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Hey guys, I've been growing my hair for 16 months now. I've always had a shaved head but I wanted to try something different.Every single day I get comments from my co-workers about cutting my hair and that I look ridiculous. Even my friends and family are telling me to cut my hair,to the point where my parents had to have a serious talk with me about it. They are super conservative and just don't get it. I just don't know why it is so socially unacceptable for a guy to have long hair. Does this happen to any of you? I don't think it's as big of a deal as everyone is making it out to be.
Did it ever occur to you that these people might possibly be jealous that you have the guts they lack in being your own person?
Why? Reasons from being completely insecure themselves, needing someone to pick on because of moron intelligence, or simply being down-right rude.
Best thing to do if you REALLY desire long hair is pay them no attention and AGREE (with a smile on your face) with all that you are accused. Do not argue, for this is what they want. This leaves them stranded and with no further place to go as they cannot run your life.
After a while they will leave you alone and go on to their next victum. A pathetic lot they are.
Thanks for your responses guys. I'm not upset at it, I just don't get why it is viewed as being horrible. I heard more about it today. I just let all of that stuff roll off my back. I just didn't get it.
Sadly, it's culture and that in itself is hard to change. You'd think that rock and roll would have brought it into acceptance, but long hair has still remained on the fringes. Every once in a while there is a little rejoicing as another respectable long hair is found in the public eye, and these are slowly gaining number. This isn't to say that long hairs are for the most part the underclass of our society as it is saying that it is difficult to maintain hair in the more socilly acceptable environments due to these pre-existing stereotypes. It's essentially a positive feedback loop where we are diminished in number. So, all we can do is be brave and go out, be the respectable and ideal citizens we are and hope that the distorted views of our society shift towards us. And they will, slowly but surely.
A spiel on my view,
-Christian Epp
Luckily for me, I have not really faced a lot of resistance in growing my hair out.
I dont understand why people are so opposed to guys having long hair... long hair is natural on humans.
But just remember, it's your hair, and your decision what to do with it. Don't let others bully you into doing something to YOUR hair that you don't want.
I really hope you continue to grow your hair out and that those around you will begin to understand that it is your decision.
I came up with most of these and posted them here a while back, some of my friends here added to them. Now I keep this list on MySpace Profile.
Hope this helps,
Paul
"Get a haircut"
"What is that, a haircut?"
"Get a life."
"Get a face lift."
"Get a therapist."
"What are you, hair intolerant?"
"I had a dream about cutting it. I woke up and puked."
"You mean like sheep do?"
"I was thinking about getting one until I saw what yours looked like"
"Which hair? This one? That one?"
"Why do you want long hair?"
"The cowardly lion had long hair."
"Yoda had long hair... when he was younger"
"Richard Simmons has long hair, no wait... his is like yours."
"The voices keep telling me to grow it out."
"My neighbor's dog told me to grow it."
"Why do you have long hair?"
"That's what happens when you don't cut it" (said slowly, like you're talking to a small child)
"I don't have long hair, you're having a flashback."
"Long??? WOW, I was still planning on growing it another foot or 2!!"
"I couldn't wear mine that long."
"But if you grew your hair, you'd be cool like me."
"That's right, long hair ain't for sissys."
"It's true, only real men can have long hair."
"Yeah, but I've been thinking about growing mine out."
"Why?? The fashion police on the prowl again??"
"The bible speaks against it."
"I'm a Nazarite"
"Short hair was a Roman thing, not Christian."
"More people in the bible had long hair than short."
"How many pictures do you have of Jesus?".
"So did Hitler."
"So did Stalin, Mao, Kim Il Sung" (choose your favorite communist dictator here)...
"The Bible also tells you not to eat pork, --- have you eaten any bacon for breakfast recently?"
"I thought you were a girl"
"Get your eyes checked."
"So you know a lot of girls who use the urinal?"
"You ain't been around many girls, huh?
"You need to feel again."
"Does this look like a girl?" (you know what to do next.)
"You must run with some pretty ugly women to think I look like one of them"
"The beard didn't give you a clue??"
"I am. I work for the circus. I'm the big lady with the deep voice that they call, The Bearded Wonder!"
"That hair makes you look gay." (usually from a homophobe)
"No it doesn't, most gays have short hair, like you." (This really gets 'em boiling)
"Your dad don't have long hair."
"No, sorry. Keep your hands to yourself and we'll be fine."
"I don't like long hair on men." (from a short haired female)
"I have to wear it long... to make up for all these women with short hair."
"Oh, you're just jealous that my hair is prettier than yours."
"But I'm not a man, I'm a lesbian." (Followed with a wink).
"And your opinion matters to me why??"
"Sorry, honey, but you're NOT the woman I'm trying to impress"
"This ain't the 60's"
"Yeah I know, you would think there'd be a vaccination for you by now."
"Hippys are pacifist, I am not a pacifist."
"Wow, really? I gotta check the batteries in my watch.."
Frank,
Now that Im almost 40 and growin for the third time. Im almost immune to the snide comments from stranger or co- workers . I generally do what the penguins from the" Movie Madagascar" do, (thinkin in my head that is)
" Just smile and wave boys " but I smile and nod my head up and down
But with family members thats a little harder on ya,
Those that love you the most treat you worst
Hopefully they'll se thru your akward stge for the rewards to come later
But I do like Pauls list of comments also ......
Steve