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I have long hair and I'm a teenager, so I still go to school. I get a lot of negative comments from friends and people I dont know. Just about any hippie or "get a haircut" or any other insult you can think of, and frankly it pisses me off. I happen to think they look worse with their stupid short hair styles. Anyway, What I need to know are some clever ways to respond to these insults as I am not too creative or can't think of anything when it happens.
How about; "I don't want to look like an Enron executive" or any other short haired corporate, greedy CEO crook type who takes all the money and runs. And leaves nothing left for his employees, including their retirement money. Long hair on guys rules!!!
I thanks them for their comments and tell them to come see me in a month when they fianlly catch up with the times and are trying to grow out their clone style. Or I tell them I am an individual and really try not to be a fallower.
Trev
I usually raise a lackadaisical fist and very matter-of-factly proclaim, "White Power." This informs them of my opinion on their SHORT hair immediately!
The Rev
Are you white though?
I mean, if you are not white, it ought to be obvious to any imbicile that you are dissing them.
But if you are white, and you use that line on someone who has a low IQ, they might not get it.
That's a good point. It also explains all the junk mail from the John Birch Society.
Hmmm....
The Rev
Most people that do make these negative comments, respectively have a low IQ. Not to mention the smart computer programmer types usually are longhairs too, because they are smart.
Two sheriffs are walking down the hall in front of me yesterday - nice guys - try to give me bad gybes. The big guy, Danny, turns to me and says why don't you pull up your pants. I say Yes, Guido! He cringes. Walking a little further and the first guy, short dude, says so when are you going to get a haircut? I said, hey, Chris -- (holding up my hand to my mouth I immitate a pair of scissors with my fingers indicating cutting motion) -- first I cut your tongue (implied the word "off" but never said it) and then I'll cut my hair any length your want it!
The guys are speechless and laughing as I head off on my way.
If you are going to be different - an individual - you have to learn to take the heat. Got to be tough! I find humour to be the best. Don't be mad, be cool!
I am 53. I have been growing my hair 1 yr 6 mo. and take lots of heat from being called a girl, to hippie. When are you going to get a haircut?, etc.
One idea is to pick a sports team - any sports team - even if you don't follow any sports and when people you ask, say the (hockey) New York Islanders are on a winning streak and I can't cut my hair. When the team loses, and your buddies point that out, you say, oh, I know, I switched teams to "x" team and just keep it going. Your buddies will find that kind of response cool. Also agree with them, Yeah, I know my hair looks the shits. I'm glad you don't like it either, but I'm keeping it.
Another response can be you are getting some "good time" (dates) whatever people your age call it, with the chicks and that is reason enough! The only other thing I would say is that I had a shaved head when nobody did and now I am growing it long. I believe within the next few years - it may already be happening - guys will start growing their hair out. Short hair has almost been in too long! Let's see how long it takes. Be cool, handle comments cool and enjoy the heat.
I posted these yesterday...
It's funny how a guy like you can have such a tiny brain and still have that huge mouth.
Man, I'd rather pluck my eyeballs out with a red hot fork than look like you for a day.
And my personal favorite...
Wow! Tell me...could you use your brain for something besides holding that ugly haircut up?
Slowly turn to face them, give them an icy stare, and say, "What's it to YOU?" Then slowly turn away, because this response is NOT an invitation for one back, it's a statement you'll ignore theirs, so do it.
That's a good question, Bill! How do they perceive long-hairs?
I only reicieved a few negative comments this school year. On the very first one, "Why don't you get a hair cut?" I answered, "I can't afford one." It's very clear by the way I dress and such that I can afford a haircut, but they still did't say anything else for a long time.
I sort of like the hippies. At least, they were supposed to be for peace.
nothing,, slowly raise left hand,, carefully extend middle finger, then give them the tongue like Gene Simmons (course if you let blood fly out of your mouth that could scare them off all the quicker) lol
You are such a card Jonathan! Great sense of humor!
Well, I haven't received any negative comments, but that might have to do with the fact that I'm 6'4 and 320 lbs. I can't wait for someone to call me a girly man. lol.
there seem to be a lot of these issues with dealing with people, comebacks, phrases, and things. well, i was picked on a fair amount growing up in school, not as much as some, but as much as anyone in a school who is not "in".
anyway, i was never really that offended because of people who commented to or even blatantly insulted me. (not just long hair, in fact the long hair has not ever been bad at all, more just because i was a "dork" who really did not care that much) i guess i just assume that they do not really understand, and there are also things i don't understand, so i just kind of ignored them and thought about more interesting things.
i guess to sum up what i usually say in response to things which fall in the range of mildly derogatory to hugely insulting, it is either "thanks" "ok" or "i don't know", depending on the format of what they say.
if they use a statement, example:
"your hair is stupid!" or "you are a retard"
i go with "thanks" (or "ok")
if they use a command, like imperative verb, example:
"get a hair cut"
i go with "ok"
if they ask a question, example:
"when are you getting a haircut?" or "why don't you get a haircut?"
i go with "i don't know"
very simple and easy. :)
but usually i just ignore them. some might say that i don't stand up for myself, so maybe this is the wrong way to deal with it. or maybe it is just my personality. or maybe it is the right way. it works for me, though, and uses up less time and fewer thoughts than using comebacks, so i can spend more time thinking about other things.
happy hair to you all. :)
Basicly just repeat what they say, but towards them...like if they say "your hair looks stupid" say "you look stupid" or if they say something like "you want a hat, cuz your hair is really messed up" you guessed it, say "you're messed up." It sounds stupid and simple, but it usually works. Also dont get pissed off, because they are the absent minded ones, not you. And they are the ones overly concerned with other guys images which doesnt say much for them either. If they call you a hippie or say "get a haircut" just say something along the lines of "just because you want to look stupid with your short hair doesnt mean that I have to also." or the classic "I am an individual, not a follower" There are plenty of ways to handle it, and we all go through the same thing and get negative comments, but we all cant be accepted by everyone.
How about (in response to the usual questions):
'cause I don't want to look like YOUR kind.
Why don't you get a brain implant?
Unlike you, I didn't get a frontal lobotomy.
It's called personal preference you (insert insulting name here).
'cause I like answering stupid questions.
That's right. I'm hip. (hippie response)
Well, I'm sure you get the idea. Y'know, "why is your hair long?" Response: "Why is your hair short?" Etc, etc, etc.
Anwering a question with a question is a good way to shut them up. Good luck.
Man i know all about the rude hair comments. I work at an elementary school and daily those bad kids tell me stuff like "you need a hair cut" and "you look like a girl" and "thats gay" but through it all i dont even care, first of all i'll be damned if someone told me what to do with my hair, i just tell the kids "if you dont like it then dont look at" and then they want to ask "why are you growing it out, only girs do that?" then i say "because you dont give me money for a haircut!" and they usually shut up after that, if not they mumble something. Ever since i was little my mom told me, "words cant hurt you unless you let them, but once someone puts their hands on you, then you got to get down!" so i could care less what any person says about my hair, they dont pay for my conditioner so how are they going to have the nerve to tell me what i should to with my hair.