Ear piercing..

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » October 18, 2004, 2:24 pm

This is probably the last place I should ask this, but here goes.
I'm thinking about getting an ear pierced. Just one ear, not both. I know it used to be (maybe still is?) that if you got one ear pierced, it signified you're gay. Now, while I do not have an issue with the gay community, I am not interested in becomming a member, or looking as if I am one.

That said.. which ear is the ear for a guy to have pierced that doesn't signify homosexuality?

Animale · Post by **Animale** » October 18, 2004, 2:27 pm

Don't get your ear pierced. If you are interested in getting something pierced, and want to make sure that it doesn't signify gayness... get your schlong pierced. Only real men do that.

(Oh and I think the left ear is the straight ear, right ear the queer ear)

Animale

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » October 18, 2004, 2:34 pm

There is, at no time, going to be a reason for me to ever - ever - have my dick pierced.
Ever.

Unless there's some pretty hefty sums of money involved. Payment first.

k?

noel · Post by **noel** » October 18, 2004, 2:36 pm

Right Ear was traditionally associated with homosexuality.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 18, 2004, 2:50 pm

LOL, guys still pierce their ears? That is so 80s.

Be a man and get a tat!

miir · Post by **miir** » October 18, 2004, 2:57 pm

Right Ear was traditionally associated with homosexuality.

In what decade?
Even when I was growing up (im 35 now), ear piercings weren't really an indicator of ones sexual preference. It was traditional for gradeschool children to make fun and giggle at men who had one or both ears pierced. This usually stopped by junior high.
Not sure how it is in the US, but I can't believe Canada would be that much more socially progressive.

The history of men wearing an earring originates from pirates/buccaneers. Generally, the only thing of value worn by a sailor was a golden ear stud in his left ear. This ear stud was customarily sold when they died to pay for the funeral .

Post by **Sylvus** » October 18, 2004, 2:58 pm

I think that whichever ear you end up getting pierced will signify that you like to constantly ask asinine questions.

But I suppose I'll bite... if you're actually worried that people will suddenly change their views on your sexual preference based on which ear you wear a piece of jewelry in, you probably shouldn't get your ear pierced.

noel · Post by **noel** » October 18, 2004, 3:04 pm

miir wrote:
Right Ear was traditionally associated with homosexuality.
In what decade?
Even when I was growing up (im 35 now), ear piercings weren't really an indicator of ones sexual preference. It was traditional for gradeschool children to make fun and giggle at men who had one or both ears pierced. This usually stopped by junior high.
Not sure how it is in the US, but I can't believe Canada would be that much more socially progressive.

The history of men wearing an earring originates from pirates/buccaneers. Generally, the only thing of value worn by a sailor was a golden ear stud in his left ear. This ear stud was customarily sold when they died to pay for the funeral .

Early 80s. Remember for just a second that I live in the United States and not Canada. It's quite possible that there could be no such stereotype in Canada. I looked, and there doesn't seem to be a web site explaining the origins of the stereotype. I don't really think I needed a history of ear piercing.

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » October 18, 2004, 3:06 pm

Personally im just relieved that you for a change didnt plan or already had put your genitials through an experiment.

Drustwyn · Post by **Drustwyn** » October 18, 2004, 3:22 pm

In one of my psychology classes we discussed and researched how gender associations have changed within United States culture -- ornamentation traditionally associated with women being acceptable for men.

We found in our studies/discussion that meanings associated with the left v. right ear were regional, though for the majority of places in the United States: left ear = straight, right ear = gay. However, it was found that few homosexuals would rely on piercing their right ear to signify their sexual orientation/preference. Most avoided it.

Overall, we found that the gay/straight associations with ear piercings have diminished over the years.

Nowdays, men often chose clothing and ornamentation and follow fashion trends that would traditionally be assigned to women without blinking -- and only a small (typically traditional) minority bats a lash. It isn't about men wearing dresses -- but instead -- grooming and clothing issues (NOT the over-played 'metrosexual'). Such behavior has become acceptable and commonplace.

My opinion: Don't get your ear pierced - I don't see it as a statement of any sort other than expired fashion sense. However, earings can work for some men -- try being a celebrity, musician or something similar.

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » October 18, 2004, 3:23 pm

it's always been the right ear == gay as long as I can remember ("right is wrong and left is right" was what people memorized when getting an ear pierced). Getting both ears pierced meant extreme raging homosexuality.

Obviously with all the body modification stuff common nowadays, this is not the case anymore.

Akaran, do many guys in your area have pierced ear/s? I'd think it wasn't very common in West Virginia...

