who is more important? You or people around you?

"Unfortunately, non-conformists don't generally get too far up the corporate ladder (if that happens to be your goal). I imagine there are a few exceptions but I think those guys ended up owning the corporation. The vast majority of us have to conform to succeed."

I run from the corporate world screaming all the
way! Anyway, people should try and fight for
greater rights. By just accepting things, you're
giving the company permission to dictate things
like this to you and others.

I say,care more about yourself!I mean,while some people hate the styles,others will compliment!

And you don't have to conform to everything to be successful in life ,though everyone conforms to at least some things,and that is just fine!I mean,if people conformed to everything,where would the world be?What about the styles that wouldn't be created?

Coloring your hair is fun.Cutting,creating your style is fun(doesn't matter if it is a "wild" or "conservative" style).Why miss out?You'll regret it some day.

If you can't try a hairstyle because of your work,find another fun and acceptable one.You have to look around for stuff accepted by your job,and of course,that you like.

Sure,take your place of work in account.But if you can,then go ahead!

I understand demodoll's point of view but I think conformity is "herd instinct".
It is a pretty low characteristic promoted by society and uses fear of non-acceptance as it's weapon.

We are living in a very diverse world, and the proponents of conformity want us to deny our God-given individuality and uniqueness.
IMHO one of the indicators of a civilised and advanced society is not so much "tolerance" of other's differences, but the active promotion of each person's full and changing expression of themselves (if that makes sense).

Your life is your own and your vision of yourself is the only one that counts.
As for corporate slavery....aaahh...I know it well. trust me, if you have skills they need, you get hired.
I have been on a number of IT projects where I have both hired and worked opposite people that had what would be termed "extreme" appearances by the corporate clones.
These lovely people challenged the prejudice of aforementioned clones by WHO THEY WERE - by their compassion, dedication and high ideals.

We need more such incursions of colour and life into the dead greyness of corporations.

So I guess I am saying YOU are more important than other people and their opinions.

The only "line" that should not be crossed is that of dis-respecting youself by not being you.
I cannot see how anyones appearance can cause dis-respect to another unless it involves gratuitous nudity, foul language or causes bodily injury to others.

Uzma

I can't agree with demodoll. I say, fight
the pressure to conform. Do what you
like. By doing so you may also be helping
others do the same and be happy. But
at the same time, try and be sure that
what you do is really what you want, not
something you have been cultured by the
fashion industry to do without really
wanting to.

I think it depends on where you are in life. If you are a student or work in a field where looking "different" is OK or even encouraged, then go for it. On the other hand, if you need your job and want to get ahead and it is in a more conservative field, you will have to conform to what society expects of you in your position. I know that sounds unfair and even discriminatory but it is the way things seem to work and they way they have always worked. There is pressure brought to bear by whoever is in charge. The only saving grace that I can see is that what people consider to be "normal" and "acceptable" changes over time depending on how society is moving along.

Also, when you get to be a bit older, say in your forties and up, you just look silly and kind of pathetic doing outrageous things with your hair. Like you are trying to stay young and not quite achieving it. So the older you get, the naturally more conservative looking you will get, just as a fact of nature.

So I think it is a decision that is up to the individual and should sort of be in line with whatever your goals are. How you look really defines what you do in life I have found. The more conservative and "corporate" I looked, the more I moved up in the corporate world. When I wanted to do that, it was fine. Now I don't, so I can be more relaxed with my hair and everything else.