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Original poster

What statement does a nose piercing make?

347 replies

HermioneGranger999 · 28/01/2022 13:07

At 26, after wanting it for years and never having the guts, I have just had my nose pierced with a very small, thin silver hoop. I really love it!

But asked DH for his honest opinion and he says he isn't keen. It just got me thinking what kind of statement a nose piercing makes? As in what assumptions would you make about someone with a nose piercing/what kind of look it goes with?

You can be honest, it won't upset me!

OP posts:
TheOriginalEmu · 29/01/2022 05:28

@Exhausteddog

That's why I took mine out during a particularly cold-infected winter in my 20s, but I had it redone a few years later, and it hasn't been an issue since -- perhaps I get far fewer colds now...?

I had mine done when I was 18. My mum hated it. I took it out when I had a cold and it healed up. Had it done again...and did the same thing. Now 20 years later I'm quite keen to have done again.
I work in a creative industry and I doubt anyone would notice or think twice about it. I asked my 15 year old what she thought and she said "'I'd prefer you got your nose pierced than had a side fringe" Confused I have been contemplating both but it's certainly not an either/or thing!Grin

A side fringe GrinGrin

I love teenagers.

TheOriginalEmu · 29/01/2022 05:33

@MistressoftheDarkSide

As the widow, since Tuesday, of a body piercer of 30 years standing, I think I'm qualified to say that nose piercings, or any other piercings or tattoos are a form of self expression that are nobody's business but their own.

Rock them if you want them / have them. [Flowers]

In this bland, corporate divided and petty world, as my DH would say, be proud to "wave your freak flag" ......

I’m so sorry for your loss @MistressoftheDarkSide ♥️ I have ‘let your freak flag fly’ as one of my tattoos (that stop me working apparently) and I’m proud to share that motto with your husband ♥️
RampantIvy · 29/01/2022 09:08

All these people saying it makes no statement are doing the cool act and swerving

I'm the least cool person around Grin
Nose piercings are so ubiquitous that I genuinely don't think anything other than the wearer likes to have their nose pierced. I don't find them attractive, but that's neither here nor there.

IncompleteSenten · 29/01/2022 10:05

It's a piercing through your nose not a massive facial tattoo.

They are so common now that they truly don't make A Statement.

25 years ago my sister had piercings all up one ear, a nose ring and a chain running from her lowest earring to her nose ring.

Now THAT was a statement!

A stud in your nose? These days? Please. It's nothing bold.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 29/01/2022 10:13

@Catflapkitkat

Under 30 - naff Over 30 - too try hard Over 40 - sad
😂😂😂😂
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 29/01/2022 10:14

@goingtotown

Tacky.
Such a silly word. Means absolutely nothing.
mewkins · 29/01/2022 10:24

@Yellownotblue

If you are Indian, it says you are traditional.

If you are not, it says you like piercings.

I was a partner in a law firm for a decade, and a lawyer for another decade before that, and I never saw anyone with a nose piercing. It’s not really done in conservative professional circles.

I think you have a point actually. I think the statement it makes is 'I'm not conservative' (or perhaps 'I'm not Conservative'). In which case I'd hope to see a rise in the number of nose piercings Grin
northumberlandavenue · 29/01/2022 10:56

I'm not sure it makes a statement at all. Ones further down especially around the genital area I think do, not that everyone sees them.

Oblomov22 · 29/01/2022 11:03

I disagree, I do think it makes a statement. Some professional firms don't allow any facial piercings or tattoos, which I think is fine.

Shuffletime · 29/01/2022 11:09

Love how all the closet racists come out on these threads and genuinely believe that calling a cultural piercing 'tacky', 'no qualifications', 'disgusting' yada yada yada is perfectly acceptable.

Stookeen · 29/01/2022 11:11

@sst1234

All these people saying it makes no statement are doing the cool act and swerving OP’s question or pretending not to understand OP asked. It does make a statement, whether we like it or not, everything about you appearance leaves you open to perceptions or biases. It’s how humans a wired, they don’t work on a machine learning algorithm. It will cause people to draw all the assumptions described upthread.
What people are pointing out is that the assumptions in many cases are themselves based on incorrect assumptions, like the idea that anyone with a nose stud or small ring is doing anything remotely unusual, or believes themselves to be.