Rivera Bladestrike · Post by **Rivera Bladestrike** » October 18, 2004, 3:42 pm

Getting your ears pierced is the sign of a rite of passage for girls, as far as my opinion goes. For guys, its a stupid way to be unique and rebellious. I don't think anyone over 20 should start getting their ears pierced for any reason, its a thing that people under 20 do and then wind up realizing it was pretty dumb 10 years later. Unless they're the ones that have 30 piercing and constantly look for a new bodypart to pierce.

On the other hand if you're trying to appear to be gay, don't use a piercing, wear some leather assless chaps, with a leather vest and pierced nipples with a chain connecting the two, and to top it off a leather cap.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » October 18, 2004, 3:54 pm

Currently have 4 earrings (2 in each ear), but I used to have 3 in my left ear. Around here, it was as many are saying...left ear straight. I never really thought about it, and I only had 3 in one ear because the other one had a hole placed to close to another.

miir · Post by **miir** » October 18, 2004, 4:14 pm

For guys, its a stupid way to be unique and rebellious.

I don't think that a man getting an ear or ears pierced has been considered rebellious or unique for about 15-20 years now.

In the 80s I had both of my ears pierced twice and don't recall much fuss about it. My mom and even a few of my teachers thought it was pretty cool.

I don't think anyone over 20 should start getting their ears pierced for any reason, its a thing that people under 20 do and then wind up realizing it was pretty dumb 10 years later.

Maybe in a backwater hicktown in the US, but in Canada (Toronto anyway) ear and facial piercings are generally viewed a 'just jewelry'. I worked in a piercing shop in the mid 90s (i was in my mid 20s) and had multiple facial piercings (2 eyebrow, septum, nose, labret and tongue), a bunch of 'unconventional' ear piercings and a number of body piercings. My nieces, who were in public school at the time, thought they were the coolest thing.

I'm in my mid 30s now and I have never (not even once) regretted getting my piercings. Most of the holes have grown over except my ears which I still open from time to time.
At the time, my piercings were a part of who I was. Much like the clothes I wore and the music I listened to.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » October 18, 2004, 4:19 pm

I got my left ear peirced when I was about 18-19 (circa 1994). I've since then stopped wearing the ear jewelry however I routinely stick an earring in there to keep the hole open as a reminder not to be a dumb fuck.

Bren · Post by **Bren** » October 18, 2004, 4:33 pm

Why not get both done? I love piercings. The more the merrier

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » October 18, 2004, 4:57 pm

I thought eating a cock made you gay!?

I'm not certain anywhere in the handbook is there a ear piercing ceremony .. hold on .. looking again ... nope. No ear piercing ceremony.

There is a chapter on butt plugs and biker rally snow-balling ... but nothing on ears, except for when they are used as handle bars.

Sabek · Post by **Sabek** » October 18, 2004, 4:57 pm

Akaran_D wrote:There is, at no time, going to be a reason for me to ever - ever - have my dick pierced.
Ever.

Unless there's some pretty hefty sums of money involved. Payment first.

k?

That will happen accidently at some point given your history.

That or you will end up stapling your scrotum to the floor somehow.

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » October 18, 2004, 5:51 pm

I haven't heard the gay association since the early 80's from kids in elementary school. I frankly have never thought a guy having an earring or even two is unusual. Its become so bourgeoise, I'm not sure why anyone would hesitate if they liked the way it looked...

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » October 18, 2004, 6:01 pm

Ear piercing is passe. Gold plated front teeth are gaining in popularity if you want to catch the wave early on.

Moonwynd · Post by **Moonwynd** » October 18, 2004, 6:50 pm

I have both of my ears pierced. I have 8 gauge captive beads in each ear. The first thing you have to remember is to go to a professional piercer. NEVER EVER....NEVER go to a mall kiosk or some other ilk...they use piercing guns. You should NEVER EVER let a piercing gun be used on your person. I have been going to the same tattoo/piercing shop for a long time now. I have 2 half sleeve traditional Japanese irezumi tattoos...three other tattoos...and a few piercings...I am very paranoid about health and safety when it comes to having someone stick something foreign inside me (Yeah, I know I am setting myself up for something with that last line)

Please read this...it is very important.

Piercing Guns can NOT be sterilized. Some of the newer equipment uses a sterile, self-contained stud, which is all well and good, but the gun itself still can not be sterilized and can become contaminated with blood or bodily fluid when it comes in contact with the ear before or after the actual piercing or when the micro-spray of blood and lymph occurs as the blunt piercing stud pierces the flesh.

In a day and age where viruses like HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C are reaching epidemic proportions no one should get pierced with anything that can’t be put in an autoclave. The really sickening thing about all this is that most of the places that use piercing guns market to younger children and the parents of children, who don’t know the dangers!

