I was looking out my office window on the 6th floor this morning, and WOW!  :o I see a 40-something fella walking across the parking lot with a dark brown braid that was tied off at his waist.  It looked like there was probably another 3 - 4" for the tail.  The braid was fairly thick - thicker than mine :P.  I wished I could have run downstairs fast enough to catch him and compliment him on the braid.  He went into a building across from mine, so maybe I will get to see him again.  :)

That's really nice to see such wonderful enthusiasm BB ! I'm so used to hearing guys telling of great sightings !  :)

I wonder if ladies find it easier or harder to compliment a strange guy on his long hair than the other way round ? I'm usually at least 6 to 8 feet away even if I do muster up enough courage, and even then I'll probably chicken out and mumble something about the weather !!  :D It's rather like saying how nice her dress is or something, so to me the reaction seems bound to be different.

I suppose pleasantly surprised shouild be the average reaction, male or female but to me it's a very iffy one !  :-/

I usually get a positive reaction when I compliment a fella's hair.  Initially there is a shocked look on their face, but when they notice my hair, they usually smile.  I've not had much luck engaging them in conversation about hair care, etc., but a few have asked me about braiding techniques - which I'm usually happy to oblige.

Hair compliments should not be any different than complimenting a shirt, belt, shoes - whatever.  It is just a statement to them that you noticed them and liked what you saw! :D

bikerbraid wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2007 at 10:02am:

Hair compliments should not be any different than complimenting a shirt, belt, shoes - whatever.  It is just a statement to them that you noticed them and liked what you saw! :D

Mmmm....not always I think, especially if it's say from some strange guy in the street. Even at a party or a dinner it's really a big no, no as so much depends on the individual woman's reactions. The nervy one, the shy one, the cool one.... enough to test any guy's nerve really  ;D Especially if they're well over 6 foot like myself ! I wonder what their reactions would be if I was only 5' 3" - Get lost creep ?  :D

From my own experience I've found a lot of women usually treat their hair as an extremely personal thing, barriers instantly go up and that you're immediately encroaching on their personal space. And if it's very long well only more so. Others that it's yet another feeble excuse to try and chat and so on. So trying to find the open minded and easy going lady is :-/..... let's say hard !

Just had an idea after ALL these years !! A big, big smile ! She's got to smile back hasn't she ? How's that sound ?  (Or perhaps think you're plain simple  :D)

I suppose the answer is how do you make it all sound really impersonal ? Like I've got a flat tyre or I've got to go shopping. Either way exuberance is just not on...unless you can speak Italian or something and gabble something sounding ridiculously romantic !  :D Down on one knee might help too.... 8-)

Great subject !  :)

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I can't get over you doing all this from work ! Do you have your own private office and secretary or something ? Or when you hope no-one's looking over your shoulder!! :D

I think I agree, Arcadian, its a very personal thing.  Our hair is OURS, we choose how to wear it, handle it and it is attached to our bodies which makes it very different from our clothes.  For me, how I wear my hair is often a reflection of my emotional state and that's very private.

I usually do chicken out when an opportunity to compliment a long haired fella presents itself.  Maybe when my hair is a lot longer (like waist length) I'll feel more comfortable.  I think if they see you have long hair its a tribe thing (like piercings or tattoos) however, if you don't have long hair I can see where it sounds more like a pick-up line than shared interest.

Great sighting Bikerbraid!   I would love to see this guy's hair too.  I really do like compliments when I get them too. I love giving them as well....but it's nice when they come your way too.

Sakina wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2007 at 11:58am:

I think I agree, Arcadian, its a very personal thing.  Our hair is OURS, we choose how to wear it, handle it and it is attached to our bodies which makes it very different from our clothes.  For me, how I wear my hair is often a reflection of my emotional state and that's very private.

Absolutely perhaps the most personal of all.

Long-haired men are a breed all their own, I suppose. Let's just hope that this particular gentleman had all of his hair still. lol I'm sorry, but if a man is bald or balding and has long hair, it looks ridiculous. If you aren't a Klingon, please don't attempt it.  ;D

That said, if this middle aged cat did have a full head of hair and was sporting a braid like that, more power to him! It's probably an endearing feature to his family as well as a glory to him.

As for compliments, I can understand Arcadian's apprehension...and I think that a simple, platonic approach is best. Treat the long-haired recipient as if they were a brother, sister, elder family member or a young child (depending on their age) and you'll be less likely to weird them out. A simple, "Hey, great hair!" goes over much better than the Pepé Le Pew approach.  :P

LOL!  Yes, the fella had a FULL head of hair - and no grey.  He my have been Native American based on the color of the hair and his skin tone.

Certainly hair is personal and I don't apreciate anyone touching my hair without my permission.  But a simple compliment can be given without invading personal space or appearing as though you alternative motives.  I admit that as a woman it would be easier for me to give a complement than a man, but not impossible.

Ahh...I figured that he would have been Native American or something. Don't ask me how I knew.  ;)

:o Cool! At the Medieval week (...obsessed??  :P) you get to see lot of long haired knights and jesters and such... Whiiich I don't mind at all, hehe.  ;) :D