It wasn't anything as extreme as a strip search. Not to mention, when you're in a hurry to catch a plane the prospect becomes the most UNerotic thing you can think of...yes, it did cross my mind at the time.
I set off the walk through metal detector and then came the routine wand check. It, of course, beeped as security waved it past my chest.
"What do you have under your shirt?"
"A nipple ring"
"Can you take it out for me?"
-short pause while my head sort of imploded a little
"No, it doesn't come out"
-mind you, it's an 8g bead ring that requires either tools or somebody with vastly more finger strength than I possess to open
"Can you show me?"
-sounds like either the opening sequence in a porno or the question of somebody who "just doesn't get it." I'll let you guess which 😉
So I did.
Her eyes got huge and "okthankssorrytobotheryouhaveaniceflightnow..." all came tumbling out of her mouth, and she hurriedly sent me along my way. Oddly enough, in the context of embarrassment and control, I think *I* actually had the upper hand on that one. >😄
I can only guess that she was fairly new because I can't imagine that seeing a pierced nipple would be that infrequent to be seen as that startling in 2001.
Let's just say that this trip through security was much more amusing than the next time I flew and a pair of collapsible sewing kit scissors somehow got stuck in the lining of my leather jacket. Oy vey...