new thread
Finally in my mid 40's, I've decided to give it a try. My problem is that I work in a managerial position of a very conservative corporate office. My last couple of cuts have only been a little around the ears and even less off the back. As the back is now 2" past the bottom of my collar, I have now passed what I feel is an acceptable "corporate" length. I'm beginning to like the appearance, and have not received negative comments from my wife or co-workers, but have noticed some interested "looks". Don't know if I'll ever get the nerve to get it long enough for a ponytail. Waiting until this point in my career and life was too long, now thinking that I should have done it earlier. Those of you 'on the fence' should consider the same.
You do have good managerial company out there, you know. Mort Topfer, for Dell Computer, for example, sported a pony tail.
Ted Waitt, for Gateway, has one too.
Yes...I know all about those 'interested looks'...i.e. 'hmmmmmm, when is he going to get a haircut cause maybe just maybe he
might start looking like a non-conformist."...
I hate those L(.)(.)KS!
Dude, I have hair down past my shoulders and onto my upper back. I used to have it to my butt, but thats another story. I am regrowing it that long. I am a goverment contractor, and work on a military base, and you should see the looks I get when I am around base. I go out to lunch with my friends at work, and when I walk into any of the food establishments, I see all these people stare, and start to wisper to each other, scowl, whatever. I guess kinda the oposite of lighting up a room, per the old saying. The ATM machine is right out side the barber shop on base, so when ever I get cash I also get alot of stares from within, but some are more looks of curiousity, and I imagine a little bit of wishing they could too.
As for comments, my standered response to people saying get a hair cut or things of that nature is "ah...grow yours". If they are particularly rude, then I may say something nastyer or just ignore them completely.
I say go for it, I don't think you would regret growing it. Besides how would you know if you like it long, untill you try. If you give it a try and it doesn't work, or YOU don't like it, try something else.
Good on you. I also work in an extrmemly conservative environment. Although I had to cut back and start again about a year ago (job change application), I grew mine out like you...bit by bit... in stages. i even slicked it back for a while so that I could get it to the stage for the ponytail.
That is the first big step. There is nothing more ferful than going in on that first day with the ponytail. I guess I got a few commnets directly, and you can bet there were heps behind my back, but I just said to everyone that keeping it neat for work was important to me , and this iw what I would be doing.
The jibes never go away completely in a conservative workplace, but nothing, and I mean nothing, could compare to the greaat feeling of having it in a pony, or the feel of it against your bak in the shower, etc etc.
Just one thing, if your wife's feelings on it are going to be important to whether you continue or stop, then maybe you should get to talking to her about it soon. my wife prefers mine shorter, but she is prepared to 'put up with it' longer - its somehting you should consider.
good luck!
Oh yeah, I forgot, here is a link to an older pic from last year.
Cheers
mmmm, cant get that right... try it here
http://homepage.mac.com/icebergs/PhotoAlbum1.html
My gift to myself when I turned 40 was to finally
grow my hair out. Now at 48, its down to my shouder blades. Looks like thats where terminal length is going to be. This year I finally grew
out the mullet which was my compromise because
of working in a large corporate environment. I am
one of a couple who dare at work. I wear it in a pony tail. Nobody has ever said anything and I deal with management all the time. I would say
enjoy it and see how it goes.
You may have a problem if you are management because you generally are seen as a model for the rest of the crew. It is one of the tradeoffs
for extra cash and prestige - but don't cave so easily. Some considerations are:? Are you well liked by the employees below you and above you? Do you have what it takes to climb the ladder or have you pretty much reached where you want to go or where you can go due to politics and capability? If the latter, I would let it grow and the discussion is bound to come up casually, directly or indirectly. Tape it step by step. When I decided to let my hair grow, it was certainly obvious from shaved head to 2 yrs) am 53 - but I told everyone if they heard a rumour to let me know so I could get it cut before I was fired. (with 30 years in I was only half serious but at the same time I didn't want to be stupid.) When one of the managers teased me about all other managers talking about my hair at the manager's meeting - I said I told everyone to give me two weeks notice so I could cut it before I got into touble. That was a bit of a laugh, but I haven't heard another word. I guess I am saying put out feelers. I don't think they really like it but at the same time I have perfect attendance for several years, never late and like my job. I am just an average worker. I am the only peson in the entire 8 story office building with hair over the collar! As an aside, I don't wear it in a ponytail because I feel if I do they will suggest it is the only way I can wear it, so I wear it long and spend most of my work day (grin) tucking my hair behind my ears!
I'm in my mid 40's and have been growing my hair for just over a year. I am lucky in that it doesn't matter what my hair looks like as far as my job is concerned. Go for it, I'd say.
Don