Not sure I like the stares....

[spicypeppermint]

Went to Walmart today to buy some more hair products. Only been on this board a WEEK and I'll ready I'm a PJ? LOL Thanks (Your Cheeziness)

I had just taken down a braidout and my hair looked GOOD. It was curly, shiny, healthy, edges slicked back and it fell past my shoulders but tell me why I felt like I was in a test tube?

One woman, 5 minutes into the store asked me what kind of wig I was wearing...

Folks were lookin at my hair like they were trying to find tracks. Some were straight staring. Others were cuttin their eyes like me like I had did something wrong! Now this WALMART was CROWDED in the hair isle so it wasn't hard to miss this weirdness!

I don't mean to generalize in ANY way I just never got that kind of attention when I had weaves. I hope I didn't offend anyone but I'm just seriously wondering what happened today.

 

[msa]

Your hair looked great, that's what happened today. When you look good, people notice.

 

[spicypeppermint]

Thanks love. But I think the stigma is so heavy about black women & hair and maybe I just didn't realize it until today. You can't have hair past your neck that's not a wig, or weave. That is SAD!

 

[sheba1]

If you think that's bad wait til they start asking you what you're mixed with to make your hair so long! People are going to have whatever thoughts, feelings, reactions they have. May as well let them be. You just be one of the examples that shows that black women can have long, healthy, luscious hair. Not to prove them wrong or any such nonsense; but because that's what you want.

Good job on the braid out! So... you know we want pics, right?

 

[spicypeppermint]

HAHA It turned out so good I couldn't WAIT to get out of the house to show it off...After my egg treatment I'll do it so I'll have pics tomorrow!

As far as being mistaken for mixed...FAT CHANCE my complexion is deep & dark. Maybe that's what threw them off! lol

Thanks hun!

 

[sheba1]

HAHA It turned out so good I couldn't WAIT to get out of the house to show it off...After my egg treatment I'll do it so I'll have pics tomorrow!

As far as being mistaken for mixed...FAT CHANCE my complexion is deep & dark. Maybe that's what threw them off! lol

Thanks hun!

Trust me!! It will come I work with a beautiful woman with the deepest darkest chocolate brown skin and MBL hair and people want to know if she has "indian in her family". I know it's gonna burn my britches the first time someone asks me that because I do have indian in my family but it's not gonna have a lick or stitch to do with my WSL hair. Especially considering I never passed SL til I found LHCF.

 

[Barbara]

Just a side thought: Whenever I ride the bus or local train, I make sure to keep my hair in a protective style; otherwise, it might get pulled or cut off.

It has happened to a woman in a restaurant, and to a White store clerk who was behind the counter next to the cash register at her job.

I've seen young women debating about a passenger that had her hair in a dry braided pony tail stating: "That's not her real hair! That is her real hair!" The braided women didn't even know they were talking about her, because she was too busy reading. At least she didn't turn around when they said it. Maybe she was just ignoring them, like one of my friends who experienced this on the bus. That's the way to be sometimes.

Even when I have my hair in a protective style, strangers, coworkers, relatives, and neighbors have asked me questions about my hair, so get use to it. Once it reaches a certain length like bra clasp, it will happen either way.

 

[spicypeppermint]

Trust me!! It will come I work with a beautiful woman with the deepest darkest chocolate brown skin and MBL hair and people want to know if she has "indian in her family". I know it's gonna burn my britches the first time someone asks me that because I do have indian in my family but it's not gonna have a lick or stitch to do with my WSL hair. Especially considering I never passed SL til I found LHCF.

Aint that the truth...I haven't been asked that yet but asking me if I was wearing a wig? That was offensive! There are too many crazy people out here in the Bay Area so I guess that's what made me more nervous. People do crazy things when they are jealous!

BTW. Your hair is gorgeous!

 

[spicypeppermint]

Just a side thought: Whenever I ride the bus or local train, I make sure to keep my hair in a protective style; otherwise, it might get pulled or cut off.

It has happened to a woman in a restaurant, and to a White store clerk who was behind the counter next to the cash register at her job.

I've seen young women debating about a passenger that had her hair in a dry braided pony tail stating: "That's not her real hair! That is her real hair!" The braided women didn't even know they were talking about her, because she was too busy reading. At least she didn't turn around when they said it. Maybe she was just ignoring them, like one of my friends who experienced this on the bus. That's the way to be sometimes.

Even when I have my hair in a protective style, strangers, coworkers, relatives, and neighbors have asked me questions about my hair, so get use to it. Once it reaches a certain length like bra clasp, it will happen either way.

I see you live in California...Bay Area? I know exactly what you mean. People do weird things and I wouldn't put it pass someone to be so jealous that they purposely cut or do something destructive to someone else's hair. I made sure not to bed to far down in front of those same women. Just a feeling I had...

Better safe than sorry.

 

[aegis]

i had someone told ask me if my hair was a wig...it was a sl bob

 

[Barbara]

No, I live in the Southern California (northwest Los Angeles/Wilshire Boulevard) area.

