I made a bet about my hair with bad consequences

[SlyMike]

Luckily I am allowed to keep it looking tidy. I do gave to keep the longest length as it is whenever I get it cut 

Is there any particular definition as to what is considered tidy in your bet?  If not, what about a 0 trim?

[slymyke]

I agree with Sly Mike.  I think it would fall in the lines of a "mental reservation"... to justify shaving by saying that is what you thought was acceptable for trimming.  haha.

Another idea is to start now and keep it trimmed... not allowing it to ever grow out much.  Shear just enough off every once in a while to allow it to gradually grow, but never to a significant length....then just say, "Wow, the rate of growth of my hair has really gotten a lot slower since I started shaving".  haha

One more thought:  You said you were allowed to wear weather-appropriate hats.  Well, it is cold in winter, so that should take you pretty far.  Then just always come up with an excuse to wear a hat.  lol. 

Good luck!

[Rusty Shackleford]

I find it absurd that your boss thinks they have any say on whether you grow your facial hair.  I don't even know what you do for a living and yet I can tell that your facial hair has absolutely nothing to do with the business, so I'm more curious on why your superiors are more interested in wasting time bullying employees with irrelevant rules than focusing on their work.

[beardbald]

Is this real?

Just seems strange, you're obviously ok with your MPB as you shave your head but have never posted before until this bet takes places and then post a pic that isn't you? I'm assuming it's not you, or if it is you have already grown your hair out before.

Plus you work in an office where no facial hair is allowed. I've not heard of an office, where there is no safety requirement that says you can't have facial hair.

Sorry this just seems weird. Looking forward to perhaps seeing the before and after picture evidence of you both to prove me wrong, as the bet unfolds
 

[SlyMike]

I find it absurd that your boss thinks they have any say on whether you grow your facial hair.  I don't even know what you do for a living and yet I can tell that your facial hair has absolutely nothing to do with the business, so I'm more curious on why your superiors are more interested in wasting time bullying employees with irrelevant rules than focusing on their work.

I'm with you on this, I work in an office and 5 years ago I had no beard, was not aware of any rules about it, so I just grew a beard, basically work don't care about it. We even had a beard competition as part of an inclusiveness week which I won.

It's generally considered that people work better if they are happy with their appearance.

[Cave Dweller]

I have not suffered such an office, but many in my profession require a conservative appearance due to the nature of their clientele and the image the office wants others to have of it. Most of these have dress codes requiring ties and suits, ban all facial hair, have hair length rules and even ban "extreme" hair styles with shaved listed as an example.

[SlickChromeDome]

Looks like your gonna have to rock a skullet (bald-mullet) ha!

[Redroverredrover001]

Give him a hundred bucks and tell him the bet is off.

That is what I should have said.

Ha! If I had an extra $100 lying around I might try that, but I'm a man of my word. Maybe I'll have my sentence commuted for good behavior.

[Redroverredrover001]

I agree with Sly Mike.  I think it would fall in the lines of a "mental reservation"... to justify shaving by saying that is what you thought was acceptable for trimming.  haha.

Another idea is to start now and keep it trimmed... not allowing it to ever grow out much.  Shear just enough off every once in a while to allow it to gradually grow, but never to a significant length....then just say, "Wow, the rate of growth of my hair has really gotten a lot slower since I started shaving".  haha

One more thought:  You said you were allowed to wear weather-appropriate hats.  Well, it is cold in winter, so that should take you pretty far.  Then just always come up with an excuse to wear a hat.  lol. 

Good luck!

I might have to try and see if I can get away with that, but I think that loophole was plugged before I could jump through it. The official terms are that I can get it cut to keep it looking neat, but the longest length has to stay in tact every time I go to the barber. I suppose I could side step that by growing a rat-tail...

[Redroverredrover001]

Is this real?

Just seems strange, you're obviously ok with your MPB as you shave your head but have never posted before until this bet takes places and then post a pic that isn't you? I'm assuming it's not you, or if it is you have already grown your hair out before.

Plus you work in an office where no facial hair is allowed. I've not heard of an office, where there is no safety requirement that says you can't have facial hair.

Sorry this just seems weird. Looking forward to perhaps seeing the before and after picture evidence of you both to prove me wrong, as the bet unfolds
 

Why the third degree man? I've been lurking this site since I was 19 and got the courage to shave my head. I've never really had anything to contribute before, but I thought this anecdote would give people a good laugh. I'm a little surprised with your response as everyone on this site is always so welcoming and down to earth and that's why I prefer reading it to places like "Hairlosstalk". If I had known I was going to be put on trial, maybe I wouldn't have joined and posted. I guess I'm a little disappointed.

