At A Glance
Author	anonymous
Contact	anonymous@bme.anon
When	A year ago
Artist	John
Studio	Totally Pierced
Location	Sydney

For a long while I could never understand why guys would get their tongues pierced, viewing it as a girls piercing.

This all changed about 18 months ago when a friend came running up to me, sticking her tongue out, showing off a new piercing. I fell in love with the tongue piercing on the spot.

I began to research and, after reading many experiences from this site, decided that I would get it done. I knew to expect a few days of swelling, and wanted these days away from my parents to reduce the chance of them finding out. I found a piercing studio and all that remained was to wait for the window of opportunity.

About two months later my parents planned a trip from Sunday to Wednesday. I got back on the website of the studio, and discovered that they were closed on Sundays, and the Monday due to a public holiday. Wanting more than a day and a half for the swelling I decided to get it done on Saturday and spend the night at a friend's house.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Although my parents were still on holiday until the following Sunday, my H.S.C. (end of high school exams) started a week later and I figured I could spend that time either studying in my room or at a friend's house. I also wanted to refrain from drinking to much alcohol during the exams and thought that the new piece of metal through my tongue would help with this, having read that you shouldn't drink for six weeks.

I made an appointment for the Saturday afternoon and arranged with a friend that would come with me then let me spend the night at her place. I was pleased that she agreed to come because their would be less chance of me chickening out, knowing that an opportunity like this probably wouldn't come again any time soon.

I then had a week to wait.

Finally the day came, I grabbed a few things for the night and even managed to sneak out an iced water bottle and some watered down Listerine. I said good bye to my parents, knowing I wouldn't see them for a few days and knowing it was the last time that I would be able to talk to them, without hiding something, for a long time.

I picked up my friend and headed for the studio. I can't really describe the feelings of that morning. A combination of being nervous, and scared about what my parents might do when they find out.

I knew that my appointment was at two o'clock, so at about midday we headed to Hungry Jacks for the last decent meal for a few days.

A combination of not wanting to be late, overestimating the distance and not thinking completely clearly led to us arriving at the studio at about one thirty. I told the lady at the desk that I had a two o'clock appointment, she handed me a form to fill in and asked if I had any questions. Feeling more scared about my parents finding out at this point I asked how long the swelling should last. She said a few days but the piercer would have a better idea and it should be about ten minutes.

Just as I was sitting down to wait my phone rang. It was my parents, fortunately it was now and I was still able to talk properly.

The ten minute wait seemed to take forever. I was eventually called in and the piercer, John, introduced himself and asked if I had any questions. I was so nervous at this stage that I forgot to ask about the swelling.

I sat in the chair and John explained the procedure and aftercare. He dried my tongue and marked the position. I said it looked fine and had to take two deep breathes to try and relax and then told him I was ready.

I stuck out my tongue. John held my tongue with a pair of tweezers, which was uncomfortable, not painful like I had heard.

Part of me wanted to close my eyes but part of me wanted to watch. I knew that if I saw it coming I would probably freak out and try to pull my tongue in, which could end badly, so I closed my eyes. John told me to breath, I felt a slight pinch and he told me it was finished.

I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror. It looked amazing.

John gave me an aftercare sheet and told me to come back and get the bar changed in a few weeks. I was too scared to change the bar myself, so went back three weeks later. It had only been three weeks but it felt weirder not having a bar in my mouth for a few moments then it had when I first had it done.

The attention I have received from the ladies since has made it more than worth it and I wish that I had done it sooner.

My parents didn't even flip out like I had expected them to when they found out.