Yolande is right. I watched a program on SKY recently where a guy was complaining that he couldn't get a job because of the large holes that had been left in his ear lobes from large ring piercings. He got a right telling off by all and sundry about his moaning. An employment agency representative said that many people who have these large rings in their ears and visible tattoos (on neck, hands, face) do it so they won't easily get work and can live off job seekers allowance or other benefits. When the guy who had been on the program previously moaning came back a few months later, he had a job - and had gone through expensive plastic surgery to close these holes. With no job and no money, his parents had had to fork out for this!His ears were still scarred somewhat. So, my heart goes out to you serendipity, your son does have a bit of a problem on his hands there!