Having long hair is a bad thing?

[jendazzler]

Some of my black coworkers can't understand why I keep my hair long. Seriously. They say there are limited hair styles you can choose from with long hair and it is not worth the hassle anyway. They act like it's a bad thing! Long hair can be challenging, but I don't think it is too bad if you learn how to manage it. I love keeping my hair in an updo for a long period of time and then letting it all out on some days. I totally think it's worth the compliments. Has anyone else experienced people telling them long hair is just not worth it?

 

[BrooklynSouth]

They act like it's a bad thing..kinda like being super wealthy because they think they cannot achieve it...you keep your lovely long locks...Congratulations.

 

[guudhair]

My sister didn't like her hair long...she cut her hair that was in between BSL and MBL years ago...now she will only let it grow just pass her shoulders and keeps it cut at that length...she didn't like the amount of time it took at home or at the salon...she also said it's easier for her to manage at shoulder length.

 

[Khaiya]

people will do that when they're jealous and are trying to put you down. Like what you have isn't a big deal. But your hair is pretty, rock on girl!

 

[Starian]

Sounds like a case of sour grapes.

They think they can't have it so they downplay or insult long hair.

I get people telling me there is no point in me having long hair is all I do is bun it or wear a ponytail. But no one has ever outright said long hair sucks.

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

It's not jealousy IMO. Short hair is much easier and cheaper to deal with than long hair...especially if your hair knowledge is limited...not everyone wants long hair and not everyone is jealous of someone who has it.

 

[kandake]

My hair is not long but I would imagine that it is hardwork. Heck, even people on this board speak about the amount of time, money and effort they put into their long locs. Not everyone wants to do that. They'd rather keep it at what they believe is a reasonable length.

If you like your long hair thats fine but I don't think you should expect everyone to like or appreciate long hair as well.

 

[lilsparkle825]

I really hate this word, but...haters say things like that from time to time.

Then they see all the beautiful styles they can achieve with it.

OR they turn out to be the people that ask "why do you wear it up so much? if i had hair like that, i would ______" because they do not understand the concept of protective styles, and 90% of them are stuck at SL.

 

[Livingmylifetothefullest]

It's your prerogative to do as you wish with your hair. If they don't like it, screw them.

 

[Ronnieaj]

I think that long and short hair both require time and commitment to upkeep. I've had my hair from 1 inch to APL, and there are pros and cons of each. What's reasonable for dealing with hair is different for different people. I prefer my hair longer because the short hair showed imperfections too quickly. I prefer curly hair to straight because I can hide raggedy ends longer, and I don't feel the need to have my hair perfectly dry before I can leave the house. That works for me, it may not for others.

That said, for people who may not have ever had long hair to state that it's too much work sounds like jealously, because they can't be speaking from experience. If they've chosen to cut their own previously long hair, that's another thing entirely. In this case, I don't think a presumption that they're jealous is far off, because they're making suppositions about what you can and can't do with your hair, as opposed to what you choose to do. JMHO.

 

[lynnstar]

jendazzler...your hair is gorgeous!

I think that sometimes when people are jealous they comfort themselves by saying that they wouldn't want "xyz" anyway....while they secretly desire to have it.

 

[dachsies_rule!]

After i mentioned my hair goals, i had a co-worker tell me that she thinks women over 30 shouldn't have long hair, that it looks weird to her. So what is she trying to say, older women with long hair look like the crypt-keeper to her! HATER!

By the way she is only 5 years younger than me, but she looks 10 years OLDER cause BLACK DON'T CRACK!

 

[Sammy214]

I had a so called "friend" tell me a few months ago that long hair is "over rated" . I found it rather amusing though that she is the same one who was trying to grow her's out as well, but then decided to go short again. I have always been one to cut short about every 2 years or so, but decided this time, If i am going to put in all this time and effort, I want to see my hairs potential. I chalked it up to jealousy and moved on from it.

 

[BostonMaria]

I don't understand the point of criticizing someone's hair just because they can't understand that maybe to some people all the hassle that comes with long hair is a hobby, comforting, fun, etc. Well at least for me. Its like telling someone who's fit what's the point of having tight abs, its too much work going to the gym LOL

anyway OP your hair is beautiful. I chopped off my hair down to nape length 2 years ago when I did the big chop. Once I got to APL and beyond my hair has been so much easier to style. You can't half a** it with short hair because it really shows. I probably did more work with short hair than I do now with long.

