What it means to be sly

[Argyle]

I have been a member of this site for years now and have always been fascinated by the term sly, where it came from, always assuming that it was just American slang.  However over the years, deliberately or not it is a word that has taken on a whole new meaning to many guys right across the globe.  I was thinking this while watching a daytime show we have over here called Countdown which is all about words and things. 

So it kinda got me thinking what is sly all about. 

1)  Well most obviously but perhaps least importantly sly is about being bald, either through nature or by decision.  It is about taking your razor of choice and applying it to your no doubt indvidual, dome.  Ejoying your routine and adopting a style. 

2)  It is about confidence.  The number of times over the years where I have read someone say they 'rock the look;, feel free, relieved or otherwise.  Slydom can create an air of confidence that balding cannot.

3)  It is about control.  You take charge of the way you look.  For those of us who have MPB (I hate using the word suffer), it is often about saying yeah I am balding but guess what here it is, loud and proud. 

4)  I firmly believe being Sly can make you all round a better person.  Less judgmental about the way you look, more accepting of your perceived flaws, but most importantly more empathetic for thos around us and any insecurities they may have. 

5)  Being sly is about enjoying life.  When I was really going through the mill with hairloss in my mid to late twenties I used to search the internet all the time.  Forum after forum of people saying that their balding had ruled their lives for 10, 20, 30 and sometimes longer years.  I know there are one or two on this forum for whom that it also the case.  But what a shame, you have one shot. 

6)  Being sly can be about being an inspiration.  Every day on this site there are young guys (and older guys) struggling to come to terms with their diminishing hairlines.  Every guy on here has a story, every guy on here has something they can share with others and that others can learn from on their path to accepting the skin they are in. 

So, those are my lunchtime thoughts, but to you, what does it mean to be sly?

[Polarbear]

You said it all! I agree with every single one of the points that you've mentioned 

I especially like 4, 5 and 6. I think it can take some years to get there, but once you get there you'll 'know' that it is triggered by the very first buzz or shave.

[Mikekoz13]

Hey Argyle... this is a GREAT post and I think you've nailed it. I know, from some of your past posts, that you've struggled at times with your Slyness..... but it sounds to me like you've now figured it all out.

Big thumbs up to you my Friend!

[Argyle]

hi Mike,

Certainly not quite figured it out but getting there, and determinedly so.  Not going to be one of these guys who spends 30 years worrying about it. 

[R o b 6]

You have it all in great perspective, Argyle.

I agree with all of your points, especially the confidence one.

For me. it  made a huge impact on my confidence once I made that (tough) decision to go from being the "balding" guy to being the "slick bald" guy.

And to think it was just a silly 1/4- inch of hair that stood in the way!

[CraftyGuy]

Entirely well said, Argyle!!

 

[ozzie]

Great post! 

[pdxtodd]

Argyle great post.   I'm one of those guys who struggled for 30+ years with my hairloss.  I did the drugs and rugs route.   Drugs didn't work (and I tried them all), and rugs just made things worse.   I love the freedom and control of shaving my head - and I don't spend even a second a day thinking about my hair. 

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

Very well thought out & assembled post.  The confidence, control and empathy points certainly resonated with this bald boy. 

[Argyle]

Argyle great post.   I'm one of those guys who struggled for 30+ years with my hairloss.  I did the drugs and rugs route.   Drugs didn't work (and I tried them all), and rugs just made things worse.   I love the freedom and control of shaving my head - and I don't spend even a second a day thinking about my hair. 

Hi Yeah, sorry it was your story that crossed my mind when I said that, I hope it didnt come across as critical as it wasnt meant to be.  In fact I suppose that in myself i recognise that i have the potential to do similar, but this site has made me resolutely determined not to.  If only it had been around years ago eh?

[pdxtodd]

Hey Argyle no worries -- its the truth!  I did agonize over my hair loss for 30 or so years.   It was down right foolish for spending $70,000+ or so on drugs and rugs over those years.   If this board was active back then (Tyler were you even born then?) I would have hopefully taken the plunge a long time ago.   I hope that by sharing our stories we're able to convince other guys to take the step before they have to endure what we all endured.   

I spent nearly 10 years with Arthur Andersen & Co. / Andersen Consulting / Accenture and one of the core values of the company was "stewardship".   I see our role as members of this group being stewards -- responsible for passing on our knowledge and experiences to those who are coming up behind us - so that they don't have to endure the same challenges that we faced.   Every guy on this board demonstrates stewardship on a daily basis by helping others make the transition.   Think of the impact if each of us changed just one guys life by helping them make the transition.   I know that Saintc, Razor, Mike, Tyler, warhawk, xnewyawka, papa don, bear, tom, and many many others were all instrumental in changing my life. 

[Argyle]

 I know that Saintc, Razor, Mike, Tyler, warhawk, xnewyawka, papa don, bear, tom, and many many others were all instrumental in changing my life. 

I wonder when Tyler set this site up whether or not he imagined that people would come out with a statement as profound as that!  Really sums up the importance of this website doesnt it?  Tyler - I hope you feel the pressure to keep this place going. 

[pdxtodd]

Argyle I totally agree.   We need to submit Tyler for Sainthood -- hopefully Saintc has an inside track on that :-)

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

Argyle I totally agree.   We need to submit Tyler for Sainthood -- hopefully Saintc has an inside track on that :-)

Sorry to say, I don't--it's just a "handle" I picked on 10/17/07 five days after doing the deed having lurking here since the prior April when I knew the dying mop had to come off.  But, "real" sainthood does have some of its roots in being selfless in the interest of others and, well--if the blade fits, use it!

[Argyle]

I'll have a word with HRH to see if we can swing a knighthood or at least an MBE.