Reaction To Young Sly Bald Guys

[JimmyRhino]

Hi everyone,

Only been around for a few hours but glad to have already seen quite a few guys around my age (mid 20's) who have decided to go sly. Out of interest, how did your friends take to your new style? Only asking as I'd be the first of my group and honestly have no idea how people will react!
Any trouble with jobs? Or reactions from strangers in your everyday routine?
Any feedback would be appreciated 

[marty22]

Howdy. Friends wers shocked at lst and got over it. Your pals will too.

[Laser Man]

I'm much older than my 20's, but here's a couple thing:

1) there are a number of sly 20 year-olds at my company and it's no big deal.
2) my daughter who is in her 20's dates a sly guy also in his 20's
3) her best friend is marrying a sly guy in a few weeks.

It's pretty normal these days.  That being said, prepare for comments, some in jest, others not.  The first reactions will be surprise and shock because the change is dramatic, but that passes pretty quickly.

One piece of advice: some people are a little intimidated by guys with shaved heads.  So smile, be polite and courteous and everything will be fine.

[BillOnBass]

Hey man,

I shaved when I was 23 and I'm 26 now.  I was also the first from my group of high school pals that shaved their head.  The first week or so there were some surprised reactions from friends.  It's not like they were TOO surprised, though; my hair loss was becoming pretty rapid and they understood that shaving is a natural (and sane) response.

After a few months of everyone I know getting to see my new style I got nothing but compliments and friendly curiosity.  Have never had a single negative reaction from strangers (not that it would matter anyway).  No trouble at all with jobs.

Now that you've seen a testimonial from a 20-something, what are you waiting for? 

[Bluebriz]

I started losing my hair in my teens, say around 17, which was rough because we were all into our rock music with the long hair!  I cropped it very short for a couple of years, and have shaved it since I was 19 or 20 (I'm 37 now).  Most people don't even remember what I was like before, and I don't remember having any trouble because of the shaved head.

As was suggested above, be friendly and polite, and smile at people, then you should have no problems.  Your friends will still be friends, your family will get used to it and will realise that really you didn't have much choice.

Good luck!

[JSydney]

Hi everyone,

Only been around for a few hours but glad to have already seen quite a few guys around my age (mid 20's) who have decided to go sly. Out of interest, how did your friends take to your new style? Only asking as I'd be the first of my group and honestly have no idea how people will react!
Any trouble with jobs? Or reactions from strangers in your everyday routine?
Any feedback would be appreciated 

I'm 24 and started shaving my head 2 weeks ago. I won't lie, people who know me all reacted pretty strangely and i had to put up with a few skinhead and cancer jokes but you just need to remember that it's normal for friends/colleagues/family to react to a complete change in your appearance - you probably would too.

With new people I meet & interact with, people actually seem a bit warmer towards me and I think it has a bit to do with my confidence. Previously i had thinning hair and often wondered if people noticed, but now it's just "yep, that's right, i'm bald". strangers honestly don't care, you'll just be another person to them.

p.s. 2 weeks in and it's not even an issue with people i know. the only thing that's changed is i'm not worrying about my thinning hair, don't have that annoying itchy scalp, and have a lot more confidence.

[Paul the Headblader]

I'm 20 and the only bald guy in my  community (village). I feel diffrent, it was a bit tough at the beginning, but now we all make jokes about my bald head. no one dislikes it.

[mrzed]

I'm nearly 3x your age. No MPB here, thus no logical reason for shaving my head.  I work with the IT guys. They all have short hair, so I've been buzzing for a number of years. 

The only negative reaction to shaving my head was from immediate family (wife and daughters). Everyone else loved it from the start.  Family has gotten used to it and they no longer comment or fuss.  I continue to get positive comments from others. 

I think that the bald look is so fresh and crisp looking.  Very distinctive. I do prefer bald with a beard. Of course, had my beard for over 30 years. Not likely to shave that anytime soon.

From your profile picture, looks like you have a lot of thinning hair. Shaving bald will take care of that. you'll look younger.  Sounds like you are ready. Go for it.

[JimmyRhino]

I'm 24 and started shaving my head 2 weeks ago. I won't lie, people who know me all reacted pretty strangely and i had to put up with a few skinhead and cancer jokes but you just need to remember that it's normal for friends/colleagues/family to react to a complete change in your appearance - you probably would too.

With new people I meet & interact with, people actually seem a bit warmer towards me and I think it has a bit to do with my confidence. Previously i had thinning hair and often wondered if people noticed, but now it's just "yep, that's right, i'm bald". strangers honestly don't care, you'll just be another person to them.

p.s. 2 weeks in and it's not even an issue with people i know. the only thing that's changed is i'm not worrying about my thinning hair, don't have that annoying itchy scalp, and have a lot more confidence.

To be honest this bit that I've put in bold has been my biggest problem in the last few years. Whenever I'm trying to talk to people it's almost like I have a big obstruction in my brain that says to me every time I start to think "Wait...before you think about anything else, is anyone pitying you for your balding head?" 
I used to be really quick and witty but I find it a lot harder to get into conversations between a group of people now as a result, and so I tend to avoid interacting with strangers/meeting new people in everyday life.

I guess I'm hoping that when I do finally go sly, it'll be like a huge weight has been lifted from my mind - literally and figuratively! - and I'm glad that from what you're all saying, having no hair doesn't seem to negatively impact how others react to you.

[marty22]

your head needs to be shaved.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I guess I'm hoping that when I do finally go sly, it'll be like a huge weight has been lifted from my mind - literally and figuratively!

Well literally I have to say from your picture that it won't be much weight off your shoulders--there's not enough left! , Sorry it's the fact and you know it or you should.  
But, the worry, the angst, the anxiety about losing it--gone and that gives you the biggest rush of freedom you will have felt in a long, long time.  Yes, that hope will come true in spades!  You will quickly regain the quick tongue and blah life you have slumped into will be a memory.  Your only regret will be that you didn't do it sooner!  But, to get there is just a short clippering away, a hot shower, a new blade and some shaving gel and you can hold your life in your own hands again.  But, you have to do it.  So, we have a weekend coming up, Spring has sprung--new things are happening, are you ready for your Sly Spring?  

[mrzed]

your head needs to be shaved.

that was quick and to the point!  I agree. Your head needs to be shaved.

[R3Capt]

Shave it - you won't be sorry. In fact I believe you will find it to be both liberating and exhilarating. 

[Slyfive]

I'm 22 and have been sly for heading on 5 months. I was very much like you, I had lost confidence and control in social situations, my hairloss was getting in the way of living, now I'm free!

[Mr Jules]

Shave it - you won't be sorry. In fact I believe you will find it to be both liberating and exhilarating. 

Agreed. At times, carrying your sly look around every day can be quite thrilling.

To borrow from another poster on SBG "I love sticking out everywhere I go".