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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep my nose ring in

124 replies

Jixg · 07/12/2023 21:31

I have a nose ring. I’ve had it since I was 16 and it’s very much a part of me and my identity. I started a new office job and they’ve asked me to not wear it to work. Aibu to be upset by this!?

OP posts:
Vieve1325 · 08/12/2023 18:25

Director of HR here… with a nose stud AND a tongue piercing (and more you can’t see 😝)

If it’s not explicitly in their policy, or for a genuine health and safety reason, time for you to decide whether you want to work for them or not.

I know it’s easy for folk to go ‘oh it’s just a nose stud, it’s not more important than a job’ but constrictions like that can be reflective of company culture overall and I’d be asking if they’re that pissy about piercings without reason, then what else are they potentially overalls strict about?

BuddyBuddyBumBum · 08/12/2023 18:32

BalloonSalesperson · 08/12/2023 01:03

I don't even know anybody who would notice nor recoil in horror

I would certainly notice. I wouldn't recoil in horror, but I do have an involuntary reaction to nose piercings particularly. My eyes begin to water copiously, and if forced to be face to face in conversation, say, in an interview, talking to a customer etc, I will end up with tears streaming down my face. The more piercings there are, the greater the reaction. I can't help it. the piercees must wonder what on earth is wrong with me. Therefore I would be very happy for face and particularly nose piercings to be banned in customer facing roles.

Do you scream at church ceilings by any chance?

Original poster
Jixg · 08/12/2023 19:23

That made me pmsl

OP posts:
Beezknees · 08/12/2023 19:37

BalloonSalesperson · 08/12/2023 01:03

I don't even know anybody who would notice nor recoil in horror

I would certainly notice. I wouldn't recoil in horror, but I do have an involuntary reaction to nose piercings particularly. My eyes begin to water copiously, and if forced to be face to face in conversation, say, in an interview, talking to a customer etc, I will end up with tears streaming down my face. The more piercings there are, the greater the reaction. I can't help it. the piercees must wonder what on earth is wrong with me. Therefore I would be very happy for face and particularly nose piercings to be banned in customer facing roles.

If this is a serious post, you need to get some counselling because this is a ridiculous reaction.

Beezknees · 08/12/2023 19:38

I can't imagine working somewhere that old fashioned. I'm heavily tattooed including my hands and fingers and no one bats an eyelid at my workplace.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 08/12/2023 19:53

Vieve1325 · 08/12/2023 18:25

Director of HR here… with a nose stud AND a tongue piercing (and more you can’t see 😝)

If it’s not explicitly in their policy, or for a genuine health and safety reason, time for you to decide whether you want to work for them or not.

I know it’s easy for folk to go ‘oh it’s just a nose stud, it’s not more important than a job’ but constrictions like that can be reflective of company culture overall and I’d be asking if they’re that pissy about piercings without reason, then what else are they potentially overalls strict about?

Edited

Things like Health & Safety, Employment Law and Legal Compliance, mostly.

Simonjt · 08/12/2023 20:01

I have my nose pierced, its an important part of my cultural identity, if I was asked to remove it by an employer the answer would be a definite no.

Original poster
Jixg · 08/12/2023 20:41

@Agapornis when was this

OP posts:
Gensola · 08/12/2023 20:47

@WandaWonder reported for racism

Justfinking · 08/12/2023 20:54

MissTrip82 · 08/12/2023 01:47

I assume the people making stupid comments about bogeys and bulls have simply
forgotten that many women wear nose rings for cultural reasons. It surely can’t be their intention to sound like ignorant bigots.

Agree with this, same with the questions calling it old fashioned. Plenty of Indian and African people have worn nose rings before they became 'trendy'

Justfinking · 08/12/2023 20:55

Also though for some practical advice, just wear a small one or a clear one if that is their dress code and you want/need this job

Original poster
Jixg · 08/12/2023 21:24

why are people saying it’s pretentious

OP posts:
Meowandthen · 08/12/2023 21:28

Jixg · 08/12/2023 21:24

why are people saying it’s pretentious

Some people are just narrow-minded.

Diversion · 08/12/2023 21:47

Ridiculous, wear a clear stud if required. Have a look at your employers dress code policy. I am client facing and have tattoos and facial piercings which are accepted as per the policy. Offensive tattoos (nudes and swastikas for example would not be allowed to be on show). I love that I am able to be myself at work.

Agapornis · 09/12/2023 01:06

Jixg · 08/12/2023 20:41

@Agapornis when was this

Did you mean to tag me? I wrote this so not sure what you're referring to, getting tattoos was a jokey suggestion.

"Very old fashioned. Maybe remove it temporarily. Then get face and knuckle tattoos when you've passed probation Wink"

Pinkywoo · 09/12/2023 08:45

Justfinking · 08/12/2023 20:54

Agree with this, same with the questions calling it old fashioned. Plenty of Indian and African people have worn nose rings before they became 'trendy'

Show quote history

I think people were calling the no piercings policy old fashioned.

Ski4130 · 09/12/2023 08:52

I work in a client facing role at a GP surgery and have a nose stud and a wrist tattoo, one of our phlebotomists has a nose ring, and at least 3 of the clinical team have visible tattoos.

Our senior partner is very old school, as are two of the other partners and no one has an issue with it. is it the ring that’s an issue? As in, could you switch to a dnall stud for work? Having said that, unless it’s in the company policy to have no visible facial piercings, I’m not sure that can ask you to remove it can they?

NooNakedJacuzziness · 09/12/2023 09:19

Just wondering - I was in Costa the other day and the woman serving had bits of blue plaster covering where she obviously had holes for piercings on her nose and ears. It looked way more ridiculous than the actual jewellery would've looked - why would they make her do that? In case she fiddled with the piercings when serving I suppose but then they can't stop people scratching their nostrils or ears so seemed really odd.

slore · 09/12/2023 09:41

Jixg · 08/12/2023 21:24

why are people saying it’s pretentious

They do look a bit pretentious. They have a middle class, wanting to look alternative vibe about them lately. They're also ugly imho.

That's just my opinion, I find loads of things ugly - if we all liked the same things we would all look the same. What people choose to do with their own appearance is their own business and hardly anyone cares. I don't see why jobs or even schools should be making such demands of people.

Vieve1325 · 09/12/2023 12:00

Sorry- don’t follow your answer?

Vieve1325 · 09/12/2023 12:01

Sorry, don’t follow your answer?

Vieve1325 · 09/12/2023 12:01

Sorry- don’t follow your answer?

Original poster
Jixg · 09/12/2023 21:04

Must be a troll

OP posts:
Original poster
Jixg · 11/12/2023 18:05

@slore
i think it’s the opposite of pretentious

OP posts:
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