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This sometimes happens to me. Do you ever pass a total stranger - the only thing you have in common is long hair (and usually skinny jeans or some other "rock look" too) - and he gives you a quick smile? It's like you're both in some kind of secret club or something - like a freemason's handshake only cooler. It sorta of freaks me out - but in a nice way (and yeah, I smile back).
Ever happen to you? Or are you the one who smiles first? Are we really in some kind of secret club?! :)
Damon
Hi Damon,
Yea, I can't recall the exact time that has happened to me but yes,when two longhairs usually cross paths there is some sort of acknowledgement:)Like you mentioned its either a smile or could be a nod.Sure as hell never happens when a buzzcut guy passes by as I try not to even look at him.lol.But it does seem like some sort of fraternal handshake in a way.Cheers
Mârk
Actually i've had that happen to me too.
Of course! Maybe with a bit of a head toss in case there might be a question about what kind of fellowship you are!
Can be a little confusing when the person nods or smiles to you and you're not sure why. I've gotten this when I am away from SF...and then they clear it up by saying "nice hair!" or something...because in their area, long hair starts at shoulder or something...and in SF, well, the community standard for guys is mid-back and for women, at least waist.
Yeah, you guys are right. It's more often a nod than a smile - but sometimes both. It is kinda confusing - coz you're thinking: whoa, he's a total stranger. I didn't know how to react the first time it happened.
But it happens quite a lot. I guess it MUST be the hair and it's like a Secret Fraternal Society of Longhairs! Awesome! :)
Damon
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Hey Damon - Yes, that happens to me at least once a week. I sometimes smile first and at times the other guy does. And yes, it has crossed my mind that the two of are in a secret club!
John
Frequently. Several times a day here in Phoenix. Long hair recognition is shared by rockers, bikers, and cowboys, here. A lot of construction guys have long or "longer" hair. It seems to establish a bond of trust or something at times. I am seeing long haired guys much more often.
Hi Damon,
I have in fact had this happen. It is kind of cool. Just this evening we were waiting for a meeting to start outside the building. A young guy walked past us and he and I acknowledged each other. It was funny because I caught him brushing his ponytailed hair back. It was almost like he was reaffirming the connection we just made. Way cool! But please don't let people in on our secret club man! Hehe.
Ted
Yes, I get that! It happens more often with hippie and blue collar looking guys than with white collar ones, so they are picking up on more similarities than just hair. Usually it's just a nod or a smile, but sometimes there's a friendly greeting like, "How's it goin'?"
When I am with other longhairs, both of these kinds of encounters happen even more often. Two longhairs are more than twice as exciting a find than just one. And three or more, even more so. While several of us MLHH guys were at the Golden Gate bridge recently, we had a "Look, Mabel" encounter.
Several years ago when the SF Longhairs had brunches, sometimes we'd get 15 to 20 guys show up at a restaurant. We really turned heads then. People would ask us if we were all in a band. And when we signed up for a large table, we'd just write down for the name, "Longhairs". The staff could tell immediately who were in our party, and if we had any latecomers, they'd without asking them, direct them right to our table.
Indeed we are in a unique club, and unlike with many clubs, we can't just waltz into a store and buy the gear to be a member. We have to grow our membership cards, and our obvious commitment is what makes us an interesting find.
Bill
Well, for me it's either one of the following:
1) No reaction at all. (most common, by far)
2) Palpable uncomfortableness. It's like when he sees me, he's met his double. It's like it freaks him out or something (which is odd, since long hair is pretty common here these days). He avoids eye contact, or walks the other direction, or something. In one case, I saw the same person like a few weeks or so later and he had shaved his head! That was probably just a coincidence, though; I'm guessing he was going to do it anyway. I guess seeing me reminded him of what he was about to do.
3) What you mentioned.
Many thanks for all the replies. It's good to know it's not just me who gets all these odd smiles and nods!
Yeah, it is like a secret cool club. And it's especially cool that we're not likely to ever mislay our membership card - coz it's growing out of our head!
Bill, a bit similar to your wedding experience - though probably as much to do with the gothy way I was dressed as my hair ...
A few weeks ago I was standing at the entrance to Cyberdog, a famous cybergoth store in Camden Market (London), when a couple of young German tourists were taking pictures of it. Cyberdog has a pair of amazingly cool giant aluminum sculptures of space-dogs flanking its entrance and I moved out of the way so the tourists could take pictures. But the girl gave me a big smile, dragged me back in front and draped her arm round me so her partner would include me in the photo. Apparently, they considered me to be part of the "Camden scene" - a long-haired goth! They thanked me profusely but hey, maybe I should have charged a fee! :)
Ev, I've had lots of 1) and 3) but never 2). O_o
Damon
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Oops! Actually I forgot. They're cyberMEN flanking the entrance, not cyberdogs!
