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It never ceases to amaze me how some people can be so prejudiced about the way you look and in particular about your hair style. It seems that people do in fact judge the book by its cover and if you don't fit in with the rest of the crowd you can expect different and sometimes even hostile treatment.
Occasionally I go for something a bit different with my hair style and clothes; so I recently decided to be bit more radical than normal and opt for a mohican style haircut. I got the usual funny remarks about mid life crisis (maybe true in my case!), BA Baracas, I ain't gettin' on no plane!, Jake from the Tweenies and all that kind of stuff.
No problem, kinda funny and well I guess it goes with the territory really.
That sad and unfortunate fact however, is that the older and more conservative folk seem to have a problem with this. They don't care for all that and seem to have some preconceived notion that you are thug about to go out and you are about to rob someone or break the law. You can see it in their eyes, the sideways looks and whispering. If they can, they'll make life difficult for you and in their way let you know that you're not welcome.
Mohican hairstyle, long hair, short hair?
I quite object to this kind of treatment. Just because you look different, it doesn't automatically follow that you are out to cause trouble. A mohican hairstyle, long hair, extremely short hair, it is all the same in that you're either in that minority or you're not and you blend in with Joe public. Why do some people have this attitude? We're not hurting anyone, and it doesn't change who we are inside.
There are plenty of really sick, violent and downright nasty people in the world. The vast majority of them you may pass on the street and you wouldn't even give them a second glance.
Is it... because they look normal?
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But the fact is people will judge you. You have to remember that punks had a bad reputation in the 70's/80's. They are associated with drug-use, violence, rebellion... Yes this may be unfair but choosing to look a certain way you can only expect people to associate you with that reputation.
I have been in pubs where punk is the norm. I felt safer there than in trendy pubs, they were lovely people. I suspect the punk reputation is unfair but it's there because some made their name by linking their punk look with antisocial behaviour.
It is sad that people are ridiculed because of the way they express their personality through their looks, but even though it's wrong it is unfortunately to be expected. Not excused, but expected.
the hostility from your friends probably arose not through what they actually thought of it but from knowing that they were going to be stared at when they were out with you.
No one likes being stared at and pointed out all the time. You lose your sense of privacy and anonymity.
collar
What is the matter with people like this ?
As a retired hairdresser I realise that the styles will stay there for years, potentially influencing many people, whilst using a hat then setting it at a jaunty angle, will make it do wonders for minimising the risk of derision.