i found a great new beautician who's main objective is to keep the hair healthy...she's great, and uses very little heating products and chemicals on the hair..i had about 2 - 3 inches of new growth, with the rest of my hair still holding a bit of the old relaxer..

she washed/conditioned the hair, and did a blow dry style on it..it was great..when i sweated and did the usual O.R. work that i do, my hair became i bit more textured at the roots, and with the hair holding the old relaxer, the ends were "less textured" and more refined..

a hispanic janitor that i occasionally talk with came up to me while i was working and letting my hair "air out" as we say in the O.R. (Operating Room), because we have to wear these surgery caps all day.  He first put his hands in my hair - heck, i'm used to that, i get that a lot from Hispanics, asians, etc..but then he began going for the scalp, lifting my hair, rubbing the ends..then asked "why is it your hair is "curly" up here, and "straight" here?"  I didn't get what he was trying to imply, and i felt my hair at the scalp, felt the tiny waves that come near the roots and said, "that's new growth, i have a perm growing out" he couldn't take that for an answer, and started on my hair again..he kept on persistent that my hair was "straight here", and "curly" here..

he was all over my head, trying the texture, then i finally had enough..and asked him to cut it out..I realized what he was trying to imply..that i had some type of extension or weave..which i don't mind wearing occasionally, extensions have helped my hair grow out very well, and helped to protect my hair. 

but this was also one of the reasons i wore my hair short..most minorities should know better..but it get it from Hispanics, asians, etc., the moment they see darker individuals with long hair - it's an automatic weave, or wig..  i like the idea that there are products made naturally for "all hair types"..that aid the hair in protection, and growth..before, we didn't have that option and there was a lot of hair breakage...

Where i grew up, there was such a mix amongst us, no one cared what length anyone's hair was or the color of their eyes..I would have thought that minorities especially should know better..everyone's hair isn't "just straight" or "just kinky" or that all of us weren't born with "just brown" or "just black" eyes..there's so much more in the middle of the cultural spectrum, why should there be any questions or conflict?

Wow. There is a thin line between fascination and rudeness!  I used to get mad when strangers would fondle my hair (especially when it was in a natural style) but I've decided to remember that they are not as accustomed to it as I am, and are therefore ignorant to its uniqueness and beauty.  It isn't their fault that they are ignorant about it, and I know that they love it and wish they could have it! Im glad you know this man, bc that would have been too much coming from a stranger! 

My background is both (PR & AA).  I think your observations are pretty accurate.  Other cultures (including hispanic) do not necessarily embrace the idea that ethnic hair (i.e. curly or kinky)  is desirable.  I also think that most men aren't aware of many of the processes women have done at the salon other than dyeing or getting extentions or braids.  Maybe the janitor just didn't know what you meant by having a perm in that part of your hair. 

i thank you ladies for your feedback..it is a good thing that i did know this guy..my hair was cut shorter with a curly perm in it and had extensions in the back..i liked the curly perm mainly because if i had new growth, it took a while for it to be that noticeable..i would use styling gel to lay down the sides.. so, i'm sure some folks thought the perm was "natural"..

It's strange how other "ethnicities" do not embrace "ethnic" hair.

I was shocked when i befriended a japanese janitor named Eiko..she stands about 4'9"..and weighs about 90 pounds, about 60 years old...she pulled me into the locker room one evening to show off her new highlights in her hair..i was pleasantly amused at what I saw..Eiko had the darkest hair...a huge well trimmed afro...no kidding..kinky as kinky could be with reddish/gold highlights..and she was proud as punch..running her fingers through her hair..she said "Ya see? me ha' nappy".."me like me ha'"  (she liked her nappy hair)

I work in the urology field..gotta go to work..

Go 'head Eiko

well, what it comes down to is this:  guys have it easy when they are younger..it's when they get older - and have to maintain their looks - especially if they don't have much to offer other than than their looks to begin with. that's when the joking stops..we women know that we have to keep our looks up..if you wish to stay attractive to yourself as well as the opposite sex - it takes work..

what do guys do when they don't want to keep up their looks and they have money? (if they have money) - they go out and buy a car.

it's even worse when i see guys "rating" women..especially when most of the ones doing the rating look like a bunch of rejects from "Lord of the Rings"...

I was shocked to see and hear of young guys making fun of women that do care about themselves..there is a lot of pressure for us to keep our looks up..true..but if you look at the media now - the tables are turning...men are having to take a hard look at their flab, skinny arms, chicken chests, hair, teeth, breath, penis length, and their clothes.

being an athletic female - it's hard for those types to say anything...not only is beauty an intimidation factor - but being able to play in their field brings out a lot of their insecurities as well..it's a beautiful thing..