- Reaction score
- 135
Hey Allantint
In my experience hair systems have to be carefully 'sold' to girls, and other non-wearers. Unfortunately they carry negative associations - the famous "stigma". Most of it is outdated, from a time when the only hair replacement available to the average guy was an unconvincing rug, the last refuge of the insecure. None of those old stereotypes apply to the systems we wear, but they mean you can't just say "I'm wearing a hairpiece" or "I'm thinking of getting a hairpiece" and expect instant acceptance (if you say "hair system" only other bald guys will know what you are talking about).
So it is primarily not the concept of using a hair system which is problematic; but the description and the associations it carries. We need to find a way of communicating what we are doing to women in a way they will find palatable. Others may have different suggestions, but my idea is to associate our solution with things that girls know about and find acceptable. I would say "I have decided to have a hair extension process done", or "I am going to a specialist salon where they do a procedure to artificially thicken your hair". Note that I am talking about language here, not about concealing the factual reality. That is a separate topic. It's up to you whether you show the girl or let her feel the system or keep it off limits. I am acutely aware that it is easy to mock the advertising-speak that I am suggesting here, but language is important. Even if the girl knows at some level that you are wearing a hairpiece, it is important for her to have the vocabulary to express to herself why that is an acceptable thing for you to do.
Noah
You will be pleased to know Noah, here in the states, the gay guys are taking a lead on this topic. I am in a gay mens chorus - 250 of us. This past summer we have had a new level of openness and honesty. This kind of took me by surprise because as open about my wearing as I am, this is the one group where I have intentionally kept the topic to myself. Being on the receiving end of gay-judgement and scorn is not fun. Anyway, we have had a virtual revolution among us - and guys are stepping up about hair transplants, and two members in our organization has spoken up about wearing hair systems. Now, they just started so everyone know they looked like before and after - where as I have had a system since I joined. The support was overwhelming. Aside from the 'you look great' - the mantra was. You do You!
Ask any girl from the 80's, and they will say the gay guys brought in the whole body sculpting, fashion, and skin management that is mainstream today. The message is getting out. What we have to get out is the livability of hair systems.