For better or worse there are still a number of circumstances in which a nose stud is still socially unacceptable. Although society has loosened their opinions of this practice somewhat, the prevailing opinion is that a nose piercing is for social outsiders and rebels. For those that know an individual with this type of piercing, you likely understand that this is no longer the case, and has become quite common with young ladies.
A controversial situation in which your nose piercing may not be acceptable is in your schools. Public schools, private schools, and some colleges and universities often have dress policies that restrict the usage of nose jewelry while on the premises. The most common explanation is that the jewelry is either too provocative or distracting for the other students. And while many find the nose stud jewelry to be attractive, many feel that it really shouldn’t be as big a deal as it is made out to be.
A perhaps more common and justifiable situation in which your jewelry is unacceptable is in a work setting. Professional work environments often have stricter dress standards and require a more conservative look for the office. Interviews in particular are a good time to hide your ring. Again, for good or bad, the nose ring will likely hamper your ability to interview properly and gives the interviewer a preconceived notion of how you are as a person. Until the social assumptions are broken down, this is just a fact of life.
For most, these two situations are a common occurrence of everyday life; there is little getting around them. The best way to maintain your nose piercing and pacify the demands of society is to place a nose stud retainer in your nose during these times. The retainer is designed to be virtually invisible to the eye, yet preserves your piercing and keeps the hole from closing while the jewelry is out. Once you are out of the socially restrictive scenario, you can switch out the retainer for your ring or stud.