Ivan smiles, although he won't have a helpful answer for that. "It's up to you, David. Do you feel comfortable with the idea of wearing them out?" He understands that some people do -- especially visitors. In his experience visitors tend to opt for more passive earrings; they can't read them like a native would, and so theirs tend to be invitations or warnings away. Ivan's own are inherently complicated: LSPT; bisexual; open to sex outside of work, but not interested in serious long-term relationships.

"If you'd like to wear them in the office to get used to the idea, you're welcome to."