I'm not going to debate you Jacqui, your opinion is right for you. Why should it matter to someone else how long or short someone else wears their hair? Last time I checked it isn't illegal for a woman to have hair of ANY length, from floor length to bald or anything in between. What law are people breaking by wearing their hair a certain length. It seems to me a matter of individual choice. Same thing with earrings and noserings, tattoos, long or short dresses, etc. Isn't it just fashion and individual preference? You have to assume that adults ARE ADULTS. We have enough intelligence to be able to determine for ourselves what fashions we feel is best for ourselves. Do we adjust our fashion to circumstances?,- of course, but it should be AN INDIVIDUAL decision. We should be able to, as adults, decide for ourselves which hairstyle we feel best with.
I wear nosestuds in each nostril, usually at least two earrings in each ear and have a few tattoos. I also have a relationship with another woman. Does any of that stop me from being a good mother or being a good worker?
No it doesn't, and that is what is important.. TO EACH THEIR OWN!!!
This might be a bit off topic. When I was right out of college - I cut my hair into a professional, short style as a sign(to myself) of my drive, desire and maturity. I don't regret the move at all as it enabled me to feel the part of professional woman. I had been in grad school for 4 long years. My wardrobe consisted of jeans, sweats and t-shirts for that entire time. My hair was past bsl and had been for a long time. I wanted to shed all that snake skin and move on to the next level of me. I was able to get a job fairly quickly and really think that my "changed look" helped me.
I know this probably offends most of you.....I wish it were different. But when you are sitting across from a 60 something Senior Architect, who is probably dying to say "don't you worry your pretty little head about those columns darlin"....you don't want to be thought of as "darlin" or "hon"....you want to be one of the guys. You just want to be noticed for your input .
I had to earn my badge as a contributing being in the workplace before I could allow my appearance to be as I wanted it to. Now I wear my hair as I wish.
I think that long hair does signify youth....just as yellow and fluffy down defines a baby chick.
Anyone want to oppose this thought? I'm up for some good debates!
Tina - You have obviously never wanted to be trusted with millions of a clients dollars to build a highschool. They aren't too crazy about letting someone with nose studs do that (as of yet) maybe hopefully in the future. You are entitled - we all are - to look as we want to. And clients are entitled to choose who they want to do the work for them. It is a matter of choosing which is more important.
jacqui
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tina and jacqui you both make good points. when you have jobs hair, piercing and tattoos make a difference. i have a cousin who has very long hair. but her hair wasn't the problem. at one job they wanted her nose jewelery out. during work she took it out. she would come over after work and to me it looked odd with out her stud in her nose. she then found another job. although the interview they said nothing about the nose pierced. she had it in. when she got the job they mention her nose. they didn't want it in. she fought that one because it was working at a salon and others had piercing that worked there. she quit when she had her baby. but she had to go back to work because she got a divorce. they didn't have a problem with the nose but her tattoos. so she wears clothes that cover them. as for me i don't work. i have tattoos, some piercing. [navel and ears] when i have to go to my stepdaughters school meeting or other stuff i cover them.
I never said Jacqui that people don't have to compromise on occasion, I know that's life. If I really wanted a certain job where I would need to remove my nosestuds and wear a long sleeved blouse to cover my tattoos on my arms I would if I wanted the job bad enough. Thankfully though nosestuds and tattooing on women are more accepted than in the past and many jobs will allow you to have that style of fashion. My point is that if the fashion you choose doesn't interfer with your work and you work well, why should anyone care if you wear certain jewelry, the length of your hair, tattoos and such things.
I understand what you are saying PrincessMonica, it makes sense to me.
My attitude is, women should be free to wear our hair the way we want, the jewelry we want, and have tattoos if we want in the workplace as well as at home. Is that a reality in all circumstances? Maybe not, sometimes you have to compromise. But I am only willing to compromise so much, so often. I've got my rights too, and we CAN instigate change for the better at times. We DO have some power, maybe more than we know!!
tina
uzma
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think that long hair does signify youth....just as yellow and fluffy down defines a baby chick.
Long hair signifies different things in different cultures at different times.
Baby chicks have yellow fluffy down which turns into feathers when they are fully grown adult ducks. This is nature. There is no such correlation between long hair and youth in human physiology. In fact, to grow hair to the floor means that you have lived a significant number of years. Therefore, if anything, really long hair is an outcome of age not youth.
