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I have stretched ears. Currently, they are sitting at 7/8 of an inch, which, to most people, is a fair size and easily noticeable. I have had my ears stretched like this for eleven, going on twelve, years. I had them stretched before I even started working, and way longer before I started working in a customer service job. They have never prevented me from getting a job, aside from, "Can you put solid plugs in, rather than have a gaping hole?" which is a reasonable request, and one that I can certainly grant.
However, times are changing, tattoos and piercings are becoming more common, and three of my coworkers have visible tattoos, and four of us have nostril piercings. It also seems to be the case that people are getting offended by them. I have been told to cover up my tattoos, take out my piercings, and sew my ears shut by a few of my more charming customers. I've got two little stories here that I think you lot might like:
Woman comes up to the counter, budges in front of a regular customer, and slams her stuff down on the counter. My GM looks over at her, his gaze turns to me, and he raises his eyebrows as if to say, "PLEASE don't say anything stupid.".
Me: Hi, welcome to (place).
SC: Yeah, whatever, I want this and this and smokes and lotto and blah blah blah...
Me (gets all her stuff): There you are, is there anything else I can help you with?
SC: *pauses, stares at my ears, and gets mega catbutt face going* OMFG WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?
Me: Excuse me? (at this point, I think her meds have worn off)
SC: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR EARS!? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THEM!? HOW THE FUCK HAS ANYONE LET YOU INTO A CUSTOMER BASED SERVICE WITH THOSE UGLY THINGS IN YOUR EARS!?
I'm at a loss for words, but I'm carefully formulating a response in my head when my GM comes over, puts his hand on my shoulder, and moves me over to one side. He then puts his hands down on the counter, and leans closer to the woman. Now I know that shit is going to go down.
GM: Ma'am, I understand that you don't like my employee's jewelry, but it does not give you the right to insult her, or belittle her, based on what she's got going on.
SC: She shouldn't be here with that stupid shit in her ears! How the hell did she get hired!?
GM: She was hired because she's a good worker, with a good personality, and she's had those things for over a decade. Now, your stuff is going to be put away, and you are going to leave the store. I never want to see you in here again.
SC: *flies into a massive rage, freaking right out about all kinds of shit*
GM: I'll say it again: Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. Store.
She leaves, but not before taking down everyone's names, grabbing corporate's number, and insulting me one more time.
GM: *looks over at me* I really do hate those things in your ears.
Me: Yeah I know, but you love me anyways.
GM: I wouldn't go that far, but I can tolerate you at least.
He does make me smile, and he is a fantastic boss, one of the best that I've ever had. The second part of this is when I had a trucker in. He was a filthy pig of a man, and made all sorts of lewd comments towards myself and my other two coworkers. The boss is filling up his coffee when this exchange happens:
SC: Hey! Nice ass! You ever do anything freaky with those ear holes of yours?
Me: Yeah, and you might be small enough to get into them.
GM: Oh dear god.
And that, my friends, is my tale of my horrifying ears. These days, it hasn't been so bad. Most of my customers are genuinely curious, and ask if I can take out my plugs. I do, and they're a little put off by it, but kids LOVE to stick highlighters through them. Some days I think I'm part of a traveling freak show.
However, times are changing, tattoos and piercings are becoming more common, and three of my coworkers have visible tattoos, and four of us have nostril piercings. It also seems to be the case that people are getting offended by them. I have been told to cover up my tattoos, take out my piercings, and sew my ears shut by a few of my more charming customers. I've got two little stories here that I think you lot might like:
Woman comes up to the counter, budges in front of a regular customer, and slams her stuff down on the counter. My GM looks over at her, his gaze turns to me, and he raises his eyebrows as if to say, "PLEASE don't say anything stupid.".
Me: Hi, welcome to (place).
SC: Yeah, whatever, I want this and this and smokes and lotto and blah blah blah...
Me (gets all her stuff): There you are, is there anything else I can help you with?
SC: *pauses, stares at my ears, and gets mega catbutt face going* OMFG WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?
Me: Excuse me? (at this point, I think her meds have worn off)
SC: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR EARS!? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THEM!? HOW THE FUCK HAS ANYONE LET YOU INTO A CUSTOMER BASED SERVICE WITH THOSE UGLY THINGS IN YOUR EARS!?
I'm at a loss for words, but I'm carefully formulating a response in my head when my GM comes over, puts his hand on my shoulder, and moves me over to one side. He then puts his hands down on the counter, and leans closer to the woman. Now I know that shit is going to go down.
GM: Ma'am, I understand that you don't like my employee's jewelry, but it does not give you the right to insult her, or belittle her, based on what she's got going on.
SC: She shouldn't be here with that stupid shit in her ears! How the hell did she get hired!?
GM: She was hired because she's a good worker, with a good personality, and she's had those things for over a decade. Now, your stuff is going to be put away, and you are going to leave the store. I never want to see you in here again.
SC: *flies into a massive rage, freaking right out about all kinds of shit*
GM: I'll say it again: Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. Store.
She leaves, but not before taking down everyone's names, grabbing corporate's number, and insulting me one more time.
GM: *looks over at me* I really do hate those things in your ears.
Me: Yeah I know, but you love me anyways.
GM: I wouldn't go that far, but I can tolerate you at least.
He does make me smile, and he is a fantastic boss, one of the best that I've ever had. The second part of this is when I had a trucker in. He was a filthy pig of a man, and made all sorts of lewd comments towards myself and my other two coworkers. The boss is filling up his coffee when this exchange happens:
SC: Hey! Nice ass! You ever do anything freaky with those ear holes of yours?
Me: Yeah, and you might be small enough to get into them.
GM: Oh dear god.
And that, my friends, is my tale of my horrifying ears. These days, it hasn't been so bad. Most of my customers are genuinely curious, and ask if I can take out my plugs. I do, and they're a little put off by it, but kids LOVE to stick highlighters through them. Some days I think I'm part of a traveling freak show.
Should have made a PA announcement (note that I'm using CB slang here) "Would whoever is hauling go-go girls please check your trailer - one has escaped and entered the store."
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