That Kind of Hair Doesn't Belong Here
Outdoor jobs are often dominated by shorthairs, many who seem to resent the majestic flow. It’s a place where you tend to hear a lot of negative comments about your hair.
As a guy with long hair in the logging business, I’ve heard it all. So what’s the best way to deal with ole Buzz Cut Joe when his jokes get annoying and you’ve had enough with the nonsense?
I’m going to share my long hair journey in the logging business, and some of my best tips for dealing with negative comments about your hair.
"Man, you need to get a haircut!"Buzz Cut Joe
Starting the Journey
Starting the journey was the easiest part, because I started from a pretty short haircut. For a while it just grew until gradually it started getting in my eyes. Before I accepted the fact I was going to have to start wearing hats, I would catch myself slinging it out of my face constantly.
Never really paid much mind to it until I started getting the tolerable yet annoying “man, you need to get a haircut” comments from coworkers and college classmates. These comments don’t require much thought, just say something like, “I’ll get around to it,” or “I ain’t really worried about it man.” Basically shrugging these off usually works.
Getting Deeper
By this point the full blown awkward stage has set in. The comments are starting to come in pretty regular about getting a haircut or starting to look like a girl. Aside from just ignoring them, I would use some humor, such as “I can’t afford a haircut man, times are hard.”
On occasion I would use a more aggressive approach when I was annoyed, something like “hey man, worry about yourself,” or “I’d hate to know I had nothing better to do than worry about another dude’s hair.”
Now as for dealing with the older guys, maybe a boss, that’s a different story. If you have a good relationship with them, you could say something like “you’re just jealous because you don’t have much hair anymore.”
If it’s someone important, you might soften that up with, “I’m just trying to enjoy while I have it in case I lose it one day,” or you can always just laugh it off.
"I can't afford a haircut man, times are hard."
Locks Coming In
All the bad hair days of looking like a shaggy dog have paid off. You officially have long hair, it’s been roughly a year and a half, and you can tie it up.
By now it was getting easier to deal with the naysayers because I’d heard it all by this point, but then I started hearing from Shiny Head Sam, “man, I thought you were a girl from behind.” My favorite response to that one is, “just because I have better hair than YOUR girl doesn't mean I AM a girl.”
Most of the time I’d fall back to the ole laugh it off routine, but occasionally I’d pull some new lines out of my pocket, like “at least I don’t look the same as everybody else, like you do.”
But the ultimate shut-down response to negative comments about your hair is to tell them about The Great Cut. Describe how you’re growing it out to donate to a kid that can’t grow their own hair. You’re not going to hear much back after that.
By this point though, I wasn’t even worried about the naysayers. I was just appreciating the time I put into growing it out and enjoying the new mane.
The Flow Has Set In
When you hear negative comments about your hair, the most important thing to remember is that you’re a longhair and you don’t give a damn what Buzz Cut Joe or Shiny Head Sam have to say about your mane. Maybe it’s a good thing not every one of them has long hair, because that is what sets us longhairs apart.
Just remember that there is always a community of thousands of longhairs who always have your back and to keep letting it ride!
Does long hair get a bad rep in your line of work? Share in the comments, lumberman.
"Yo Longhairs! I live in Mt. Gilead, NC, I’m 20 years old, been letting it ride since June, 2016.
My father owns a logging business so I’ve been around it my whole life. I enjoy hunting, fitness, my truck, and some other stuff. I've had a lot of experience with long hair in the outdoors and dealt with all the negative comments you could imagine...along with some good ones. Hopefully this article will help you out."
Connect with El Leñador on Instagram: @j_williams34
Comments
After 15 years in the Army I grew mine out a few times (and donated it twice). I have been letting it ride since 2012.
My family were the worse critics.
I was able to get my current office drone job with a ponytail by just mentioning I was growing it out to donate. Nowadays, 95% of the comments are positive and come from MILFs. 😉
Let it ride dude, let it ride.
I had some zingers ready when I started my journey, but I’m trying to use less negativity in my life. Actually feels good. For the most part I think people who comment on your hair are people you care about or at least have to deal with every day. They just haven’t mastered the brain-to-mouth filter yet. You’re suggestions are great. No need to start a feud over hair.
Don’t get those locks caught up in your chain saw! 🙂 I have a tailgate topic safety sheet on my page you should check out. I work in the construction industry.
South Carolina here. Mature Gent with about 3 1/2 year mane. Most of my contemporaries are bald. I see the envy in their eyes. Most common comment, “Damn i wish I had your hair”.
Generally my answer is along the likes of: “Because I look amazing with with” or “It’s a sense of freedom like I never felt before”.
