What questions are asked when your ears were pierced?

[Sarah Doepner]

I recently got my ears pierced and it's been interesting to hear the different types of questions that are asked. It's also been interesting to see who has been silent about it.

I'd been telling my wife I was going to get it done. So when it finally happened she said "You finally got your ears pierced." and left it at that.

My young adult children asked if I was going to get my ears guaged. For those that don't know, that's getting the holes enlarged enough to wear button sized jewelry in the hole.

My old friends decided the piercing stud was too subtle and said I needed something metallic or asked if I was going to get big NBA diamonds.

The grandkids were excited that I had earrings and have ignored it since then.

Finally my wife's parents and most of my other casual friends have just been silent about it. Either they don't notice it, don't care about it or realize it's not their place to comment. And all that works for me.

[DonnaT]

I've really only had two people raise a question:

from a work mate, "Why?" (Because I wanted to!)

and from one of my old school friends, "What's this?" answer, "Pretty ain't they?"

No more was said in either instance.

[Diane Smith]

"Where do you want them?" and "How many?" :)

- Diane

[AllieSF]

Daughter first asked it they were the magnetic type, because I wore them once to fool my son when he picked me up at the airport. Then she asked why both ears. I told her that I couldn't figure out which side was the stereotypical side for gays, so I just got both done. For everyone else when they asked, I just said I missed my mid-life crisis and I am now trying to catch up on all that I missed!

[Starr]

Thanks for the thread.. this is something i am looking at having done and not sure about right now, my hair is long enought that it covers my ears so in most cases no one will see... but wasn't sure what comments i would get.... family is already on me about my hair being so long.. and adding ear rings might not be the right thing right now..but i do so want them..

[tamarav]

My experience when getting them pierced at a mall location was the same as Diane's, "Where and how many". Since my first pair I have had them done a the salons I work in and now have 5 in the right and four in the left. Everyone knew I was a little un-balanced anyway...

As far as comments from people seeing them, they just shake their heads

[Aimee20]

I guess this was easier for me being a bit younger of a gal. I got mine done about 4 years ago at a piercing studio and had them use a gauged needle. About two years after that I took a management position that required me to take them out. Fast forward another two years and while on the phone with my girlfriend a couple weeks ago I was getting ready and decided to see if the holes were still open. Can't tell you how excited I was when they slipped right in, plus the hole has shrunk down to a normal 18 gauge down from the 10 it was before.

For anyone looking to do them now I do have a few tips.
1. Never get them done at a place like claire's or Icing that uses a gun. The trauma from the piercing raises your risk for infection and also makes it take longer to heal. I had this equated to me as about the same as trying to punch a nice even hole in a piece of paper with a spoon going 100 mph... it just doesn't work.
2. After you get them done, see if the studio has a product called H2Ocean. It is a sea salt solution that is amazing at preventing infection and helping you rapidly heal from the piercing.
3. Don't cheap out on your earrings. The temptation is there to buy the pack of 20 from walmart/claire's/icing but for your own sake, resist. Make sure anything you buy is surgical stainless steel/silver/sterling silver/gold. The cheaper earrings a lot of time are nickel or aluminum and cause a lot of irritation.

[Michelle 51]

Most comments were positive when i had mine done.Only my family and several friends said somethibg and most of it was good and everyone else just plain and simple don't care.It's getting so common.I guess the question most asked is why both ears and i said get 2 is the in thing now.My advice to anyone wanting to do so is go for it.I love being able to wear the real thing and probaly have 2 dozen sets now

[AKAMichelle]

I just remembered reading this post that I had forgotten to put my earrings back in after Saturday night. It gets hard for me to put earrings if I don't wear the posts everyday.

Now my family did complain and ask why but nobody else. They just ignored the whole thing

[tvcdalex]

somebody asked me "why both ears pierced like a woman?". I reply "both are same price like one?". Now i wear earrings only in private, one work friends notice my holes "do you have both ears pierced for crossdressed in the night? i joked". I reply "my ex girlfriend like it".

[ronny0]

I had both pierced 6 mo ago, and agree, have it done by someone that is good. I did them at the mall, they used a gun, had a problem with one ear and had to do it over. That one ear was swollen for the next few weeks, and infected on and off for more than three months. Everything has been OK now for maybe two months. My wife gave me two sets of earrings for my next birthday so she is OK with it. Friends are still just noticing and the only question has been How long ago did you have that done.

