Does 48 seem a bit old to be getting my ears pierced (first pair)? and does this seem too dishonest?

not at all! my grandma and i both got our ears pierced for my 16th birthday, and she was in her 60's! she was scared too, but in reality its not bad at all; it sounds like a binder ring being snapped shut and it stings when they do it and is only achy for a few days or so. if you're worried about health/sanitation things, you can always go to a dermitologist, but you have to call ahead and there's less choice in what kind of starter studs you can get (this is what my grandma and i did). if you're going out shopping, i would go to claires or piercing pagoda at the mall. the only thing i will say is be SUPER careful about cleaning and what kinds of metals you buy for other earrings so you don't get an infection/allergic reaction.