 

[kandake]

Everyone who disagrees with your choices in life whether its hair or anything else is not a hater.

Perhaps they should keep their opinions to themselves but hater, not so much.

 

[jendazzler]

I understand that people have preferences for hair length. I just don't want anyone preaching to me about mine.

 

[ceebee3]

My hair was a hot mess when I got my first and only short cut. I was ear length and it looked terrible. It was very difficult for me to style and I ended up doing nothing. I will never go back to short hair again.

Long hair is much easier to style, you can get away with slacking a bit much more than you can with short hair.

 

[PinkSkates]

Some of my black coworkers can't understand why I keep my hair long. Seriously. They say there are limited hair styles you can choose from with long hair and it is not worth the hassle anyway. They act like it's a bad thing! Long hair can be challenging, but I don't think it is too bad if you learn how to manage it. I love keeping my hair in an updo for a long period of time and then letting it all out on some days. I totally think it's worth the compliments. Has anyone else experienced people telling them long hair is just not worth it?

Don't listen to that mumbo-jumbo! When you have long hair, you have countless styling options. When you have short hair...all you have is short hair!
Maybe your co-workers are suffering from the hair shorty-dowap syndrome!

 

[jendazzler]

I don't think they are necessarily haters. They acted more confused about why I like long hair since I usually just keep it in a bun or ponytail.

 

[DMJ's Mom]

Well I think that hair past a certain length is not worth the hassle to me personally but thats just on my hair and anybody's hair that I'll have to handle on a regular basis. But I wouldn't go as far as saying ALL long hair isn't worth the hassle.

 

[producjunki]

When Some people say that having long hair is stupid, some, not all, just might be hatin. However, sometimes I know where they're coming from. Seeing as though I have long hair, it does get in the way sometimes. And the time and maintenance sometimes can be a pain. But also you gotta think, a lot, not all, black women do wear weaves, and they might be saying this in reference to them being able to change their style more frequently by putting the weave in and taking it back out for another style.

 

[dachsies_rule!]

My hair was a hot mess when I got my first and only short cut. I was ear length and it looked terrible. It was very difficult for me to style and I ended up doing nothing. I will never go back to short hair again.

Long hair is much easier to style, you can get away with slacking a bit much more than you can with short hair.

You're so right. When my hair was short i had to curl it everyday or it looked a H.A.M.! When it's long you can put it in a ponytail, a bun, up-do, bantu knots, braids, etc.............

 

[anon123]

Well, it's just totally false that you can do fewer styles with longer hair. You can do way more styles with longer hair. Not everyone choose to do so, but you definitely have more options.

 

[levone]

Yes, they are definitely jealous. When people make it a point to constantly criticize something about someone else, most of the time it's because of envy.

I agree that not everyone wants long hair (and vice versa), but if that's the case why try to down someone who has it and HAS NOT asked for their opinion.

 

[GoingNatural]

hi haters.

 

[kandake]

I understand that people have preferences for hair length. I just don't want anyone preaching to me about mine.

Thats understandable. Tell them to mind their business. If you're not worried about the hassle (if any) involved with the length of YOUR hair then they shouldn't be.

 

[jendazzler]

There are many hair style options for long hair, but I keep it simple because the styles last longer. When I straighten my hair, for example, I can just wrap it at night and it lasts all week. Braid outs and curly hair only lasts me a few days. It's a good way to sneak in a cowash mid-week though

 

[kandake]

Question, whats the length of their hair and do they tend to experiment with different styling options.

 

[pinkdot's blog]

I really think this is a case of major hating. Its not a bad thing to have long hair at all... It looks as if they were all looking for reassurance in eachother to down play long hair. It may cost more money to get your hair done when its longer but I never heard of anyone cutting their hair short to save money...

 

[tenderheaded]

Let's face it - long hair on a black woman attracts attention, from all parties. If everyone looks the same, then there is less competition in the eyes of your critics. I had a co-worker say that she liked my hair in a covered bun, but she has NEVER said a word about how it gets compliments from her clients and mine when its down.

Call it what it is - hatin'