Weaves at work

[ericajoy]

Ladies, please give me your opinion... I'm thinking about doing crochet braids next weekend to help grow my hair out (it's currently a twa again, my profile pic is old). But I keep thinking about the moment when I show up at work with drastically different hair, what to say to my surprised co-workers and supervisors (few of whom are black). Any suggestions?? I know they're going to say something.

 

[Keen]

People care as much as you do. You make a big deal about it, they will too. You are nonchalant about it, they will too. When I show up to work with braids. I get a few comments. As far as I know, they are positive and complimentary. I just smile, say thank you and keep it moving.

 

[ericajoy]

Good point... You're probably right they care as much as you do.

 

[havilland]

i always have that trepidation when i make a change.

remember that it only lasts about 2 minutes the first time people see you. so make the rounds, say good morning, get all the "first" encounters over with early in the day. that way, if you are insecure or don't want all the attention, (which it seems you don't) it will be over fairly quickly.

then remind yourself that people have more to worry about in life than your hair, so after the initial oohs and ahhs and questions, people will move on with real life. and those who don't move on are petty and ridiculous anyway. because seriously, who relaly has the time to obsess over someone else's hair? the only person at my job who goes on and on about my hair is the nosiest, least mature person there....everyone else compliments me or asks questions when i make a change and moves on with the rest of the day. he is the only one that constantly has something to say every time i pass his office and for real, i think that says more about him than it does my "hair". LOL

 

[MACGlossChick]

I am the only African American woman (person really) at my job. I just made a u part wig for protective styling and I'm dreading the questions that I think are gonna come up. It's close to my length, but thicker, so people might notice the difference even though I usually bun.

 

[alive]

People care as much as you do. You make a big deal about it, they will too. You are nonchalant about it, they will too. When I show up to work with braids. I get a few comments. As far as I know, they are positive and complimentary. I just smile, say thank you and keep it moving.

completely agree with Keen

 

[Keen]

I am the only African American woman (person really) at my job. I just made a u part wig for protective styling and I'm dreading the questions that I think are gonna come up. It's close to my length, but thicker, so people might notice the difference even though I usually bun.

You are giving these people way too much credit. They either don't care or how your hair got like that is way too much information for them to process so they just let it go. I'm usually the only black woman around. I do try not to make drastic changes to my hair. But if I do and they ask, I tell them it's a weave. I don't care that they know... My hair is usually in protective style to work anyway so the only time I get asked is when I wear my real hair.

 

[Britt]

I get your apprehension. I just started wearing weaves, the first one I got wasn't much longer than my own hair and the second one the length is a little more noticeable and I usually wear it in curls or in a ponytail so the length isn't that stark a contrast. Only one person noticed the difference in length and kinda was staring at me said "you're hair grew back"... I said it's a weave But umm, yeah -- *I'd* feel a little awkward about coming to work with really short hair one day and then 16+ inches the next day. Funny b/c I want a short weave cut bob this summer... I'm sure they folks here will notice and gasp and say "ohhh you cut your hair"... what do I say then? Braids are different imo, b/c they know it's extensions, but going from really short 27 piece to longgg flowing locks

 

[deedoswell]

People care as much as you do. You make a big deal about it, they will too. You are nonchalant about it, they will too. When I show up to work with braids. I get a few comments. As far as I know, they are positive and complimentary. I just smile, say thank you and keep it moving.

^^^ I agree!!

 

[londonfog]

I work with a combination of people & all of the non-black people are usually the first to notice a hair change. They actually love when I come in with different styles but all of them think its my hair (braids and all)!! LOL!! I work with a lot of 50-60 year old women & they all gather around my desk when I change my hair & issue their compliments & go about their way. Unless someone asks if I'm wearing weave or a wig, I don't offer it freely. I think drastic changes make us all a little apprehensive but I walk in the door with my "Regal Queen" face on because I feel beautiful regardless and that is exactly the kind of compliments that I get. Don't get me wrong, I'm not arrogant but I don't care if one person doesn't like my hair because 20 more will love it!

