Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get my nose pierced?

85 replies

sandybeaches74 · 19/02/2020 22:47

So... bit of a debate...

I'm in a senior role at work in an organisation where there are few women at that level. My mum is 60 tomorrow and she's wanted her nose pierced for ages, I have too! I want to go and do it with her but I know... whether it's right or wrong, that eyebrows will be raised at work. It may even affect my ability to rise further up the ranks.

I am slightly rebellious underneath so I really want to do it but suspect I may regret it if it does impact my career...

So AIBU unreasonable to just do it tomorrow - or would you wait?

OP posts:
PurpleFrames · 19/02/2020 23:03

Just go for it 😊
It looks great- plus you can get clear "retainers" if it would be that much of a big deal

Pinkyyy · 19/02/2020 23:06

YABU. Why do something that you know may cause issues at work? Just have yours done at 60 too, could be a tradition. I think face piercings always look crusty and unhygienic, especially if you wear makeup.

june2007 · 19/02/2020 23:08

I always think can,t be nice if you have a cold.

Ladyratterley · 19/02/2020 23:11

Go for it! I’m nearly 40 and had mine done a few weeks ago after wanting it since I was a teenager. I work in a creative industry so it’s highly unlikely to raise any eyebrows. However, I think generally these days it’s not something that would impact your career like it might have done 20 years ago. I think unless you’re in a rather fusty company and possibly an industry like finance or law then it shouldn’t be a problem.
I plan to have a tiny diamond stud in mine once it’s healed. Because I’m a grown up and I can do what I like Grin

Ladyratterley · 19/02/2020 23:14

I forgot to mention I’m in a senior role too.

Original poster
sandybeaches74 · 19/02/2020 23:25

@Ladyratterley I work in IT consulting for a very traditional Irish company.... it's a tricky one!

OP posts:
Ladyratterley · 19/02/2020 23:31

@sandybeaches74 You’d be surprised how many people don’t seem to have noticed mine. Including my rather conservative FIL.
One of my best mates of nearly 30 years asked me if I’d had it repierced and was surprised when I said I’d never had it done. So maybe you could try claiming it’s always been there if anyone at work mentions it, haha!

GeePipe · 19/02/2020 23:41

Do it. Ive had 3 nose piercings since my teens and barely anyone even registers i have them. Ive even had to point them out in conversation for people to go "oh yeah!". My dm also got hers done on her 50th and it just suits her so much no one notices. And they are not "crusty" or "tacky" or "unhygenic" or make you "unprofessional" as some snobby people would say. You can get clear retainers that you cant see the piercing at all. I wore them back when i was a teaching assistant and no one ever saw them.

MorganKitten · 19/02/2020 23:47

I love mine, go to a tattoo shop for it and have it done with a needle not a gun. And stainless steal screwball. Go back to the shop to have it changed when healed.

Arseit · 19/02/2020 23:48

Do it!

MorganKitten · 19/02/2020 23:49

@Pinkyyy mine has never looked crusty, thanks.

TinselTortoise · 19/02/2020 23:52

I'm 40 soon and have just booked my appointment to have my nose piercing. I've got to the age where I do things that make me happy now. Do your employers have a policy on piercings/tattoos?

Defenbaker · 19/02/2020 23:58

I think nose piercings are something that you either love or hate, and that the people who love them seem to be in the minority.

Your nose, your choice, OP, just be aware that many people inwardly cringe when they see a nose piercing, so it could affect your career progression.

GeePipe · 20/02/2020 00:06

I hugely disagree that many people cringe and that a majority dislike nose piercings. I also find that a really grim and a culturally insensitive white person type remark. For some cultures including mine nose piercings have meaning (not that i subscribe to outdated traditions but its one i find beautiful.)

IronNeonClasp · 20/02/2020 00:11

Your nose, your choice, OP, just be aware that many people inwardly cringe when they see a nose piercing, so it could affect your career progression

Fuck that's a new one on me!!!** I've had mine since I was 18, 46 now and I've never received negative comments. I wear a tiny diamond nothing in (or on) your face..

Got a good job too. I can honestly say that I have never heard that many people inwardly cringe Think I might be missing something! Hmm

Go for it OP Smile

Lovesabadboy · 20/02/2020 00:36

Yep - definitely go for it!
I had mine done 4 years ago at the age of 48.
My only regret is that I didn't have it done 20 years earlier!

As a pp says, you will be surprised how few people actually notice it or have to have it pointed out. I wear a subtle, tiny (fake) diamond stud and at no point has it ever been crusty or unhygenic!!

I am self-employed so no employers to worry about, but my daughter had hers done after me, whilst at Uni, and has since had no problem going through interviews and securing a good job whilst clearly displaying her nose piercing.

Do it!!!

PonteLaCorona · 20/02/2020 00:56

I always think can,t be nice if you have a cold.

Let me think: I'm a thick sticky bogey. Do I want to squeeze myself through a tiny muscular hole which is plugged with jewellery, or do I want to go rolling out of the huge open finger size nostril with the aid of wonderful gravity?

Of course nothing happens when you have a cold. It's hardly the path of least resistance, is it?

(Sorry for the mild sarcasm, but I had to put up with that nonsense all through school.)

AScarecrow · 20/02/2020 00:58

Ooh go for it OP!!

I’m going to get my tragus done next week (if I can pluck up the courage!!)

PawPawNoodle · 20/02/2020 00:58

I've got a bloody great ring in my nose and manage to do my professional and quite serious job without issue. Im even, dare I say, respected by my peers and seniors who see the quality of my work isn't linked to a bit of metal in my face. Get it done. If people cringe inwardly or whatever other nonsense said above then thats their problem.

Bloodless · 20/02/2020 01:07

I had mine done when I was 15 ...wore it til about 26, took it out to me “grown up” .. it’s now back in again this last 4 years, I’m 36.

I do work in a creative industry, but I did teach my area of work in a catholic school for 2 years, no one batted an eyelid

Bloodless · 20/02/2020 01:08

Meant to say ...go for it! But I second getting it don’t with a needle

Bloodless · 20/02/2020 01:08

Done not don’t

PonteLaCorona · 20/02/2020 01:09

If people have been "inwardly cringing" at me since I was a child, those are not the people I wish to associate with anyway.

If I can filter out interactions with such people by using my nose, then that is a bloody great bonus to me.

Floofboopsnootandbork · 20/02/2020 01:20

always think can,t be nice if you have a cold.

Are colds ever nice though? I have to change my hoop back to a stud or it gets really irritated from the blowing my nose but other than that it’s no different than without a piercing.

SpokeTooSoon · 20/02/2020 01:37

Sorry, I find them disgusting to look at.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.