[sandra-leigh]

One co-worker was surprised, but only because he knows I don't like needles. After I'd had them in for several months and worn a variety of earrings at work, my boss gave a definite double-take upon seeing a fairly-large treble-clef shaped earring that went most of the way up my ear -- but he didn't say anything. One woman at work did remark on them, but not until I'd deliberately given her clues that I was TG. My mother said, "You got your ears pierced"; I said "Yes", and that was that.

Strangers... the only thing I can remember from strangers is the occasional remark that they like the earrings I'm wearing.

I've been visiting the in-laws recently, and I have been wearing definite dangling black pearl earrings; as far as I know none of them have commented (and if they commented in their native language, my wife didn't bother to mention it to me.)

By now when I walk into a place that sells earrings, even if for some reason I don't have any in that day, and even if I've never been there before, the store will assume that I'm buying them for myself. None of them ask me why I would want earrings and none of them try to direct me to "male" earrings. If I happen to focus on some $3000 jeweled women's earrings, the question I get isn't about what kind of earrings "she" (wife / GF) would like: the question I get is "Would you like to try those on?"

[Claire Cook]

Thanks for all of the advice. I'm thinking of having mine done to celebrate retirement (at the end of the month). Tired of having my ears pinched by clip-ons and having them drop off.

[PretzelGirl]

I don't recall any comments from strangers. I had two comments at work and I was like Allie in that I said it was a mid-life crisis thing. It was after I had my hair grown out some, so it fit. There was joking later about me being the hippie of the team, but that was more of an overall look comment thing. That was it. No other comments from anyone. Every family member I saw out of state commented on the hair and left the earrings alone.

[alice clair]

I have had three ear ring holes for many years and never had a comment. I have two on the left and one on the right. I have about 15 sets and my wife gives me a pair every so often.

Michelle

[herwannabe]

I pierced mine about a month ago, im 56 and the only person to say and or notice was sis-in-law Oh you pierced your ear! is that a marijuana leaf? it was a gold dove stud type, the only small one I had. since I have pierced both and no one has said a word I used to work for an auction co and bought a lot of costume jewelery but last yr I had a moment of weakness and gave most of my really nice earrings to the nieces for xmas. "somebody slap me" I want them back:sad:

[CharleneCD]

The only comments I have ever received have been compliments, or the question "Where did you get those?"

[Stephanie Michelle]

I had my left pierced bout 3 years ago at 50. Wife at the time wasn't thrilled. Didn't wear an earring much after it healed. Since my divorce I stated dating and most of the women I have gone out with like me to wear an earring. Thinking about the right ear now.

[renee k]

I guess this was easier for me being a bit younger of a gal. I got mine done about 4 years ago at a piercing studio and had them use a gauged needle. About two years after that I took a management position that required me to take them out. Fast forward another two years and while on the phone with my girlfriend a couple weeks ago I was getting ready and decided to see if the holes were still open. Can't tell you how excited I was when they slipped right in, plus the hole has shrunk down to a normal 18 gauge down from the 10 it was before.

For anyone looking to do them now I do have a few tips.
1. Never get them done at a place like claire's or Icing that uses a gun. The trauma from the piercing raises your risk for infection and also makes it take longer to heal. I had this equated to me as about the same as trying to punch a nice even hole in a piece of paper with a spoon going 100 mph... it just doesn't work.
2. After you get them done, see if the studio has a product called H2Ocean. It is a sea salt solution that is amazing at preventing infection and helping you rapidly heal from the piercing.
3. Don't cheap out on your earrings. The temptation is there to buy the pack of 20 from walmart/claire's/icing but for your own sake, resist. Make sure anything you buy is surgical stainless steel/silver/sterling silver/gold. The cheaper earrings a lot of time are nickel or aluminum and cause a lot of irritation.

Thanks for the tips Aimee, pierced ears are on my bucket list.

Renee

[Geneva Lake]

Wow ... I'd think no one even looks twice and piercings anymore. There are pro athletes with both ears pierced. I got mine pierced in ... 1986.

[Frédérique]

I recently got my ears pierced and it's been interesting to hear the different types of questions that are asked. It's also been interesting to see who has been silent about it.
Either they don't notice it, don't care about it or realize it's not their place to comment. And all that works for me.