Every state that allows and licenses body piercing studios requires that they maintain and use autoclave sterilization- and rightfully so- because it’s the only effective way to kill viruses and is an integral part of preventing disease transmission. Why then are piercing guns allowed? Money, plain and simple. Chain stores that sell body jewelry in the malls and offer piercing have lobbied their way into an exemption that endangers the public health! The tattoo and body piercing industry has long recognized this danger and has been seeking to lobby against the use of piercing guns. Unfortunately, tattoo and piercing studios are privately owned and we don’t have an effective organization that can compete with the lobby money of big corporations.

Piercing guns TEAR a hole using a dull pointed stud as opposed to body piercing studios that use tri-bevel, hollow-point needles to pierce with. Hollow point needles are extremely sharp and make a clean, precise incision the exact same gauge as the jewelry being inserted. This means less pain, less trauma and less potential for scaring! The difference is particularly important when it comes to cartilage piercing. The skin over the cartilage is held in place by a connective layer. When a piercing stud goes through the cartilage, because it is dull, it can tear the connective layer away from the cartilage. If this happens, fluid fills the void between the skin and cartilage and can crystallize and form what is called Cauliflower Ear- not something anyone want! Much less for your child!

People who use piercing guns have little or no training! Professional body piercers spend years learning and honing their skills- taking time to study anatomy, disease transmission and proper placement. They do this because they care about piercing and because they have dedicated their lives to the profession- in many states the law requires that body piercers be individually licensed. Unfortunately, money has enabled big business to lobby their way into an exemption from the same training standards that professional body piercers are held to.

Most of the people handling those piercing guns wee shown one or two procedures and were, then, unleashed on the unsuspecting public. This is in stark contrast to your average body piercer who had to do hundreds and hundreds (if not thousands) of procedures before they were allowed to pierce for money!

This wasn’t intended to scare you; but if it did, that’s probably good. There are some very real dangers to the use of piercing guns. This danger is not going to go away until the public understands the risks and gets scared! We don’t want our kids getting sick because it was a few dollars cheaper to get a piercing at the mall- it’s just not worth it!

Regards,

Moonwynd

Moonwynd · Post by **Moonwynd** » October 18, 2004, 6:51 pm

One more thing...back in my day there was a saying that helped you remember which ear was the "gay" ear:

Left is right and right is wrong.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » October 18, 2004, 7:01 pm

Seebs wrote:I thought eating a cock made you gay!?

oh shit I better stop shaving my armpits and start wearing birkenstocks.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » October 18, 2004, 7:15 pm

noel wrote:
miir wrote:
Right Ear was traditionally associated with homosexuality.
In what decade?
Even when I was growing up (im 35 now), ear piercings weren't really an indicator of ones sexual preference. It was traditional for gradeschool children to make fun and giggle at men who had one or both ears pierced. This usually stopped by junior high.
Not sure how it is in the US, but I can't believe Canada would be that much more socially progressive.

The history of men wearing an earring originates from pirates/buccaneers. Generally, the only thing of value worn by a sailor was a golden ear stud in his left ear. This ear stud was customarily sold when they died to pay for the funeral .
Early 80s. Remember for just a second that I live in the United States and not Canada. It's quite possible that there could be no such stereotype in Canada. I looked, and there doesn't seem to be a web site explaining the origins of the stereotype. I don't really think I needed a history of ear piercing.

No, we had that in Canada too, at least in Northern Ontario. It was also a fad in the early 90s.

noel · Post by **noel** » October 18, 2004, 7:16 pm

I was just trying to explain that I didn't know why Miir hadn't heard it. I wasn't attemting to justify the stereotype. Apparently it wasn't just me.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » October 18, 2004, 7:18 pm

And I was just confirming it.

noel · Post by **noel** » October 18, 2004, 7:23 pm

Sorry I should have thrown in a few smileys! Thanks

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » October 18, 2004, 8:28 pm

Only a fag or a homophobe would care which ear, just do what you want as long as it does not hurt anyone else.

sweetkastings · Post by **sweetkastings** » October 18, 2004, 8:57 pm

Ive had my ear percied for 3 yrs. I have my cartilage percied on the left ear Since i didnt want to be ga i made sure i found out left its the striaght ear right is queer.

IMO who cares if you get it percied just wait like 3-4 months to actually swim in clorfilled water...ITS A BITCH

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » October 18, 2004, 9:38 pm

sweetkastings wrote:I have my cartilage percied on the left ear Since i didnt want to be ga[y]

You don't turn gay by piercing the wrong ear...

MooZilla · Post by **MooZilla** » October 18, 2004, 10:14 pm

If you're sweetkastings you do.

