To cut or not to cut (my hair)

musicismylife78
musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
edited March 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
I have had long hair since senior year of high school. I graduated college in March 2007. Havent cut it yet.

My parents are on my back telling me that my lack of success in finding a job, is because of my long hair and seem to think only that will help in terms of landing a job. I say it’s a meaningless thing. I got a sociology degree and I am not trying to land a job at Goldman Sachs or Ralph Lauren or some other places where being clean cut and clean shaven is paramount. I have been applying at alternative “hippie” places, health food stores, organic food stores etc….I am adamant its my lack of experience that is holding me back.

Anyways, any other males here have to deal with this? It may sound silly but my hair is part of my identity. I have changed a hell of a lot between high school and now, and my hair has been constant throughout. Its my identity, or a big part of it. Especially as a long haired male, it’s a statement. As a fellow Jammer told me at the San Fran III gig “you probably are a right winger, right?”.

Uncle Neil said “all my changes were there”. I feel like that with my hair. I became politically active, an activist, a radical, burnt out on politics, having a breakdown of sorts, and now split between politics and loving and living life. My hair was the same throughout.

Ed had long hair, or longish hair for years, 1990, maybe even before, through 2000 or 2001. You think he flipped out when he cut it short? Same with Mike and Stone, you think they were nervous when they cut it?

What to do, what to do!
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • SPEEDY MCCREADY
    SPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 26,947
    listen to your parents...

    and go get a fucking haircut....

    and clean your room..

    and then go take out the fucking garbage....

    hehehehehe............
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • MyHandsBound
    MyHandsBound Posts: 698
    SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:
    listen to your parents...

    and go get a fucking haircut....

    and clean your room..

    and then go take out the fucking garbage....

    hehehehehe............


    yeah..and start making up your bed too....
  • ForestBrain
    ForestBrain Posts: 460
    "Clean your act up, and don't be a slob.
    Get it together like your big brother Bob.
    Why don't you get a haircut, and get a real job?"

    Do what you want. Who wants to work for judgmental people anyway?
    When life gives you lemons, throw them at somebody.
  • pineapplesandwaves
    pineapplesandwaves Posts: 584
    radiohead33 wrote:
    Ed had long hair, or longish hair for years, 1990, maybe even before, through 2000 or 2001. You think he flipped out when he cut it short? Same with Mike and Stone, you think they were nervous when they cut it?

    What to do, what to do!
    Of course they were nervous when they cut their hair, but they probably welcomed the change, as well.


    CUT IT!


    It's just hair.


    And, as much as it sucks, you are judged on your appearance, and if you're becoming a professional, you'll be taken more seriously if you chop the locks.


    Besides, it's not 1992 anymore. :p Even Eddie has sat in the barber's a chair a number of times over the years. :)
    No time to be void or save up on life. You got to spend it all.
  • Kilgore_Trout
    Kilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    im torn right now too... opposite tho... my hair is at that awkward medium length right now and it grows pretty slow... usually when it gets to this point i give up and cut it eventually... but ive always wanted to grow it out... the desire is even stronger now since im going to europe next year and wanna perfect that dirty backpacker look before i go :D

    ya'll think i should hold out and give long hair a shot for once? dunno what im missing out on if i dont... and i just grew a nice beard so i think the serpico look might work well
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

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  • PearlJain
    PearlJain Posts: 565
    My husband has long hair and wears it in a pony tail most times. Don't listen to everyone else....why conform? Be hired because of your knowledge. If you are self-confident in yourself - and you present yourself in that manner -It will come across to others. I know stock-brokers whom have long hair. Do what you want. What do I know? I'm a female.
    The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated - Gandhi

    "Empty pockets will Allow a greater Sense of wealth...." EV/ITW
  • PearlJain
    PearlJain Posts: 565
    Signs, Signs, everywhere a sign....................
    You have a "Sociology degree." (Correct?) Social Services Welcomes you - being a male! Long hair and all! It would no doubt make you more popular!
    The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated - Gandhi

    "Empty pockets will Allow a greater Sense of wealth...." EV/ITW
  • Indian Summer
    Indian Summer Posts: 2,296
    You graduated over a year ago, and are applying at "hippie" type places...and organic food stores. What did you get a degree in? Bachelor's of Tree Hugging??

    I'd say cut your hair. What can it hurt...if it lands you a job....and you're good at what you do, you can always grow it back out long....afterall its just hair. Donate it Locks of Love or something like that.
    "It's all happening"
  • upina2001
    upina2001 Indiana Posts: 764
    unfortunately people judge you by that kind of thing.
    if getting a career means so much, then cut your hair.

    Once you have proven to your employer that you are a hard worker, punctual, and have a good work ethic, hopefully then it wont matter if you grow your hair out.

