[Anthrax]

Originally Posted by Laine

I don't understand how piercings can offend people... I suppose extremely conservative old ladies would be offended?

Anyway, I just have three piercings in each ear. I'm laying low on adding more for now, since a few weeks ago my cartilage became infected and it was such a burden to deal with (hospital, antibiotics, swollen face, etc). I want to get a tattoo or a few when some meaningful image comes into my life. I'm hesitant toward body mods, though, since they're permanent and I just don't think they'd look too good on me. Besides all that, I'm planning on working in business, so I'd only want to get something that's easy to hide under a business suit.

It only gets offensive to people when they drag my race into it. Because I'm black, a lot of the black community will play the whole "You're trying to act white etc. etc." card. I still don't see how that would offend them but they say things like I'm a disgrace to the black race because I don't fit their stereotype of what a black person should be. And sometimes it's the other way around,hearing this from non-blacks. And yeah I agree with you on the tattoos having meaning. So many teens go out and get one because other teens have them. The first tattoo that I get will most likey be a tribal tattoo. And I understand with the business thing which is why I'm careful when I choose what piercing I'm getting. For instance a septum (bull ring) piercing that I'm going to be getting soon can be flipped up for things like work and other formal occasions where piercings would be inappropiate. Awhile back I still didn't see how my piercings were offensive to other people but when I asked the most common answer I got was because "It wasn't considerate of other peoples' feelings/beliefs" that type thing. But the people who say that when I ask back "Don't you think making me take off my piercings because you don't like them is inconsiderate?" are the ones who turn up their noses and walk the other way. (Sorry for the wall-o-text //_s)