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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Boys and men with ear rings??

116 replies

CharlotteWebb · 07/10/2018 13:15

About 40 years ago when my brother was a teen he had is left ear pierced as it was 'fashionable' at the time. However, this phase shortly passed and by the time he was 20 the ear ring had gone forever.

I see younger and younger boys (from age 8 or 9 upwards) who wear an ear ring in the left ear.

AIBU to ask if this is still to do with fashion or am I missing a much deeper reason such as cultural?

My BIL still wears an ear ring (he's in his late 50's) and in his case it is definitely NOT cultural - he just thinks it looks cool!!!

I think he looks ridiculous AIBU? I try not to laugh when I see him, but that's more because he has huge ears and the ear ring draws attention to this!

OP posts:
IndigoSpritz · 07/10/2018 13:20

YANBU. I can't stand any jewellery on men. All I have is a watch - I don't think that counts (it does tell me the time, however).

ProfessorMoody · 07/10/2018 13:22

I feel a bit sorry for you. Why are you so bothered about what other people do with their bodies? Why does a man wearing an earring make you want to laugh? That's really bizarre and perhaps you need to look a bit deeper as to why you behave like this.

FWIW, my 10 YO DS has both ears pierced, because he wanted them. He has long, blue hair and they fit with his "image". I really don't think he cares what people think because they're his ears, however he's never had anyone comment on them.

If a grown woman was laughing at him, I'd find that very strange and very sad.

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 07/10/2018 13:25

YABU for laughing at anyone who does something differently to you.

I have two boys and neither has their ear pierced. Neither has asked for it, but if they did I think I'd let them get on with it. It's of no consequence to anyone but them.

Original poster
CharlotteWebb · 07/10/2018 13:26

Professor don't feel sorry for me - I am not bothered in the slightest just interested on whether there is any depth or reasoning behind the decision to have ones ears pierced.

I am not strange or sad, but thank you for sharing your opinion

OP posts:
Original poster
CharlotteWebb · 07/10/2018 13:27

But I'm not laughing because anyone has done something different? Maybe you missed the last sentence

OP posts:
MeanTangerine · 07/10/2018 13:29

I wanted to be able to wear earrings, that's why I got my ears pierced.

Not sure why the reasons might be different for men.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 07/10/2018 13:29

And yet you have another thread moaning about your husbands comments towards your choice of attire. Pot kettle?

Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 07/10/2018 13:31

Just accept that the world is full of different types of people who like different things. Some people have their hair bright colours, have tattoos and facial piercings. That is just what they like and it doesn't matter.

JacquesHammer · 07/10/2018 13:31

I am not bothered in the slightest just interested on whether there is any depth or reasoning behind the decision to have ones ears pierced

I presume because they want to get a piercing.

Much like when I had my ears done.

WhoLetTheCatsOut · 07/10/2018 13:32

Meh, if men want to wear earrings then let them. It's just a fashion thing, each to their own.

What I don't like is babies having their ears pierced (but let's not get into that debate now as it's been done to death on mumsnet) and even less so I saw a little boy about 10 months old with his ear pierced. Absolutely grim.

OhDearGodLookAtThisMess · 07/10/2018 13:33

No.

Just no!

Original poster
CharlotteWebb · 07/10/2018 13:33

Oh dear - I had forgotten how up tight some people are yawn yawn

There is no relevance with my threads-maybe you are seeing something that is not there?

This thread is no about acceptance it is about why.

OP posts:
Original poster
CharlotteWebb · 07/10/2018 13:34

Yes I agree babies with ear rings is grim

OP posts:
NotUmbongoUnchained · 07/10/2018 13:34

Do you wear legging because you like them.

Maybe, just maybe, your BiL wears piercings because.... likes them??? 😱

JacquesHammer · 07/10/2018 13:36

This thread is no about acceptance it is about why

Why does anyone want a piercing Confused

EdWinchester · 07/10/2018 13:38

I can't help but think it looks a bit tragic.

(And on young boys it looks a bit rough.)

HouseOfGoldandBones · 07/10/2018 13:39

OP, I say this with the utmost respect, your comments would suggest that you are not a nice person.

I think he looks ridiculous AIBU? I try not to laugh when I see him How would you feel, if you heard someone say something like that about you?

WonderTweek · 07/10/2018 13:40

If they want their ears pierced, they’re free to have their ears pierced. 😃It was massive when I was a kid in the late 90s/early 00s and I still see lots of boys and men with pierced ears. Guess it’s the same as with women. Some do it, some don’t.

Outfoxed · 07/10/2018 13:40

My husband got his ears pierced (and other piercings) as a teenager to suit the “hip hop” image he adopted. These days it still suits his much more culturally appropriate Viking appearance. So that’s his “why”. He tends to wear a lot of jewellery which pays homage to his culture, but the initial piercings were for something far more “fashion”y...

ProfessorMoody · 07/10/2018 13:41

I am not bothered in the slightest

Yet you create a thread about it on Mumsnet and find it hard not to laugh when you see your BIL?

on young boys it looks a bit rough

That just goes to show that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover then, doesn't it? My DS isn't rough in the slightest 😂

ShouldofWouldofCouldof · 07/10/2018 13:42

Because they want to? Same question could be asked of why do you dye your hair/wear make up/wear certain colours / have eye brows done etc the list could go on forever.

Why does anyone do anything? Because they have freedom of choice and they can.
When you face something that you don't like ask yourself does it directly affect me? Is it going to harm me? Or does it cause great distress/alarm/panic ? If the answer is no then move on.

Original poster
CharlotteWebb · 07/10/2018 13:43

Well I think a lot of people (children) get their ears pierced because they think it looks nice and maybe because all their friends have their ears pierced (especially girls).

But it is more unusual for a boy to have their ear (s) pierced and I don't think the reasons are the same as for a girl. Therefore I was wondering if it comes more from the parent as a cultural reason?

I think it's a different point with older men like my BIL for example - yes he must just like it which of course is fine (for him). - it's a personal choice. I'm just saying I don't think it looks good (which is just my opinion)

OP posts:
ProfessorMoody · 07/10/2018 13:44

I'm just saying I don't think it looks good

Good job no one's appearance is to please you then.

Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 07/10/2018 13:44

I think it looks quite cool on boys actually. I love them plugs that stretch the ear holes.

Original poster
CharlotteWebb · 07/10/2018 13:44

Professor where did I say 'on boys it looks a bit rough'???.

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