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Hi, I came across this board along time ago, but read it almost daily. I just need to vent I guess so for now this is my first time posting. As for me I started growing my hair when in Junior High, and kept growing it untill it was about to my butt. I did this originaly to rebel against my parents, dad was air force and wanted me to keep my hair like him basicaly, he gave me a very hard time for a while but eventually let up on it, when my religous right aunt picked up, and still does pester me about it. I stopped feling rebelious and started to relize that this was how I liked having my hair best, after having had so many different awful short hair styles. I had it like that untill a girlfriend that I really thought loved me for me, forced me into cutting it, but I couldn't bear to go as far as she wanted, I only let it get cut back as far as my shoulders when I said no more. We went our seperate ways. This was around August of 2000. I aganoized and kicked my self for months over that. By the time it grew back to my mid back, I graduated college and started looking for jobs. Of all places at 21ys old I found a great paying job, working for the air force at the same base I grew up around. I didn't think it would be a problem. See The company I work for is contracted with the air force so I don't really hold the air force to blame, since the military people I've run into have never been rude or said anything about it to me, but rather the company I work for. They're based in texas
(mean anything!) Any way about a month after I've been there, My boss chases me out to my car after work and suggests that I should, as he said snip snip the hair, to which I said i didn't really think so. About two more weeks pass and he said If I didn't I would be fired. I was told I had the weekend to comply, mind you nothing in the hand book for the company about grooming in regards to mens hair length. I didn't know him well enough, but I had school loans, and a new car to pay for. I shouldn't have bought a new car so soon, then I wouldn't have felt so pressured into "complying", plus nobody else heard any of this. I gave in, too many bills, and have kick my self since. This was around 1.5 years ago. As soon as I passed the 90 day probation I started growing it back out. I haven't cut it since. I am down to my shoulders now, and my hair is slightly curly which makes it seem like it takes so much longer. I usually learn not to do bad things more than once, this time it took two. I have promissed my self never to cut it again, I'll live on the street first, and will get it back as long or longer than before. when I look in the mirror now, I like who I see, much better than I did when I was stupid enough to have cut it off. Any way my point to every one is please don't give in to pressures, work or a woman, I've found that as much as I like my toys, I like my self worth and dignity more! I have found that being older And wiser I have taken beter care of my hair this time around, than when I was younger, since I didn't really know how to then. I have taken vitamins, and tried to eat better, which may acount for some of it. Sorry to ramble on but It feels better to share than to keep it in, and hopefully no one else will make the same mistake.
Let's hope your story will cause those who are considering cutting their hair due to external pressure to seriously think about it. Funny, for first timers like myself, I don't have my hair long enough to begin receiving pressure to cut it from others, yet I am dreading that inevitable day I head out into the work force!
I cut my lower back hair to shoulder length in Aprill 2000. I thought I wanted a change. I was thinking of cutting it short, but I decided to cut it just below shoulder length. I instantly hated it! There isn't a day that goes by, that I still don't think about it! I am glad I didn't cut it short. At least hair grows back. Mine is now 5 inches from my waist. I won't cut it, even though it is harder to find women who like it. I live in upstate NY and most guys have short hair still. I have had women online not speak to me, after they found out tha I have long hair. I don't give a damn. I am going to grow it to my waste. Maybe from there longer, I don't know. I have really thick wavy hair. I could probably grow it to my feet. Don't feel bad and good luck. Thanks for the story. I feel a little bit better now for making a similar mistake to yours.
Darrin
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
i read your whole post thoroughly, despite its length (your post, not your hair, ha ha), and enjoyed reading it.
i guess my comment, which basically kind of repeats what you say, but in a more general way, is that even if hair is not as important to you as it is to some people, (like the people on this board) you still need to decide for yourself what your biggest priority is, and if that is what you choose to be number one for the long run, you should stick with it, and only change your mind if you change long term goals with the same logic you used to set your original goals.
basically, do not let less important things take over more important things just because they are ingrained into you as being important, or because they seem like it at the moment. like, as you mentioned, the girl, the job, etc. if your hair gives you dignity (which actually is not my reason for growing hair, but whatever) and your job gets you nice house and nice car, etc., then you should cut your hair only if the nice house, car, etc., mean more to you than your dignity.
ok. i hope that came through clearly and on topic.
Well written and well expressed. Thanks!