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Jan 17, 2008

Piercing Pain

. Jan 17, 2008

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Warning: This Post is Rated "R"

I trudge to the mall to buy a gift card for a friend's teen daughter from her favorite clothing store called "Forever 21". Funny, I still feel like I'm in my 20s (I am not), so the store's name sits right with me. Browsing the clothes, I'm struck by how incredibly small everything is; the skirts are maybe one foot long, the jeans about the width of my arm, the tops fall off hangers at the slightest nudge. Their stringy straps don't hold. It's official. I no longer dwell in the blissful decade of carefree styles and fashion magazines. I'm all grown up.

Young girls' chatter brings me back from my reverie. Two teenagers pour themselves into a selection of doll-sized furry jackets the next rack over. Black, pink, baby blue and white jackets form a tight ring and the girls try on each color. They look high school age, with bright eyes and easy smiles. They are white, one blond and one brunette. They each wear jeans. One sports a white and pink "Roxy" surf top. The other wears a red t-shirt with lips outlined in silver rhinestones. Their own lips are heavily glossed. One has glitter spray in her hair. They model their choices in front of a mirror, the puffy jackets rack separating us. I bury my nose in a rack of brightly colored ponchos, my back towards them. After a few seconds of fashion talk:

Girl 1: Oh my god! I saw Jenny's sister's nipple ring!
Girl 2: No way!
Girl 1: Serious. I totally did! She showed it to me and I'm like -
Girl 2: NO WAY! Was it gross? What did it look like?
Girl 1: It was soooo cool. So cool. It's silver with two ball thingies on the bottom.
Girl 2: Ew! I am never doing that. I mean, in your boob?
Girl 1: It's so hot! You have to be totally brave to do it. She said it hurt like FTF.
Girl 2: Like what?
Girl 1: FTF.

(silence)
Girl 1: You know, F-T-F?
Girl 2: What's that?
Girl 1: Oh my god! You don't know what FTF is? Haha! You really don't know? First time fuck! Guess I know what you are.

26 Whispers:

Stella said...

Ah, slang. Constantly demonstrating that the English language is a work in progress. The origins of FUBAR and SNAFU are similar.

Kev said...

Now, being a male, my "FTF" was pretty awesome... So should I now pierce evey inch of my body in an attempt to relive that awesome moment? Then again, I probably bounced about like a freak and the girl is still telling the story of the nightmare before Christmas to her friends all these years after.

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

I absolutely LOVE your blog. So unique and makes me watch what I say in public. I find myself HEAVILY judging your subjects, only to realise that I, too, have hypocritical conversations, make inappropriate comments and treat my children unfairly here and there. I could have a million excuses - bad day, tired, children acting up, husband is sick - but really we are all SOO accountable for what comes out of our mouth all the time.
KEEP BELIEVING

Plot Whisperer said...

Terrific blog! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Wow. NEVER. Heard that one before.

Ouch.

p.s. I feel like a groupie when I come here and say what I am about to say. Ugh, here goes.

I just love these snippets of conversation. They are so dead on, so interesting and I love your mini observations that go with the conversation.

Done gushing now. Leaving.

Anonymous said...

Ouch!

I love your blog! Got here through Entrecard and I am bookmarking your site. Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

I have always wanted to get one...but now if it hurts like FTF...I don't know...

You are the best!!! :)

Anonymous said...

one of the best blogs of entrecard network! everytime i bloghop here, it always keep me to read!!! love it here! keep up eavesdropping! :D

Yoolees said...

Thanks for sharing what FTF means... I never know that :D I never thought about having a ring in my nipple.. ewww...

Hye
A Blog of Thoughts and Opinions

Leann I Am said...

I've never heard that expression either...and I have THREE KIDS!!!

Disturbing. I'm going to send all of my girls to convents when they turn 13...

*giggle*

Anonymous said...

That is a new one - thought I had heard most of them. Thanks for the update. And I still don't see the attraction of getting a nipple pierced. Guess I am just not into that kind of pain!

bluecrystaldude said...

What if a man with pierce nipple? Is anyone knows whether the slang should be FTF also? I am sure this is the first time I heard this slang. Should be practiced it with my friends.

Anonymous said...

I love your writing style and content and the way you set the stage for the little vignettes you're privy to is most excellent. Thank you for writing such and enjoyable blog.

Unknown said...

I've given birth and I didn't know what FTF means...

Unknown said...

A most amusing post. =) I'm thoroughly obsessed with crafting, specifically knitting and sewing. Yours is the ONLY non-crafting blog I read. Your page is always such an interesting place to visit.

Dizzy Dee said...

ROFL. Ouch, I got a belly ring in high school, and that hurt worse that FTF. But what the hell - if people can survive giving birth, I guess nipple rings aren't that bad.

Roland Hulme said...

You have perverted my innocent little mind.

And I like it.

Vivienne said...

Hello everyone and thanks for your comments! Welcome to all new readers. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy listening. A few shout-outs:

Thanks, Angie! I, too, am extremely judgmental of my subjects. I try to keep my thoughts out of my post, but it's hard. You can usually see subtle cues to how I feel about the conversation in the photos I include with each post. I think it's important to let everyone judge for themselves, so I try to contain myself.

Hi Cardiogirl and thanks much for your kind words. Gushing is most appreciated!

Thanks Malinesky! Glad you enjoy your time here.

Thank you steveV4.6. Welcome to Eavesdrop!

Angelika, great perspective! Most of the time I listen in on teens, I feel older and older. There's so much urban slang out there that goes right over my head.

Thanks Steph, that's very flattering! BTW, I'm a crafter, too. I enjoy beading and drawing.

Roland, happy to oblige!

MYM said...

hmmm...I didn't know what that meant...wish it only made me what she thinks it makes me...or whatever...

Anonymous said...

Now I know why girls protect their virginity. I have both nipples pierced, and if an FTF feels like that, it warrants strong consideration.

CastoCreations said...

OMG...I am SO old. I turn 30 next month and feel ancient!! Good grief. What is wrong with kids these days? lol I have never heard that phrase. Wow. Just wow.

New Jack said...

definitely one to commit to memory...an FTF, what will they come up with next..Gee, and I'm only 21 not knowing that..I guess I have to pay attention in F21 more often!

Vivienne said...

Hello Castocreations and New Jack! I'm with you guys, I'd never heard that expression before, either. Kind of frightening that young kids know what it means. Ack.

Anonymous said...

It's very interesting what one hears. I had to eavesdrop on conversations for an English writing class and I still find myself doing it. Love your blog.

laydeylike said...

hi there! 1st time reading yr blog! found this post..and I never knew what is FTF!!! though im in my 20s.
can we be friends?

Anonymous said...

nipple ring? Ouch! I laughed at the FTF. Kids and their jargon these days

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