AITA Stretched Version
Did I overreact? AITA?
Today while eating lunch in a public venue a man started staring at and clearly pointing at his lip and talking about my stretched labret to a woman he was sitting with. I ignored them and acted like I didn't notice but the conversation continued and she turned around and looked at me multiple times. I mean, she kept turning around and looking.
I admit I've been more self conscious about my piercings lately because I just moved from liberal Hawaii to the conservative South and it feels like I'm perceived differently.
Anyway, I went up to them and somewhat directly said, "would you like to take a closer look?"
I think I probably seemed confrontational but not overly so. They seemed curious about the labret, said they'd never seen one before and wanted to know what it felt like so I told them it feels normal and I don't really notice. I basically then said okay have a nice day and left.
It's pretty common for people to notice the stretched labret. Usually people look once in a very nonchalant way and it's no issue. Often people just straight out ask about it and that's also no big deal. This was the first time anyone has turned to stare multiple times and proceeded to have a whole convo about it, so I guess with my added sensitivity at the time, I went up to them and asked them if they need a closer look.
Thoughts?