Drasta · Post by **Drasta** » October 18, 2004, 10:50 pm

i have 2 in each ear ... make sure that you will look good with them pierced first ... i don't think it really matters now what ear you get pierced

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » October 18, 2004, 10:51 pm

Drasta wrote:i have 2 in each ear ... make sure that you will look good with them pierced first ... i don't think it really matters now what ear you get pierced

definitely check first. You should also make sure they're lined up first unlike I did on the fifth hole

MooZilla · Post by **MooZilla** » October 18, 2004, 11:12 pm

I wanna get multiple piercings in my ears but teh new girlfriend dosent want me to. Such the hipocryte (sp) she has nippled piercings

Legenae · Post by **Legenae** » October 19, 2004, 2:55 am

Lynks wrote:
noel wrote:
miir wrote:
Right Ear was traditionally associated with homosexuality.
In what decade?
Even when I was growing up (im 35 now), ear piercings weren't really an indicator of ones sexual preference. It was traditional for gradeschool children to make fun and giggle at men who had one or both ears pierced. This usually stopped by junior high.
Not sure how it is in the US, but I can't believe Canada would be that much more socially progressive.

The history of men wearing an earring originates from pirates/buccaneers. Generally, the only thing of value worn by a sailor was a golden ear stud in his left ear. This ear stud was customarily sold when they died to pay for the funeral .
Early 80s. Remember for just a second that I live in the United States and not Canada. It's quite possible that there could be no such stereotype in Canada. I looked, and there doesn't seem to be a web site explaining the origins of the stereotype. I don't really think I needed a history of ear piercing.
No, we had that in Canada too, at least in Northern Ontario. It was also a fad in the early 90s.

Yep. We did have that up in northern Ontario.

Drinsic Darkwood · Post by **Drinsic Darkwood** » October 19, 2004, 1:53 pm

Tenuvil wrote:it's always been the right ear == gay as long as I can remember ("right is wrong and left is right" was what people memorized when getting an ear pierced). Getting both ears pierced meant extreme raging homosexuality.

As far as I can remember, it was always the "right is wrong, left is right" thing if you only pierced one ear, but piercing both meant nothing either way.

Dexail · Post by **Dexail** » October 19, 2004, 2:32 pm

Lynks wrote:
sweetkastings wrote:I have my cartilage percied on the left ear Since i didnt want to be ga[y]
You don't turn gay by piercing the wrong ear...

OMG, that little ditty almost had me crying at my desk. I can picture SweetK going in and getting the right ear pierced and then sitting outside the store being mentally distraught repeating to himself... "but I didn't want to be gay"

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » October 19, 2004, 2:37 pm

ROFL Dex

Spang · Post by **Spang** » October 19, 2004, 2:38 pm

Sit Sparky. Good boy. Now shake. Good boy. Now don't be gay. Don't be gay Sparky. Don't be gay.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » October 19, 2004, 4:37 pm

I got my left ear pierced in HS or College back in the 80... it was kind of hip then and the rumor at the time was if you were gay you got your right ear, hetro your left. I actually knew some guys in college who were gay and did only have their right ear done. However remember that was back in the 80s, in Arkansas, hardley a mecca for Gay community

Marb

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » October 19, 2004, 9:23 pm

Just after Marbus pierced his ear he ate my spunky load.

I miss the 80's

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 19, 2004, 9:28 pm

Just curious, Little Rock denizens... where did yall go to high school? Small town ya know....

I moved away in 89...

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » October 20, 2004, 6:11 pm

I grew up in Fort Smith and went to Southside HS then on to Hendrix College in Conway. Been in Conway / LR area ever since.

I think Seebs went to some conservative religious college though... that's why he is so fond of touching himself these days

Marb

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » October 21, 2004, 4:16 pm

False.

I grew up in Southwest Little Rock. Graduated McClellan and have degrees from State universities .. no private bullshit.

I am personally responsible for 200 of Marbus' stretch marks and 40 of his lovely wifes.

Shouldn't work so late Marb.

Aevian Dreaklear · Post by **Aevian Dreaklear** » October 22, 2004, 5:04 am

Seeber gave me fruit pie

Madren · Post by **Madren** » October 22, 2004, 7:29 pm

I had a diamond in the left ear from about 16 to young 20s.

Then when it was time to get a real job in corporate i ditched the earring, got a haircut and bought a suit.

No one ever gave me shit about it, its time just passed away like everything does.

Seebs · Post by **Seebs** » October 23, 2004, 4:07 am

Life is over for you Madren. End it. Do it. DO IT!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » October 23, 2004, 3:31 pm

I thought a diamond earring in your left ear signified that you were a black sports star.