Hi all,
I've been living in Brisbane, Australia for about a month now. It's not a perminent move, but rather a study abroad oppertunity. It's beautiful here and so far, and, aside from missing friends and family, I am having a blast.
But I have noticed a few things concerning long hair here. First and foremost, it is much more common than in America. Just walking down the street, one is guaranteed to see multiple guys with ponytails. It seems to be most common in the 20-something crowd, but it is not uncommon to see younger teenagers sporting shoulder-length hair.
Mid-length hair, to the eyes and/or ears, is also quite common in the younger crowd. In fact, typical short cuts only account for probably 50 percent of men in this city.
The other interesting (and good) thing is that since I've moved here, I have not been called "ma'am" once!
So to conclude, it is much easier to live in Australia with long hair than it is in (at least suburban/rural) America.
As for progress, I have been getting trims fairly regularly, as right now in my life I'd rather have healthier hair even if it means sacrificing a few inches. I think that because I have very fine hair, my terminal length is only going to be around 18 inches. Here are a few recent photos. I apologize that they are not.....better.
Take care all!
Well that's great to know. I live a hour down the road on the southern Gold Coast and am at my 5 month mark.
Yes there certainly does seem to be a lot of young guys getting around with medium length hair, as in a full head of hair (and lots of it), just that it doesn't necessarily go to their shoulders. Good to see this 70s hairstyle coming back.
Enjoy Brisbane and the area in general. It's not too bad a place to be. We're spoiled and used to the place, but you may come to like it a lot. That's what usually happens to visitors. :)
Will post my 5 month update pics shortly.
LukeB
Excellent!
Your curly mane is looking as good as ever - nice to hear from you.
Thanks for updating us,
- Oren
That's awesome! Sounds like the people in Australia are really cool. I'd rather live somewhere in Western Europe though, I wonder what it's like there... =)
Your hair really is looking fantastic!
It also seems to be a bit less curlier than before (?), perhaps due to length.
In any case it really is looking good.
Living in the heart of Sydney as I do, I can relate very much to the the hair situation you describe up in Brizzy-except that down here, we have a few more mullets!
All the best, good studying and keep us updated!
I have noticed this trend. Young Middle Eastern males aged between 15-25 seem to have this style. They grow just the back and shave the front and sides. They dye the back blonde in color which is usually only a few inches long. It looks downright awful and i hate it. I saw a guy the other day with an undercut mullet in a ponytail. I can't summon the words to desribe how bad it was. They can't grow real long hair. They aren't even the proper, 'classic' mullets. More like a variation between a rat's tail and a shaved head.
If you are talking about 'classic' mullets(typical 1980s) well those are very rare. I have seen a few of those around but it is quite rare these days. I don't mind a mullet if it looks good but most tend to be just horrible.
For once 80s is speechless about a hair style! Actually you
probably could summon the words they just wouldn't be printable.
Why must you critique everything i post?
Why don't you do some proper postings like everyone else and encourage others and give helpful advice rather than trying to counter my posts/opinions. give it a break.
I don't critize everything you post. Only a very few of your
posts.
I agree with a great majority of your posts but I just don't
post that.
That post was meant as a joke anyway as you wouldn't be you if
you didn't post your opinions the way you do. Would miss that if
quit doing that.
Well if was mean't to be a joke I didn't read it that way!!!
John.B
I didn't read it this way either. I also read it as did John.
Settle down MG.
This is a place for support and community.
Lets keep it that way yeah?
We're all trying to be postive here and encourage people and be supportive. I know there are one of two purists here of how longhair should be that have posted in the past. After all it's all about variation as well. Not everyone wants hair all the same length, mullet and fringes etc. After all we're doing if for ourselves and it depends what we feel happy with.
So I have to support 80's on that.
John.B
I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say but if you
read my post carefully I'm not contradicting 80s at all.
He only said "Ican't summon up words" which is very rare for 80s
as he is usually quite colorfull with his opinions. That was not
meant as a criticism at all.
Hi Redleader,
Good to see you posting as i'm a fan of your curly hair and i sometimes read your old posts in the archives.
Your hair looks drop-dead awesome. Lovely fine curls and just so much volume. That back shot is just so full and long, really inspiring for me. If that is only 18 inches of hair then i am halfway there myself :)
Thanks for shedding some light about the differences between males long hair in Australia as opposed to USA.
Long hair is quite common here and i see many guys with impressive manes and ponytails. Waist length on guys is fairly common aswell. I live in Sydney. I went to the pub yesterday and i saw a handful of long hairs. Everywhere i go , whether it be the pub, work, shopping at the mall, long hairs are common.
As you said, there are lots of 'mop tops' and medium length styles being sported aswell. I think this popularity of male long hair might be due to the liberal nature of Australia.
Job opportunities is a whole different subject but i do believe long hair is accepted here.
I totally didn't realise that long hair is more common here than in other countries, i just grow accustomed to it ause that's all i havever know/seen. You on the other hand , have a comparison with USA, so you can make a judgement on this matter. That's pretty cool. Anyways, thanks for dropping by and take care. Regards, Jean.
Redleader, it is so nice to know that you are still alive and
well and still have your magnificant hair!
For curly hair yours is awesome.
Its also nice to know that there is a country where long hair is
accepted. I didn't know that Australia was so liberal.

Hello Everyone,
I just returned from New York for a formal dinner, and when I returned to Montreal, the number of longhairs per subway car in New York, (used as a random sample), around rush hour when the trains are packed, and in Montreal around the same time are a good yardstick to get an idea of the number of longhairs one can see in the city. Since in the winter people wear hats outside it was harder to compare, and the day I was in New York was a snowy and slushy day.
In a New York subway car around rush hour, one sees mostly suits, and I was the only longhair on board. In Montreal, it is common to see four guys with hair long enough to tie it back, and two "beatles cuts". Long hair is commonplace in Montreal. Employers are reluctant to impose hair codes on employees, unless the firm is into insurance. Long hair can be seen in all age ranges as well, from teens, to middle-aged guys like me.
It seems that from reading stories here and there that hair codes are enforced by American employers, reducing the number of longhairs. Low wage jobs in supermarkets, or large-surface stores also may enforce hair codes. In Montreal, at Future Shop, I encounter salesmen with long hair, and recently at a Best Buy, I also encountered long-haired staffers. Even in the store where I bought my suit, one of the salesmen had very long hair in a grey ponytail.
Maybe policies are in the books, but not enforced here in Montreal, since people would bitch, and sex discrimination laws are different as well.
Have a nice day,
Georges in Montreal.
Hi there,
Great to here from you again and I hope you doing well. I'm sure you having a great time in OZ. It's certainly a great opportunity and do certainly enjoy your time down there. I have a great time when I visted there about 3 years ago, when I was doing a photoshoot for a couple of bands and just wish I could stay longer.
Thanks for posting the updated pictures and they hair looks in great condition and keep it growing and your certainly a great inspiration to people with curly and wavy hair.
Enjoy a few tinnies!!!
John.B
Wow, you hair has turned out great. Best wishes, and keep it long.
Absalom
yea aus is mostly cool bout longhair where i am i tihnk its to do with surfculture
where a bit more liberal than america generall.....well at least near the coast ;)
Hello! I absolutely love your hair! I love the length and the curls and the volume! How long has it taken you to grow it that length and how short was it when you started? I am really looking forward to the day when I have this long mane thats tied back and I am walking somewhere and I undo it and shake it loose. I want to grow mine down to my butt. Mine is about fifteen months now. Does your hair fall in your face a lot? YOu are definetly one of my long hair inspirations now! Good job!!!: Hi all,