new thread
I'm on the road this week visiting family and friends but I wanted to mention that as the holidays are upon us, we have a time of the year that can be stressful for some of us who are growing our hair out. Family gatherings seem to be a time for some of our relatives, who have control issues, to scrutinize us and voice their unsolicited opinions...about us, namely our hair. Before you cave in and get a trim or worse, keep the following pointers in mind:
1. Stay cool. It's hard I know, but don't fall into the trap of defending your hair. That's what hair haters want--for you to be put on the offense, "justifying" your hair, which to them, you cannot do--they'll have some counter attack for everything you say. Instead just smile and say, "Yeah okay, it looks awful." or whatever.
2. Remember that the holidays will pass in a few weeks and the hair hysteria will too. Take the long view.
3. No one can make you do anything to your body that you don't want to do.
4. "We're embarrassed to be seen with you." et cetera. Tell them they'll survive somehow. If you have to, simply say you like your hair, you're not getting it cut, get over it.
5. The jerk. The jerk is a tough case. One example: Middle aged bald male with beer belly, maybe hasn't had anything going on in his life (you know what I mean) in 30+ years. the jerk has personal problems and complexes--enough said. The sight of someone doing what he wants to do and enjoying life makes him crazy. the jerk won't let up. And he'll manipulate. ("Hey, I really care about you. That's why I'm telling you to get your hair cut.") The worst thing to do with Uncle Elmo is get mad. This is what he wants. He wants to pick a fight and make you miserable. If nothing else works, calmly tell him you are tired of your hair as a topic of conversation, you'd like to have an adult conversation without rudeness and insults, and if you can't do that, you're going to have to leave. If that doesn't work, lie and tell everyone you had a good time but you have to go and depart. Be pleasant about it. Go for a walk, get a cab, ride a bike, do whatever it takes but leave, if not permanently, at least for an hour. Hopefully everyone else will read the jerk the riot act and things will get better.
Remember, if you don't snip any hair, things WILL get better, around Jan. 2nd.