Years ago--even before I started my regimen and even now--I've been asked if I was wearing a weave or a wig. I take it as a compliment and think to myself: "My hair must really look good. Actually, a weave or a wig looks better than my hair."

Just be careful about getting a weave check. My coworker caught me off guard. She gave me an extensive weave check, and it was awful!!! This wasn't necessary because back in February, I took down my hair, parted it with my fingers to show her my scalp and fresh hair cut (4-1/2 to 5 inches removed) because she thought I was lying when she kept asking if my bun was attached. I kept telling her: "No," even months previously.

It must have stayed on her mind chronically; because two months later, she gave me an extensive weave check that was "out of this world." Yes, she took it upon herself to search for glue (visible or invisible), tracks, clips, etc., and she didn't find anything. Months later, she still couldn't get over it . . . too hard to believe; but she had to believe it now, because she saw it with her own two hands.

The bony witch! :flyingwit She couldn't take my word for it, even when I showed her myself. Now can you imagine what she would have thought if I flipped my hair like this around the office?

 

[spicypeppermint]

Just be careful about getting a weave check. My coworker caught me off guard earlier this year, and it was awful!

what's "getting a weave check" trying to find tracks in someone else's head? lol

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

girl if your hair was lookin that good you shouldve took a picture. you know we like to see.​

 

[spicypeppermint]

girl if your hair was lookin that good you shouldve took a picture. you know we like to see.​

You know what...since I've started doing my own hair this is the FIRST time I didn't take a after picture! I was soo excited about how good it came out I went right out the door to show it off...by the time I got back it was ruined It was hot today. I'm doing it again tonight so I'll post pictures tomorrow

 

[soulie]

Another reason you might have gotten so much attention today was your attitude. You KNEW your hair was on point so you might have been projecting a confident attitude that also drew people's attention.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

what's "getting a weave check" trying to find tracks in someone else's head? lol

Yup...someone will run up on you and stick their hand in your head, rubbing on your scalp, looking for tracks. Sometimes, they'll ask you if it's your hair first though. Most ladies on the board say it's awful.

But I can't wait for it to happen to me.

OT, but your hair is so thick...I'm so jealouss.

 

[Filmatic]

You hair must have looked really good and healthy. Go you! It can be frustrating though. When a lady asked was my TWA a weave I was too shocked.

 

[Barbara]

Yup...someone will run up on you and stick their hand in your head, rubbing on your scalp, looking for tracks. Sometimes, they'll ask you if it's your hair first though. Most ladies on the board say it's awful.

But I can't wait for it to happen to me.

OT, but your hair is so thick...I'm so jealouss.

Thanks for explaining this to her. :superbanana: You took the words right out of my mouth.

My hair was yanked very, very hard--as if she was trying to pull it off, and then she kept turning my hair with both hands as if she was turning a heavy, big book full of pages! She had to check every cell on my scalp to see if there was anything artificial there.

After she finished checking my hair, her wild laughter froze; then I turned and looked at her in disbelief.

Our "Asian" coworker remained silent, because she probably thought I was wearing a weave, too. This occurred in the lady's room, before she went to the stall.

 

[spicypeppermint]

Yup...someone will run up on you and stick their hand in your head, rubbing on your scalp, looking for tracks. Sometimes, they'll ask you if it's your hair first though. Most ladies on the board say it's awful.

But I can't wait for it to happen to me.

OT, but your hair is so thick...I'm so jealouss.

WHAT!!??? People have done that to you? Ah no! No...can't ever see that happening.

 

[spicypeppermint]

Thanks for explaining it to her. :superbanana: You took the words right out of my mouth.

My hair was yanked very hard, and then she kept turning my hair with both hands as if she was turning a heavy big book full of pages. She had to check every cell on my scalp to see if there was anything artificial there. Her wild laughter froze when I turned and looked at her as if she was crazy. Our Asian coworker remained silent because she probably thought I was wearing a weave too. This occurred in the lady's room.

Wow! I've NEVER heard of anything like that! What did you do while she was yanking on your hair? Did you tell her it was ok?

 

[spicypeppermint]

You hair must have looked really good and healthy. Go you! It can be frustrating though. When a lady asked was my TWA a weave I was too shocked.

TWA? (whats that?) These ladies are actually talking about people TOUCHING their hair and running their fingers thru their scalps! Can you believe that?

 

[sheba1]

Aint that the truth...I haven't been asked that yet but asking me if I was wearing a wig? That was offensive! There are too many crazy people out here in the Bay Area so I guess that's what made me more nervous. People do crazy things when they are jealous!

BTW. Your hair is gorgeous!

Oh my goodness, thank you! I'm loving this hair journey.

Girl, let em think whatever they wish. Someone on the boards has a quote in their siggy that says "If you ain't got no one to hate on then hate on me... acting like my hair ain't luscious when you know that it is" something like that... the quote is by Katt Williams. too too funny!

Another reason you might have gotten so much attention today was your attitude. You KNEW your hair was on point so you might have been projecting a confident attitude that also drew people's attention.

