I don't think she was talking down just letting her know that her peircing was physically upsetting to her. Some people react that way to people that have been burned or disfigured. You wanted to be unique and ram a sharp object through your flesh. Understand that the very thought of that makes people queasy.

As queasy as it makes you, you try to be POLITE and NOT RUDE to the person you're talking to, whether or not they have body piercings. If you tell someone "Your piercing makes me sick." you ARE talking down to them. Even more so if you raise up your hands as if you have to defend yourself from shaking hands with them, as if the piercing is on their hand instead of their nose. If you don't like someone's piercing, just politely ignore it. Don't go shouting out you feel disgusted by them. That's just plain rude and disrespectful. There's a difference between having a right to express your disgust and whether or not you should.

If someone is gagging and having a physical reaction, would you prefer they smile be polite and vomit on OP'S shoes? Some peole cant handle seeing something they think is extremely painful or traumatic. Some people are like that with people with injuries, Like if they see a broken finger pointing the wrong way they vomit instantly, some are like that over burns or other disfigurments. You run into these people when you work retail. She did not say She didn't like OP as a person, she did not judge her personal choice of jewelry. She was telling OP that she was feeling ill, and OP could not wait on her unless they wanted a clean up on isle 5. Some people have strong stomachs, and some don't.

That gives them no right to make OP feel bad about her nose ring, though, which this clearly did. Yes, you DO try to hide your disgust. That's what you're supposed to do. It's called respecting your peers.

I happen to like my piercings very much. And yes, I do think they look cool. That's why I like them.

What makes you assume the OP doesn't genuinely like their piercing?

Lol I didn't get the piercings I have as a ritualistic mating call. I got them because (key word here) I wanted them.

Twatwaffle. I got my first nipple done because, yes, it was a fad and I was curious. All of my piercings since then have been for my own self satisfaction (except one, it's for her satisfaction) because I like the feel of the needle. None of mine are visible in public, so it's not like I got any of them just for show.