Sew-IN's And the Questions at Work

[dawn1980]

Maybe i'm just too concerned with what people think but I am really tired of being asked "Is that your hair?" Mainly from the white women at work. It's like everything I do whether a wig or twist extn's or braids somebody has the nerve to ask in a group "is that your hair?" I used to try and explain and have this group of women surrounding me and asking questions. I am tired of it and I feel like what is going on with my head is my business. Maybe I started out telling them too much but it's getting on my nerves now. Leave me and my head alone!!

Am I being too sensitive and how does everybody else handle these questions??

 

[Caramela]

People always ask me. I used to get offended ( I wear phony ponies and 1/2 wigs sometimes) but I could care less now. When they realized that I actually do have hair they were baffled as to why I'd dare wear 1/2 wigs. Most people are just curious and intrigued. A few white ladies here said they wanted to try 1/2 wigs. (haven't seen them with one though )

 

[Chipmunk]

I would just ignore the question like it did not come out their mouth. It is rude for people to ask those kinds of questions. If you can to work with a sew-in all of a sudden they know it's not your hair, so why are they playing games?

 

[FemmeCreole]

If you change you hair often people will always be curious

 

[dawn1980]

I guess you are right Val and my DH says the same thing.
Chipmunk--you are so right too -- it just irks me! And i need to get over it.

 

[soulie]

I have said this previously, but I don't understand why people feel it is appropriate in any way to ask co-workers questions like this! In addition to outright RUDE, it is overly personal for workplace conversation. Your hair is as much a part of you as your breasts. If a coworker had been off work for maternity leave and upon her return an employee said to her "Wow your breasts got bigger" that would be considered harrassment.

**** mini-rant complete ****

Some people like to prove that they are "smart" and "observant". They feel they have to comment on everything so that YOU don't think you're "getting away with something". Now, this doesn't mean you were trying to pass off hair as yours that is 6" longer than last week, but these "smart" people MUST comment so YOU know they noticed. I have perfected a stare that immediately makes those "smart" people start checking themselves -- they pat their hair, they sniff their armpits, they huff their breath -- they don't know what is wrong, but the way I look at them, they figure they must have something offensive going on. While they are self-inspecting, I usually just walk away or get engrossed in something else. They tend to forget that any question had been asked.

 

[KinksnCurlz]

Depends on who asks me... LOL

When I get those questions I tell the truth. After a while, I give the look :/. I change my hair probably every 3-4 weeks (diff textures each time) so if the same people feel the need to ask AGAIN, even though they know the answer, i just give them the look and say "why yes, it is my hair" and keep it moving.

 

[Stepiphanie]

I think over all it's a very rude question to ask. That's what we get for telling them too much. I don't work in a formal office setting, and many of the white girls I work w/ wear extensions but somehow whenever I change my hair someone wanna ask questions.Just ignore it from now on.

 

[Solitude]

If it is a stranger/ co-worker, I'd just say "yes" with a straight face & watch their reaction. I did this to my students who KNEW my hair was SL, but would still ask me when I had an APL-BSL weave if that was my hair .

If it's a friend or someone genuinely interested, I'd probably be honest. I can't lie, I asked a girl (a classmate) if all her hair was hers because we were talking about our hair. Her hair is simply gorgeous! I made sure to compliment it as well & she said she didn't mind the question because she gets it all the time (her hair is MBL & it's all hers).

 

[Keen]

I think some white people get confused by someof us changing our hairstyle all the time. I mean this last we we were curly, this week we're straight BSL, nex week we'll be rocking a short bob. They are not use to that. I try to maintain the same hairstyle for at least a few weeks and I don't go from one extreme to another. I still get "oh you changed your hair" but I don't think any of them know I'm rocking half wigs. If they did, I wouldn't care. I also get the "why you're wearing weave? Your hair is so long" from my friends. They are black

 

[supermodelsonya]

I'm the sew in queen in my circle so when I recently started wearing my hair, everyone was shocked. They wondered why I didn't wear my hair out...I look at them and think, "Because I want to KEEP my hair while you sittin' there frying yours out everyday with a curling iron!"

As far as the, "Is that your hair?" question, I tell them, "Yes it is..I got the receipt."

I hope that more black women learn about protective styles. Maybe one day a Black woman with long hair won't be such an anomaly anymore.

 

[malachi74]

tell them something brand-new like, "I no longer discuss my hair" and make sure all the other inquisitive ladies around can hear it. That way they'll drop it all together and never ask about you hair (or probably anything else) ever again.

 

[lashannasmall]

The truth shall set you free. It is to much a burden on your soul to worry about what other people think and to hide the choices you make in your life. Be proud of your hair choices and know that you look good. Answer their questions with pride.