# So I was talking to my Mom about piercings... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 30, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839 "2004-05-30T21:11:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GopherGod72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@GopherGod72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GopherGod72)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/21 "2004-05-31T23:43:54Z")
I agree to no piercings 'til 18… even navel. …but… Who are you people saying that piercings are permanent?? The only thing you’d notice taken out after a month would be a stretched out 000 earlobe plug. The first time I got my eyebrow pierced I took it out after a few months and it was closed shut fast and within 2 weeks I had trouble locating where it was. Thats why I prefer piercings to tatoos… don’t like it anymore? Take it out and no one will ever know you used to have a “fish hook” in your face. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/22 "2004-06-01T01:09:28Z")
Perhaps you and your mom can agree to [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258768) type of piercing. What? No one’s going to see it (and if someone does, flamingbanana’s mom has bigger problems to worry about than piercings!) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/23 "2004-06-01T01:56:32Z")
> [@flamingbananas](#): > > I am not planning on getting an infection. Very few people plan to get infections. > [@GopherGod72](#): > > Who are you people saying that piercings are permanent?? The only thing you’d notice taken out after a month would be a stretched out 000 earlobe plug. I had a standard ear-piercing that closed up years ago but it’s still visible. ---
**Author:** ![flamingbananas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f4b2a3/32.png) [@flamingbananas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flamingbananas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/24 "2004-06-01T02:14:20Z")
> [@](#): > > So, why do you want to get these additional piercings? _sigh_ I am in love with a rockstar that has some at the moment. Also, I am in a band and while in a band, you wanna look cool. And many, many people have told me I would look awesome with an eyebrow piercing. Anyway, my common sense has come back, and I am going to wait till I am 18 to get it done, if I still want it. Also, I’m not complaing, because I am getting my belly button pierced and my 3rd hole done this week (!) I’ll be the envy of everyone at school 🙂 Oh man. I feel so cool. This summer I am planning on spending my days at the beach. ---
**Author:** ![flamingbananas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f4b2a3/32.png) [@flamingbananas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flamingbananas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/25 "2004-06-01T02:15:57Z")
> [@emekthian](#): > > Perhaps you and your mom can agree to [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258768) type of piercing. > > What? No one’s going to see it (and if someone does, flamingbanana’s mom has bigger problems to worry about than piercings!) I asked about that piercing. I also asked about a nipple ring. She raised her eyebrows and quickly walked away. Og, I love scaring my mom. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/26 "2004-06-01T05:10:29Z")
> [@flamingbananas](#): > > And many, many people have told me I would look awesome with an eyebrow piercing. Were any of these people older than say, 16? In case you don’t already know this, it is quite common for teenagers to encourage other teenagers to do something wild and crazy just so they can laugh at them later. There are many, many movies made about this phenomenom…“Carrie” springs to mind. Just because they tell you you’d look good, doesn’t mean they are telling you the truth. Some of those people are just setting you up. Also, even your friends can have lousy taste. And if you’re doing it to be the envy of your school, well, then you really ARE too young. Trust no one. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/27 "2004-06-01T05:23:43Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > In case you don’t already know this, it is quite common for teenagers to encourage other teenagers to do something wild and crazy just so they can laugh at them later. Teenagers? I still do this. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/28 "2004-06-01T10:58:16Z")
> [@emekthian](#): > > Perhaps you and your mom can agree to [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=258768) type of piercing. Woot! Someone mentioned my thread 🆒 Personally I think eyebrow rings are for people who want to look cool, but aren’t. I just turned 18. Which is the legal piercing age here. But I don’t want something that’s going to ruin anything, or give me a scar, well at least not one people will see 😉 So that explains my choice 🙂 Maybe you should slow down on the piercings… having two in one week might be hard to look after and belly buttons are a bitch for infections. As for a third hole, if your putting it through cartlidge, make sure you don’t _accidentally_ hit your knee on the side of your head, pushing the stud right through your ear and causing a shit load of pain and hell after that. :eek: Don’t ask. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/29 "2004-06-01T11:15:53Z")
> [@Go You Big Red Fire Engine](#): > > Personally I think eyebrow rings are for people who want to look cool, but aren’t. > … > I just turned 18. Which is the legal piercing age here. Personally, I think 18 year olds who are considering _clitoris_ piercings should be the _last_ people to judge others on their choice of piercing location. Maybe _you_ are the one who wants to look cool, but isn’t… 😉 FTR, I peaked at 7 piercings, now down to two, one in each ear (the upper cartilidge). ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/30 "2004-06-01T11:21:08Z")
a clitoris HOOD peircing. Involves piercing a lot less skin than an ear lobe or eyebrow and definetely less than a bellybuttons, apparently hurts a lot less and heals a lot quicker. What’s wrong with that? It’s just another piece of skin. And I don’t think anything could make the clitoris look cool. 😉 One in each of the upper cartlidge? A swinger are we 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/31 "2004-06-01T11:47:16Z")
> [@Go You Big Red Fire Engine](#): > > a clitoris HOOD peircing. > Involves piercing a lot less skin than an ear lobe or eyebrow and definetely less than a bellybuttons, apparently hurts a lot less and heals a lot quicker. Well **I** knew, of course, that we were talking about the hood. I’ve seen at least a dozen of them. When I lived in Chi-town, almost every time one of my friendly acquaintances got one, she showed it to me (after I practically demanded such). Although in the linked thread I wasn’t sure if you did or not 😉 > [@](#): > > What’s wrong with that? It’s just another piece of skin. Nothing! There is nothing wrong with it. > [@](#): > > And I don’t think anything could make the clitoris look cool. 😉 Whafuh? The clitoris _automatically_ looks cool. > [@](#): > > One in each of the upper cartlidge? A swinger are we 😉 I don’t consider myself a swinger because my wife and I only invite girls into our bedroom… What? You think we’re freaks or something!!! :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/32 "2004-06-01T11:50:15Z")