On the work front, there are a lot of illogical rules about appearance and presentability.
I manage £120m worth of budgets. If I went to work tomorrow with an eyebrow piercing and my ripped jeans it would be laughed at and frowned on. In the longer run, I may lose my job, not because of any incompetence in performing my role, but because I have disassociated myself from the corporate tribe and their tribal markers.
We play a role at work. We play "lets pretend" and "dress up" and adhere to a false hierarchy, moronic values and political gaming. I save my Real Self for the 16 hours of the day that I am not in the zoo. Having said that, I do show my teeth, claws and true colours on occasion...............
My corporate-friendly appearance, including hair tied back, "signifies" my compromise to earn a good living. My long hair - when it gets truly long - will "define" my status as a physically mature adult with full-grown hair.
When I had waist-length hair no one in the workplace took me seriously. They looked at me as immature. Some even refered to me as a "girl". It didn't help that I am Chinese-American and short and petite. So I guess I was like a stereotype, the "oriental doll". Long haired women are seen as being "girly and immature". Long haired men have it even worse, they are considered "airheads" or "grunge guys" or "hippies". Nobody takes long haired people seriously, they are considered flakes. VERY UNFAIR!!!
That isn't why I got my haircut, I just wanted a short style. I was tired of long hair and my husband prefers short hair on women and I also wanted to please him so I did cut my hair short for those reasons, but I must admit people with very long hair (or for that matter any unusual hairstyle of any length) just aren't taken seriously. UNFAIR!!!
I am a housewife now. I don't have to put up much with the public or the workplace. They say housewives aren't liberated but it has it's advantages ; you don't have to put up with the daily workplace pressures!
The trick Julie is to not care what others think. What do they know anyway?!!!!
If you know you are a grown up woman and good at your job, what does it matter what others think?
As far as being called a "girl" when you are over 18 and a woman, I wouldn't tolerate that, I would say something like, "Excuse me, I'm a woman not a girl". -(unless it is said in the spirit of fun)-. No woman should be refered to as a "girl", regardless if she has long hair or not. You have a right in ANY workplace to get at least some of respect.
You mentioned that you are petite and Asian, ... well I'm small and petite too and a natural blonde, and yes..., unfortunately small women are sometimes looked at as "girls" too -(don't you hate that!!!!!)-... When I wore my hair long I often got the "Hey there Blondie" routine from guys , even walking down the street. I didn't much care for it and I always carried a can of MACE just in case ..... Also some people think blondes are dumb. -(Who was the jerk who invented the idea that blondes are dumb? No basis in fact at all !)- All of the stereotypes about women and their hair!.. jeez !
I don't worry too much about what others think, like I said before I will compromise but only to a degree. I may be petite that doesn't mean you can push me around. No sireeee!
tina
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i know this has nothing to do with hair but i'm also petite too. i'm only 4'11. the women in my family all are short. we are italian. tomorrow i'll be 29 and i still get ''what high school do you go to?'' i politely say i'm not in school i'm a housewife.
Jacqui, I agree completely with you! Can you imagine the absolutely gorgeous Katherine Hepburn with one of those horrid little buzzcuts that I've seen on elderly women?!
What I do think is unattractive is when long hair is not properly styled or kept healthy. Scraggly ends are unattractive on any length of hair.
But, an elderly lady with an elegant little bun with gentle, wisps of hair kissing her cheeks is the epitome of graceful aging to me. Also, on the rare times I've seen long, almost completely white hair on elderly women, I have been pleasantly surprised at how feminine they looked. Of course, femininity is not just reserved for younger women! But I think it can be a bit harder to achieve as one ages. Having beautiful long hair only adds to the beauty of a woman, in my opinion (keeping in mind that it is healthy and styled well -- pigtails high on the head for an 80-year-old is not quite going to do it for me....!)
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Julie, you said, "They say housewives aren't liberated"
Isn't liberation about doing what YOU want to do? I'm afraid feminism has gotten real negative lately. It's more about what "feminists" think you should do instead of what you think you should do.