It's very common in U.S. businesses to have a dress-code that extends to facial hair. I realize this is different in other parts of the world that maybe aren't as conservative, but there's really nothing I can do about it. Even if this weren't the case, I don't know that I would or even could grow a beard as it's something I've never really thought about. Maybe if I find a different job in the future, or my current employer reconsiders their dress-code policy I'll give it a try!

Lastly, I don't feel comfortable posting my picture on an anonymous forum on the internet where I might be more candid than on Facebook (where I do post pictures, however keep things more professional).

I don't want any bad blood with anyone having just joined, so I hope this post won't give you a bad opinion of me.

Again, I just poste this for a good laugh and didn't mean to offend. Maybe there's a different way I could prove my story to you?

[Sir Harry]

Is this real?

Just seems strange, you're obviously ok with your MPB as you shave your head but have never posted before until this bet takes places and then post a pic that isn't you? I'm assuming it's not you, or if it is you have already grown your hair out before.

Plus you work in an office where no facial hair is allowed. I've not heard of an office, where there is no safety requirement that says you can't have facial hair.

Sorry this just seems weird. Looking forward to perhaps seeing the before and after picture evidence of you both to prove me wrong, as the bet unfolds
 

Why the third degree man? I've been lurking this site since I was 19 and got the courage to shave my head. I've never really had anything to contribute before, but I thought this anecdote would give people a good laugh. I'm a little surprised with your response as everyone on this site is always so welcoming and down to earth and that's why I prefer reading it to places like "Hairlosstalk". If I had known I was going to be put on trial, maybe I wouldn't have joined and posted. I guess I'm a little disappointed.

It's very common in U.S. businesses to have a dress-code that extends to facial hair. I realize this is different in other parts of the world that maybe aren't as conservative, but there's really nothing I can do about it. Even if this weren't the case, I don't know that I would or even could grow a beard as it's something I've never really thought about. Maybe if I find a different job in the future, or my current employer reconsiders their dress-code policy I'll give it a try!

Lastly, I don't feel comfortable posting my picture on an anonymous forum on the internet where I might be more candid than on Facebook (where I do post pictures, however keep things more professional).

I don't want any bad blood with anyone having just joined, so I hope this post won't give you a bad opinion of me.

Again, I just poste this for a good laugh and didn't mean to offend. Maybe there's a different way I could prove my story to you?

Red Rover, I appreciate you returning and responding. We have had some people make some inexplicable posts, to give the impression that they were trolls and/or some weirdo trying to make a joke as they would never return to defend themselves after being called out. To me, this proves that you are a legitimate poster who just suffered the misfortune of losing a bet he thought he would win (like the 2007 Patriots ) We hope you stick around for the six months or whatever and beyond, we really want to help you through this. If you don't mind, can I ask:

1. Is that actually you in the picture in your original post? I'm guessing yes because the eyes are covered, but I'm just curious

2.  When did your MPB start developing?

Again, please continue to post and keep us updated if you get lucky and get paroled early. You seem like a stand-up guy who keeps his word, someone who would make a quality member on the forum!

[Redroverredrover001]

Thanks SirHarry! I really appreciate your reply. I know how annoying trolls can be on message forums, so I can understand the reaction. To answer your questions:

1. I am not the one in the picture I posted. It's my same degree of hairloss and it's a picture I found searching "bald with long hair" or something like that. To assure any other people that I am not a troll, I've included a very cropped picture of me rocking the horseshoe and holding a note with my username. You guys won't be getting any face pictures, but that's the least I could do.

2.  I started noticeably losing my hair at 15 and was pretty barren on top rocking the combover to 19 when I finally shaved my head. I was close to going on rogaine when I found this website and got the guts to shave instead. I've been shaving my head almost every day from them then up until about two weeks ago when I lost the bet. I just turned 25, so it's almost seven years that I've been rocking the chrome dome. 

[beardbald]

Thanks for the response and evidence. My apologies for seeming harsh, it did feel like a strange first post, so I appreciate you calling me out and posting a pic . We have seen some weird and wonderful fakes over the years.

Firstly you have a great shaped head and the thing about being sly is that it's a forum where you can be confident enough to post pics of yourself and pics and experience can help you and others. You have a cool shaped head and being sly would obviously suit you.

You're a brave man for growing it. Personally I'd call the bet off! I wouldn't be rocking that power doughnut for anyone! I guess in the UK work standards are different so not being able to grow a beard would be weird for me to grasp.

Welcome to the forum and apologies again   

[Semi-Sly]

 Oh man that looks awful I would definitely try to work a deal where you make a donation to a charity of his choice in order to let you out of this one !

[Sir Harry]

Oh man that looks awful I would definitely try to work a deal where you make a donation to a charity of his choice in order to let you out of this one !

Not a bad idea! If you and this guy are/were good friends, he might cut you some slack. Maybe he'll let you off the hook as a birthday present, if your next birthday is before the six months ars up?