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Splitting Hairs?
by Eamonn Doherty

Home >> Splitting Hairs?

Posted by Eamonn Doherty
I used to think that hair was put on top of our heads in order to protect it from the sun. I could never see any other use for it. I just assumed it was basically decorative, to hide the skull.

To my surprise, however, someone (who obviously has nothing better to do) has begun to analyse the significance of hair colour, hairstyles, and how we fondle the follicles. According to recent research, hair does more than protect us from dust or the sun. It apparently oozes sexual and social connotations. Symbolically situated at the uppermost point of the body, the hair is the limit.

The colour of hair, it seems, transmits anthropological-type data: black hair symbolises strength, passion, and temperament. This may explain the Spaniards’ enthusiasm for bullfighting. The Irish have red hair, a condition traditionally associated with sexuality and fieriness, while blond hair denotes pureness, femininity, and youth, but it also hints at fragility, vanity, and even a touch of stupidity. Chestnut-coloured hair suggests balance.

Another dimension to hair is the socio-sexist stereotyping that its length or style can inspire. Short-haired women portray a certain revolutionary image, whereas their male counterparts achieve the same results by doing the exact opposite. They let their hair run riot. Long-haired women prefer to highlight their femininity, whereas monks and soldiers keep theirs cut short out of discipline and obedience. The pretty pigtail insinuates babyishness and naivety, but buns are out if you want to be in. These repress the libido and are the exact opposite of curls, which transmit the idea of freedom, adventure, strength, and spontaneity.

Touching your hair is no longer a simple affair. For those with a fair helping of hair (usually women), they must be careful of what they do in the company of the opposite sex. If the female sitting at the table next to you in a restaurant touches her hair while observing you, then you are making romantic headway. And if she proceeds to gather it up and expose a naked neck, then you… she likes you. Later on, if the aforementioned female allows you to caress a hair or two, there is no reason why a meaningful relationship cannot start up there and then. Those who hide behind their hair are (surprise, surprise) shy.

The experts on hair language have also advanced a theory on the hairstyles sported by politicians. Those who use gel are not only likely to be cool and calm but may also harbour right-wing tendencies. A typical lefty would, therefore, have long, flowing, disorderly curls. It is all so obvious. The problem with the above interpretations arises when you meet a short-haired hippy, a hairy ultra-conservative, a curly-haired nun, or a hairy monk. It’s great to be bald!

This letter is stored with the following tags: hair  grooming  personality  body_language 
7 comments for Splitting Hairs?

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Ginaclose
Silver Hairs by Gina

White hairs mean we’re getting old.

Oscar2
Lies about lice by Oscar

What about lice? What do lice say about a person or place? We can’t associate lice with poverty. Rich people get lice. Rich places get lice. I’ve had lice. My whole school gets lice. Have you had lice? Don’t lie.

Donalgreece2
Re: Splitting Hairs? by Domnall

I’ve never had lice. I had mice once. But not in my hair. In the piano. It’s a long story for another day.
I can’t imagine being bald. My father had a full head of hair when he died aged 80, so I hope the genetics are in place! I am surprised at how many bald men there are in Spain. Maybe it’s all the sunshine.
Did you know that every day we lose about 100 hairs? And it would take 7 years to grow your hair to your waist!
Advanced English Joke
Q: What did the bald man say when he got a comb for his birthday?
A: “Thanks, I’ll never part with it!”

part = peinarse con raya / separarse

Paola
Re: Splitting Hairs? by Paola

Did you know that Frank Beard is the only member of ZZ Top not to have a beard?

Conchi_calvo
Re: Splitting Hairs? by ConcepciÓn

Hy, everybody,
My husband say me that if my hairdresser would have to live with the money that I give him to earn, he would have a problem.
I only go to hairdresser two or three times at year, and I don’t spend much time taking care about my hair. I wash it three or four days at week, and the only treatment that I have with it is to let that it dries itself.
Split ends are one of the most common problem that has the hair. The ends are opened, because the hair is dry and without care. You must cut them to solve the problem.
Grettings.
Conchi Calvo

Silueta
Re: Splitting Hairs? by Ivan

Hi everyone.
I wish I could enjoy a really long hair but unfortunately I am getting more and more bald day by day.I still remember when I was a teenager and the trend was to have a long hair, my dad refused every single time he noticed my hair longer than usual so he ordered me to have a quick and short hair cut.
In the long run, I can really understand his point of view about having a long hair.It is more important than people might think, having a job interview would seem that you might be trouble person though is not really true at all because the knowledge and experience do not appear in the hair, just stay down the hair, in the brain exactly.
Differents hair stiles as the article mentioned means completly personalities, a short hair for my liking means a serious person, organised and clean.
An a surfer´s hair stiles means more than freedom,go against the rules, dirties and people who like risk sports.
It is cool the way the hair colour make and estereotype,might be the same with how tall we are, foot measure,eyes colour,etc?
Greetings

Conchi_small
Re: Splitting Hairs? by Concepción

It’s true, if you are bald you never have to think about what style you prefer, or about what colour it’s better four you,or ….i you. I suppose when you wash your hair, sorry, your head, is easier too, isn’t it.
Conchi F.

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Posted on http://www.weeklyletter.com at 2007-08-16 10:00:00 +0200

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