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Been wearing a ponytail to work full time for the last 2 weeks, the business owner and his wife both said it suited me. Big relief. My immediate boss dosn't like long hair much but puts up with it. He has commented that it's unprofessional and although it's OK to wear in the office I didn't have much of a chance to go visiting clients. Also he dosn't let me sit in on meetings with potential new customers since I've been growing my hair. Of course I laugh it off he's not the owner after all.
Funny thing was today some managers from a new client came to visit us for the first time, and one of them had a ponytail, and neatly trimmed beard. My boss looked quite surprised...
Now that I can tie it back fulltime, I feel my goal is going to be between middle of shoulderblades to mid back. I feel more comfortable knowing I can wear it down when I want, or tied back as the occasion arises. I may gow it longer, when it gets to mid back but that's a long way off yet!
Also I saw the pics from Cerebral about the ice storm, well I tell you send some of it to Australia! We've been in drought for 6 years now, and it's hot with bushfires everywhere. This evening a bushfire cut off power to Melbourne and most of Victoria, bet they're sweating even more down there without air conditioning. I live west of Sydney NSW-no power problems yet but they're predicting 45 degrees celcius over the coming weekend- that's about 113 farenheit, Luckily it's only 35c today or 95 farenheit.
Pic attached, just took it. Wanted to do multiple pics but photobucket is down for maintenence right now.. check my link tomorrow if you want to see a couple of extra update pics.
There may be one person lurking somewhere interested to know: 3 weeks of regular exercise and counting. I'm doing it for me, not you BTW. Have YOU got a picture for us yet? Love to see it!
;)
Take care all,
MattT
Looking good there, Matt, your hair is coming along FAST, and the ponytial is so nice and thick! All of us longhairs seem to go through those periods where people are giving us negative comments, I've just gone through some soul searching myself, and have learned to just brush them off. It was certainly great to see that one of the managers from your potential new client has a ponytail, that might be the one thing that will bring your boss around and get him to lay off the hair remarks. I still feel it is blatant discrimination that your immediate boss is limiting your opportunities by keeping you out of meetings and visiting new clients. I DO hope he comes around!
All the best, keep it growing,
David
A guy came in to work on one of our scientific instruments in our lab today. He really liked my long hair and actually said he would love to grow it long, but his company policy will not allow him. He was actually jealous that I have the freedom to grow my hair long in my current job. We got into a discussion and he thinks it is really discriminatory that there is still a feeling out there in the professional world that men should have short hair. Just thought I would pass this on.
David
Congratulations on reaching your comfort zone. That's an important milestone! In my area of the USA, I see more and more guys with long or longer hair, at least more than past years. Maybe your boss may take a hint that it's more socially accepted and give you the all opportunities you deserve.
Take care,
Bruce
Matt, your ponytail looks fantastic. In fact, I think it looks quite professional, too. longhair511
Hey Matt
looking great. Your thick curly hair seems healthy and has grown alot! I think the ponytail look suits you very well!.
good luck and keep it growing down to your back.
all the best
chris
Hi Matt,
greetings to NSW! Your pony tail is great and gets even better as it gains length. Apparently, the company owner is much more relaxed than your immediate boss. By the way, another Australian guy who used to post post here as 80s_Metal for quite some time, would have loved to know more companies like yours. Apparently, NSW even has a state law against hair length discrimination - I was quite surprised when I learned that!
NSW and Europe have something in common - unseasonably warm weather - a warm winter here, a hot summer "down under" - 45° is indeed bad. Ships loaded with ice and snow from the US midwest are on the way...
By the way, even though you ARE doing it for yourself, I think the exercise you mentioned does contribute to the good looks, it makes the hair even look better.
All the best, and, happy growth!
Hans-Uwe
That is one nice, neat looking ponytail. It looks very professional as well, so any boss who would have a problem with that would have to be at least a tad bit crazy =P I can't wait till I can tie one like that. It should only be a few more months =)
All the best, and keep it growing!!
Noble
Excellent-looking ponytail, and it does indeed suit you. It's a great twist that a guy with a ponytail and beard walked in for a meeting; that might ease your temporary boss' mind. At any rate, you've won a war that many of us are still fighting, so leave the next victory (seeing clients, I believe it was?) for later on.
Peace, and continued growing.
I am glad that your ultimate employer has no problem with long hair even if your immediate employer does. Just so you are not forced to cut it, I wouldn't worry too much. Punctuality, attention to detail, and good work SHOULD eventually convince him of your merit and overcome any negative bias he might have toward you now. It's truly a shame that we hear of scenarios again and again just like what you have said. I guess it is too much of s stretch for some people to re-align their paradigms when everything does not fit in their pre-ordained categories. But, you and many others of us out there are slowly, day-by-day, hopefully working to alleviate the aire of negativity that regrettably surrounds us men with longish and long hair.
Now, the tailed look is a good one for you and very neat. It looks very professional and tidy.
The weather in Oz sounds horrendous. We've had everything from 18F to 75F in the past month. It's 60F now and supposed to be 25 F in two days! At least though, you have less humidity to deal with than if you were up, say, around Cairns.
Good luck, and keep us posted with your progress, both hair and job.
See you later, Bragi
Your ponytail looks nice and thick! Keep it growing!
-Mihnea
I must say that you have incredibly nice and thick hair, keep it growin:)
Simon
Hi Matt,
Great to see you can get hair into a ponytail and it's just another landmark of having longhair. You hair is looking great and nice to see such thick wavy hair and in such great condition. It's nice to able to just let hang down or tie it back for work and in an idreal their should be no issues. Good to see you bosses have no issues.
Keep it growing,
Cheers,
John.B
Looks terrific Matt!
You have wonderfully thick hair.
- Oren
To echo the comments of others:
Congratulations!
congratulations
c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s
Your hair is really quite nice.
nice
n i c e
Thanks for sharing,
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
Thanks for all the positive comments. I really feel a sense of relief at being at the full ponytail stage. Hang in there those guys who have a ways to go, it's worth it!
Haven't had a chance to upload any more pics yet, but keep an eye out.
MattT