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When I had short styled hair I got a lot of compliments from women. Yet nothing in comparison to my long hair now. Something funny however when I began growing my hair in between short and long I got NO compliments!
Hair_Flake - This is exactly what happens.
1) You'll get your average number of compliments for a decent or stylish short-hair cut.
2) Whilst you're growing out your hair is generally a real mess, so you get zero compliments during the awkward stage. (This is one of the reasons why this discussion board exists to support people struggling with the awkward stage.)
3) Once your hair gets long you tend to have more compliments, because a) Women admire your hair because they think it looks better than theirs, and they want to figure out your secret. b) Some people genuinely just think it looks nice and want to tell you. c) Some women have a "long hair fetish" and just go crazy for guys with long hair. (OK granted some women have a thing for guys with really short hair, or even bald men, but hey your can find bald men and short haired men EVERYWHERE!)
Notice that you only have group b) giving you compliments when you have short hair, a) and c) only come into the mix with long hair.
Just a theory anyway...
Sorted
The purpose of long hair on humans is to act as a sexual lure. This is true for both men and women and it serves no other function (think fancy tail on a peacock). Long beautiful hair sends a powerful sexual signal to the opposite sex. It says "Look at me, I'm strong, healthy and verile".
Those who choose strong, healthy mates have a much better chance of producing strong healthy offspring than those who choose weak, unhealthy mates. So, through time, the ones who selected strong healthy mates (as evidenced, among other things, by long beautiful hair) were able to successfully reproduce, and thus become our ancestors. And in so doing, they passed this predilection for long hair on to us.
This, by the way, is why it's important to keep your hair in top condition. Ratty, unhealthy or thinning hair (and unfortunately, messy awkward stage hair) sends the opposite message. It says "I'm weak, unhealthy, or past my prime, better find another mate".
So, the reason women are attracted to men with long hair is that they want to have healthy babies. Do they think about this conciously? Only the ones who are aware of these biological processes.
Anything to the contrary is just cultural. There are plenty of women out there who have been brainwashed by modern society into thinking that they prefer men with short hair. This is because another strong sexual lure (especially for women toward men) is how successful a man is. What's his rank in the tribe if you will. Who is the ape with the most bananas? This is why women are attracted to things like nice cars, nice clothes, nice houses and short hair. These things send the message "Hey, look at me! I've learned how to play society's game. I'm a success and I can provide a safe secure environment for your offspring!"
So now the average woman, not conciously aware of any of these undercurrents, finds herself torn between the "long hairs" (strong, healthy offspring) and the "success stories" (secure long term child rearing environment). Many times a woman may look at a man with long hair and say to herself "Wow what a great looking guy, now if only he would cut his hair, he would look even better!" But, what her 'genetic programming' is really saying is this; "Wow, I'm really attracted in a sexual way to that guy with the gorgeous long hair! He could provide me with strong, healthy offspring, which is something I much desire. However, his long hair also says to me that he isn't following our customs, so maybe he isn't a mover and a shaker in our village, and therefore would not be the best choice for the long term care and support of my children. So, now that I know he is healthy and strong, as evidenced by his beautiful long hair, he can go ahead do what is needed (cut his hair and get a 'real' job) to move to the top of society. Then he will be the perfect mate and the perfect father for my offspring, which ultimately is all I really care about anyway."
So, here's the situation; long hair and the display of wealth are both sexual lures. And in the context of our current society, they are often seen by women as being at odds with each other.
So, what's a guy to do? Have it all of course. Have beautiful long hair and display all the trappings of success. Who are the most desirable guys on the planet as far as women are concerned? Hmm... think Jonny Depp, Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler. Rich, powerful, successful longhairs! Why? Because when a longhair is successful, a woman doesn't have to choose between conflicting desires. She can have it all! I once saw a program on TV about Def Leppard. The band members were saying that they had each had sex with over 1,000 women! Think about it. What does that say to you about the combination of long hair AND success?
Don't dream it, BE IT!
Excellent post, Reflective. What you said I have surmised for quite some time. What it comes down to is brainwashing, stereotyping, and all the other b/s that society predicates.
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Splat
Enjoyed your neatly outlined essay below, obviously a topic that you have considered for some time. My husband (a longhair) and I discuss this and related matters frequently enough and have come to the same general conclusion. It reminds me of other similar studies that find biological bases for the tendency in humans to find specific physical traits to be more appealing than others, as they also are indicators of procreative prowess, such as symmetrical facial features, the 70% waist-to-hip ratio in women, and the lean physique and strong jawline in men.
I have one minor disagreement, in that I do believe long hair has an additional, practical purpose, which is to help keep its wearer warm. I know that for myself, wearing my hair down helps insulate me when the weather is cold, and I'm only too aware of how stifling it is to wear it down when the weather is hot.
JE
Another reason could be that it shows that he can commit to something that may take a long time. So if he has accomplished this goal (mabey a few years to accomplish) of hair legnth it would show that he can commit and that he is deterimed enough to reach this goal. Thus showing a commited, self determined and perhaps a reliable person.
just my opinion though. hope this helped some.
-Kaj
Well, since you asked, using that example it says to me, "Self gratification, lack of commitment to others, risky behavior."
He may be able to make babies, but as soon as 1001 comes along, he's gone.
Reflective,
I just re-read what I posted and it may come off as a harsh rebuke to your opinion, I forgot the smily faces :-). Just wanted to mention I did not intend my post to be a flame directed at you.
OK, back to lurking I go... :-)
No offense taken, my freind.
Peace
You make some good points, and now that I think of it some of that probably is at the heart of the story of Sampson ("If my hair is cut off, then my strength will go away"). However, I find it impossible to judge a guy's hairstyle without taking into consideration other things. Some guys look good with long hair, some guys don't. If they're the latter, I think long hair, if anything, barely or hardly conveys a message that they're strong and virile. Don't forget that in some cultures, and based on some people's looks, longer hair on a guy may even be perceived as more feminine than masculine. But when a guy has a certain look, and he grows his hair out too, wow, that can make a really nice combination, one that's more "Sampson" than "Delilah".