I’ll be doing this soon, so I’ll no doubt be amused at the reactions or lack thereof. I would never wear earrings in front of my other sister, who I see only on Thanksgiving, but I’m sure she would notice the holes. This would at least hint at an alternative-ness that she already suspects, but I find the whole thing to be humorous and somewhat defining. It’s fun to let people know who they’re dealing with, especially if they are prejudicial – I enjoy eliciting reactions and keeping people off-balance, even if it’s only for a moment. When this bigoted sister of mine sees the physical evidence of anti-familial rebellion (ha-ha), I’m sure she’ll make the assumption that I’m gay, even though she previously assumed I wasn’t. Confusion is a good thing, in this case...
:heehee:

[suchacutie]

I was 50 when I got my first piercing. I only got flak from those older than I. Heck, my father was completely not pleased (and very vocal about it) so he never gets to see my earrings. Some older friends were also not pleasant about it. I must admit that I got a bit annoyed at what I considered remarkable rudeness. I was 50 years old for heaven's sake! You'd think that my life decisions might not be met with complete derision! Everyone under the age of 50 either didn't mention it, or simply asked how long I've had earrings.

I hadn't thought about this in a while and I can feel my annoyance at those initial reactions growing as I type this. I guess that's why I'm a control freak :).

tina

[Kathryn Martin]

When I got my left ear pierced in March of 1983. At the time the woman who shot my ear thought it was so cool that a 26 year old guy got his ear pierced. This spring I got my right pierced as well and I now wear two earrings all of the time. The dude who pierced my ears didn't say a peep. I usually wear two diamond studs. But this week past I wore dangly ones all week and it was wonderful. But then again we were in P-town at Fantasia Fair. When I got my second ear pierced and showed up in a pink dress shirt one of my partners said: "Are you going gay on us?" I just smiled at him. He then looked at Elizabeth and got quite confused for a moment, then awkward, then silent. Hmmmmm..... Fun!

[RachelOKC]

Just do it, I don't think many people really care any more. What really matters is if you care what other people think...and why do you care? Besides...clip-ons just plain suck!

I've got three on my left (including one in the cartilage) and one on the right. I just wear mixed and match all the time, rarely everything at once. Boy mode, girl mode whatever.

The cartilage piercing was more painful than the lobes and took longer to heal. I still don't like to sleep in that one cause it can get tender. Used to get a lot of attention for that piercing, but nobody really remarks on it anymore except to say "I didn't know you were pierced up there!"

I've wanted to get a small nostril stud for a long time. Not everyone's cup of tea but I really dig it.

One recommendation, avoid cheap junky earrings since the nickel can make your skin break out. Trust me, inflamed piercings are no fun. Pay a few bucks more and get something non- reactive.

[Barbara Jo]

Only two questions were asked.

One was from a male co-worker/friend who casually asked if the piercing hurt.

The other was from a female co-worker who said she liked it and playfully asked if I also had any more piercings, perhaps in more intimate areas that i would like to admit to.:)

There were absolutly no negitive coments.

[Rachel Morley]

I had my left ear done (by myself) when I was 16 years old for a bet. But it wasn't until I was in my mid 30's that I decided I wanted the second one done for girly reasons. I was very nervous about what people would think if they saw me with a stud in each ear. I did this one myself too one too many drinks one evening. Yes, back then in the 1990's, I was a Neanderthal :D

As far as being a guy having both ears pierced when not being at work is concerned, the only time I ever had a "moment" was when I was in a spa pool at my local health club with one of my buddies and his young son, and his son said to me "how come you have got both your ears pierced?.. I thought only girls do that?". Fortunately for me his Dad piped up with "well, these days it doesn't matter what people do". IMHO for guys to have both ears pierced…. it’s not for everyone …. but it is “normal” these days.

[StarrOfDelite]

I think that the norm nowadays is both ears, or at least it's a large enough percentage that the gay-right/guy-left dichotomy only means anything to someone who grew up in the pre-Civil War era. I've had both mine pierced for several years, and outside of some good-natured teasing at the gym, have never heard anything about it. Btw, my response to the guys at the gym was that I didn't want to hear any Gay, Fag or Homo remarks from guys who spent their afternoons posing and looking at their muscles in mirrors.

[Lisa Renee]

When I had mine done, not one person at work noticed for about a month, then one of he girls in the office noticed and said I shoud put in some small hoops

[Juliana Hart]

I've only ever had one person say one thing in 25 years of haveing pierced ears and that was a couple of years ago at work by one of the ladies that work in my area. I normally don't wear earrings at work because of who I interface with (conservative big shots). She happened to notice that I have a hole in each ear and exclaimed "you have pierced ears!". I said yup, so do you! Then she continued on with whatever conversation we were having. Really no big deal. My favorite pair are my diamonds, only one karat though.

