About two months ago, I took the plunge and got a lip ring. Depending on where you come from and how you were raised, this could have many different levels of badassery. In my household, it hit a solid seven. This means my parents were a little shocked and a little uneasy, but eventually ruled that I was over eighteen and could do what I wanted with my body. In the time since, I’ve devoted a decent amount of my free-thinking to the true meaning of dramatic change in appearances. So while I mostly will be talking about me and the little hoop that now resides in my lower lip, you can really apply this to any major change in how you look. But here are some things that I didn’t expect…
EVERYONE – EVERYONE – WILL WANT TO TOUCH IT
I mean, EVERYONE. Like, your best friend, and her mom, and the stranger on the street… I don’t understand this phenomenon, but it definitely happens. Since the highest rate of infection occurs for the first six weeks, no one has been allowed to touch it yet. And I kind of dread when they can.
THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF TIME YOU KNOW SOMEONE BEFORE ASKING ABOUT KISSING SHORTENS…GREATLY
I have known people for years and never asked them about kissing. It’s a standard closed-doors idea. When you have a lip ring, this amount of time shrinks to about ten minutes. Some might think it’s cute or endearing (and so many guys think it’s the hottest pickup line) but it’s mostly weird. I’m happy to answer your questions if you’re considering getting the piercing, but just giving me the tenth degree about my make out habits is…well, creepy.
PEOPLE’S REACTIONS WILL TELL YOU WAY MORE ABOUT THEM THAN A CONVERSATION
I’ve mostly noticed this at parties, but it can apply anywhere. Anyone I meet now has a very blatant opinion about the metal in my face and most aren’t afraid to voice it within five minutes of meeting me. Now, if I was, say, at a job application, this I would understand. But when I’m holding a glass of seltzer water and was just involved in a conversation about the training habits of their two kittens, I feel as though it isn’t the time for them to tell me I’m “presenting myself in a poor light.” A lot of my friends also had strong opinions about my choice and it’s become a lot easier to separate those who support me and those who are really concerned about just being seen with me. My favorite people are the ones who don’t even mention it until we’ve been friends for a while, and then just to give me a quick compliment and move on. You go, kids.
It’s been just over six weeks, and I’m happy to say the little guy isn’t infected or gross or anything else I worried about. I’m very glad I made the decision to get it and wouldn’t take it back for the world. So I don’t know if I’m exactly telling you to run out and have someone shove a needle through your face, but I am saying give it a fair amount of thought. It’s not for everyone, but it certainly shouldn’t be ruled out by everyone but punk rockers.Labels: personal