Unless you live under a rock, or in the kind of Keeping Up Apperances timewarp cul de sac where Susan at number twenty painting her front door purple is seen as a sign she’s in league with Satan, it’s been decades since it’s been any kind of ‘statement’. I’m a academic, and my nose stud is far from the only one at senior faculty meetings.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 29/01/2022 11:18

@Oblomov22

I disagree, I do think it makes a statement. Some professional firms don't allow any facial piercings or tattoos, which I think is fine.
To be fair I think if you want piercings/tattoos you probably don't want to work somewhere like that anyway.
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 29/01/2022 11:33

@Oblomov22

I disagree, I do think it makes a statement. Some professional firms don't allow any facial piercings or tattoos, which I think is fine.
It isn't fine at all. Its extremely backward thinking
AlexaShutUp · 29/01/2022 11:43

I can't say that I was thrilled when my dd decided to get her nose pierced, but if any potential future employer chose not to hire her on the basis of that alone, frankly it would be their loss, not hers. She has so much to offer, and I really cannot see why a tiny piece of decorative metal in her nose would have the slightest impact on this.

Nose piercing isn't to everyone's taste. I can't say I particularly like how it looks myself. But to make judgements about people's character or likely value in the workplace on the basis of a tiny piece of jewellery is ridiculous. Who would want to work for that kind of organisation in any case?

Many people wear nose piercings for cultural reasons? Does anyone really think it's OK for organisations to discriminate against them on this basis?

Chely · 29/01/2022 11:46

It tells me you're a fan of them.
I am not but I like large tattoos.

speakout · 29/01/2022 11:48

I would assume you were trying to appear mote interesting than you really are.
In my experience the people with the most interesting minds are conservative in their appearance.

I also can't unthink the idea that the inside must collect a lot of crusty snot.

daisyjgrey · 29/01/2022 11:54

@Oblomov22

I disagree, I do think it makes a statement. Some professional firms don't allow any facial piercings or tattoos, which I think is fine.

Of course you do.

UserBotTrending · 29/01/2022 11:54

It's naive to think that clients will be ok with their barrister or solicitor having a nose ring.

If some firms have a dress code that excludes nose rings, they're allowed to have that standard.

We're not allowed to wear leggings where I work. I said 'no argument there'

Fatarseflanagan09 · 29/01/2022 11:56

I don't suppose many people would judge, unless your nose is like a big potato, then they would just laugh.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 29/01/2022 11:57

@UserBotTrending

It's naive to think that clients will be ok with their barrister or solicitor having a nose ring.

If some firms have a dress code that excludes nose rings, they're allowed to have that standard.

We're not allowed to wear leggings where I work. I said 'no argument there'

I'd be fine with it. Doesn't affect their ability to do the job, they've obviously been to university and got their degree so they're capable.
ineedsun · 29/01/2022 11:59

@UserBotTrending

It's naive to think that clients will be ok with their barrister or solicitor having a nose ring.

If some firms have a dress code that excludes nose rings, they're allowed to have that standard.

We're not allowed to wear leggings where I work. I said 'no argument there'

Did you mean ‘some clients’? Because I think that would be more accurate
statetrooperstacey · 29/01/2022 12:01

Depends on the age really, to me it’s like the Joe Browns clothes of piercing . Like, I want to be edgy but lack the balls so I’ve gone for this half assed affair.
Or possibly if your young then it’s also this is my first trial baby piercing .

NorthernChinchilla · 29/01/2022 12:04

I've had mine for over 25 years. My boss didn't notice it for 6! years, until one day I'd got a ring not a stud in, and he queried when I'd got it done.

I work in policing. He's a very senior detective. You'd think he'd have been more observant Grin

Most of my team have piercings and/or tattoos, it's pretty normalised.

Momicrone · 29/01/2022 12:05

They give me the ick

driftcompatible · 29/01/2022 12:24

@BusterGonad

I think it does make a statement tbh, maybe I'm just old fashioned in my views or honest, but I don't think it's really something you'd have in certain professions.
Ha ha

I have visible tattoos, and piercings. I'm a doctor working in the field of academia supervising 8 PHD students, four academic books published ... blah blah.

If it makes a 'statement' it's made in the minds of the ignorant.