Oct 31 2008
Why Didn’t I Ever Pierce My Ears?
Why Didn’t I Ever Pierce My Ears?
If this seems like a strange question to you, then you must be of a later generation than I am.
I can tell you that when I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, women rarely pierced their ears, and those who did were often looked at as somewhat “suspect” in the morals department. Hookers and skidrow skanks pierced their ears; once in a while a “B” movie actress, maybe. But classy women did not “pierce” ears.
I never saw a man with a pierced ear until 1981. I looked askance at him and figured he was probably a “cross-dresser” too…or even worse.
I don’t even know when ear-piercing became mainstream for women. So I have no idea when it became acceptable and “not gay” for men. The history of “piercing” in general is not unlike the history of “tattoos” in the manner that society has now accepted them. Whereas, in yesterday’s blog I mentioned that tattoos were long-considered as “rebel art” and “sleazy perversions,” I think piercing in general has a similar lineage. Ear-rings were often worn by pirates…who were, after all, “sailors” and certainly they had tattoos.
So, ear-piercing aside, just when did “body” piercing become popular? I have no idea. I just know that even “respectable” women, as well as men, now pierce just about every body part you can see and a few parts that are not normally seen in public. I have long since quit saying “disgusting” and just keep my mouth shut. Particularly since one never knows of what “secret” little piercings the person you are talking to may be hiding under those clothes. Ugh.
Yesterday: Why Didn’t I Ever Get a Tattoo?
Tomorrow: Why Didn’t I Go HOG Wild?
Ok so I’m no lover of tats and piercings but I do have my ears pierced. I originally had them done when I turned 16 and my mum took me to this jewelry store that did them free when you bought a pair of ear-rings. I remember being excited, getting it done, doing the necessary hygiene thing for 6 weeks afterwards, and eventually letting them close over! Fast forward too many years and I’m 30 and going on a adventure vacation by myself and want my ears done - I pay a relatively large sum of money for two holes and accompanying studs of gold, and then OUCH the holes went in. If it had hurt that much the first time I can assure you I wouldn’t have let them close over, and it they did, I wouldn’t have sat in the chair to have them redone!