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In my teenage years back in the early 70's, the guys I ran around with that had long hair wore it down, I don't remember any of them wearing it in a tail. So that's the way I grew up thinking, you wore your hair down. This is only my second attempt in growing out my hair in the last 25 yrs. I'm to the point where wearing my hair in a tail may be more appropriate for places I go, mainly Church. I read here that is what some of you are looking forward to, your first tail. I'm not quite there yet in my mind.
I did made the first step 2 weeks ago when I went down the isle where the ladies hair things were, (this is somewhere I've never been) and pointed out to my sister the Elastic Hair Bands I wanted, she said a different color would match my hair color better, I said ok, she got them and I hurried out of there. (I'm in a wheelchair and she gets things off the shelves for me) The Hair Band are still sitting the the drawer, I'm still apprehensive about doing my first tail and going out in public with it.
I know it's my decision and my chose, but I guess I'm not alone in feeling this way? Just wonderinmg if others here have gone through the same feelings?
Or, just try it, you'll like it! :-)
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Frank
For me, there are times when I like the feeling of having my hair down, and times when I prefer it tied back.
I prefer wearing it down on days I've washed it and the day after.
Beyond that it starts getting on the oily side, so on those days I'll tie it back.
I'll also tie it back on wash days if it's windy, since it's not real long yet and looks wild after getting blown around.
Also, the vast majority of long-haired men I see at work always wear theirs tied back. Perhaps they consider the ponytail look to be more "appropriate" for work.
I don't have an opinion either way as to what others think of how I'm wearing it when out in public. But since I see more men with ponytails than without, perhaps the tailed-look could be considered as being more "customary."
I was excited the day I was first able to wear mine in a ponytail. I considered it a milestone in my progess in becoming a longhair. :-) And I was glad to at last have the option of wearing it another way if I so choose.
Thanks Bill, I know it's another step in my Long Hair adventure.
Frank
I like my hair down best. I wear a pony in the wind. When I am working. And whenever it may be in the way, like cooking.
Thanks Quester, since I won't wear a tail all the time, may as well give it a shot.
Frank
Hi Frank
I spent the last 50 or so years apprehensive about long hair in general, and know what you are talking about. I've grown my hair out over the last two years and now wear it in a tail most of the time. I bought the ties like you and left them in the drawer and then took a vacation trip and used them for the first time. When the strangers in Florida I'd never seen before and probably won't see again did not freak out when I wore my hair in a ponytail, I decided it was safe to wear it closer to home. Everyone here has been completely supportive.
I have also noticed that total strangers seem to be more friendly and talkative since my hair is long.
Give it a try. I love my ponytail.
JD
Thanks JD, I may try it this week and then on Sunday and see how it goes.
Frank
Thanks Jann, you have what sounds like a workable plan.
Frank
whether or not I wear my hair loose or tied is governed more by convenience than anything else. If it's hot, or windy outside, or I'm going to be doing a lot of moving around like stooping over and getting down on my hands and knees to clean I'll tie it back just to get it out of the way. If it's winter or I'm going to be indoors all day just sitting at a desk I'll wear it loose.
Thanks Rob, I appreciate you taking the time to read my TAIL of woe. :-)
Frank
I think most of the "looking forward to the ponytail" mindset comes from it being a milestone marking that your hair is actually long enough to make one than a desire to wear it that way.
I can understand that completely. I still get that "people are gonna point and laugh" feeling everytime I walk into that aisle to replenish my supply of hair-ties. I just don't let it bother me that much.
As far as wearing it tied or not, I do follow the seeming trend in wearing it tied or braided when I'm at work. As thick as mine is, it tends to fall in my face at the least excuse, so it just seems a little more "professional" to keep it out of the way. For similar reasons I generally tie it back while eating ("Waiter, there's a hair in my soup... Oh, sorry, that's mine...)
Jim
Thanks Jim, I hear what you're saying. Stoppin folks from wacking on my hair for the past 2 yrs. was easy, just not sure why I'm making a big deal of this.
Frank
While pony tail seems common enough and accepted as a style for guys with long hair, I've not been brave enough to really begin exploring other styles that others here have sported. I've only done the half-tail thing a few times in public and I feel nervous about wearing anything but the most unadorned hair accessory. Am I afraid of being called 'a girl'? Not really, and yet I am afraid to do anything 'drastic' with my hair.
I can surely sympathize with your hesitation, but assure you that a ponytail is considered quite normal.
That said, your hair hangs well and I see any reason why you couldn't be dressed up and church ready with your hair down. A pony tail isn't really required. While you may be thinking it more respectful or appropriate to pull your hair bank, I assume that most others pay little to no attention to the fact of your long hair. (I could be wrong. Has anyone approached you?) As long-hairs many of us are hyper-sensitive about the affect our hair has on others. We tend to make mountains out of molehills. Am I wrong?
Either way, I hope you are happy with your choice and if you start loving your ponytail look, be sure to share it with us. (Ponytails take a LOT of the heat off of the neck in the summer.)
Cheers!
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
Am I afraid of being called 'a girl'? Not really, and yet I am afraid to do anything 'drastic' with my hair.
