new thread
Hello all!
I'm 29 year old guy from Croatia and I'd like to hear some opinions about growing hair for the first time. My hair bangs are now just touching my eyebrows and I'd like to know how all of you managed with comments from your work colleagues when they noticed you are not cutting your hair and that it gets longer and longer. I guess that I'll soon be asked "are you growing your hair?" and if I say "yes, I am" some of them will start mocking me cause I think it's (maybe) unusual for a 29 year old guy to start growing hair for the first time. And I don't really want to listen to that kind of s*it.
How did you deal with that? BTW, I work in an insurance company and none of the guys has got a hair longer then few centimetres.
Hello Iggy, and welcome!
What you are describing is routine for most of us longhairs. Many of our family, friends and co-workers nag us by remarking on our hair. Be aware that their reactions are reflective of their personal bias, not your hair. Most of us tend to take things personally when we don't feel confident about an aspect of ourselves. As I say to many other men growing long hair, this process gives you an opportunity to find out who really supports you as a person and who doesn't. In essence, if you feel long hair is part of who you are, then it's up to them to accept who you are. You certainly aren't hurting anyone by having long hair!
When someone jokes about my hair, I actually talk EVEN MORE about how I like my long hair. Sometimes these people actually would like to have long hair, and a few of them may be making comments out of jealousy. Misery loves company!
So yes, people are going to say things, but that isn't unusual. You will certainly find a lot of support here and from other guys with long hair.
Enjoy the process, and if you feel this is who you are, keep it growing!
Take care.
Quite correct, what you describe is normal.
Just ignore them and occasionally be prepared to tell them where to go and what to do when they arrive there.
Hi Iggy and welcome. At 29, you are old enough to make your own decisions. If you want to grow your hair - do it, and ignore those who think they know best - they don't - you do! Good luck, Ian
Hello and welcome!
Also, I went to Croatia recently and would like to commend you on a beautiful country! I would have liked to post something in Croatian but I'm afraid I forgot the few words I learnt - but you all spoke perfect English anyway (you as well)! Very friendly people too :)
My advice is to try and steer people to your thinking first; if you say 'yes I'm growing my hair' and then (for example) mke a nice comment on how you feel it has more character now, then people will often take your side. I use this technique when travelling too - if a local couple notice that you're different (because of your backpack, your skin colour, your hair length or whatever..) then just smile and wave. As long as you are HAPPY and FRIENDLY then they're going to have difficulty having a problem with you.
A lot of coworkers simply enjoyed my hair's progress along with me after I was honest about it. But if you do have a problem with someone being opinionated then just end the conversation with a closed statement. Something like 'it's a shame you feel that way' or 'if I'd like your opinion, I'd ask for it'.
If you deal with the public then your workplace may require you to look 'neat'. There are some other good posts on here about dealing with workplace expectations.
Good luck and let us know if you have any problems. You'll soon notice that for every person that doesn't like long hair on men, there's another two that will encourage you. Just spend your time with the other two :)
Keep it growing :)
Logan
Thank you for such a nice comments about my country. And yes, it's a beautiful country with a great coastline and a whole variety of things to see even besides coastal part.
You are all very nice and supportive!
Hi Iggy,
I didn't have my first ponytail until the year I turned 40; so that's great to hear that you are going to have yours 10 years earlier than I did!!
My suggestion is for you to not initiate the topic yourself; but whenever your co-workers bring the topic up of noticing your hair getting longer, just keep your answers to them "short & sweet" -- in other words, don't elaborate too much, and keep it simple, keep your answers light & brief.
For example, say something like any of the following low-key type of statements:
1) "I thought it would be fun to try growing my hair out a bit longer."
2) "I don't know how long I'll grow it, but I'm definitely enjoying trying it out this way for now!"
3) "I want to try longer hair on me before I go bald!" (humor always helps to cut any tension in an office!)
Also, while going through the in-between stages (AKA "the awkward stages"), feel free to try a little gel or hair mousse to help keep your bangs back out of your face and behind your ears.
Those are a few of my thoughts, anyway... I hope my comments have helped!
- Ken in San Francisco, California
Hi. I am a first timer here. I have decided to grow my hair long for the first time in my life. I have wanted to have long hair most of my life - when I was in my teens I tried to do it, but ended up getting 'shorn' because my family didn't approve, then I didn't because of my employer didn't approve. Now I am 56 years old and I have decided to do it. Plus the fact my wife is encouraging me. I want to have shoulder length hair before I die!! Should not be a big deal, right?