I have been a short-haired girl all my life, and I am facing a LOT of resistance from my mom and others about the fact that I am growing my hair out. (it is only at shoulder-length right now) They keep saying, "you looked so cute with your hair short...why grow it out?" My answer-"because I want to dang it, so shut up!" BTW, I am 33 yrs old, which I think, means that I am supposedly "too old" for long hair...hogwash!
There is a woman at work who comments about women she sees with long hair- "she has no business having hair that long at her age!" This just irritates me...what business does she or anyone else have in determining to what length another woman should grow her hair? I don't understand this long=girlish philosophy.
I come to this board to mainly "lurk" and get some support from others who are invested in their tresses. Whenever I am tempted to cut my hair because it won't behave or because it's got funky layers, I visit these boards and my resolve is renewed!
Today not possible, tomorrow possible!
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I hear you... I sympathize with you... you are old enough to decide to ignore the opinions of your naysayers, and young enough to wear long hair. Young enough? How young is that? Still alive!
Possible responses to your nasty detractors:
Nasty1: "you looked so cute with your hair short...why grow it out?"
(1) You: "you'd look so cute with long hair... why keep it short?"
(2) You: "you seemed so nice with your mouth closed... why open it up?"
Nasty2: "she has no business having hair that long at her age!"
(1) You: "you have no business telling other people how to wear their hair!"
(2) You: "you have no business having hair that short at your age!" Of course that'll flabbergast her because she just take for granted the self-righteousness of her position, I doubt she'll know how to respond.
We all support your long hair endeavor. Hang in there and don't let anybody deter you!
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well ive never been 30 before. or 16 for that matter, but I thought it was intersting how all of the petite women with long hair werent taken seriously and thought of as young and girlie.
I'm 15 and 5'9. When I was 13 I was 5'7 or 5'8 with short hair that went from red to highlighted, and people often asked me where I went to college. People still assume i'm older. I've been asked to clubs before when I walk around the beach and when I tell guys my age they're all "OH MY GOD I'm sorry I thought you were at LEAST 18." And walk away.
I guess I might look older, but I dont think I do. I think i look 15, just bigger. so does my family.
its weird how people judge others maturity when they KNOW a persons age (like at work) by their hair and their size.
as for hair... I look ridiculous with short hair. And I looklike my mother, who has short hair at 43 because she lost it to chemo and is growing it long again, and she looks MUCH better with long hair. so I dont plan to cut it short... ever. again. but I honestly cant say if I'll still even LIKE long hair when im 30.
BSL/Blonde/Chemically Treated (abused) 1b/cMii I swear by Redken Extreme and Shea Butter.
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A lot of interesting comments here! I too think that the idea of having to cut your hair at a certain age is dumb. Your hair grows on your head and you shouldn't have to cut it if you don't want. And tastes differ - some people like how they or others look with long hair, others don't. One cannot make a hard and fast rule about what looks good. I see nothing unsightly about an older person having long hair - and it can be put into a bun anyway.
But as some of you (like Uzma and Lyris) pointed out, there are many of those who think that way. I think this attitude is due to several things:
1) stylists dispensing advice: "at your age you should wear your hair short". Down with that! They can unfortuately be expected to say this (and apparently often do), as doing a major makeover can be more fun for the stylist, and cost more/require more often maintenance than a simple trim of long hair.
2) male-female customs: some women may keep their hair long, knowing that many men love long hair. But once they secure a man and get married, they may make practicality or indulging in change a priority, rather than being as attractive to him.
3) history: in the Victorian era, society became very conservative and while virtually all women wore long hair, they started wearing it up in almost all situations, so as not to show it off to men. Hair worn down became a symbol of either being an innocent little girl or of "letting your hair down" - we still use the cliche - "lightening up". In the 1920s, women started cutting their hair and bobs were far more common than long hair. The fashionable styles of the 1930s were longer but typically styled in complex curls. The idea of little girls' hair being simpler and different from older womens' seems to have developed at about this time.
