new thread
Hi there. Checked out this board for the last 2 days, and it's really good. It's really wonderful to have such a welcoming community for long hair for men.
I have reached the conclusion that long hair looks better than shorter hair, on anyone really. Unfortunetly, I've only reached that conclusion a year and a few months ago. My hair has finally finished with akward stage about 3-4 months ago, so it finally looks really good, though not as great as most of those I've seen here. You guys, (and girls), judging by your avatars, have really astonishing hair. Maybe when day my hair, will be like yours.
However, here begins the problem.
I live in Israel, and I'm 17 and a bit years old. In about 3 months I'll be 18. And Israel, being Israel, has mendatory army service. Meaning, once I'll turn 18, or shortly after (a few months), I'll be conscripted to the army. There's no conventional way of avoiding army service (the unconventional ones will be: acting insane, or acting deeply religious.), and declaring pacafism won't help. And one of the many, many, horrendous aspects of being a soldier in the army, is that it doesn't allow soldiers to have long hair. Short hair is mandetory.
So, at october, (when I'm conscripted) it seems, I will lose my hair. That of course, saddens me.
As a result, I wish too something a bit, well, "wild", with my hair, a month or two before it all goes away. I don't know what, really. Maybe dyeing it, (blue seems a very good color), maybe be cutting it an odd way (though that seems like an odd option), or anything else.
So, what I ask of you guys, (and girls), are ideas of what to do what to do, and also, to tell me what wouldn't be bad for my hair. I mean, I want to grow it after leaving army service (which is about 4 and a half years from now), so I don't want to ruin it, and I heard that dyeing or bleeching might damage my hair. I'm not sure, though. (I have black, a bit greasy, somewhat curly hair.)
I know this is a long post, so, thank you for reading it.
With many many thanks, Dor.
P.S - Sorry for any grammer or spelling mistakes. English isn't my native language. Also, I might post a picture of my hair as a comment, if I'll find a recent one.
What will happen if you deny army service? Will you then go to jail?.
I will. A few pacifict spent 3 years in jail until they agreed to serve.
About my picture, here is one, though it's not a really good one, about a month or 2 ago, and, well, I was too lazy to shave at the time..
(3 years in jail) that sucks man, I hate the army. In Denmark were I come from, you have to do some public work if you deny to serve in the army. They could not use me cuz of my attitude LOL.
Nice hair and good luck and keep it growing.
seek asylum in the western world for hate crimes against hair
shave it off and glue it to your face. That way theyll think your too lod to be in the army hahhaha. Im very sorry to hear about you having to be a part of an army that you dont seem to aprove of. Is there no way around it? Well post a picture and i would be glad to give some suggestions.
Unitl then keep it growing!
Do anything you want for the next couple of month's to enjoy your hair and/or shock those around you. Multi-coloured Spikes, perhaps?
When you serve your country, short hair is part of your military uniform.....wear both proudly !!
Good Luck and Prayers are with you.
Walter White Tail
Dor,
Your English is fine. Only native speakers of the language need apologize for making mistakes.
Many men feel that long hair is a part of their identity. Most religions commend that we be true to ourselves. Some of us even espouse a "Hair Religion," which sounds empty, but I believe that most of us who have long hair identity are also 1. peaceful if not pacifist, 2. respect women as equals, 3. believe that homosexuals should have full civil rights, and 4. in general believe in justice, and 5. Enjoy the pleasures of the body, among which is maintaining healthy hair.
If you concur with these ethical guidelines, then I believe you are a member of the natural & healthy religion.
You should communicate, at the right time, to your armed services recruiting agent that you look forward to serving your country but that it will not be possible to cut your hair for religious reasons.
Point of information? Are women in the Irali armed services required to cut their hair as short as men. Are there laws in Irael preventing sex discrimination?
In arguing your case, you should site countries which permit long hair. I believe Nederland is one such country, and I am sure there is some condition that it needs to be tied up under certain operating conditions.
Is there a civil liberties organization in Israel. Contact them about your situation.
Under no circumstances should you preemptively cut your hair.
But dye it blue if you like, or bleach it platinum, which would require their shaving your head to eliminate the color, or have it plaited in cornrows, or what ever would be fun for you.
Best wishes, but if you must go down, go down rationally arguing about your personal rights.
James
Hey Dor,
I know that it is simplistic to say that all Israeli's support the IDF and want to be a part of it.
That said, I have a lot of respect for the IDF and (a) what you will be going through; (b) what your service means to Israel, Israelis and to Jews worlwide.
Don't worry about your hair, it will grow back.
The first time I grew my hair, I started at 17 and had it cut at 19 (after nearly 3 years).
I thought it would take 'forever' to grow back and at times that is exactly how it has felt, yet here I am, 22 this week, and my hair is close to mid-back (when wet!).
It grows back.
In the meantime though, i would suggest a style tht you might like to try in the future.
Personally I would go for a mullet/some variation thereof.
I'm not cutting my hair for the forseeable future so that is out of the question for me; but if I was forced to cut my hair in the near future...
a thought!
All the best to you Dor.
Shalom Chaver!
Bleaching or dying your hair is only going to hurt that hair that is already grown, not that hair which is to be grown later.
Good luck with everything and be safe. I will not even try to get into a political discussion about all the other aspects the conflicts in your region, but just good luck!
The picture of your hair looks great as well.
You haven't specified whether you ob ject to the army service itself, or just to the short hair requirement. If you don't have a problem with serving, then I'd say relax, it'll grow back afterwards. I spent 20 years with short hair due to military service, and mine grew in just fine.
Jim
Well, I really don't like the idea of serving in general. But now one asked me, really.
Last year I met a bunch of Israelis in Spain. I had a great time with them. Like you, they had excellent English. Most had recently finished their military service. They had served in the air force, which is rather cool.
One guy was dishonourably discharged for smoking cannabis (or marijuana), among other things! I am strongly anti-war but I like war films and have met, and got on well with, many soldiers from various countries.
