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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

those stretched ear lobes actually make me feel physically sick!

143 replies

M48294Y · 30/12/2015 16:07

I just find them repulsive to look at! seriously. Considering not going back to my opticians because their receptionist has them and I just find them a bit haunting iykwim.

They are even worse than those rings through the nose, which also just make me want to go ewwwwww!

OP posts:
Original poster
M48294Y · 30/12/2015 19:11

Sorry to bore on SistersOfPercy, but I think I'm the only person to have mentioned feeling physically sick - and as I said, that IS an extremely unusual reaction for me because of my particular phobia.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say I have a visceral reaction of wanting to get away, a bit like the average person looking at an image of a horrible wound, or head lice under a magnifying glass, or maggots, or something like that.

OP posts:
Original poster
M48294Y · 30/12/2015 19:12

Maybe, CherryPits, although I'm not a narrow-minded person. Not at all.

OP posts:
VagueIdeas · 30/12/2015 19:12

I can't imagine being so distracted or disgusted by a piercing or a tattoo I couldn't have a simple interaction with a person.

I might have an issue with a swastika on a forehead, but other than that, anything goes.

Some posters on this thread do sound unusually delicate.

FlowersAndShit · 30/12/2015 19:13

The types of people who do these sort of disgusting things to their ears are desperate attention seekers. It's a bit like having your lip/tongue pierced when you're going through a rebellious too cool for school phase when you're 14.

CherryPits · 30/12/2015 19:13

What if the person with huge ear hoops was African, and it was a tribal tradition?

Would that make you sick and need to run away?

TaliZorah · 30/12/2015 19:19

I used to have a small one when I was 14. It didn't smell, and has fully shrunk back.

I don't like them when they're over 2cm but otherwise I like them

MrsJayy · 30/12/2015 19:24

My dd had 1 not very big and her ear didnt smell and because it was small it shrunk back however it gave me the heeby geebies she took the stretcher out and my stomach turned I feel thesame about belly button rings my sistergot it done secretly at 15 and came to me when it got infected

eurochick · 30/12/2015 19:25

They also make me feel a bit queasy. Bleugh.

MrsJayy · 30/12/2015 19:31

My friends dd has dermal things in her arm again the queasy comes over im obviously a delicate flower Grin it just looks so medical

BishopBrennansArse · 30/12/2015 19:32

I myself have tattoos and non standard hair colour. I don't judge anyone based on appearance. That'd be hypocritical.

But ear stretchers do make me feel physically ill.

I don't judge people for having them but I can't prevent that gut reaction.

FixItUpChappie · 30/12/2015 19:32

I think the small ones look nice on some people.....don't know about smell though Confused

I had my nosed pierced in my late high school years and really loved it. I would probably, at 40, still were a little stud but am not able to in my professional workplace.

it's a shame people have such over-the-top reactions - regardless of whether they feel they can control it or not. I think that is a reasonable question from Cherry.

BishopBrennansArse · 30/12/2015 19:34

Cherry as for your point in my case yes. Anything to do with ears or nails - finger or toe. I can't help it.

Original poster
M48294Y · 30/12/2015 19:34

It may be a shame, but there you go.

OP posts:
Original poster
M48294Y · 30/12/2015 19:37

Probably hypocritical of me, but to my mind there is an enormous difference between a nose piercing and great big holes (imagine the diameter of a tea light) in someone's ears.

OP posts:
RufusTheReindeer · 30/12/2015 19:39

Sorry

Hole was a very unfortunate spelling mistake Blush

JacquesHammer · 30/12/2015 19:40

having your lip/tongue pierced when you're going through a rebellious too cool for school phase when you're 14

Oo dear.....I had my tongue done in my rebellioous too cool for school phase when I was 33 Grin

RufusTheReindeer · 30/12/2015 19:42

I dont care where you are from i dont like stretched ear lobes

Wouldnt dream of telling you so though as its none of my business

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 30/12/2015 19:42

Why is it narrow minded to not like an entirely voluntary bit of body modification?

I have piercings but I don't like stretched lobes. I like tattoos but I don't have one (yet).

I bet a lot of the more alternative and 'out there' type folk have no qualms about judging people that don't fit in with what they like. In fact, in my experience, they're worse for making scathing assumptions!

DontOpenDeadInside · 30/12/2015 19:42

Theres a guy at our local McDonalds who had stretched ear lobes. Whilst they weren't too bad whilst he has the thingys in, I think he's decided to "grow them out" so its just a massive droopy hole and if I'm honest it does put me off my food for 2 seconds

JellyBaby26 · 30/12/2015 19:45

DH and I both had stretched lobes...

Not anymore and I think they are nasty now. They smell like cheese and it's very annoying when trying to wear small earrings as they just fall through...

Doublebubblebubble · 30/12/2015 19:46

Ya -most definitely- nbu!! Peoples ears get bigger as they age so I always some droopy dog type scenario for them can they be sewn up?

AutumnLeavesArePretty · 30/12/2015 19:49

They are truly awful, I can't look at them.

I hate tattoos with a passion but the ear things are far worse.

DawnOfTheDoggers · 30/12/2015 19:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EponasWildDaughter · 30/12/2015 19:55

I don't find them attractive, but they don't repulse me. Didn't know about the smell.

It's hard to look away from them and for some reason I find i'm always unable to stop myself imagining threading rope through them Confused

Alconleigh · 30/12/2015 19:56

I had no idea they could smell. I don't particularly mind the look of them. I find the stuff injected under the skin to form bumps more disturbing; not sure what the proper name is. The person who did my VCH piercing had that, which was fascinating but then I had other things on my mind at the time Grin