new thread
I am a long-haired guy (obviously, why would I post to this site?). As a child I had the fortune (?) of having egalitarian parents who let me (indeed, they insisted) that I keep my hair long, which I did up to the start of high school at which time I cut it because I started to grow tired of it. After graduating, I went into the work world, where I had a variety of jobs in which a "dress code" was in effect. However, I really missed my long hair, for it was red and wavy -- even women would complement me on it. One year ago, I decided to grow my hair out again. I have not cut it since, although it lacks the fullness it once had since I am thinning on top.
Unfortunately, my work is looking at my new locks with dismay. Although I work in an office of mostly women, most of whom have long hair, I was told I had to keep it back in a ponytail by request from my boss and her boss. None of the long-haired females in my office have to keep their's back, although some do just for convenience.
Interesting, my boss today mentioned how much she likes my long hair, and even asked me if I would get my ears pierced! At first, I thought that she was joking, but she and several other office staff are "dead" serious about their recommendation. Are they trying to turn me into one of the "girls?"
Your thoughts and advice are welcome.
Hello,
this piercing idea I don't like. I don't understand why people hurt themselves with holes only for fashion reasons (or to look different). This thoughts are independent from gender, I remember that my little niece has been pierced her ears, only why some female adults of my family liked it, and she feared it. I think this is a kind of tradition that could be put on the garbage of history. This piercing idea I would not follow. On the opposite site I really appreciate long hair on women, but I think the one thing (ears piercing) has nothing to do with the other thing (long hair).
I think that long hair discrimination is not very strong in your environment. The request is not to cut it all off, although I don't know why you should put it into a ponytail. It is difficult not to follow the requests of a boss respective the outer appearance, it has thrown me in the past out of an university career, I lost the necessarity connections, but not the hair.
Currently I work in short haired industry environment with longer then shoulder length hair (at age 47, I am male) for a personal hiring firm. There were no problems at the interview. My boss begged me to put the hair into a ponytail and I do so. I don't know if they will accept it forever, but currently I am not ready to give in if hair cut pressure will come to me. Until today I can not complain about it, my hair is not subject of any discussion.
wolfgang
Wolfgang, et al.
I agree about the piercing idea: I don't like it, and do not plan to pursue it. On the other hand, the suggestion that I defy the ponytail requirement is an idea I will consider. On my days off (I am currently working just less than full time in order to return to school), I have gone into the office with my hair down. Because it is so wavy, it is hard to keep "tame" for even my tastes. I admit that in some ways I am jealous of women and men who have long, manageable hair. Mine is definitely not that manageable, although frequently conditioning helps. On Monday, I plan to start wearing my hair down. I'll post responses to my efforts here, as follow-ups to this thread.
Thanks.
You will probably find out that you like them and they are addicting
If was 54 when I pierced my ear; and now I'm 57 and have 22 in each ear. You just have to be yourself.
Men with pierced ear(s) are much more accepted by society today. I have both of mine pierced with small silver hoops and my conservative employer has no problem with them. In the retail environment I work in, I see several men each day that have one or both ears pierced and it is seen with both short and long hair. It IS slowly becoming more of the norm than the oddity.
I believe it's all about freedom of choice...
-Ed
I'd suggest defying the ponytail request and wear it down, as the women in the office do. If you do, though, make sure your hair is as well styled as theirs is as well. People usually respond well to a good-looking classic style regardless of which gender wears it more often. You might want to find a long hair stylist for trims and advise.
There is nothng rong ith putting your hair in a pony tail but this ear paircing thing scares me , not because of the ear peircing . There are hetrosexual men that wear earings but the resoning behind the request scares me.
that is my two cents
There is usually a connection between long hair and earrings that comes back from the time of heavy metal and other 80´s rock fashion. Perhaps this is what motivates the girls to persuade you to get your ears pierced. Personally I like the idea, i think it can look great on some guys, not everyone though. Why not try with magnetic or clip-on earrings if it looks good on you. I am a 30 year-old guy and although i like how earrings look on most men I don't lkike the idea of getting my ears pierced so I prefer not to wear earrings. I have tried clip-ons though and they can look good depending on what you are wearing, at least on me.
About your hair, if it covers your ears and falls down to your shoulders I think tying it into a ponytail is quite good choice, but then the girls at your office should be required to do so....Perhaps the girls in your office think it might look better on you...It´s you choice anyway but if they tell me i look better i might change my hairstyle.
I think you are in a way lucky to get good attention about your hair.When I was growing mine in the early 90's the boss wanted me to get it cut .The other boss didn't mind so much although mind you My hair was in the growing out phase and too short to tie back in a ponytail.Now my hair is down my back and I tie it back narely all of the time
Not at all. I am a blatently hetero male of 40 years who just had
his ears pierced. I like it, earrings are a lot of fun, esp if you
don't just limit yourself to little hoops like a lot of guys do. It is, however, like everything else, a personal choice. Earrings just "go" with longer hair, IMHO (regardless of gender). Good luck with
your decision!
-Zorba
Earrings are great. I'm 33 and have five in each ear. If you really don't want to, don't--but if you're at all intrigued, give it a try. You can always take them out if you don't like them. There's nothing effeminate about long hair or earrings. Go for it!