BODY PIERCINGS: Expressionism, art, or simply being macho?

My former roommate had three lip piercings and a Monroe (think of the positioning of Marilyn Monroe's birthmark, if you're not familiar with that piercing), and she has had to take them all out for work, so that all but one of the lip piercings has closed up. Personally, my nostril piercing is about as extreme as I get. Around here, that's pretty tame, but I had a lot of people back home (Illinois) worrying about whether I would be able to get a job with a tiny gem in my nose.

I know of people who had their eyebrows peirced and tongues. One of my neighbors kids where i used to live had to remove her tongue peircing or she wouldn't be allowed back in school. I do believe in free expression but these piercings are getting so out of hand. Some call it selfmutilation . Sometimes I wonder if it's not true.Their is a big difference between getting eyebrows and noses pierced and getting nipples or cheeks,etc.

I have seen people with piercings in all the places that you have mentioned and it's not something that I would do and I don't personally know anyone that has unusual piercings but to each their own I always say.

Nothing macho about it. I'm not trying to pick at a point here, I have been told I do but honestly I'm sharing my views. (nothing else) =) Many people can be pierced and handle it, most probably wouldn't be able to be "macho" and this is a good thing instead of bad because we are people. not fighters, weightlifters or bullies. (well some are) They express who people are in many of the examples I've seen, I don't count it as art myself but some do look nice. Kudos, ~Joey