No one ever dared to be rude about it, not in my face at least. Of course I seldom hear kids commenting between themselves and when that happens I just stare like a maniac for a whole minute bluffing an “angry mode” just for good old fun. I’m just about the most peaceful guy I know, but it’s fun to see them shake 😉
Hey fellow Longhairs,
I’m months shy of the 2 year mark. I’m a doctor of physical therapy and being a longhair in the medical field is especially tough. I have patients tell me on a daily basis that I should cut my hair and that I look like a hippie. I’ve had physicians tell me my hair is unprofessional even though I keep it well groomed. My favorite response:
“I learned long ago that changing yourself to make others happy gets you lost. Live for yourself first, then you can truly help others.”
That tends to change their tone. It’s ok to be an individual amongst the crowd. Continue to let it flow with pride!
Couldn’t agree more man. Exactly what this post is trying to say. Don’t let em get to you. That’s a great comeback. Thanks for sharing!
Great comeback. Your comment is so true: “I learned long ago that changing yourself to make others happy gets you lost. Live for yourself first, then you can truly help others.”
It’s all about authenticity, and Changing oneself to be something you are not will result in a lackluster result.
I use the “my hair is better than your girls hair” one all the time. It’s definitely my favorite comeback in my arsenal.
It’s a good for one for sure. One of my favorites too
Awesome post, and a might mane. Thanks!
Appreciate it man. Hope it helped out some.
Be been growing mine since 2009. I work in the petrochemical industry is Southeast Texas and for the most part no one cares but there are always comments, especially when I first started. My usual reply is about how nature likes balance and I’m just making up for all the bald guys. I love my flow and so does my wife, that’s all that matters to me. Be you, and let them be them.
Agreed 110% man. There are always some who will have something to say. Pretty good comeback you have. Thanks for sharing
And I’m from NC as well
Good to hear it. Great state to live in
well put El Leñador, well put. . .
Thanks man!
I’m fortunate that nature has been great to me, in the fact that I still have an almost full head of hair at 61 years old. Yes, even as a full fledged long hair, I still get an occasional…you need a haircut…my standard response has become…”Do you know why I let my hair grow out….because I can ” it’s a perfect response to the many balding guys in my circle.
Glad to get some experienced input. Hope we’re all lucky enough as you are in that department. Sounds like you’ve got the right idea on what to tell them
I’m a firefighter where “high and tight” is not only the norm, but it’s expected. I’m currently still in compliance with the SOP (hair off the collar) but not for long. The people that razz me the hardest are the bald, fat, and uglies. Every negative dig makes me want to grow my hair longer and longer! Great article, keep it growin!
Glad to hear it brother, that’s exactly what this article is for. Let it ride, and don’t listen to a damn thing they tell ya. It’s your hair, not their’s
Been letting it ride since the beginning of 2015 here. I get some oohs and ahhs from my freshman students at the beginning of every semester, but soon after I’m giving out hair tips! Our long hair isn’t expected, it comes as a shock, but I notice that when people get over that initial shock, they’re all about it!
That’s right man. We’re bringing something new to the table. Keep educating them
I love those comebacks!
P.s. I’m at 32 year old woman with a long hair boy.
Sounds like he’s got it figured out haha. Glad you like them. Make sure to share with him
It’s funny because I’m growing out long hair right now and I bet the people who are telling me to get a haircut are going to be telling me I look so good after I get out of the awkward phase. People man, i swear…
I’m telling ya man haha. Same thing happened to me. Keep letting it ride brother
It’s always like that. The process of growing is not just great for the sake of trying something new for yourself. You learn about hair by doing research, you will mature, you will respect and value the work longhairs have to put in. Also you actually find out who is worth keeping close in your life, the ones who stick around and support your choices.
Those same kind of naysayers who don’t want you to try it because they don’t have the courage themselves are the same who will say 3 years later: “How long did it take to grow?” “It looks really good on you!” “I could never grow mine!”.
I wish you the best on your Journey, I never thought growing my hair would change me so much.
Trust the process, it will be worth it in the end, you have loads of great advice on the website and an amazing community!
Well said
And I’m in NC as well!
Good to hear someone else from NC. I suppose it varies from place to place. Great the Longhair is accepted there
Im from nc and i work in a freezer distribution building, so i have to wear a tobagan almost all of the time. I got you looked like a girl from behind, and the when you going to cut your hair comments but the comeback i mostly use is. Well my dad and brother went bald early so im just growing it out for them. But i will also donate it when i get it a little longer
I work in the construction industry (heavy industrial and commercial) and have seen a general acceptance of however a man chooses to look. Long hair, bald, short, piercings, beaded, goatee, or clean shaven…it’s all out here on the job sites.
“I can’t afford a haircut right now…times are tough” LOL…hilarious line. Definitely gonna use this one next time.
Haha, glad you like it. Hope it helps you out
usual criticism in french speaking countries : “votre coiffeur est en prison” ( your barber stays in jail); in that case i answered: no, sir, he was guillotined…
other reflexion : ” Jesus Christ is come back”; if he is european ( christian or atheist), i pray him to respect God; if he his a muslim, i indicate him the way to the nearest mosque
Awesome man. Great to hear some other good combacks from other places