If by looking cool you mean by looking like a piece of chewed up gum, then sure 😉 Freaks? No. We all do a bit of that 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/33 "2004-06-01T12:33:48Z")
Cool. Some girls like it when you chew on that thang like gum. Anyway, if you get it pierced, be sure to show me 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SkyClad72724](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@SkyClad72724](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyClad72724)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/34 "2004-06-01T18:01:37Z")
> [@flamingbananas](#): > > if I can get it done at 18 without my parents consent, I will get it done, then take it out while I return home, if my mom still doesn’t like it. 4 years later, I will show it to her, saying I just got it done. Nope. Sorry. It doesn’t work like that. Tust me, momma always knows what’s going on, and if she doesn’t she has her ways of finding out. Don’t be so sure. I was once silly enough to think that my mom didn’t realize when I was doing something stupid (granted it was a slightly different situation), but when she found out… Holy crap, was there hell to pay! (And my mom is pretty easy going too!) It’s not worth the hassel. Feel lucky with her leniency. > [@Go You Big Red Fire Engine](#): > > And I don’t think anything could make the clitoris look cool. 😉 Dude! If you’re to the point where someone is looking at it, I don’t think they’re going to care how “cool” it looks. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/35 "2004-06-01T19:37:46Z")
“I want to look different…just like everybody else.” ---
**Author:** ![flamingbananas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f4b2a3/32.png) [@flamingbananas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flamingbananas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/36 "2004-06-01T20:32:16Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Also, even your friends can have lousy taste. _looks at friend with pink mohawk_ Maybe you are right… Well now that you guys have ruined THOSE piercings, will you guys agree I can get my belly button and a third one in my ear done? Oh, and it’s not for the envy of everyone at school. I really do want it, I think it looks really cool. Other girls being jelous is just an added plus 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/37 "2004-06-01T21:04:04Z")
Your mom is way more lenient than most. FYI, everyone I’ve ever known with a belly button ring took it out after a few weeks because they kept bumping it into things. ---
**Author:** ![flamingbananas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f4b2a3/32.png) [@flamingbananas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flamingbananas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/38 "2004-06-01T22:12:42Z")
Actully, these are the only piercings I’m allowed to get. At all. So she isn’t THAT lenient then most mothers. _shrugs_ Anyway, I’ll keep you updated about it. Only a day away till I get it done!!! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/39 "2004-06-01T22:58:53Z")
> [@GopherGod72](#): > > Who are you people saying that piercings are permanent?? The only thing you’d notice taken out after a month would be a stretched out 000 earlobe plug. Sorry to burst your bubble, but piercings ARE permanent. Gather 'round, children, and granny will tell you a story… Awright, I’m only 33, but when I was a mere slip of a girl, I punched eleven holes in my earlobes. It’s not that the quantity of piercings is so great, but that I can speak from the experience of having had them for longer than I _haven’t_ had them. I haven’t worn any earrings in any but the two “main” holes for over a decade, but they are definitely still there. They are somwhat visible. But more importantly, they can still get infected. I’ve had at least two nasty infections in my abandoned piercings. And earlobes are probably less infection-prone than other places. I don’t regret getting the piercings. Frankly, the occasional infection is a small price to pay for the amount of pleasure I got out of them at the time. But I think anyone considering a piercing should go into it with their eyes wide open. They should know that it is a permanent body modification. I suppose some piercings do heal over and “disappear,” but I sure wouldn’t count on it. p.s. **flamingbananas** : Hate to break it to you, but navel piercings are passe. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839/40 "2004-06-01T23:56:13Z")
I’d say wait until you’re at least 18. Then consider very very hard what you are about to do to your body. I had three holes in each lobe and a cartilage pierce in one ear as well (age 13). Which was great, until I went to that Ministry concert five years later and three of them got ripped out of my ear in the mosh pit, including the one in the cartilage. No, not actually _ripped all the way out_ but there was definitely blood and tearing and no longer earrings in my ear. Sucked. But what sucked worse was that afterward I got an infection in my ear cartilage that was so bad I was on antibiotics for three months, and the doctor told me that if it hadn’t finally cleared up, they would have had to remove it. Yes, remove my upper ear!!! And, no, I wasn’t planning on getting an infection either. To this day, my ear is slightly deformed at the top. Not so bad that you’d notice, but if you compare that ear with my “regular” ear, it is very obvious. I got my tongue pierced when I was about 20 or so. I loved loved loved it until a series of bad throat infections four years later forced me to take it out. I just couldn’t stand it hurting all the time anymore, but that was really a special case, because I was really sick. I may re-pierce it again, but right now I’m saving for my first-ever tattoo. I’m 30, BTW. I have always loved tattoos, but never found anything I actually wanted permanently inked onto my flesh. But recently, I have, so I will be inked for the first time ever this summer. This next part is my personal opinion: Facial piercings suck!!! It’s just begging for attention while being utterly repellant all at once. It makes you look like you’re trying SO hard to be cool. It makes you look like a cow if you have the ring in your nose. It makes you hard to look at. Also, IF you scar, congratulations, you now have a scar on your FACE. Good one there, Einstein. At least my tongue piercing scar is inside my face, not outside. So there’s your two cents. Now go out and be an individual, just like everybody else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-talking-to-my-mom-about-piercings/247839.md?page=3)