I've read all of the advice here, and I really appreciate it...
I'm one of those quiet people, but I could use a few kind words...
It's been one of those bad hair days, and I need a bit of help to not give in to the scissors. It's been a long, slow process gaining the courage to let my hair grow, and I personally like my longer hair. But some days, the pressure of others' negative opinions about long hair on men can be discouraging...
Can I get some uplifting, positive messages from everyone?
Thanks...
The last few words above say it all. And you will like it more and more as it grows out! So hang in there guy!
Are THEY considering how YOU feel about THEIR hair???? Didn't think so....
A few responses that often work against people who bitch about my length:
The "You're Not Worth My Time for an Elaborate Rebuttle" reply:
"Ok."
The "Anything Else?" reply:
"Ok, is there anything else you'd like to complain about my appearance? Otherwise, I have a life to live." (this is most appropriate to use against particularly snotty people)
The "Ackhnowledgement" reply:
"Your opinion is duly noted."
The "Silent Response" reply:
Just ignore the comment and go about your business, or give a slight nod letting them know you heard them, but have no intention of replying.
And if anyone accuses you of looking like a girl (either intentionally or unintentionally), the "Yeah?" reply:
"And your point is...?" (now, if you're the kind of guy who DOESN'T mind being mistaken for a woman - and you will be at least from the back side as it gets longer - and they say, "Don't you care?" or "You don't mind?", then your final response can be, "It makes no difference to me what I get mistaken for. I know what I am")
As far as your attitude, just remind yourself of this one very important point:
It's your hair, they don't see you every waking minute of their day, and if they don't like it, that's their problem. It's not their hair. It's your's.
Hello!
In fact, I took that as compliment (the comment showed that my
hair looked good enough :-]). Sometimes it even was meant as one...
Regards, Felix.
Hello!
Very fine.
Hmmm. To me, the transition phase was discouraging sometimes. Then
it helped to think of the coming times where my hair would be
nice.
Regarding negative comments and so on, just live your
life, not the commentors' one. You seem to have found out that
it's yours to grow long hair. If others like short hair on
themselves, that's their thing (even though it's still a pity).
And if you like having long hair, it's your thing (and generally
a nice one :-) ).
Just imagine the variety of styles that are/will be open to you.
Enjoyable ones. Braids, knots, twist two adjacent thin strains into
a twine, same for thin braids (only a few ones or all your hair
[lots of work, will be rather conspicuous]), or simply tieing
your hair together -- or leave it open. Compare with the choices
a short haired human has... Enjoy the imagination. Choose what
you like most thereof. And do it if/when your hair allows.
Regards, Felix.