new thread
So many great update pics from you guys; but so little free time in my life these days for me to reply or comment... hope you'll forgive me!
Anyway, just wanted to say how totally impressed I am at how many here are growing and growing and growing yer manes, --- looks hands-down AWE-INSPIRING!!!!
Also, to all you new members that just joined our shaggy ranks: WELCOME!!!
Long Lox 4ever,
Ken (AKA Urban Cowboy)
PS - Is it just me... or are there a LOT of guys out there now that are *finally* wising up and growing their hair back???
I forgot to mention a cool thing that happened to me just yesterday...
I had just deposited a check into my bank's ATM machine, while simply walking away & focussing on returning to my truck ASAP, when I heard this guy's voice (very loud, & clearly aimed at me):
"I like your hair, Sir!"
I whipped my head around, spotting one of the bank tellers that I had only had professional interaction with in the past. He's a young guy (my guess would be in his early or mid-20s) who looks to me to be of East Indian descent, --- and in the year or so that I've occasionally seen him, couldn't help but notice that he's in the process of growing a little half-tail (he has an undercut-style, with hair that's very short & conservative looking on the sides and in back; but long bangs and full, thick black hair on top that's tied back in a hair tie).
I smiled, saying, "Thanks, --- and you, too!!" He was hanging around right outside the bank with some friends or co-workers, my guess being that he was on a cigarette break.
The most amazing aspect of him fearlessly shouting out his compliment to me was that my hair was a good 5 days without having been shampooed, as well as I had quickly just coiled it into a rather haphazzard-looking bun that day... Well, I'd say that this bank teller must be a true longhair at heart in order for him to have the guts to compliment an old hairy geezer like me (lol)!! Anyway, this guy would have waaaaay AWESOME hair if his job ever allowed him to grow it out completely; but in any case, he defrinitely made my day!
- Ken in San Francisco
"Old Geezer"...lol
You are not THAT old, Ken!!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear that work is keeping you very occupied , I can only imagine how stressful it is. Thats why i only have one job!
Well , I am glad all is well and that you are having a great time with your hair. Its always great to hear from you, Ken, so thanks for posting!
That's AWESOME, Ken! It is little things like that that mean SO much, isn't it, they can rapidly turn a bad or so-so day into one where you really feel on top of the world!
It is sad in a way that this poor guy can't grow his hair out the way he would REALLY like, why is the banking community so set against long hair? In fact, I had a similar experience recently from a guy who services instruments in our lab, he REALLY wanted to grow his hair like mine but his job wouldn't let him! I bet there would be a LOT more guys with long hair if they weren't restricted by their jobs.
All the best, keep it growing,
David
Hi David,
I think what you said is true about more guys would grow their hair long had they the permission to do so in their jobs.
About the banking industry, as a former cog in that machine, I can say a little about that. Banking by its very nature is a conservative industry. Dealing with peoples' money is a balancing act for a bank between making a profit for the institution AND staying within the tons of regulations and laws imposed by the FDIC and OCC (in the USA). In other countries, I do not know all the details however. In the US, before the 1930's, banks were less regulated and did not have to hold the amounts of reserves that they do today. Reserves are money held to back the deposits. After the Great Depression and after many, many bank failures and runs in the US, banking became more regulated and banks were required to guarantee deposits up to a certain amount by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. As a result, banking became even more conservative after this from the paranoia and distrust that surrounded banks during this time.
Since the imposition of the FDIC and other acts preventing huge banks from taking over the industry, there have been fewer and fewer bank failures and panics since the 1930's. However, lately, laws have been changed to allow national banks to expand across state borders, like Bank of America, etc.
All this being said, the banks wish to present an image to their customer of only the most conservative and trustworthy personnel. It is the safe path for them. The idea, I think, is to always present themselves in the least radical way. Now what they do not realize, is that this is an insult, after a fashion, to their patrons. To think that all their customers are judgmental bigots who would not want to be served by a guy at the bank with long hair is rather preposterous. Back in those days when I was at the bank interacting with customers, I actually had customers compliment me on having longer hair! If any customer objected, they certainly never said anything. I always found that the customer was more worried about having good enough credit to get a loan, wanted to get the best interest rate, etc. I found that good service and friendly service was what they wanted! Whoa!!! What a concept!!!
All in all, the bank takes the lower road, and conforms to the SUPPOSED wishes of the customer. It's not so much a plan as it is a dumbing-down to mediocrity. Either way, things change slow at times in that world. I'm no longer in it, so it's all pretty much a moot argument for me, but for those out there who do not fit the mold, in some cases, are fighting a loosing battle. Of course there are exceptions here and there, but I would say that they are few and far between. In larger cities, for instance, and in the West or Northeast, I imagine the situation may be better for the longhair in the bank. I really hope that is the case.
i Ken,
That certainly is a great to story to hear and it's nice to know that there are other "true" longhairs in this world and whatever job we do, we stand up for having longhair.
As for for "old geezer", far from it. I don't think so and after all you as old or young as you feel. Thinking about age again is a hang-up for some people not me. My metal ages is still 18-21 lol and always good to have a fun lookout on life. Okay we both have blonde/lighter coloured hair but I say flaunt it and why not. Look at Bill always looks amazing that beard really suits him, long may we remain growing out locks out. I still want to be walking up all these lovely hills and mountains we have here in the UK if my knees will not creak and let me keep hiking lol.
Cheers,
John.B
"...So many great update pics from you guys; but so little free time in my life these days for me to reply or comment... hope you'll forgive me!..."
I have had the same feeling for a long time, but did not know how to say it; Thanks for putting the words together for me !
"...Anyway, just wanted to say how totally impressed I am at how many here are growing and growing and growing yer manes, --- looks hands-down AWE-INSPIRING!!!! Also, to all you new members that just joined our shaggy ranks: WELCOME!!!..."
Best Wishes from White Tail also !!
"...Is it just me... or are there a LOT of guys out there now that are *finally* wising up and growing their hair back???..."
I am seeing it everywhere and in all ages.