It really depends on what type of hair you have..softness, straight-curly, thickness, oilyness..
Asian hair is especially prone to that stickout problem, at the back and sides. I knew an Asian guy with relatively short hair that had to wear a hat every morning or his hair would stick up everywhere. So he had a "hat line" all day at school. I told him to quit whining and grow it out, it'll lay down. He didn't want to, said it would look stupid.
Next year, hes growing his hair out, its 3-4 inches. Doesn't stick out anymore. "Told ya so."
He used gel or mousse to control it for like 2 months, and then it would lay. Styling gunk works optimally on that kind of hair thought...if you aren't Asian or white with straight-blond or straight black hair, then that wont be nearly as effective. You know, the hair thats so straight that its an afro when its short, unless its soaking wet or full of gel or something.
slacker
That's because Asian hair has a thick circular cross section, and can stick out straight.