Silly hair question... (Anchorage: hairstyles, school, maintenance)

[Festafarian]

So, last night I had a discussion with my husband that I thought some of you might enjoy chiming in on.

Hubby has been managing a live music venue for many years. Because he could, he has not cut his hair in years.

He always saw this job as temporary, and has said that if he decided to go back to "a real job" he would cut his hair. Many people assume he is native, in fact, Cherokees in our area routinely ask him what tribe he's from.

I love his long hair and I don't think it will be that big a deal in Alaska, While researching jobs, I have seen lots of men that have long hair and beards. I've been trying to convince him that cutting it isn't necessary. Most of his work experience is in fisheries, so it's not like he'll be looking into an office job.

So, what do you guys think? Am I wrong in assuming that long hair is more common in Alaska?

[Metlakatla]

I don't know if it's more common or not but I see no reason for a man with beautiful long hair to whack it off.

[Glitch]

I think Alaskans are far more tolerant of such things. I have very long hair myself, a beard and a mustache. I work with a lot of clients from BP and Conoco-Phillips, to the municipality of Anchorage and the State of Alaska, and my long hair doesn't seem to be an issue.

If he likes the long hair, I say let it grow!

[JavaPhil]

Awww, gimme a head with head hair,
Long beautiful hai-air.

We have guys in the shop who shave their heads and those who pull it back in a ponytail. It's purely a matter of choice, and I don't see many people making an issue of it. It's hair, and it really doesn't matter. Beards on the slope with breather masks may be a different issue. Personally, I will occasionally grow a beard for winter, but my hair is usually cut shorter for personal reasons (it is fine and blows all over if it's longer).

[Glitch]

I keep my beard short (no longer than an inch) and my mustache well trimmed, primarily because I don't want to taste yesterday's meal.

I was asked once why I grew my hair so long (it is around 36" long) and my response was simple: "Because I can."

[Rance]

Man...back in school my hair was longer than most of the girls. When I was a senior, first day of school...somebody pinched my butt in the hall. I spun around and here's this guy standing there with a shocked look on his face. He apologized saying he thought it was someone else. I'm hoping that someone was a female. Anyhow I grossed out and cut it off that night. It has never grown back. It's all I can do to keep it to my shoulders now. Some guys have all the luck.

[Glitch]

When I was in high-school I kept it short. After high-school I joined the Marine Corps and it got even shorter. It wasn't until I turned 40 that I got tired of getting my hair cut every two weeks and just let it grow. I assumed that I would save a few bucks, but that turned out to not be the case. Long hair requires a lot of maintenance, not to mention a lot more shampoo.

[rotorhead]

If you move to Alaska beards are actually required, it's state law....

OK, I might be pulling your leg just a bit... but not by much. You can get an exemption if you're a woman.

I don't think I've ever seen a place more tolerant of furry faced critters than Alaska, and hairstyles are literally all over the place.

The only reason I'd say to get it whacked off is if he's gonna be working around driveshafts or other rotating machinery. I've been to a couple of work-related scalpings (literally) and it's NOT a pretty thing.

[Xa'at]

This thread is a hoot!
I have short but seriously unkempt hair, and no one seems to care. I don't shave my beard, either.

[warptman]

I keep mine shaved...mosquitos and gnats love it. Someone has to feed them!