Anyway, let us throw off the shackles of conformity
DaveDecker
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I to think that an age limit on long hair is silly. I've got to tell you guys a story about me. First I am 19, I'll be 20 in Sept. Second I'm a business adminstration student. There are fourteen other women in my class every one of them has short hair except me and two other women. I usually wear my hair up in a claw clip but one day I decided to let it down and let it breath. Okay I know hair doesn't breath but you all know what I mean. Anyway I was going to the break room and just I was about to enter one of the ladies from my class said to another of my classmates. "Anna will never make it in the business world. She's unprofessional and her hair needs to be cut." Well I walked in the break room. I held my head high and started swinging my hair gently. Just enough to give it some movement. Then I said "I didn't know you felt that way ... about my hair but if I had hair like yours I would be talking about SOMEONE ELSE'S hair too." Name withheld to protect the stupid. Her hair is very dry and extremely frazzled. It looks like it has been dyed one time too many. People need to get off the cut your hair kick.
Anna :P
DaveDecker
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So you are a collegian, huh? A business student, no less? That's great! I fondly remember my days as a student in college, studying engineering and business. Those were the days, however, when young women interested in pursuing careers in business were counseled by the authors of some wretched book (dress for success, or some such title) promoted the notion that in order to be taken seriously in the then-male-dominated workplace, women must adapt and make like chameleons, shedding vestiges of their womanly appearance. This advice manifested itself prescriptively as "cut the hair short, wear business suits with shoulder-pads to lend a look of authority, etc." blah blah blah.
I have been working in the world of professional office environments for nearly 20 years now (has it really been that long already?!) and from all of the knowledge, experience and wisdom I've gained and gleaned through those 2 decades, have come to a resolutely firm conclusion regarding those previously-described prescriptive notions for women in business.
It's all a bunch of baloney.
I will tell you what I believe are the secrets to success in the business world. (1) endeavor to do your job to the best of your abilities. (2) work hard, smart, diligently, and relentlessly. (3) never be afraid to say "I don't know." Follow-up with "I'd love to learn." And then learn. (4) Focus on why you are in the employ of another. Do not become distracted with an excessive amount of personal (real life) issues while at work. (5) Be honest and fair in your interactions with others, and treat others with respect (this can be difficult at times -- fight the temptation). (6) Learn to accept fair criticism of your work efforts from your superiors. (7) Learn how to determine priorities, and address the most important priorities first. (8) When things go wrong -- and they will -- don't give up; just keep trying.
Well, I'm sure I could add many more "secrets of success" to the list; the point is that none of it has to do with the length of one's hair! I have had and had (what I consider to be, anyway) a good career and a good job (respectively), and I am a man whose hair is to his knees. If I can simultaneously have these things and long hair, then anybody can do it. And I believe that the people I work for and with perceive me not as "Dave that guy who looks inappropriate for the workplace" but rather as "Dave that guy who may look a bit unusual but is a 'good' guy." Some of you might say I am fooling myself, but I know how others interact with me now and I know how they interacted with me when I had very short hair, and do you know what? It wasn't any different (and certainly no better) with short hair. Because the bottom line is that professionalism has everything to do with what one says and what one does and has absolutely nothing to do with what one looks like, and all those who would have you believe that professionalism is defined by your appearance not only do not speak the truth, but they do not have your best interests in mind.
So, I can say with complete certainty that your classmates who are convinced that long hair is unprofessional have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. It is sad and unfortunate that the dogma they espouse is still in wide circulation; nevertheless, the fact that it is widely believed does not prove it as an infallible truth. Remember, at one time, people believed the world was flat. And they were wrong. So too are those, such as your classmates, who think that professionalism is gained when hair is lost.
In fact, in my estimation, the contrary is true. When young women approaching college graduation cut their hair short in an attempt to appear to be more "professional," it tells me that they are so lacking in confidence with their honest sense of self that they have, unwittingly and ironically, actually displayed their lack of self-confidence. They perceive the need for a haircut as a crutch for a measure of credibility. A flimsy crutch, at that. On the other hand, those who are more self-confident believe in themselves and their abilities to impress those with whom they interview, and don't feel obliged to sell themselves short.
So the next time your classmates try to make you feel badly about wearing your hair long, just smile with pity on them because, in their weakness, they felt compelled to succumb to a misguided fallacy, while you remained strong and true to yourself.
Vineman
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My hair is getting easier to manage as it grows out, as it's all curly and wavy. Straight hairi s much easier to manage shorter, but obviously when you get near waist length it's going to be hard no matter what.
Since I am young people do tell me it's just a "phase" and a lot of people have long hair, but I've had it for longer! It just grows very slow and my Dad made me cut it once, he did it himself and he promised he wouldn't take much length off and he did.
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