new thread
It suddenly occurred to me that in over 5 years of being a longhair, I have never experienced a negative/derogatory comment about my hair (well, other than from my parents but that doesn't count), discrimination, etc. While strangers on the street don't stop me to tell me how great my hair looks (wish they would!), by and large I've had nothing but positive feedback from friends, relatives, etc.
Just curious--anybody else out there who has experienced nothing but support and encouragement?
Working in a supermarket I get positive comments from time to time mostly from women but on occasion a guy will comment. Most men want to know how long it took, most likely thinking of growing theirs. I've not had any negative comments from femily
I have had pretty much the same experience.....no comments at all. So I figure, either I look completely natural with long hair, or I present such a pathetic, pitiful, aged image that people are just too polite to speak up ! HA!
Ah, thank goodness for the MLHH where everyone is positive !!
I hope you don't get offended by this, but it might be because of your age.
There are several possible reasons for this: 1. People actually respect age. 2. They figure older people are set in their ways. 3. You may appear to conform to some dangerous stereotype, such as "deranged Vietnam vet", which a younger person would not.
I think there might be a similar effect with hair that's waist length or longer (you're obviously committed, so they won't waste their time). If you have lots of piercings, or wear a biker jacket, or otherwise have something else about you that identifies you as part of an alternative subculture, there may also be a similar effect.
The prime target for remarks would be a young man who is just growing out, and has no other obvious subculture markers (note, I don't advocate posing. Don't pose. It's just as insincere as cutting when you don't want).
Just my opinions, of course.
I agree with your comments. Since being involved with the MLHH it have been obvious to me that young people are almost always under attack for letting their hair grown, while we older folks are not hassled at all. Sad reflection on our society (global) that still holds such bias based on old perceptions.
WWT
No offense taken, and I agree age might be part of it. Maybe people just figure an older guy knows what he's doing!
If we could just convince our own kids of that!
Well, in my dad's case he really doesn't know what he is doing since he grew his hair on a whim and has stuck with it for almost a year now while being a substitute teacher in middle and high schools. The man is fearless.
I haven't seen him for four months now and he used to look like a cotton ball, now that he says he can make a ponytail it will be an um, interesting sight. He's my dad so seeing him change is different from the way I view any other longhair.
Elizabeth
I have had long hair for 10 years now and only negative comments came from my mom at the beginning, and I agree that that doesn't count. I've only had compliments about it and people say how they don't think longhair looks good on most men but looks good on me and such. Guess we really are lucky.
Me personally never got any negative comments when growing out my hair...It was all positive and praise, people really liked it.
That's awesome, Randy! I wish I could say the same. Although the negative comments I get seem to have diminished lately, I still get the occasional bad one. I think some people feel I am too old to have long hair. In my opinion, no one is too old to have and enjoy long hair.
David
"That is so agist!" (quote Phoebe Buffay from Friends :D)
Seriously, what's wrong with people? Lately I'm getting really not pissed but confused why the majority of this world is narrow-minded like they can't think in only one direction.
Hair is natural to be long. Who cares about natural hair look? CUt it short- great! I care - want it long... GREAT! Why should we get so biased because of "ancient" prejudice. ><
...I think Nature would disagree.
I've been hearing that one a lot lately myself. lol
When I was younger, everyone would tell me I had such pretty hair. Now they tell me I should cut it off because I'm too "OLD" to wear it this long. I've even had older female family members tell me that I should at least wear it up in a bun...Geeze, give me a break! I'm not THAT old yet. lol
I've decided to ignore all the negative remarks and do what makes me happy.
After all, as long as WE like it, that's all that matters, right?
Afraid, that's not my case. Some support me, others don't. But it could be about luck, very good looking hair or just that people like you a lot which speaks good. Anyway, that's not really important (if they like it or not). :)
Around where I live a lot people tend to frown upon my hair. Some middle age adults look at me like I'm from another planet. Some kids hurl verbal abuse at me (from a distance). And most old people whisper once I've past them. However, it seems that people either love or hate my hair so, I tend to get an equal mix of both extremes, which I don't mind at all.
Neil
I agree with what some others have said.I think age has a lot to with it.I used to get negative comments about my hair up until my 30's.I've almost always gotten positive comments from women,but usually because they wish they had it.I got two such comments at my dads funeral in 2005 by women in their 70's.Took me by surprise.
Arrick
Lucky you, I get it from everyone, work, mom, ex-wife but who cares what she thinks, my brother likes it, my ten year old son loves my longer hair, if I tell him Dads going to the Barber he flips out not to cut it. I really don't give a shit what people think anymore. I think if more guys grew longer hair people wouldn't look at you as much. Look at the 70's and the 80's, nothing but long hair. I think guys don't grow it because there afraid of what other people might say. get a hair cut you hippie!
I have really gone my whole life so far without troubles of any kind. I can't really say "encourgement," but my parents certainly didn't mind nor did they ever try to control my own self-expression.
In the "support" catagory I suppose the positive comments from strangers that I receive is a type of support. It sure isn't ridicule! I have been very fortunate.
That's awesome, Justin!
I would have grown my hair much longer when I was younger if not for the constant criticism from my parents. I was never able to grow my hair much past chin length for that reason.
Now that I am older, the negative comments are mainly that since I am older, I should not have long hair, or the other argument that I look older with long hair. On the other hand, my beard seems to get a lot of compliments.
David
People sometimes shout things at me like 'Get a hair' but i just smile at them and i freaks them out lol :D
I have also been lucky with no negative comments, although I don't really get any comments at all except the surprise that I am growing it out but not an opinion. I am sure they are just being polite if they don't like it. I can't complain about that as that is how I am if I don't like something.
Over time I have noticed that--generally speaking--the YOUNGER a guy is the more
likely it is that he will be criticised for having long hair.
This is not always 100% true, but in general people probably respect
an older guys decision to be a longhair.
Not only that, but USUALLY the older guy is established in life and so
having long hair will not have a negative impact on him.
The younger longhair is just starting out in life and his family and friends
may think that he might be hurting his chances to find a mate or to get the best career he can.
The above is just a general observation., but most of the time it holds true.