Working at a supermarket the past three years has made me realize that everyone has something to say about everything, especially when you have a hoop ring in your nose and wear your hair in a bun every day to expose seven piercings on each of your ears. I have heard many comments throughout the years that are just getting kind of old. Most often I get, "Got enough piercings?" or "Your mother must really not like that." Well sir, for your information, my mother doesn't like them but she also raised me to be myself no matter what anyone else thinks.
One day I was working the cash register when a man about 35 years old was on my line and as my usual cheery self, I started a simple conversation of "Hi, how are you?" when, out of nowhere he started commenting on the fact that I have piercings in my ears and one my face. He gestured to his nose and said, "Why do you have that thing in your nose?" Very politely, I just responded by saying that I liked it and got it done on a whim. His response was in a snarky and judgmental tone saying the famous line of "Your mother must really not like that." To which I responded politely once more with, "No, she doesn't care for it." Again in a snarky know-it-all attitude he said, "What are you...16, 17 years old?" At this point I had enough but knew I had to stay polite. So, I turned around and smiled and said, "Actually, I'm 21." His face was shocked (because yes even though I am almost 22, I look about 16 years old) and he said, "Well, I guess your mom can't do much then." I responded, "No, she can't and she told me when I was 18 that even though she may not like everything I do, it's my body and my life and I can do what I want."
When I came home to tell my mom what happened at work she was outraged for the both of us. True, my mom doesn't like the abundance of piercings and the two tattoos that I have and she likes it even less that I am planning to get more tattoos and piercings, however she knows that it's absolutely no one else's business what I do with my body.
Had the people who commented on my body in a negative light really wanted to know why it is I have so many different body modifications, they would see me in a different way completely.
Each piercing and tattoo I have to me is a memory and serves a certain purpose.
My cartilage on my left side is the result of a bad breakup and my best friend dragging me out of the house after days of sulking, and my third and fourth holes came not long after when I was finally over it.
My industrial reminds me of my experience at the NYC Pride Parade with my best friend, us both drinking and deciding to get piercings together.
My tragus pierced in both ears reminds of the time I went to the city and decided to get them done on a last minute decision.
My nose ring, the one that seems to bother everyone the most, is actually one of the most important ones to me. It is me accepting my body for how it is after years of hating my nose.
My belly ring was pierced when I finally lost the 20 pounds I gained in my freshman year of college.
The tattoo on my left hip is a heart drawn in crayon and it reminds me every day to keep my heart young and not to be so serious all of the time.
The tattoo on the right side of my ribs that reads "Love's Divine" is for my dad, and it is the title of the song we danced to at my Sweet 16.
Ultimately what I do with my body is my own business and likewise, what you do with your body is your business. I live my life for myself and absolutely no one else and the sooner everyone understands that's the way it's supposed to be the sooner we can rid the world of harsh judgements. I don't judge people for not having piercings or tattoos so there is really no reason to judge me for the opposite.
In conclusion, to everyone out there who has something to say about what I do with my body and my life, I really do not care about your opinion. Finally for the answer to the popular question, no my mother doesn't like the piercings or tattoos, but she is very proud that I do not care what anyone else thinks and that I live my life for myself.