"It's ONLY hair..." Objectionable or Not?

[CurlyMoo]

I chose yes and maybe, depending on the situation. My hair is my crown and glory. People really need to be more sensitive when it comes to major changes to other peoples bodies. I guess it wouldn't be offensive if I told a woman who had a mastectomy that they're only breasts.

Now depending on the person and context saying, "It's only hair." could actually be soothing and/or comical.

 

[Bene]

I wouldn't say it's offensive, but it's certainly dismissive, rude, and inconsiderate.

For example, my good friend is into Magic the Gathering (yes, he's a big old dork ) and if I were to go to his house and he was sorting them and putting them away so they don't get damaged (yes, he does this), and I said "They're only cards", I would be the @sshole for saying that. Yes, he knows that they are "only cards", but they mean more to him. Just because I don't have any interest in those cards, it doesn't mean that they don't hold some sort of value for him.


That goes for anything, what ever it is, it's a symbol of some sort for someone. It's only a flag, it's only a cross, it's only a car, it's only shoes, it's only your kids... By adding the "only" part is a nasty way to diminish the thing that someone else might hold dear. If someone ever says "It's only hair" to me, I probably wouldn't do or say anything, but I'd most likely start to distance myself in that I wouldn't share with them anything that I think is important by any degree.

 

[Sugar]

When I say its only hair I mean "Its just hair...it does not define me. I define IT." I style my hair based on how I feel at that moment.

But I might possibly be offended if someone told me "Its only hair" because they have a problem with how much time and care I put into my hair.

 

[4evershika]

I say no... I guess I'm one of those insensitive ppl (lol) cause it's the truth... it's going to grow back so why stress it if you have to cut it off?? But on the same token, if someone's not complaining about it (e.g "omg I hate my hair... it takes so long to do it..." "omg I have to cut my hair cause it's damaged" "omg I have to cut my hair for my job but I don't wanna quit so I guess I'm just gonna have to do it") then it's not my place to say anything about their hair.

 

[Ramya]

I don't think it's offensive. It is only hair (to me). But I've never been all wrapped up in my hair so that may be why. I like for it to look 'nice' whatever nice may be at the moment but that's about as far as it goes for me. I guess I'm insensitive cause I don't get why it's such a big deal.

 

[NikStarrr]

I voted no. Now the scenarios surrounding someone making the statement, like the examples you gave, may be awkward, offensive situations--but the statement itself isn't what is offensive, IMO. At the end of the day, it IS only hair and it WILL grow back. lol

 

[lexiwiththecurls]

I don't think its offensive. I say it all the time...and yes I come up on here, I have a hair blog, and I do hair videos, but at the end of the day it grows back. Its hard to compare it to many other things because other things don't have the power to grow back (except for nails). It doesn't cost money to replace hair (unless you want a weave lol)...it grows without money. That is just how I feel. I wouldn't say it to anyone on these boards or anyone else I didn't know. Some people are more sensitive about things than others. I loooovveee hair, but it doesn't define who I am and it doesn't affect my health.

 

[silenttullip]

depends
first situation is offensive
second situation isnt
I think the intention of the person makes it offensive or helpful

 

[sweetlaughter]

the poll is closed but i think it's not just hair. c'mon, it's just skin... your acne will clear up eventually.

i find that the majority of people who say the 'it's just hair' comment to me are the one who have never had problems growing their hair and no nothing about moisture, protein, PS, heat damage, etc.

so no, just like it's not just skin, it is not just hair... to me at least.