What statement does a nose piercing make?

[HermioneGranger999]

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!

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" ......

@HermioneGranger999 I am 48 and plan to have my nose pierced for my 49th birthday this year!

Did you have it done with the ring immediately? I thought you had to have a stud first- I’d prefer a ring first!

@2bazookas

Oink. Moo.

@2bazookas

"snot warning".

Nose piercings are gross and ugly, on;y fit for pigs and bulls.

The pigs and bulls would disagree. They'd choose not to have them and consider them gross (and painful.)

I've had my nose pierced twice. Once at 24 and then again at 30, nose piercings are fine. I wouldn't hold it against anyone and would be a bit annoyed if anyone did.

I'm 34, I had my nose pierced when I was 24 and my father in law who's been in my life since I was 25 said last year "oh you've had your nose pierced?" So on that basis I'd say a lot of people won't notice? And I wear a nose ring not a tiny stud!

@Esspee

I would assume that you also have tattoos and no qualifications so probably work in a cafe, call centre or car wash.

Why would you think that? I've got a nose piercing and 8 tattoos. I used to be a teacher, now I'm a successful business owner (no, not an MLM, an actual business) and have two degrees and three a grade a levels under my belt.

Try too hard.

The only thing I would assume is that you get bogies stuck in it whenever you have a cold. I have sinus issues and feel like it is just a gross infection risk for me, but I know people in all walks of life who have them for all sorts of reasons, so I wouldn't assume it was a "statement" unless you are a 16yo doing it to piss off your parents.

I’m 38 and had mine done 7 weeks ago. Looking forward to swapping to a hoop once it’s healed. I only had it done because DD17 talked me into us both getting it done.

'try hard' is such an empty reprove.

If a person likes nose piercings they should get a nose piercing and try hard to look as they want to look.

They're mainstream and have been for decades.

'try hard' is such an empty reprove.

I was just thinking the same thing! What does it actually mean?

Op, I don't think it makes any statement beyond the fact that you like it. Unless wearing earrings or bracelets is also making a statement? It's just jewellery.

I concur. What the F does 'too try-hard mean?' Trying hard to do/be what? Such a daft insult.

It says to me and I'm sure (and a few others here saying, 'Person with nose piercing!' with wide-eyed innocence) 'Punk' and 'a bit rough!'

I know this isn't true, but that's my immediate honest reaction to body piercings except for ears.

@CounsellorTroi

The only thing I think about when I see a nose piercing is doesn’t it get infected/sore when you have a cold?

No, once it's healed why would it? Bit mucky maybe but that's colds for you.

Personally I can't see the point of them. I guess I'm not interested enough to have a strong opinion. Whatever works for you.

It's your partner's opinion that is more intriguing for me and I suspect for you, too OP. He said he is not keen. Was he being all polite and British about it and "not keen" is a euphemism for "God I hate them"? I think he is the one that needs to expand TBH

I got mine done at 32/33 and I'm glad I did as I'd always wanted it done. I did ask DP and mumsnet first. It was overwhelmingly positive so I braved it. Now I wonder why I was so concerned. It's never been an issue.

I like to think it makes me a little bit edgy as I'm otherwise extremely vanilla. It probably doesn't.

@Strugglingtodomybest

'try hard' is such an empty reprove.

I was just thinking the same thing! What does it actually mean?

Op, I don't think it makes any statement beyond the fact that you like it. Unless wearing earrings or bracelets is also making a statement? It's just jewellery.

Yes, it shows up on the baby naming threads all the time, and I always ask what someone who says it actually means by it -- I mean, what do they think the person who has their nose pierced or calls their baby Romulus to 'trying' to do, other than name their baby something other than Jack and put a ring in their nose?

It appears to function as the counter-accusation to 'chavvy' in the baby names stakes, and to suggest there is an incredibly tiny Mumsnet sweet spot where a name is neither 'chavvy' nor 'try-hard'.

I'm not trying to do anything by wearing a tiny silver stud in my right nostril, any more than I am trying to do anything by wearing earrings. And I think that 'statement' facial interventions have moved way on to stuff like jestrum piercing or a large-gauge septum ring.

I had mine done way back in the 80s where it was much more of a punk thing. I had to get it done in a Asian jewellers and that was the only place I could get it done then. Nowadays it’s just a piercing. In work I only had remove it once and that was in a bar. I think the landlord just didn’t like them.

You like nose piercing and not worried about it hurting when you blow your nose?
I don't think it makes much of a statement really. You can take it out if it would be inappropriate anywhere i assume.
Perhaps your husband just doesn't like the look?

I was brought up to see nose-piercings as a choice made by working-class and rebellious young people. I still think of them that way, but I would be the first to defend your right to choose how you look.

I wouldn't make any assumptions at all tbh.

I also used to wonder if they got stuck with bogies when you had a cold. Then I worked in a jewellers. The studs don't have a back on them like ear rings do. They're L shaped.

'I am a rebel.'