new thread
Hi everyone, my name is Christian Kramer, but I just go by Kramer. I have been reading this board for a while and figured it's time to introduce myself. I started growing my hair about 3 years ago or so, but my wife nagged me until I got it cut, due to job search. Well, since then I started it again about a year and 7 months ago. It's down past my shoulders now and I love it. I play music and have a small music business and I always wanted hair like the guys I looked up to; Greg Allman, especially. well, I've suffered the awkward stage and it has past. I have a decent pony and have had job interviews and moved up even with long hair. I work in a business environment where long hair on men is so not the norm, but I seem to get respect for it. People even like to ask me about it. It's like it's something that they all want and never did. It feels good to know that I just did it no matter what people said. I'm digging up some pics to show progress and will post them soon. By the way, I especially love when people automatically assume that I work construction and play heavy metal. I love the look on their faces when I say "No, I work in an administration for the dept of vital records for the state of Pennsylvania and I play Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, Southern Rock, Blues, Rockabilly and good ol' Rock N Roll." Then if I have a bandanna and ripped up jeans on I say "Oh, I don't always dress like this, I usually have to wear a suit and tie." It's priceless to see their mouths drop in disbelief that I'm a very educated person who's looks don't fit the resume. Anyone else have any similar experiences with people? Well, I want to thank everyone who helped my out by posting so much positive stuff about long hair. It really helped me when I was feeling like everyone was just on my case about it. THANK YOU ALL!!!!
Hi Kramer, and a very warm welcome. So good to read a story that will be inspirational to memebers who suffer problems balancing the desire for long hair with the need for work snd conforming to the so called "norm" Looking forward to seeing some pics and reading your future posts. Thanks and best regards. Ian
Yup, it's great to buck the stereotypes. I work in an office too (though no dress code - T-shirts and skinny jeans are my habitual attire) and I'm not particularly into heavy metal (prefer industrial and techno but I have wide tastes).
Damon
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Only time I get that deer in the headlights look is on jobsites,(custom homes and renovations) when people approach me, thinking I am another construction worker, and ask where the architect is. I then identify myself as same. and they try to compose themselves. True, in jeans , work boots, and ponytail, I don't fit the stererotype, but then again, I suppose I could emulate Wright, and show up wearing a suit, cape, and porkpie hat. My musical taste is very small "c" catholic, It depends on my mood, I generally like Jazz, fusion, Rock, Bluegrass,and country, with an occasional foray into the "Longhair" classics.
hi Christian...what an interesting post...can't wait to see the pictures....
I work as a records manager for the british geological survey in England and it is pretty corporate!..but your story has further inspired me to keep it growing.
Power to you dude!
Scott from nottingham
Hi Kramer,
Welcome to MLHH!!!
Yes, stereotyping us longhairs is indeed a funny experience sometimes. One time my mom and I went into a seafood restaurant to sit down for a nice dinner together, when the waitress came right up to me to ask in her broken English, "Do you ride a motorcycle?"
"No, sorry, I'm a total klutz on a motorcycle!" was my reply.
Then she explained how my long ponytail and black leather jacket made her assume I must have a bike -- OMG, it never occurred to me that my leather jacket was anything other than keeping me warm on a cold winter day (LOL)!!
Similarly, the one and only time I went to a Grateful Dead concert (it was after Gerry Garcia had already died, so technically called, "Further Festival"), I was with family and friends in a large group of serious dead-head fans, yet I was the only guy with long hair in our group. When I looked around at the outdoor amphitheatre, I suddenly realized it looked familiar, as I had been there once before many years ago; so I unthinkingly said out loud:
"Oh my goodness, I just realized I've been here a long time ago, when I came here to see John Denver & Placido Domingo!"
"SHHHHHH!!!!!" was the immediate response from my brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and others in the group after hearing my comment. My brother then added the following apology to the group: "I'm sorry, just because Ken looks cool with that long ponytail of his doesn't mean he ever really fits in correctly!" (ROFL!)
- Ken
Ken,
Just wanted to say I love reading your anecdotes. Really entertaining. Thanks!
Damon
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