ITA, I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks for that insight, Soulie.

Yup...someone will run up on you and stick their hand in your head, rubbing on your scalp, looking for tracks. Sometimes, they'll ask you if it's your hair first though. Most ladies on the board say it's awful.

But I can't wait for it to happen to me.

Girl, I think I'll have a moment of pride when it happens to me, also! And then I'll probably :hardslap: em

OT, but your hair is so thick...I'm so jealouss.

ITA beautiful!!!

 

[SlantedEyezMiss2003]

Your hair look good, but I feel you, I get the same stares especially when I pick something up that's not ethnic, they(cashiers) actually look at what I buy and make up some lame excuse as in why they are looking at it when they get caught by me. And my friend, she has hair to her waist and they mean mug her, I'm like Whoa....it's not that serious....but some blk women don't know what we know so when our hair look good or we have a different style, they freak out and wanna know what we do, but don't wanna ask. That's just human nature......but wait until your hair get longer and then go to walmart.....it's like you committed a crime.

 

[MangaManiac]

Before I BC'd to get rid of all the relaxer hair in high school I used to get the "are you half white?" comment all the time. I got this stupid question because a) I have lighter skin b) my hair grows fast and I retain a lot of length and the final reason which I HATE the most is

c) "I only ask because you talk so proper..." :killlurk:

I've been hearing this all my life so once I really grow my hair out 100% natural and wear it out of braids I KNOW I'm going to have to pray I won't cut somebody if they ask me if I'm mixed with something.

To be honest, asking if it's a wig or a weave would be a welcome change!

 

[Lucia]

Your hair must have looked really good, congratz welcome to the healthy hair club.
Don't be alarmed if people loose their common sense and start asking stuuuupid questions or randomly weave check you. I don't get it, cause when i do wear a weave I get no weave checks, no doubt it's all my hair, but my real hair,even when it was much shorter, WOW that causes a commotion, go figure

I had my real hair in a ponytail and these weaveologists knew it was real cause they wear tight weaves all the time-I was fooled. So she flicks my ponytail and says I'm envious of all that hair girl, I was like really, she was like what do you do, I told her, DC, CO-wash, no chemicals and wear it up alot.


I was somewhere and this guy was like dang is all that your real hair, so I said yes, while shaking it up and showing him. I was wearing it natural BTW.

The worst my uncle weave checked me, and he knows I always had thick long hair before I messed it up.

 

[jamaraa]

Thanks love. But I think the stigma is so heavy about black women & hair and maybe I just didn't realize it until today. You can't have hair past your neck that's not a wig, or weave. That is SAD!

"Stigma" is a bit too harsh, IMHO. Why worry about it so much, YOU know it's your hair...so what if other's don't believe it? Short of letting someone pet you like a dog (ie weave check), what can you do?

 

[Glamorous_chic]

OP sorry to hear about the awkwardness at walmart. but just take it as a compliment that hair was looking good. i've had random strangers/relatives (including my aunts)/family friends/ and even a beautician ask me if my hair was real or a weave. i've also had people ask me "what i'm mixed with" that's the most ackward question, because i'm dark brown. i sometimes am very confused by it, b/c my hair is isnt even that long. it's a between sl and apl. these same people will probably have an aneursym once i grow my hair to my goal of bsl and possibly mbl. lololol

 

[sheba1]

^^^^ at the random outbreaks of aneursyms at local Walmarts everywhere where Niko's cousins are present

 

[jamaraa]

Just a side thought: Whenever I ride the bus or local train, I make sure to keep my hair in a protective style; otherwise, it might get pulled or cut off.

It has happened to a woman in a restaurant, and to a White store
clerk who was behind the counter next to the cash register at her job.

I've seen young women debating about a passenger that had her hair in a dry braided pony tail stating: "That's not her real hair! That is her real hair!" The braided women didn't even know they were talking about her, because she was too busy reading. At least she didn't turn around when they said it. Maybe she was just ignoring them, like one of my friends who experienced this on the bus. That's the way to be sometimes.

Even when I have my hair in a protective style, strangers, coworkers, relatives, and neighbors have asked me questions about my hair, so get use to it. Once it reaches a certain length like bra clasp, it will happen either way.

Unfortunately this does happen, tho rarely. It's a shame that so many people lack dignity to stoop to cut off someone's hair or even "weave check" someone. Whatta world...

 

[lilsparkle825]

Yup...someone will run up on you and stick their hand in your head, rubbing on your scalp, looking for tracks. Sometimes, they'll ask you if it's your hair first though. Most ladies on the board say it's awful.

When unsolicited, it definitely feels like a violation of your personal space. I have had people play in my hair, and that I don't mind...but I have had random people try to shove their hands in my hair, probably thinking that if they touched a track before I realized what was going on they would be able to have the last laugh. Imagine their surprise when all they came across was roots! I have had this happen a few times, most notably at a Que party by some dude and again BY MY OWN MOTHER...but in her defense, I hadn't straightened in 6 months or so and literally went from my NL wash n go to an APL blowout.