Damon
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Wrong again! One of them has boobs! Oh okay ... cyberHUMANS then! :D
But why should cybercritters have male and female characteristics at all? I've never seen cybertoddlers, so presumably they don't sexually reproduce and need breast milk.
If monkeys had made them instead of humans, I thus presume they would have had tails. But since humans made them, why don't they have any HAIR!
Bill
Coz cybergoths do weird things to it and it falls out! And then they wear wigs! :)
Damon
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Hi Damon,
Ha ha, wow you seemed confused today but understandably as the name of the store would suggest dogs but the statues are of a man and a woman.lol.Regardless it sounds like a cool store that I'd love to shop in but sadly I've never seen anything quite like it in NYC.Cheers
Mârk
Not just today. My whole LIFE is confused! :)
Damon
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Hi Damon,
Don't worry as I'm in a state of confusion myself nowadays so we're in good company. Lol. Also out of work but that's another issue....
Mârk
I'm out of work at the mo too. So I can empathise. Hang in there, Mark. It'll pick up.
Damon
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Hi Damon,
Yes I've been out of work over a month now and have no idea when
I'll be working again. Looking at it as an opportunity for a fresh start and maybe it'll
happen in California:)Good luck to you too Damon, just weird times right now.Cheers
Mârk
Mark, now is the time to put some flowers in your hair and come to San Francisco:
Construction work is booming here
That story was aired day before yesterday, so it's current.
Bill
Hi Bill,
Very interesting news clip but actually I'm in service and repair more that new construction.I used to work in construction when first in the field back in the 1980s and into the early 90s but switched to service. It was considered an upgrade since it requires more troubleshooting and you work less physical.I could always go back but its harder as you get older.I did meet, in person, exactly a week ago with the union rep from the SF local that handles the HVAC service division so he knows I'm available and not working.My options are open.Thanks for the link as it was interesting to view:)
Mârk
keep this in mind. More info on the news at 11...
Actually, there was more. On yesterday's news at 6:
Shortage of Construction Workers
We walked downtown last week. It was incredible. There is construction everywhere. The story mentioned Twitter at the end. Everyone here knows about Twitter. They just finished and moved in to a new headquarters building here.
Much of the growth is due to high tech and Internet companies. The epicenter of all that is in Silicon Valley, 30 to 50 miles south, but many of the workers there want to live here, because the weather is better and here is where all the fun stuff happens. Workers then have complained about the commute in such numbers that employers have done much of their expansion here. This has caused much of the construction, and most of those tech workers make good money. Their spending is boosting demand for workers who do just about everything else besides tech or construction.
For those who have yearned to come to San Francisco, now is the time to pounce.
Bill
That is very good news to me!
Longhairs all the time are asking me about moving to San Francisco, because it is very longhair-friendly. So I thought it a good time to post about the boom now. One thing to be aware of is that rents are very high here but salaries generally run about 35% higher than the national average. Consider both figures when deciding whether to move.
Bill
I'm considering both of those, as well as a lot of other things. mainly that I live in a small town in western Maryland and the entire county is a trap. most people that live here are 5th generation or more. I need to get out, and get to a place with more musicians and artists and cool people.
That's a nice wide studded belt the guy in the gray sweat shirt
has on. Is that like the one you have?
Yup, the same. Here's a pic of me wearing mine. Love those belts!
I've got a much wider one than that - 3" wide. I ordered some low-rise skinny jeans with especially large belt-loops to take it - from that site that Mark recommended - and they arrived recently. Thanks, Mark! I'll post a pic eventually ...
Damon
Hi Damon,
That's very cool you recently received your custom makeyourownjeans! Can't
wait to see them when you post the finished product. If you saw my San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge pics from last week I was wearing my newest pair of custom skinny jeans from makeyourownjeans:) I feel I've finally nailed down the fit I truly wanted! Cheers
Mârk
Cool! I'm far too vain not to post pics! I wore them last night and got loads of positive comments on the size of my belt - it's massive, the same width as a ladies' patent belt. Love those jeans!
I saw the pics but your jeans are so skinny I didn't spot you at first. I thought you were one of the suspension cables! :)
Damon
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that wide belt looks very cool , could u tell me where I could get one 3 inches wide ty
Hey Damon
Yes I used to get that all the time, and I still get it from guys with mature or long beards, again it's something one has to put time into. I am growing my beard out and there definately seems to be some sort of community and respect. I like it.
Cheers dude