You have your piercings, and you wear it loud and proud. But in the split second that people see you, they already make an instant judgment. Still, never forget that your differences do not make you less of a person than anyone else.

And here's also hoping that the society today will soon learn how to respect people with body modifications and NEVER say the following things ever again.

"You must be a troublemaker."

Since when has someone's look become a reflection of his or her personality? Why is anyone with a body modification automatically boxed as bad? Anyone can be normal with or without piercings. In the same way, anyone can be a troublemaker, with or without piercings.

"Did it hurt?"

It's a question made out of curiosity. It will always have a different answer, of course, because pain tolerances are never the same. Then again--a needle ripped through a portion of the flesh, leaving a piece of metal in its place. So, duh! It's really a question with an obvious answer, if you think about it.

"Don't you want to get a decent job?"

Actually, just like any other human being, people who have piercings do have decent jobs. Having piercings does not mean a complete refusal to earn a living and isolation from the society. It simply means it's nice to have a piercing, just like it's nice to wear a dress, and that is that.

"You'd look so much better without all that."

Just what are the qualifications of looking "better"? Shaved facial hair, sleek tresses, designer shoes? News flash is that not everyone in this world wants that kind of look. And more importantly, no one has the right to suggest what looks good in someone, and what doesn't. You don't hear people with piercings say that anyone wearing a suit and tie would look so much better without it, do you?

"You're going to regret that someday."

Getting piercings is a conscious decision. It's a chance to courageously express individuality, and not sticking to the standards of beauty that the world has put up with. Why would anyone regret something like that?