An Earful
Sunday, December 05, 2004
The decision to puncture my ears had been an inner hokey-pokey. You put your left foot in and you put your left foot out and you put your left foot in... I like dangly earrings, but then I hate pain. I think I must have walked past the shop enough to make observers suspect a robbery was to be staged at any moment. Almost on cue when I finally stepped inside declaring that I wanted my ears pierced, the shop assistant chirped, "This is your first time isn’t it?" I nodded weakly
She showed me a selection of first time earrings in 14K gold and pointed an especially sparkly one. I was enchanted, but the feeling did not last long when she causally said the price. Oh yeah, as if $388 for a pair of earrings is nothing to her. Quickly recovering from the shock, I asked for something that is at the most 2 digits expensive and I could not help but feel a slight disappointment in her eyes. When she asked me to take a seat, I was about ready to bolt right out. I was no longer sure whether it was the prospect of physical pain or monetary pain that was going for the flee option in my fight or flee state. Then another sales personnel approached and gently beckoned me to the seat.
Once I was in position, first it was the marker, then the antiseptic swap and finally the two people synchronised piercing routine. I felt a sting on both ears, followed quickly by soreness. While it was not as bad as I thought, it was just as well that it was quickly done and over with. I learnt that I am not supposed to take these earrings off till 3 months later. Okay... sleeping with these babies on for the first couple of nights will be interesting. |
