0605201913 - bald head
I shave my head bald when the summer temperatures get too hot. I keep this fringe of bangs just to frame my forehead, though, because otherwise I think my face looks too round. It's an odd style, and frankly does nothing for my looks, but I like it.
The point, though, is the difference in how people seem to look at me. I've noticed a seemingly instinctual difference. With hair framing my face, in it's naturally adorable wavy style, people look directly into my eyes more often, and seem more friendly. When I smile, they look happier. With my head shaved, without or without the fringe of out-of-place bangs, people's eyes just seem to slide off of me. Is it a case of 'oh my god, cancer patient, don't look it’s rude!' syndrome?
Mom thinks that, instead, it is because with hair, dressed attractively, smiling, I fit a perfect niche. I am 'normal' -- which, she explains, means I fit into expectations. People feel more comfortable with this because it makes it easier for THEM to respond. If you are the expected thing, then they can safely respond in the expected, approved ways without fear of doing the wrong or incorrect thing. It's when a person does not fit into the approved niches, that the other person does not know how to respond. They feel uncomfortable, Mom says, not knowing what is the correct, expected thing for them to do.
I can understand this. It is a survival mechanism, I suppose. That which stands out is different, and different from the norm can be dangerous, and so must be approached with caution. It may have evolved to combat the likelihood of coming into contact with a man carrying a contagious disease, or an insane woman likely to chop you up into little bitty bits. 'Avoid the odd; reduce your chances of dying.' Or it could just be that very annoying herd-behavior humanity often exhibits.
I suppose a bald young woman in a prehistoric society that didn't usually shave heads probably would have indicated insanity or extreme sickness. Not the best genes to pass on. So, we have this vestige of survival instinct, 'different is dangerous.'
And people avoid my eyes when I shave my head.
(self-mocking smile) I actually look much better with hair, but a part of me is cheering 'yah! people suck!' and is encouraging me to shave my head bald all the time. Possibly get a nose-ring. And a shirt that reads 'I hate you all.'
I am valiantly trying to rise above my innate rebellious tendencies. (humorous grin)
.
The point, though, is the difference in how people seem to look at me. I've noticed a seemingly instinctual difference. With hair framing my face, in it's naturally adorable wavy style, people look directly into my eyes more often, and seem more friendly. When I smile, they look happier. With my head shaved, without or without the fringe of out-of-place bangs, people's eyes just seem to slide off of me. Is it a case of 'oh my god, cancer patient, don't look it’s rude!' syndrome?
Mom thinks that, instead, it is because with hair, dressed attractively, smiling, I fit a perfect niche. I am 'normal' -- which, she explains, means I fit into expectations. People feel more comfortable with this because it makes it easier for THEM to respond. If you are the expected thing, then they can safely respond in the expected, approved ways without fear of doing the wrong or incorrect thing. It's when a person does not fit into the approved niches, that the other person does not know how to respond. They feel uncomfortable, Mom says, not knowing what is the correct, expected thing for them to do.
I can understand this. It is a survival mechanism, I suppose. That which stands out is different, and different from the norm can be dangerous, and so must be approached with caution. It may have evolved to combat the likelihood of coming into contact with a man carrying a contagious disease, or an insane woman likely to chop you up into little bitty bits. 'Avoid the odd; reduce your chances of dying.' Or it could just be that very annoying herd-behavior humanity often exhibits.
I suppose a bald young woman in a prehistoric society that didn't usually shave heads probably would have indicated insanity or extreme sickness. Not the best genes to pass on. So, we have this vestige of survival instinct, 'different is dangerous.'
And people avoid my eyes when I shave my head.
(self-mocking smile) I actually look much better with hair, but a part of me is cheering 'yah! people suck!' and is encouraging me to shave my head bald all the time. Possibly get a nose-ring. And a shirt that reads 'I hate you all.'
I am valiantly trying to rise above my innate rebellious tendencies. (humorous grin)
.