Almost every single person who gets some form of visible modification will get a common set of questions from the curious plain-skins. Some are perfectly reasonable, some are laughable, but all can be answered with a straight face.

Here are some of those questions, and my own personal answers.

1) Did that hurt?

Yes, of course it did, it's a needle going into my skin! Do you somehow think that my skin is impervious to pain?!

Now, every person has a different thresh-hold for the level of pain they can bear. It doesn't make the pain any less, it just means some people can cope with it better than others.

2) Where do you have piercings (and how many)?

Let's put it this way. I have 7 piercings that you can see (if you were stood by me of course) and two that you can't.

3) What about when you're all old and wrinkly and look awful?

Skin gets 'old and wrinkly' whether it is tattooed or not. I'd much rather have interesting (or odd) looking wrinkly skin than just skin which is old and wrinkly

4) You'll regret it in a few years.

That's entirely possible. But I highly doubt it. I don't regret a single thing in my life, even the shit things. Regret is the biggest waste of mental energy I can think of. Regretting something that has happened doesn't change the past now does it? I don't regret not taking my AS levels, I don't regret arguing back with my mother (which resulted in my getting kicked out of home at 16... oops), I don't regret staying with my abusive boyfriend as long as I did. Because if those things didn't happen? I wouldn't be who and where I am today. And I quite like who I am. I think I'm rather lovely .

5) Do you take drugs?

Drugs?! Caffeine, on occasion. Nicotine, very regulary. Alcohol rarely. Anything other than that, not really. I'm a mother! Two kiddies who are into everything, if I had the time to be off doing drugs I'd much rather spend the time catching up on sleep!

The only illegal substances I've had are aerosols (I was 14) and weed. And guess what? I've been trying to smoke weed since I was 16 years old, trying every few months or so, and each and every time I have been violently physically sick. I stopped trying a fair while ago, after officially deeming myself 'allergic'.

6) Does that go all the way through?

Of course it does. There is nothing dafter than the 'magnetic' jewellery people can get which makes it look as if a piercing is there. In my eyes anyway (the opinion, not the jewellery of course )

7) What are you going to do when you sons want piercings/tattoos/scarification/etc

If they're 14 or older? I'll talk to them about it, outline all the pros and cons, help them research said modification, and make sure it's what they truly want. I'm hoping my kids will be reasonably obedient, because I plan to implement a 12-month waiting period on any modifications. (While they're of the age of needing parental consent)

This 12 month period should make sure that it's still what they want, and that they really comprehend what they plan to do to their bodies.

8) What about when you go through a metal detector?

Most metal detectors would have to be on their most sensitive setting to pick up such tiny pieces of metal. If they did set one off, it'd be a simple case of showing what you have. And while I do have intimate metal? I'm not shy about it, so I wouldn?t mind having to verify I just have piercings, and not a gun hidden up my nether regions

9) What about if you walk by a large magnet?

All my body jewellery is made from titanium. From what I?ve been told, titanium isn?t magnetic. Anyway, what is the likelihood I?ll be walking by a huuuge magnet anyway?

10) Why?!

Now that's a helluva question. Why indeed. Personally, my body is my own to adorn as I see fit, and I choose to place my modifications on my body to show that it is truly mine. Also, with each modification I get, I get a sense of completeness, like I am becoming whole. Perhaps someday I?ll reach my limit? that I'll finally feel as if I am completed. But until that point, I'll carry on, and modify my body how I see fit.

Now, this is of course, only a list of 10. However, if you have any more questions feel free to ask me. I promise to respond to each question/comment posted. My three-year-old son is currently at the 'why' stage, so asking any and all questions is something I'm rather adept at right now