should Americans wear many piercings when in south Africa?

Question

i'm going on a mission trip to johannesburg, South Africa.
i have 9 piercings in my ears, 1 in my lower center lip, and 1 in my toung. is it consiterd taboo or frowned upon?

i was told that in some villiges, i might be looked at as a witch doctoror o would offend them.

Answer 1

Im a South African and no you can wear as many piercing as you like. In South Africa each person is a person in their own right. South Africa is not that "old" fashioned as everyone think. But i would highly recommend you dont have cash on you or any valuable things other wise you will get robbed or even killed you are going to johannesburg and it is one of the most dangerous place in the country i would recommend you rather go to Pretoria is more save there. Dont be friendly to everyone they will think you are an easy target for robbery.
The country do have many nice things and you should definitly go on a game drive to see the wildlife it is a beauty, realy.
If you still decide to go to johannesburg please be careful the forgeiners stands out like a sore eye and you are the easy targets so please and whatever you do dont get into a taxi.
Enjoy the trip to our beautiful country.
You are aware that it is summer here so its hot very hot.

Answer 2

As always, people will try to exaggerate things. Like the dude above who said that Johannesburg is a very dangerous place. It's not worse than any major developing country metropolis such as Rio De Jeneiro. The key is to be smart and sensible and not walk around the streets advertising your wealth. However if it is Cape Town you wish to go to, rest assured because Cape Town is a lot safer than Jo'burg- but again, please mind your surroundings and don't make your self an easy target and thus inviting trouble. There are millions of people who live and work in these cities and make it fine day by day... crime is a high statistic in some places of SA, but even then it is not much unlike the streets of Compton or Harlem. Otherwise enjoy, South Africa is a fantastic place.

Answer 3

You will have absolutely no problem walking around with 9 piercings in South Africa! There are people all over with them and it is not something looked down upon, other than by the older generation who think something on the line of, 'what's gotten into the youth today?'. You really shouldn't have anything to worry about! Hope you have a great trip! :)

Answer 4

In a country where some people have coke lids in their ears, cut off toes as fashion, stretched necks, and ALLOT of people with more then 9 piercings... I'm quite sure you will be just fine;) I personally have an Afrikaans friend that has 5 earrings in her one ear, 3 in the other, 1 nose ring, 1 eyebrow ring, 2 tongue rings (one under her tongue), 2 nipple rings, 1 belly ring and a huge Tattoo on her lower back!!!!! I'M SURE YOU WILL BE FINE! the only thing I've seen when i walk around with her is people asking her questions like, "isn't that sore?" or "what if when you take your shirt off the one on your eyebrow ripps?" LOL come and enjoy yourself:)

Answer 5

The city's in South Africa are very modern, so are a lot of the people.
They will easily recognize you as a tourist, and tourist are different. There should be no problem. I only have piercings in my ears and nose, worked for three years in Southern Africa and never had a problem.

Answer 6

As said above, we (the Afrikaans) are usually very conservative, and frown upon these types of things, but the English are more acceptive and have a wider eye for the world.

Johannesburg is mostly English though, so it won't be an issue.

Answer 7

We are like any other country. I've got piercings in my ears, I've got a nose piercing and a belly piercing. It never stopped me from getting a job of anything else for that matter.

Answer 8

You can wear whatever you want. We as South Africans are used to stuff like that. Some older people might stare but our younger generation have piercings ourself.

Answer 9

Many Afrikaners (white Afrikaans speaking South Africans) are very conservative and might frown upon it.
But English speaking South Africans are more liberal and wont be bothered by it, and Africans like Xhosa's and Zulus might find you're piercings weird or even amusing, but wont feel it's "bad".
I'm just generalizing though, and you'll find both Afrikaners who find nothing wrong with your piercings, and English speaking South Africans, and Xhosa's and Zulus who think your piercings are to much.
Don't take them out though, I know many Saffa's with facial piercings and tongue rings, and you certainly wont be alone.

Answer 10

I don't know about SA but i know that if you (man) pierce your ears in Cote D'lvoire you are recognized as a "voleur" and i bet you don't want to be lynched!