Thanks Shawn, this is the point I'm at now.
I could be wrong. Has anyone approached you?) As long-hairs many of us are hyper-sensitive about the affect our hair has on others.
Naw, this is just a block I put in my own mind back in my teenage years with the guys I ran around with. The thinking then was "only girls wore ponytail"
We tend to make mountains out of molehills. Am I wrong?
No you're not wrong, this is what I've done.
Thanks again Shawn, we'll see how it goes.
Hi Frank,
I remember that first day that I wore a ponytail in public for the first time, and it took a bit of courage on my part. It was first day of the golfing season, and it was a bot more than a year after I started growing my hair. One I did it for the first time, it became much easier afterwads, and today, it is a non issue. I mostly wear it down, but use a tail when my hair needs to be restrained. I hope this helps!
Keep it growing,
David
Thanks David, I understand. Now if I can just remember what drawer I put the in! :-)
Frank
Yes! I understand your apprehension. During the time that my hair was just long enough for a tail, it took me a bit of time to be comfortable going to the supermarket, in a tail. Finally I thought "these people can already see that I'm a longhair, I shouldn't really care". Now it's so normal for me to tail it, I am actually apprehensive wearing my hair loose! So I guess it's just a state of mind.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce, it's just a mind thing to me, I'm slowly coming around.
Frank
Frank. I think your hair looks just fine,"down". Too bad we think we have to wear it tied back to appease others attitudes. I wear mine tied back with several ties when I'm at work. I would much rather wear mine down all the time,
peace, jonalbear
I appreciate the compliment Jonalbear. With the kind responces of the forum here, I'll give the "tail" a shot this coming Sunday for Church.
Frank
I understand completely, I was really apprehensive about a tail, but as it gets longer you don't really have a choice. Its in the way so much of the time, cooking, eating, working, formal meetings etc. But now I have grown to like my tail more and if somebody doesn't like it then tough.
Try it and enjoy it, good luck.
Dave
Thanks Dave, I'm going to give it a try.
Frank
I had to laugh; this is just the opposite of me. I tend to agree with Bruce.
Normally when I am out I have a tail. I don't think twice about it. But when my hair is down I am more aware in public; still a little apprehensive in this conservative area I am in. Plus, with the heat (it's 99 today and humid) wearing it down any time outside at all is near impossible.
My hair is down all the time at home, and a little when out, but mostly in a tail when out.
Thanks Big George, made up my mind, going to give it a try.
Frank
Hi Frank
Well for me I'm actually a bit self conscious if I go out with loose hair.I tend to think I'm drawing more attention to myself than if I just tailed it like most longhairs around here do.With it loose I feel it gives the impression that you are a wild person as if tailed it looks a bit more conservative.But hey what do I care what anybody thinks so as nuttidave's last artistic creation said...."Fly Your Freak Flag"..LOL.Kind of says it all doesn't it:)Take care Frank and enjoy your hair!
Mark
Thanks Mark, as a teenager in the early 70's, it was "cool" for a guy to grow his hair out, but I can't remember any of the guys wearing a ponytail (forgive me for saying "only little girls wore ponytails"), so that's the picture I have to break in my mind, but that was then. Well the 70's are gone and it time for me to change too. I appreciate everyons stories and input. Like I wrote a few replys back, "now I just need to remember where I put those things!" :-)
Frank
I don't remember being apprehensive about my first tail in public.
I think I may have been excited about it. It's so natural now as
on windy days among others it's almost a necessity.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin, I just have to step up to the plate and try it.
Frank
i know what u mean....my first pony in public was awkward cuz i hadnt done it before, but if your hair is the right length to pull it off, and you get used to the feeling , then it kind of grows on you and also keeps the hair out of your way. What u could do is get used to wearing one around the house, then go in public with it once u are ready.
Good luck!
Miller.
Thanks Miller, I think the length is about right (shoulder blades in back), we'll give it a try.
Frank
Hi, Frank,
First of all, good on you for growing your hair. I hope you get a lot of pleasure out of it.
I think all of us feel a little self-conscious the first few times we do anything different with our hair. I know I did. At first, I'd tie it back in a tail when I was alone and if anyone came near, I'd whip the ties off pdq and shake it loose again. After a while, I got used to it and it felt comfortable, so it didn't bother me. I went through exactly the same with the braid, but now, I'm so used to it that my hair feels strange if it's not braided. Plus it cuts brushing (and tangles) down a lot.
What it all boils down to is that it's your hair and you should find what's most comfortable for you in any given situation and go with that.
I'm about to come up for another forced hairstyle change which is likely to be a bun and I'm sure I'll be nervous as hell the first few times I try it in public, but it's my only option as I see it apart from, cut my hair or stop playing sports and if I get ribbed a little for a few weeks, I think it'll be worth it, as I don't want to give up an inch of hair or playing badminton.
Give it a try. If you don't like wearing a ponytail, that's no big deal. You've got loads of other options. Try them and find what suits you.
I remember playing that. Thanks for the reply Viking, I tried a tail yesterday, just felt like I had a cap on all day. I'll do it more oftn to get use to it.
Frank