I went sly (sort of)

[KEF]

I didn't truly go sly, but close enough without actually getting a bic razor. I took a beard groomer and gave myself a 0 all over! But my reactions have been somewhat disappointing. Keep in mind I'm only 20 years-old, so I guess some of these reactions may have to do with people my age not used to seeing young guys with near bald heads. Here are some of my reactions, most of them taking place at separate times:

Dude 1: "What happened to your hair?"

Dude 2: "Who cut your hair?!" *stares in dismay*

Dude 3: "He looks like lex luthor..."
Dude 4 (in response to Dude 3): "No, his head is too big."

Dude 5: "Why?!"

Dude 6: "Where did your hair go bro??"
Me: "I decided to try a new look..."
Dude 6: *pounds chest with a gangster salute* "Right on!" <-----I'm guessing a compliment?

Dude 7: "I saw you today. Why no hat??" <------Really a knock to my self-esteem and made me second-guess my new look...

Dude 8: "Why did you cut your hair off this time of year? It's okay. It's a new look for you." <------I'm guessing a compliment....

Dude 9: "What happened to your hair?"
Me: "I cut it off...but I'm not sure if I like it."
Dude 9: "Yeah, I think you looked better with hair..." <------------------Ouch!

Woman 1: "What inspired the no-hair-look this time of year?"
Me: "I just wanted to try something new"
Woman 1: "Oh ok, I see. My husband has been in the military for 15 years, and he is just now starting to let his hair grow back out again." <--------Maybe a clue or hint she was trying to slip me? lol


So as you can see, people have reacted in many different ways. Most of them dismay, but only two-three possible compliments on my new look. I don't know if this look suits me or not.... Or do most people end up going through stuff like this who buzz all their hair off??

[Sean25]

The compliments will come once you are confident with your look.  To be honest with you once that happens you aren't going to care about other peoples opinions.  I could honestly give 2 sh*ts if someone told me I looked absolutely hideous without any hair because I've accepted this and its here to stay.  You should work towards the same goal because I know you can

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

Strange responses about "what happened!"  How dumb can they be, you obviously buzzed it down.  These guys sound like they just needed to say something w/o thinking.  Something like diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the mind!
I think the big question is how do you like it, and if you like it, their blathering on is of no importance.  In a few months they won't remember you with hair and hopefully you will have met some people w/ more electricity between the ears and they will not have known you except as sly! 
Hold your ground, and consider going to the wood for the ultimate Sly experience. 

[buddha]

Something like diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the mind!

 

It would have been just as easy for these dudes to say something complimentary or encouraging. The dumb statements/questions imply a profound insecurity based on the fact that you have transcended hair and these folks want to try to keep you stuck in the same place that they lack the courage to step out of. Theirs is a response born out of the fear of change.
After you have been sly for a while you will find yourself smiling at these quips. You will come to realize that the dumber the statement/question the greater the jealousy of the speaker.

[pdxtodd]

Agree with Sean -- wear it proud, wear it with confidence.  It might be an age related syndrome - I'm assuming those guys were younger.   You could respond with:

1)  Well Bruce Willis got Demi Moore so I figured I'd go "Bruce" to up my chances
2)  Dude its THE in look.  I'm ahead of the curve, where are you?
3)  Training for the 2012 Olympics -- wind resistance was slowing me down
4)  Well I can always grow my hair back, but dude YOU can't fix ugly

[Tyler]

Dude 9: "What happened to your hair?"
Me: "I cut it off...but I'm not sure if I like it."
Dude 9: "Yeah, I think you looked better with hair..." <------------------Ouch!



[/quote

I bet if you would have said, "I cut it off and I really like it" he would have said "Yeah, it looks good!"

You by saying "I'm not sure if I like it" you told him that you were looking for him to agree with you.

[BaldBear]

Who really gives a crap what other people think? I guess i don't!

Here's what I would have said to any of those negative comments...


"It's my head, and I'll do whatever the hell I want to with it."

[tomgallagher]

Who really gives a crap what other people think? I guess i don't!

Here's what I would have said to any of those negative comments...


"It's my head, and I'll do whatever the hell I want to with it."

Yeah that works for me also.

[-Doug-]

4)  Well I can always grow my hair back, but dude YOU can't fix ugly

Dude 9: "What happened to your hair?"
Me: "I cut it off...but I'm not sure if I like it."
Dude 9: "Yeah, I think you looked better with hair..." <------------------Ouch!

I bet if you would have said, "I cut it off and I really like it" he would have said "Yeah, it looks good!"

You by saying "I'm not sure if I like it" you told him that you were looking for him to agree with you.

Couldn't agree more!

[The Noggin]

Relax. They are just surprised by the big change in your appearance. Maybe they think they have to say something so you don't think they are ignorant.

Bottom line: stick with your decision and all will be well.

[mangosink12572]

If you can't say anything nice  - -Don't say it at all  - - -You probably look great BALD - - -How about a picture?

[KEF]

Thanks for the support everyone. I had low self-esteem even before shaving my head, so you can imagine how I feel now. As for a picture, mangosink12572, I'm not quite that secure to post my near bald noggin on the web. One comment I forgot to post, was from my own friend. He told me I looked like a skinhead, which really hit me in the nuts because I'm not at all like that.

[bem75]

Like some of the guys have said, if you show confidence in your look, it will make others react positively.  That is how I picked up women, when I was single.  I was not the best looking guy in the group, but I showed the most confidence.  Worked like a charm.

When I shaved my head for the first time, I never once said anything negative.  I told everyone how much I liked it.  Hence, I only got positive comments.  People could see that I was happy and my confidence shined through.  It is the reason that people smile at you, when you're smiling.  If you have a frown on your face, people will frown back.  Its just human nature.

Remember, you're doing this for you.  So, look in the mirror, tell yourself how good you look, and go strut your stuff.

Good luck, young sly one!  Enjoy this time in your life.  It flies by pretty quickly.

[Ming the Merciless]

No, I'd say you probably don't look like a skinhead--you probably look SLY.  If you look like a skinhead, you've got Doc Marten's, suspenders--all that other stuff.  I'm assuming that's not the case.  If your friend still says that, despite the absence of the other skinhead stigmata--well, give him a good stomping.

[tomgallagher]

OMG, Doc Marten's, do they still sell them Ming.?