    Toledo, Ohio (September 22, 1996), East Troy, Wisconsin (June 26, 1998), Noblesville, Indiana (August 17, 1998), Noblesville, Indiana (August 18, 2000), Cincinnati, Ohio (August 20, 2000), Columbus, Ohio (August 21, 2000), Nashville, Tennessee (April 18, 2003), Champaign, Illinois (April 23, 2003), Noblesville, Indiana (June 22, 2003), Chicago, Illinois (May 16, 2006), Chicago, Illinois (August 05, 2007), West Palm Beach, Florida (June 11, 2008), Tampa, Florida (June 12, 2008), Columbus, OH (May 06, 2010), Noblesville, Indiana (May 07, 2010), Wrigley Field (July 19, 2013), US Bank Arena (October 01, 2014), Lexington (April 26, 2016), Chicago Night 2 (August 20, 2018), Boston Night 1 (September 02, 2018), Nashville (September 16, 2022), St. Louis (September 18, 2022)

  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    What "look" are you going for? I personally do not think the long hair look says much about a person other than they are stuck in the '80s or early '90s.

    You should take some time to reflect and see why you want the hair long. If you can't come up with a legitimate reason....cut it.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • blackredyellow
    blackredyellow Posts: 5,889
    Rose1963 wrote:
    My husband has long hair and wears it in a pony tail most times. Don't listen to everyone else....why conform? Be hired because of your knowledge. If you are self-confident in yourself - and you present yourself in that manner -It will come across to others. I know stock-brokers whom have long hair. Do what you want. What do I know? I'm a female.


    That sounds great and all, but it doesn't always work that way especially for someone trying to get into the workplace. Once you are established and have experience and contacts that's one thing, but for a first job you gotta do what you can.

    I say cut it... Contrary to what you believe, your hair isn't any more of your identity than how you dress or what you drive or whatever. Your attitude, work ethic, how you treat others, etc., is your identity.

    And you have a bachelors degree and a year later are applying to food stores and things like that?
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • Collin
    Collin Posts: 4,931
    It's your hair, dude. If you don't want to cut it then don't. Or perhaps ask yourself, do you want to work for a bunch of judgemental fucks or do you want to work for people who respect you for who you are, and base their judgement on the things that matter i.e. knowledge, skills, personality...
    know1 wrote:
    What "look" are you going for? I personally do not think the long hair look says much about a person other than they are stuck in the '80s or early '90s.

    You should take some time to reflect and see why you want the hair long. If you can't come up with a legitimate reason....cut it.

    :rolleyes:
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • DaytimeDilemma
    DaytimeDilemma Posts: 2,008
    hip hip hippie
  • decides2dream
    decides2dream Posts: 14,977
    it's just hair. seriously. it grows back.


    as a female, i've had uber short and long hair, everything inbetween. i love to change it up.


    not to say that you *should* cut your hair, do what makes you happy. but really, it *IS* just hair...so perhaps time for a change?
    Stay with me...
    Let's just breathe...


    I am myself like you somehow


  • Zanne
    Zanne Posts: 899
    If what you want is to keep your hair long, keep it long. Really, it's your life. And if where you want to work is at places where long hair is the norm, why in the world would you go "clean shaven"? I repeat: It's YOUR life, keep your hair how you want. Long hair on a man is very attractive to a lot of us females.. as long as it is clean and cared for, there should be no problem with having it long.

    Peace

    Edit: If you do choose to follow your parents guidance and cut your hair, please consider donating it to a worthy place.
    Just me
  • bovy_j
    bovy_j Posts: 1,008
    Hey...I've had long hair now for 2 years. I'm just not ready to cut it.
    When the baldness sets in...is when it will be cut. (God damn family genes)
    Fuck what they say, you're your own person. That's what I'm known for also, my long hair.
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    know1 wrote:
    What "look" are you going for? I personally do not think the long hair look says much about a person other than they are stuck in the '80s or early '90s.
    Some people just like long hair.

    I'm not stuck in the 80s or 90s.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • mole1985
    mole1985 Posts: 1,119
    I had long hair for 6 years or so and i got it cut short about 18months ago. It's good to change now and again and probably in another 6 or so years i may grow it back. You might be surprised how much you like it.
    Dublin 2006
    Katowice 2007
    London 2007
  • Spunkie
    Spunkie i come from downtown. Posts: 7,095
    Is that the question?
    I was swimming in the Great Barrier Reef 
    Animals were hiding behind the Coral 
    Except for little Turtle
    I could swear he's trying to talk to me 
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  • facepollution
    facepollution Posts: 6,834
    I have a friend who's had long hair forever, he's about 36 now and very much stuck in the 80's. Why not get it cut? You don't have to have it all lopped off, but sometimes a change is good.

    Obviously your long hair shouldn't really effect you getting the types of jobs you are applying for, but I think it would definitely effect your chances of a more mainstream job. People are shallow and narrow minded, it sucks, but that's just how people are.

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