Sunday 14 August 2011

The Piercing Issue.

As seen from my last post, I have mentioned that I got a helix piercing.

To me and everyone else, this is not a big deal at all. In fact, it's nothing at all. In the western world,  a helix piercing is simply just another hole, another piece of jewelery in your ear.

But in the Asian world, it means the following things: low-life, rebel, bad influence, gangster, criminal...I think you get the gist of it.

If that's the case, I really wonder what a tattoo represents.

Anyways, as I wear my hair up to keep it out of the way, I have already gotten two shocked and most likely disapproving reactions from my aunts.

One said that if I was applying for a job, she would not hire me BECAUSE I have a helix piercing. But because she retaliated by saying my parents were more modern than her, I didn't mind her reaction at all. However, the comment still irked me.

But when I mentioned to my other aunt that I had limited cash because I had used it on a piercing, she reacted with such surprise that just irked me even more.

Her reaction was literally a really loud, "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"

And after having to shush her from yelling so loudly and making her disapproval so obvious, she shook her head and clicked her tongue in disbelief because my mother had left me pierce my own ear even though I am legal enough to sign my own waiver form.

And then, she went on to tell me how piercing it would shatter my cartilage. However, I know that was not her concern.  She was obviously already thinking that I looked like some rude, rebel bitch on my way to a terrible future with no set goals.

Which leads me to why I'm ranting about this on a blog.

First of all, I'm thankful my parents are open and cool about it. Second of all, it's none of your business what I do with my own body. 

How in the hell is piercing a hole in your body and putting jewelery through it such a terrible thing?

Who's stupid idea was it to determine that body jewelry apart from the ear lobes was abnormal?

Who's bright idea was it to decide that anyone with piercings apart from the ear lobes would be a rebel, bad influence, low-life or a rude-ass biatch? 

Did some sort of Asian congregation gather in court and propose to the judge that those with piercings would immediately be looked down upon?! 

"AHEM. I PROPOSE THAT THOSE WITH PIERCINGS APART FROM THE LOBES WILL BE MADE SECOND CHOICE FOR A JOB EVEN THOUGH HE/SHE IS FULLY QUALIFIED."

"I ALSO PROPOSE THAT PEOPLE WITH SUCH PIERCINGS WILL BE FROM NOW ON LOOKED DOWN ON. THEY WILL BE DEEMED BAD INFLUENCES, LOW LIFES, AND TERRIBLE EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW. HIDE YO' KIDS. HIDE YO' WIFE."

Seriously. I have never heard such nonsense. Piercings do not define a person especially in their knowledge, thoughts and  abilities.

Rather, piercings should be seen as a form of self-expression.  My body is my temple. I should do whatever the hell I please with it. And besides, my piercing is absolutely nothing at all.

Hell, I should try coming home with my nose pierced. Or even better, a tattoo.

The only reason I'm telling you what I'm doing is out of respect.  Otherwise, I could just go in and sign my own waiver form since I'm of age.

Seriously.

We're living in the 21st Century. If a simple piercing prevents me from getting somewhere in life, then I believe there are some changes to be made.

6 comments:

  1. there will always be people who'll say negative stuff about you/your lifestyle.. people are people. But to forget about the negativity.. lets give a smile back:)

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  2. You have to do what you want.. people not is you! :D I'm following

    Look my blog and follow me if you like

    www.sickbytrend.com

    xx

    sBt

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  3. Yeah, I can totally relate with you on very traditional family members. They're really against a lot of what is now socially acceptable (tats, androgyny, piercings etc), which I hate because they're basically being discriminatory and totally rude against normal every day people! Some of which are my friends, ugh!

    But, what can you do but move on? You can't let others dictate your life, even if they're family. If they can't respect your decisions, how can you respect them back??

    xx Raez

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  4. I really found this an interesting issue. I live in the UK, so western country with high population of East Asian people. It's really interesting to hear about what's looked down on, and how differently families react depending on how conservative they are or how much influence western culture influences them.

    Personally, I like ear piercing, but I don't think facial piercings are good in work places, I think they distract people when they're talking to you (and for reasons unknown- maybe it's a cultural thing that needs to change) and I don't think it presents a professional image.

    Interesting and thought provoking Samantha. Do you mind me asking how long your family/you have been living in Canada?

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  5. nice piercing! and thanks for such a long and nice post about it

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog

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  6. So far I have two cool piercings in each earlobe and one in my nose. Getting the nose one was by far the weirdest piercing sensation I'd ever had.

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