new thread
So, what do you think? How many people on this board are growing their hair for other people? otto thinks that many of you don't make your own decision about things like that.
otto said: "If everyone on this board made their own decisions...I think it would be pretty lonely ‘round these parts."
I made my own decision to grow from the very start, but what I think Otto meant is that others can aid in changing ones decision (direction) about cutting their hair at any given time by influencing the outcome with their words of advise or encouragement. The main objective here in this community is to grow hair long, right? So, when one starts talking the big "CUT", friends will jump in to help detour that decision or thought. Fair enough?
seems fair to me.
I grew it because of me, myself and I. I could care less what anyone else thinks -- much less society. Take care.
...."If everyone on this board made their own decisions...I think it would be pretty lonely ‘round these parts." ~otto
....I'm not sure (and maybe I'm totally wrong!) but I don't think otto
meant people 'round here do not make their own decisions, but
rather: IF nobody on this board asked for ADVICE or help...then
it would be 'pretty lonely round these parts.'
I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE that hairGROWing IS a very PROFOUNDly PERSONAL
decision...and that it is NOT influenced by anyone--including
family & friends!
Thankyou...thats exactly what i meant.
Glad to see his attempts to twist my words were wased on you.
Peace, otto
You wrote those words. Take responsibility for them and make sure that next time you define them better so that others won't have to do it for you.
My (recent) decision to grow my hair out has not only been one that I've made only for myself, but also has encountered opposition from everyone that I've told about it. I've given into this in the past, but I really don't care any more. My parents have tried to use scare tactics, saying that I'll be looked down on, or even disciplined at work for having long hair, but after finding this site, I can finally see just how hollow these arguments are. Well, now I'm just rambling, so I'm gonna go now.
Sorry if I sound cranky. I'm just really tired.
Aragorn Rocks!
First off, there's nothing wrong with changing one's mind, or with getting other people to. After all, isn't that what "freedom of speech" is really about? If changing one's mind were dishonorable, then "incitement to commit changing one's mind" would also be dishonorable, and there goes the good rep of the First Amendment! :-)
Standing up for what one believes in, and for what makes one strong, is also honorable.
Those things said, I have long hair for myself. I never felt I was a complete person until I had my mane. I am a far stronger, far happier person with my mane, and with those characteristics I can be a far more productive member of society. Some people see changes in one's forties as dealing with a "mid-life crisis", but I saw my changes as having finally grown up. Thinking for oneself is what grownups do. Going with the crowd (unless you really want to) is for those who aren't ready to grow up yet.
"Making one's own decisions" is probably a truism for most longhairs. After all, most folks in the community at large advocate for "short", and we're going to be there if we listen to others a lot. A man has to be an independent sort to undertake a "project in deviance" that is unmistakable every time he is seen, for several years running, and never straying from that course once. That is what one must do to have long hair. Many must grow into that mindset, and that was so in my case. I felt while I grew my mane I also grew a lot underneath it.
That growth is why we talk about more than just hair care on here. We're all growing a lot more than hair. We're growing our identities, and we're growing a community. Having long hair CHANGES a guy. The situation that society sees us as a different social group reflects that reality.
In one way it's a good thing it takes so long to grow long hair. Forging ourselves into the unique individuals we must become takes time. The slow growth rate of hair gives us the time we need to grow "underneath", which is also a slow but wonderful process. It's a process that makes "being a longhair" about a lot more than hair length for many longhaired men. What it is about, is our soul. I have chosen to own mine.
excellent post man. struck all sorts of chords with me
From a shaved head state, a guy said why don't you grow you hair out/long? I said no. Then thought about it. I'd never had hair below the collar. Step by step. A year and 9 months later the hair is just over the backside of my shoulders.