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

I don't care. I wear what i want as long as it's not vulgar. If you like it and it shows they will love it.

Funny story. I'm also usually the only AA woman on my team. I came in for an interview one way and when my first day came around i was brought into the conference room for introductions. I start hearing this WW comment look at her hair over and over. In hindsight i was over the top with my burnt orange weave....lol...



Suny

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

I don't care. I wear what i want as long as it's not vulgar. If you like it and it shows they will love it.

Funny story. I'm also usually the only AA woman on my team. I came in for an interview one way and when my first day came around i was brought into the conference room for introductions. I start hearing this WW comment look at her hair over and over. In hindsight i was over the top with my burnt orange weave....lol...

Suny

Not bad huh!?!?



Suny

 

[DarkJoy]

I'm glad some people have only the 2 mins of people asking 50-11 questions. For 5 years I was the only BW at my very conservative corporate job. These yties have nothing else to do. I get the 50-11 questions a good week or 2 when I made the change to crochets from my 'fro. The men don't care. It's the WW who are all over it.

Rock your crochets tho. You will be amazed at how fast that grows out your puff! Keep the braids moisturized and DC'd and you'll see how healthy it grows!

The clear co-workers will get used to it and life will go on.

 

[ilong]

I smiled when I saw this post and the first person at work who came to mind - was a white guy, who happens to be in a management role. He changes his hairstyles more than I do.
And I am very serious.

So when co-workers comment "you are always changing your hair" - my retort is "yes and I still can't keep up with Chuck"

But if I had a $1 for every time I was asked "how long did it take?" - referring to braids or twists, I could have purchased a new Louis Vitton purse (a real one ) or paid for a 10 day cruise.

My advice to the OP is "do you" - if you are worried about what co-workers will say about your new hairstyle then you will "freak" about the other things they say about you when you are not around or in hearing distance.

As long as you are dressed appropriately and not violating dress policy - let them figure it out. If they approach you - just have a very "sweet & sour" response prepared.

 

[LiftedUp]

I work in a very small department with only women who don't wear weave. I plan to announce that I'm getting a weave on Friday and show up with it on the Monday.

 

[FelaShrine]

They usually look and say "new hairstyle"? I just nod then "nice!" and I say thank you. The end.

 

[AlliCat]

About a month ago I found the guts to start wearing a wig to work. It's a U-Part which gives the illusion of a sew in but the hair I chose looks extremely similar to my own hair and blends really well, and I'm able to part the first 3 inches of my hair any which way. I can also add curls and not worry about heat damage to my own hair. People acually think it's my hair unless I tell them. Everyone loves the look, I think to them it looks like I'm putting in more effort into my appearance even though secretly I'm being super hair lazy because all I need to do is blend and go. It's been 3 weeks and I still get a ton of compliments from co-workers, and the two customers I had to visit this month both complimented me. I must say I love this wig and it's the best choice I've made hair-wise.

If you want to wear it, go ahead. People will very quickly get used to the look and forget. It's not like you're doing something drastic like a nose job or something. People aren't as obsessed about hair as we are lol. But of course at first there will be some reactions (good or bad) which will go away until the next hairstyle.

 

[divachyk]

They usually look and say "new hairstyle"? I just nod then "nice!" and I say thank you. The end.

Wish it was that simple FelaShrine. New hairstyles is a big production at my office -- office is mostly women but we're from various backgrounds. We've grown accustomed to talking all things fashion and hair is not exempt. As a result, I've not ventured into the wig/weave styles because I'm not interested in getting a ton of questions. I wore a half wig one day and it just attracted way too much attention. That wig has been shelved from that point forward.

 

[MGA2013]

I personally don't care if my co workers question my hair styles, ESP since its my hair. I'm working with mostly Caucasians. However my patients/customers are from various backgrounds. I never do the "ghetto" dos and keep the color to a minimum. Some actually love how diverse our hair is. Why be plain? Lol it doesn't help that I attended a HBCU, where everyone overly expressed themselves in fashion and hair! So I tend let that show side from time to time, in a professional manner of course!