[linnea]

I was in my mid-fifties when I had mine done, and I was working full-time with lots of co-worker interactions. Few said or asked anything. The few who made comments said things like, "Why," "How was it to get them done," and "oh, you got your ears pierced."
That was about it.
I may get another ear piercing sometime; one's fine for now.

[Diane Elizabeth]

Knowing my group of co-workers they usually have nothing good to say about anyone or anything at work.

[Aprilrain]

Lukily for me I was a young adult in the 90s so I got all off the comments from my dad about my 9 piercings out off the way along time ago. Of all those holes only three survived one in each ear and one where the sun don't shine. I only use the ears now.

[Marissa]

"Why do you have both ears peirced?" uhhhh..'because Bruce Jenner has both ears peirced..and everyone knows its part of keeping up with the Kardashisans (sp)' ;)

Okay..yes Bruce got both ears peirced on one of the recent shows.. use that as an excuse :)

The statement/question "oh, you got your ears peirced" is like bait on a hook..waiting to see what secret you will give up.. so I say "yes, I did" and change topic or move on..lol..

Course when I went home to my large family of brothers and one sis.. I used my "its my way of going against the 'MAN' after 28 years of military service".. it was good for a laugh..nothing else said.

Hugs,
Marissa

[ringedjohn]

I have had pierced ears for 50 years. I now wear a gold stud 24/7/365 in my left ear and only wear rings in the other piercings in private.

I now have 3 totally healed piercings in each ear - all unstretched. Comments? - average about 1 a year - mostly neutral. Men with pierced ears are hardly rarities these days although they were 50 years ago.

I also have a pierced nostril and septum but only wear rings in them when at home alone.

[GingerLeigh]

I got my left ear pierced when I was 18 or so. My dad seen it and asked "did you get pantyhose too?" That deflated the high. He didn't know anything about my CDing until I told him early this year.

I still have the hole though, 20 or so years later. My kids ask why I wore an earring, I told them I used to be a pirate and give an emphatic "...AAAAARRRRRRRGH!.."

Of course they believe me.

Ginger

[delpiet]

My experience when getting them pierced at a mall location was the same as Diane's, "Where and how many". Since my first pair I have had them done a the salons I work in and now have 5 in the right and four in the left. Everyone knew I was a little un-balanced anyway...

As far as comments from people seeing them, they just shake their heads
Wow, very beautiful. I only have 2-1 at the moment. Very anxious to get my ears completely filled, but I am to chicken. It took me 35 years to just take the one piercing on my left ear...
Are you going for more? I really like the look with earrings all around... And you are not far away...

[Joanne f]

As far as i can remember the only question i was asked was by a daughter of a friend who just asked " why have you got 2 earrings in" ( that was when i only had 2):D my answer was " because i have 2 holes in my ears" she then asked " why you you got 2 holes in your ears" you've guest it :heehee:, " because i have 2 earrings in :doh:, she gave up then after giving the response "your gay" .

[Kathryn Martin]

…. but it is “normal” these days.

I got my second ear pierced by a dude covered in tattoos, with multiple piercings and a bull ring through his nose. A respected business man in his community pays taxes, employees three people and very likeable. So..........:straightface:

[Paulette]

If your hair is long enough to cover your ears or you have a couple of weeks after getting them pierced before any of the people you do not want to see them go ahead and get it done. I had mine done before a trip lasting two weeks to Florida where anyone seeing me would never see me again. Upon returning I was able to take out the starter ear rings and replace them with small pieces of 50 pound test fishing line. Wear the fishing line during the day and put the starters back in at night. This worked for me and I am totally in the closet not even my SO know about Paulette. BTW Claire's sells clear retainers but they are far from invisible, I tried them for a couple of days until my wife tried to wipe the retainer off my ear thinking it was a bug. I made a quick turn and reached up an pulled it out and nothing more was said. That is why I went to the sporting goods store with a pair of calipers to find fishing line the right size. Once cut and lightly sanded on the ends they work great. I am 63 and work in a very conservative field so stealth is the only mode I can survive in. While I would like to wear ear rings every day a woman always puts her family first.

[Cristi]

For me the question was 'Did you get your ears pierced?' by a co-worker THREE YEARS after I got them done! I'd just assumed that everybody noticed the very next day, since I wear studs of small hoops every single day.

[Karen__Starr]

My hair is more than long enough to hide mine but a female friend of mine asked why I had 10g and not 14g so off to the shop and had most changed to 10g.