# Nose Piercing:  Which Side?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-piercing-which-side/405351>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 24, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-piercing-which-side/405351 "2007-05-24T15:07:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-piercing-which-side/405351/1 "2007-05-24T15:07:40Z")

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I’ve been thinking about getting my nose pierced for quite some time now. I believe that a piercing on the left side signifies that one is married, but I’d like to know for sure. Does anyone know? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Duckworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Duckworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckworth)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-piercing-which-side/405351/2 "2007-05-24T15:26:36Z")

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Apparently in Indian culture where nose piercing originated, the left was preferred as it was supposed to ease childbirth. In other cultures it doesn’t matter and doesn’t signify anything as far as I’m aware.

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**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-piercing-which-side/405351/3 "2007-05-24T15:41:31Z")

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Yes, the left side is usual in Indian cultures (although some people pierce both nostrils). No, it doesn’t mean that you’re married.

The position of the piercing on the nostril matters more than which nostril you choose, IMHO. It’s traditionally done right at the point where the curve of the nostril ends, and I think that’s a very elegant look, especially on a pretty nose.

But some Americans prefer to have the hole farther down, close to the edge of the nostril (perhaps so they can wear smaller rings in it). I think this looks totally drippy, in more than one sense of the word.

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**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-piercing-which-side/405351/4 "2007-05-24T15:45:25Z")

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I feel oogy when I see piercings on the right side, but they do it even in India. Tho rarely. I am E. Indian btw.

More important I guess is how you feel about it!