I changed in that I can't just shower and go. I have to take special care of my hair. I like the long hair more than I ever thought I would. If I saw somebody with long hair, that is all it was. Having long hair is way more. It is a different feel, different looks (pony tail, braids, straight)
Today for the first time with long hair I road in an open vehicle (jeep) and because of the wind/airflow, my hair was blowing all over the front of my face. It was difficult to see. I was a pasenger!
Most people didn't mind my hair getting longer but most people don't seem to like my over the shoulders long hair. I don't know if that is because of my age (53) or because they just don't like hair that long, but I really like it. Definitely my decision to have long hair.
most of my close friends are short haired. my family offers little commentary about my length- though my younger sister volunteered that she thought it looks good on me. i am a solitary person by nature and my hair growth has been and will be 100% my decision. my presence here is a result of my search for like-minded people... not because i feel i need encouragement in making a decision. had the atmosphere here not been positive and supportive i would have moved on but i would have continued growing my hair.
New guy here just started to post. I am currently in a theatre production called The Promise in Glen Rose, Texas. It is a professional production about the life of Christ ( this is not a religious thread) I play the apostle Peter.
By contract, I am not allowed to cut my hair. BTW, that is OK with me, because I have always hated to get my hair cut. To answer the question, I started growing my hair for the part, but now it is for ME!!!
So are you in Glen Rose? I thought the only thing there was dinosaur footprints.
If you ever get in to Austin, send me an email, and I'll buy you a drink somewhere.
In spite of being in one of the smallest counties in the state of Texas, there are actually quite a lot of things to do there. I don't live in Glen Rose, I just go there on the weekends for the show.
Don't get to Austin too often. But who knows.
Thanks for seting up this board. Lot of good advice for someone starting out.
P
The fact is, there's a thinner line between doing your own thing and doing it for others than meets the eye. For example, you grow your hair to express yourself...to others(?) Is this something you do because of others or yourself? A little from column A, a little from column B.
And when we do what our friends pressure us into doing, are we doing it because they are making us, or because we want them to like us and this is our choice of ways to accomplish that end? A little from column A, a little from column B.
In this social world, nothing is JUST about you or JUST about others. It's usually a mix.
As for me, I'm growing it out because I look in the mirror and see my self more than with short hair...and, that's the impression I want to make on others.
The Rev
I have always grown it and then kept it long for myself only. It was not for attention, rebellion against my parents or school (church), to get girls attention or to go better with fashion.
If I decide to cut it then it (which I won't) then it would mean that I was mentally ready for it and no input from anyone else would matter (you see this happen with many people in drastic changes). Being a part of your body makes your hair a very personal decision.
By "unintentionally" going against the "dress code" of society at large around me I was very aware that I was making my own decisions about my personal appearance which would affect how others viewed me.
It's interesting to recall the reactions that came from various stages of my hair growth but all in all I found it to be easier the longer it got. And the longer it got the older I grew. It really becomes a part of you. As you find your hair still with you in adulthood and all the changes along the way you realize that you really have been making decisions that were specifically your own and confidence quite often is the result.
There is a world of people out there just waiting and trying to make your decisions for you and every longhair has experienced it in regards to their hair. The essence of being an adult is taking the available infomation and making the best decision for yourself.
Some guys on this board aren't yet in a situation where they can make all their own decisions but don't sweat it, those days will come soon enough...and then you'll have a blast!
....Absolutely...
...everything I READ makes me THINK and...
...that's one of the great things about this place!
As with just about everyone else here, I grew (and am growing again) my hair out for ME. I do it because I like the way it looks, feels, and yes, that IS the impression I want to give to other people, because it is ME and I want them to see ME. Yet if there was no one else on the face of the earth I would still have long hair because I like it. And if I am comletely isolated because of my long hair, I will still have it. I have always been a loner so all of my decisions I make are for myself and no one else. When I cut my nearly shoulder-length hair off earlier this year, I didn't do it because of pressures put on me by society, I did it because I had not treated my hair right and needed to start over. And here I am again.
Chris
I don't know, why don't you tell me.....