If you’ve been considering getting your belly button pierced, you may be worried about how others will react to your decision. While there is still some prejudice against people who dare to wear a belly button ring, a piece of jewelry cannot define you; especially not to those who know you.
As with anything, there are stereotypes surrounding those who wear certain types of body jewelry. You’d think that in our enlightened age, when so many people have tattoos and body piercings in a variety of places, these stereotypes would have disappeared. Well, if the posting and internet FAQ boards are any indication, there are still some unfortunate misconceptions that linger. The word I most often see associated with a belly button ring is “trash.” As the old saying goes, wearing jewelry doesn’t make you tacky any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger.
If you decide to get a belly button ring, accept the fact that it is not a stigma but a wonderful form of self-expression. You now have another place on your body that you can customize. Maybe your choice of jewelry for that area can influence the opinion of others for better or worse, but having a belly button piercing means nothing, except that you are not afraid of needles. If nothing else, you’re saying that you’re a little outside the norm and don’t take yourself too seriously.
The good thing about a navel piercing is that you can decide how and when to show off this area of your body. This can be done discreetly or overtly and your tactics can change with your outfit or the seasons. It’s hard to hide your midsection during bikini season and if you have jewelry that highlights the area, why would you want to?
Finally, the main point is to understand that your decision to get your belly button pierced may be misinterpreted. It may be a good idea to take a step back and consider why you are taking this step. Decide what message you want to convey (because you are sending one whether you want to or not) to others with your belly button rings and display. But don’t forget that nothing as simple as a piece of jewelry in an unusual area can define any of us if we don’t let it.