Changed viewpoint...

[g_bald]

So, I've been sly for over 2 months now and (as I have posted before here and there) my mother and father have not been appreciative nor supportive about my decision to go sly.

I don't live it at home, so it isn't a big concern.

We went out to dinner with a few close family members this weekend and my dad made a comment about sly guys going to the same barber. (I muttered that he could use an appointment to the same barber...LOL) - then my mother says "Well, he has a really good headshape for the bald look."

WhAAAAAAAAAAAAAA....?

This is a first. My guess is either a) she wants to keep things, and me, "happy," or b) she genuinely meant it. My gut tells me it's "B" but it struck me as being very odd that she turned around about it so soon after being very vocal about how much she didn't like it.

I took it as a compliment, because truth be told, it was. I sometimes think my head is the wrong shape for sly but everyone has told me otherwise so far.

I'm interested if anyone else has had a "180" reaction from someone who either liked or disliked your sly look in such a fairly short period of time.

P.S. There were at least a half-dozen other smooth gentlemen in the restaurant, so maybe that helped persuade her... that she was outnumbered! 

[Baldstu]

There you go , just your rels getting used to a new you

[slybeard]

I would say 2 months is rather quick for family to do a 180, but take it as a win.  Took my imediate family about 6 months, and I am not sure about my mother yet (it has been two years).  But in her defense, she only sees me a few times a year.  At least I am not getting negative comments, so maybe its at least a 90 degree turn.

[isleepinthebuff]

My mum wil always want me to have the hair she chooses. However looking at my school pic that's not a good idea, if it were possible!

[Cave Dweller]

I am not sure about my mother yet

Ditto. It's been ten months, and my mom is just now warming up to me having a smooth dome.

Then again, she still refers to me as her "baby" even though I am over 50.

[Vogi_the_bald]

my family hasn't even made a comment yet.  

[mrzed]

My parents died years ago, so they are not making comments.

Immediately family members are used to it.

Sisters have not commented, but they don't live locally, so it's not really an issue for them.

I've really not experienced any push back from family or in-law type relatives.

[Sir Harry]

There were only four people in my family that gave disapproval over me being sly....my father and grandfather (both deceased), the former had a "donut hole" but still kept an afro, and the latter was a Norwood 5. The other two, my dad's sisters (my aunts) didn't care for it, but they actually like the look on me now that my cousins (their daughters) have both married sly guys...Funny how you need outside help to get family to accept your choice of a hairstyle  Nowadays they tell me "You need to shave!" if I show up with more than a week's growth.

[g_bald]

I'm not going to go so far as to say "she loves it," since that isn't the case, but it was at least nice to get a compliment from her where she was providing more push back earlier.

Very interesting and varied responses, guys. Thanks!!

[slymyke]

my family hasn't even made a comment yet.  

Cheer up, Vogi.   -Something tells me your family is used to you pushing the envelope. 



My family has made only positive comments.   I don't think I can remember my Mom ever saying anything negative about it...even in the passive way that she can sometimes get her point across.   I always think it is because she knows I inherited it from her father.  He wore the Dr. Phil hairstyle.  I'm thinking she didn't like me to look like her father...just as much as I didn't want to look like my grandfather so prematurely. 

[Mike E. P.]

I have an old aunt who once asked me something like, "Would you consider getting a transplant?"  My response was, "Why the heck would I do that?"  I think she was just trying to get my goat but I didn't find it too amusing.  I probably need to toughen up!

[ScribeGuy]

My parents live in the UK (I'm in the US).  I sent them a picture after I went sly.  My father told me "Your mother almost fainted."  That was ten days ago.  I Skyped with them yesterday and both said it'll take a little time for them to get used to it . . . but they've been supportive.  My wife, on the other hand, loved it immediately.  In fact, she was the one who suggested I shave my head in the first place!

[Sir Harry]

Wow, a guy whose wife suggested a headshave......Most wives are adamant that their husbands NOT shave their heads. I have to give my ex some credit....she never said anything bad when I went sly, she actually said that I looked younger when I actually didn't have hair.

[Thai boy]

Both my parents have passed away so no comments there.  My wife likes it as does my daughter who lives with us in Thailand.  My daughters in England who are both in their late twenties do not like it but to be fair they only see me on Skype ever so often.  My sister likes it not sure about my two brothers.

However, I personally do not feel the need for anyone's approval.  I understand its better for people to make positive comments but I am a believer that everyone is entitled to their own opinions.  Just as I am entitled to make my own choices.

My personal experience is that family often feel that they are entitled to give their perspective especially parents.  I use to always try and remember they often do not see you as a grown man but as their baby as we often do with our own children regardless how old they are . LOL

Regards

Andy

[Bilko1]

It has taken some time. but my parents are now used to seeing me bald & kind of like it now. Whenever there is some fuzz showing my dad, in particular, say's to me - "Time for a haircut, son!" - then we both laugh......

At first, my mother hated my shaved head choice but my father didn't mind as he is ex-army & believed that all guys should have short hair (but not necessarily Bald), and he thought that my shaved head was better than the mullet that I used to have.