A question about hair

[Icarus]

Hi, Im curious about the RW's opinion of men with long hair.

I have very black, thick hair, and its length is a bit past my shoulders. I keep it very well maintained.

In the past, I had the odd hairdresser refuse to cut it short, and it was the envy of a lot of women.

I have an exotic backround, Latin, Middle Eastern, so longer hair suits me, but as Im planning a trip to the FSU in June/July I wanted some feedback if I should cut it before going.

Im my profiles, I always have photos when its long, but also include pictures when it was short. Im my last communication via webcam with a Russian woman she was adamant that I shouldnt cut it, is this the norm?

Any feedback would be appreciated; if you want a photo I can do that to.

Thanks

Ick

[BillyB]

As far as hair style for men in the FSU, it's short hair. Jet, a member here has long hair and he's happily married to a FSU woman.

[BC]

Be yourself.

[Lily]

Icarus, any hairstyle is good as far as it is in line with the personality, and make a good match to the general picture.

In the FSU there are both women who like and dislike long hair. Same with baldness.
I guess only one type of baldness is no good, that has a form of so called 'cardinal cap', a round spot of no hair on the back of the head, that is surrounded by hair.

[Jet]

As far as hair style for men in the FSU, it's short hair. Jet, a member here has long hair and he's happily married to a FSU woman.

I wouldn't cut your hair with the intention to make an impression when going over. I was a little apprehensive myself about "fitting in" while in Russia, but it was a non issue. There will be plenty of other things to give you away as a foreigner regardless of hair length/style. My hair is short now but I've attached the obligatory "couple in the wheat field" shot from my third trip when it was still long...

[siberia]

i am not a Russian woman but i am married to a Russian man. He has long hair, to the middle of his back, that he keeps in a pony tail. All the Russian men in our circle have long hair. i think it is something that all the guys almost in their profession have, at least in our circle (computer engineers). i cant think of anyone with short hair in our circle of people.
I would say that the majority of men in Russia have short hair now, true, but not all of them.

[Icarus]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Jet: The picture of your avatar, my hair is about as long as your lovely wife. And the wheat field...dig the mullet 

I just dont want to turn up in downtown Moscow looking like an 80's rock star  Guess the blow dried look is out then, and will stick with the pony tail.

Good advice guys.

Ick

[catzenmouse]

I just dont want to turn up in downtown Moscow looking like an 80's rock star  Guess the blow dried look is out then, and will stick with the pony tail.

Always be who you are. Forced changes generally end up backfiring.

May also be a good idea to not follow hair and clothing styles like this:

[Andrew]

ahhhh nice one Catzenmouse, the pic of Poison I mean.
Boy is my face red looking at that pic and remembering my fantastic choice of hairstyles and clothes growing up in the 80's.
I will admit, there is a copy of "open up and say ahhh" in the car hehehe
not to mention a copy of Motley Crue " Girls Girls Girls" as well.......God help me
Well at least I have a respectable hairstyle now. As for the clothes, well, Vikki took one look at my Def Leppard T's and my wardrobe was redone post haste
......and life goes on.......

[catzenmouse]

As for the clothes, well, Vikki took one look at my Def Leppard T's and my wardrobe was redone post haste
......and life goes on.......

I've had to struggle a bit with Elena to not throw away my grubby clothes. I put them on yesterday to do some concrete work in the garage. Still get the "look" when wearing them... 

[Phil dAmore]

Except for a little trimming that was done back in the U.S. this past summer I haven't had my hair cut in over 5 years. Haven't had any problems related to it and it's an extra layer of insulation during the winter.

I will pass on a bit of advice a certain red-headed singer from Texas told me about 20 years ago:

Never get a haircut on the road.

[Andrew]

Well I still have a few old fave T's squirrelled away so one day I will give her a fashion show. I was very pleased to announce a week or two ago to her that Def Leppard - Songs from the Sparkle Lounge will be released at the end of the month.
Well...............If looks could kill..........
Lets just say she was not very enthusiastic or amused, but hey, I put up with Britney when I first met her!
Enough said lol

[Andrew]

Hi, Im curious about the RW's opinion of men with long hair.

OK Icarus, normally I would not do this but in this case I will paste part of an email my girl sent to me after seeing me in person in all my glory, however at that stage I already had the hair short and it was obviously acceptable:

about ur shirts i dont think u need this. they look like so badddddddddddddd
i dont like them not good.
i will get u some shirts u need
but remember first rule , nothing must be write on your shirt
bc its look like bad or something very small its will be ok
but not shirts like this
very sorry if u really like them
and other thing its too bad ear ring
very sorry but always remember I love u


So I guess what you can expect is that if a girl likes you, she will let you know what she does not like and proceed to show you how you should change....... What you do from there is up to you. One thing she will NOT do is keep quiet if she doesn't like something.
In my case, receiving this letter made me love her more

[groovlstk]

I've seen plenty of Russian guys w/long hair. There have been long debates here about clothing (shoes, in particular) and appearance, but the only element I'd caution strongly against are tattoos. I've noticed that Westerners w/tattoos usually are very passionate about their bodyart, but in the FSU tattoos are instantly associated with the Russian mafia and prisons.

[SANDRO43]

in the FSU tattoos are instantly associated with the Russian mafia and prisons.

Not all of them .

[Ronnie]

You will undoubtedly turn off a majority of the ladies.  Most are looking for a businessman type in a suit.  On the flip side is the question of will she be attracted to you or your hair as a novelty?

Even rock stars eventually cut their hair...Glenn Frye, Don Henley et.al.

[Blues Fairy]

Hi, Im curious about the RW's opinion of men with long hair.

If well-groomed, long hair is considered sexy and exotic.  But be prepared that the girls' parents will most likely disapprove!

i am not a Russian woman but i am married to a Russian man.
in our circle (computer engineers)

WOW!   You are not in N-sk Akademgorodok are you?

[Icarus]

Hi all,

A lot of things to consider there. I agree that the longer hair might have an adverse effect on any RW's parents; a generation not accostumed to exotic looks perhaps.

Im looking at changing jobs in the next 2 months, which I feel would benefit from a haircut also, but not too short, just to European short length (between short and mid length).

Anyways, thanks to all who contributed.

Regards
Ick

[Jet]

 a generation not accustomed to exotic looks perhaps.

I had to chuckle over this line, recalling all the babushkas I saw running around town with bright purple or orange hair, last time I was over there 

[Ronnie]

I'm old enough to remember when you'd pay to see the tatooed lady at the circus.  Today I went to the post office.. caught the same show...no cost.

I'm waiting for powdered wigs to come back....Now that's exotic!

[SANDRO43]

I'm old enough to remember when you'd pay to see the tatooed lady at the circus.  Today I went to the post office.. caught the same show...no cost.

Not in the same league as the 'lady' I posted upthread, I'll wager. Although seeing her "Snake Emerging from the Hot Pit of Passion" may not be without a cost .

[55North]

I'm waiting for powdered wigs to come back....Now that's exotic!

Are you sure about that?  Wasn't the powder scented to disguise the smell, at a time when bathing (more than once a month) wasn't fashionable? 

[SANDRO43]

The Egyptians went further, and put cones of aromatic incense mixed with fat on top of their heavy wigs .