I don’t mind conflict of opinion, but notice a lot of people go beyond the reprimand of “If God intended you to have holes in your body, you’d have been born with them” and insist on inflicting their biased views upon the recipient in a selfish and unabashed demeanour.

Unfortunately that recipient often turns out to be me. I don’t particularly mind someone asking me about one of my body jewellery efforts, and with no shortage of studs to choose from (lip, tongue, navel, ears and nipple) I can understand the curiosity of the non-pierced wishing to delve into the mind of someone who thinks a few holes here and there are actually quite pretty.

However, when complete strangers start spouting mind-numbing ignorance such as “Was your tongue sore when you got it pierced?” or “Does that silver thing not hurt you?”, I feel like giving said ignorant individual a rather large shake whilst shouting “DUUUUUUUH!” and possibly crossing my eyes and drooling a little, just for effect.

To be honest, I find it hard to explain exactly why I find body jewellery so appealing. Maybe it’s a cross of aesthetic looks and individuality. And then, of course, there’s the sexual enjoyment – not to everyone’s taste, but having a mouth piercing here and there can sensitise things for the (lucky) recipient. Above all, doing so is completely safe as long as precautions are taken. I’ve never had any bad experiences of studs, bars or rings being ‘ripped out’ due to frenzied attacks on the opposite sex, nor have I developed any weird diseases, odd side effects, or hairy palms (oh wait, I’m getting that last one confused with something else…).

The difficulty with explaining the sexual part to someone – adults especially – is the assumption that because I have it, I’m going to flaunt it. Not necessarily. You’ll find I’m not one for constantly ramming my tongue down throats, and that I don’t discuss such things with many people, if any at all. Despite the statements I make with my body art, I’m completely harmless. Honest.

What do you think about body piercing? Do you have any? What do your parents think? Let us know!