Treated differently because I had a helix piercing

[SeaSnakes]

I think this is bizarre. I had a helix piercing a year ago. My ears already have just one piercing on each lobe (as do many, many other people) but when I wear my hair back the helix piercing is noticeable (it’s only a stud).

people say oh I didn’t realise you had a piercing up there, but when I say I had it last year they seem totally surprised (I’m a middle aged woman) and quickly change the subject or say something along the lines of how unusual this is at my age.

The rest of my appearance is entirely smart, I am well dressed, hair done and minimal make up.

I feel sometimes that people find it unprofessional? I have a responsible job but feel I am being judged because of this piercing?

Anyone else experienced this?

Of course they do, if they've recently got them pierced/recently made the piercings visible, like the OP.

Do you never do small talk at work? IME it is always about trivia. You ask people what's new and chat about it.

I’m 45 and most of the women I know have multiple ear piercings. It’s completely normal

Nah , Helix piercing are pretty common place across all generations these days.
Last week in the pub with my 3 sils and 2 friends, all in our 50’s I was the only one without a helix piercing.

My 10 year old niece kindly informed me after wearing a very small stud for the first time in years, that I no longer looked like a classy adult but looked trendy instead. Apparently after the age of 30 it’s no longer acceptable to be trendy!

It was a very pretty, very small diamanté climber stud, half way up my ear. I thought it looked lovely.

She also used the word ‘trendy’ in a mocking ‘you’re old’ way!

I am 45 and I want this piercing.

That surprises me.

At one time I had a conch, two rooks, a double snug and a daith in my ears along with a nose stud.

No one at work ever so much as mentioned them and I had a senior professional job at the time

I suspect they change the subject because there's not much to say and it's no big deal.

I recently got my nose pierced, aged 55... had a few comments; mostly ' Oh I'd never noticed before' ... folk just assumed I've had it years!

DD1 is a GP.. she has her tongue, helix, tragus and various others (and a stretcher that looks like a pencil.. kids love it)
Plus some tattoos. She's never had any disparaging comments!

“and quickly change the subject”

It’s not so much changing the subject, as it running its course and moving on. Instantly. Because there’s nothing to say! It’s so mainstream that it would be just as weird to talk about it, as a basic lobe stud 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've got this done, I've not had any negative comments since my dear late grandmother nearly fainted at the sight when I first got it done (in approximately 1996) 😂

@Testina this is what I mean about work colleagues etc asking. I just can’t picture It myself! I’d assume they had it done ‘yonks’ ago like the rest of us.

I don’t love piercings. My kids love them though. I can’t help but think they look a bit trashy at times. I would still treat someone at work respectfully though even if I didn’t have the same taste in jewellery etc

30+ ear piercings. I think you're overthinking this one.

I'm in my early 40s and work in a professional role. I've got 24 piercings across my ears, a hoop in one side of my nose with a stud in the other. I think comments are usually out of curiosity i.e pain level, cost of pieces, who you go to or whether I'm getting any more/what's planned next. I don't feel judged and quite honestly if someone does its their problem not mine. I started having piercings a few years ago and love them all, 3 more this morning in fact. With my hair down no one sees them of course, but I have no qualms about having my hair up - it tends to be up the majority of the time. I can't really imagine not having them now. I hated my ears as a teenager as they're a bit sticky outie, now I don't care. I feel good about myself and wish I'd felt more confident back then. Too much time was spent feeling self conscious!

They clearly live a very boring life!

I don't think a helix piercing is unprofessional!

I am pretty sure it’s in your head. They are very common, and a couple of years ago it was supposed to be a v mid life thing to get extra piercings put in.

"people say oh I didn’t realise you had a piercing up there, but when I say I had it last year they seem totally surprised (I’m a middle aged woman) and quickly change the subject or say something along the lines of how unusual this is at my age"

What are they supposed to say 😅. I think you are looking for a reaction when nobody really cares. A small stud helix is very low key. If you are trying to be edgy you will have to do something more zany.

I'm in my 50's and have my hair coloured all sorts of colours, occasionally people compliment me on it but that's about it. I have a professional job. I keep the style quite smart and I dress normally. I don't think anyone cares about my hair.

If I saw someone with a new helix piercing I'd think "gosh the 90s really are making a come back" that's all.

Not really, no. I'm mid 50s and have a nose stud and a Medusa stud. I'm Head of Finance at my organisation. Nobody there cares.

It does limit where I can work, though. The Big 4 firms or anywhere too 'corporate' wouldn't tolerate it. But ..... that's fine. They're allowed their dress code. I'm allowed to work somewhere more enlightened 🙂

this sounds like you perhaps want people to care more than they do

Op were you hoping this was your midlife crisis? Did you think it was a bit 'out there'?

Either you're being paranoid or you mix with some extremely weird people