork.jpg)😛 I live & work in an area where lots of people have ear plugs and it’s a style that’s moved into the realm of normal and not worthy of comment for me. But that picture is just wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/93 "2010-05-16T18:38:28Z")
> [@Martini Enfield](#): > > The number of men (regardless of ethnicity) I’ve seen lately (being the last couple of years) wearing earrings has been… zero. Note to self: when visiting Australia, do not bother to scope out the male natives for hot ears. > [@Shakester](#): > > You need to get out more. I’m Australian, and I’d say around 50% of the guys I know have a lobe or two pierced. Note to self: disregard previous note. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/94 "2010-05-17T00:12:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And it’s precisely because it makes you “more attractive” that I have a problem with it. When I see a female with earrings, I think they are trying to get people’s attention. When I see a male with them, I think he’s trying to get female attention. > > It’s irrational, I know. Yes, yes it is. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/95 "2010-05-17T01:21:04Z")
Whoa! You kids have been busy! I didn’t intend this to be a pit thread, hence the smiley face in the OP and the posting in **IMHO**. However, when you get knee-jerk reactions like: > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > In b4 “You’re racist!” and > [@DanBlather](#): > > Don’t look now, but I think your cross is on fire. you just have to love it! :rolleyes: I haven’t had a chance to read all postings, but I did a quick skim to find some fun posts, like the one from **DanBlather**. **AClockworkMelon** ’s posts aren’t very interesting, but at a 35 posts/day pace, how can they be? > [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I’m sorry, but what? For the purpose of this opinion piece a Jew can be white? What does that even mean? Hmm. Since you are so worked up over it, why don’t you tell us what it means to **YOU**. You can tell us from your Ivory Tower. (HAW! :D) To me, it was a (wait for it)… joke. It simplified the equation, since being jewish isn’t a race, or a color… I didn’t want any jew offended that I lumped poor Morley into the “white” category, especially if Morley doesn’t consider himself “white”. I could have tossed him in the “old bastard who wears tablecloths for shirts” group, but that seemed unfair. > [@Biggirl](#): > > Look how stupid you are. Yeah. Look at me. :dubious: I’m sure there is more fun to be had in this thread. I’ll read through it all in the next day or so when I have some time and get back to you all if there is anything worth responding to. Since it’s now in the pit, I’ll have to scrape up some rage :mad: ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/96 "2010-05-17T15:14:11Z")
I’m white and I have three earrings, not to mention an eyebrow pierce. Also, pace **BigT** , I can assure you all it has nothing to do with female attention. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/97 "2010-05-17T15:33:37Z")
I don’t really care either way. I don’t understand jewellery full stop - it seems a bit too caveman “ug ug me like shiny metal” - but to each their own. However, Sweden’s Finance Minister, Anders Borg, is white, has an earing AND a ponytail. He probably has the most punchable face in modern politics. [http://media.ne.se/neimage/1088597.jpg](http://media.ne.se/neimage/1088597.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/98 "2010-05-17T17:27:28Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > However, Sweden’s Finance Minister, Anders Borg, is white, has an earing AND a ponytail. OMG, **and** “smart-guy” round glasses and a “smart-guy” slightly receding hairline and a sexy shadow of stubble. [swoooooooooooon] > [@amanset](#): > > He probably has the most punchable face in modern politics. 😕 I simply do not understand (hetero) men’s reactions to other men. I may not be turned on by self-consciously “hip” or bohemian looks on other women, but never in my life have I felt the slightest desire, even jokingly, to punch another woman’s face on account of her looks or style choices. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/99 "2010-05-18T03:36:46Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > 😕 I simply do not understand (hetero) men’s reactions to other men. Hey, I’m not hetero, and I kinda want to punch that guy, too. Couldn’t really tell you why. Some dudes just need punchin’, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/100 "2010-05-18T09:14:14Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > 😕 I simply do not understand (hetero) men’s reactions to other men. I may not be turned on by self-consciously “hip” or bohemian looks on other women, but never in my life have I felt the slightest desire, even jokingly, to punch another woman’s face on account of her looks or style choices. I guess it is the male way of doing “bitchy”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402.md?page=6)