Question for the Businessmen - or anyone with an opinion on shaved heads

Gotta question for yall,

I like to shave my head in the summertime. I don't mean shave it slick. But I do mean close. I like to take it down to the length of your whiskers after about a day's growth.

Here's a general description of my job setting: I am an accountant for a healthcare company. I wear pressed slacks, a button down, and slick shoes to work everyday. Although I am pretty much a nobody, I am frequently in front of head honchos for meetings and other similar situations. Therefore, appearance is important. Everyones knows that I am an avid outdoorsman and I have actually taken several of them fishing in the past. My excuse, or justification, for wanting to shave my dome is to stay cooler during the summer months, so I think most would understand.

So here's the question: Is is considered poor business etiquette to don a shaved head when one is not naturally bald? For those of you who work in offices and hold professional jobs, what would your perception be of a person with a shaved head?

honestly i think its alot neater than seeing someone with long shaggy hair..but i keep my hair about 1/2in so im right along with you.

Haha Skeet, I completely agree with you about the shaggy look. I also should have mentioned that my hair right now is only about 1/4 inch long. So I'm not far from shaved as it is. But I am still worried about perceptions if I go ahead and take it down all the way.

Well if your an ugly shaved hair man.....I'm teasing. I'd be an ugly shaved hair man. I do like some length though, for me.

I see no reason why one would dislike that type of hair style. Mine was as you discribed during the 60's and 70's.

Poor business etiquette? No way mister. If it is someone has problems.

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Originally Posted by Black Crow

I like to take it down to the length of your whiskers after about a day's growth.

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I think it really depends on the corporate culture. One of my clients is a huge, multinational corp that is very conservative. They only recently went to business casual. I work with a guy there who cuts his hair just like you do, and it's perfectly OK with the higher-ups.

I think it also depends on location. I used to work for a large, national CPA firm. At one of our training classes one year, there was a guy in my class from the San Francisco office, and he had a ponytail. I was told that several guys in the San Fran office had ponytails. It would never be allowed in our Atlanta office, but it was OK in SF.

That's called the "summertime special" round here. My ole lady buzzes it
with clippers with like a 1/4" guard. Me personal, don't care what anybody
thinks (and I usually have a ball cap on too) but as for your question
I couldn't imagine anybody having a problem with that, given you're dressed
like they're expecting to see...

Deathb4disco, yep from what I hear a ponytail in SF is probably conservative:)

crow, don't sweat it...shave it. As long as your attitude is still good and you are dressed professionally, and your not going for the mohawk look I bet you have no problems.

As a hiring manager in the IT Business, I have no problem with it.

Jeff

I keep a high and tight. 1/2 inch on top and to the blade on the sides. I agree with the shaggy part, I would much rather see bald. If I didnt have a funky shaped head, I would shave mine

if working in a profesional atmosphere and you shave your head, keep it at 1 length dont let it go for more than 2 days between shaving, if it grows quickly do it every day. Also keep your face shaved every day this way you will give a neat appearance and look like its what your going for

Thanks for the replies and advice fellas.

I will always dress and behave respectfully and professionally at work. So I've decided to go ahead with it. So the first sunny weekend we have in Nashville is gonna be the time. I need to get a little sun up top before I show up at work with a glowing white head on Monday :D. As far as whether or not I am an ugly or good looking shaved head guy, I will leave that judgement to the beholders ;).

DB4D,

I had a similar experience back when I was in public accounting. We'd go to CPE all around the country and see jokers wearing all kinds of things that would never pass in our ultra conservative Nashville office. Funny thing was that I had a shaved head when I got that job straight out of college, ha :D.

All,

I'll put up before, during (mohawk), and after pics when I do this. I'm thinking this weekend might be a good time if the clouds stay away and let me get some sun. I'll let you guys decide if I'm an ugly shaved head guy or not, haha. Don't worry, I have very thick skin and it won't be the first or last time I've been called ugly!

True story: A few years (quite a few) ago I was re-modeling a business building to accommodate the computers that they was starting to use. They had a big power meeting with the CEO of the corporation and he was going to check on the work being done. The (suits) were all in the meeting when a guy went in wearing casual clothes and tennis shoes and one of those haircuts where they set the bowl on your head and shave around it, so you look like a carrot top. The CEO threw him out of the meeting and wanted him fired. The manager of the office I was working on told him he needed to rethink what he just did. He told him that he just fired the computer guru and that if he knew a lot about computer than it was ok but no one else did. The guy was there setting up the computers and getting them use to running them. He told the CEO that, that was the type of person that was into computers and that they dressed different because they had a different mind set and that is why they were good at their job. The CEO got to know the kid and was friends with him before he left. He did ask the kid to dress more approprietly and the kid told him it wouldn't happen that he wanted to be comfortable when he worked. The CEO said ok. Appearance is important but doing a good job and making the company money is more important most of the time. EB

As long as you look professional and your company doesn't have a written policy on hair I wouldn't sweat it. I have worked with guys who shave the head and that wear it past their shoulders. They dressed and acted like professionals and the long hair guys kept it tidy. It was not an issue.

For anyone who complains tell them where to go!!!!!! It is not unprofessional to have a bald head. Mine is getting ready to come off, the wife will use no thinner atach and will but mine off with cust the electric clippers. Real short!!!!!

Just trimmed the beard off but left the stash.

Fatman

I was at a wedding last week. There were people from all walks of life at this gathering. There was everything from shaved heads to pony tails. Age was not a limitiation. The father of the groom had a fairly long poytail. The groom had a "flat top." I didn't notice any common "themes."

You indicated you are already wearing it very short. I don't think shaving it should cause any issues in your office if the current haircut hasn't.

I saw a fellow a few years ago that had a shaved head and an image of three bullet holes tatooed on the side of his head. I am sure he thought that look was very cool. I could just imagine justifying the tattoo in one's mind before the artist started to work because he would be able to let his hair grow and cover it whenver he desired.

I thought that he was going to be in for a big surprise and an embarrassment when he grew older and mother nature stopped giving him the natural cover up!

I think we have reached a time when hairstyles are very much a "choice" in our workplace. Tattoos on the other hand are a whole different topic for me...

I'm 33 and mostly bald no matter if I shave it or not. I shave mine totally smooth with a razor, and always have a goatee or something similar. I deal directly with customers every day in my line of work, and haven't had any bad reaction because of my apperance. I think most would rather see a guy shave it all off than to hold on to what little he has left and do the comb-over thing. If I'm wrong...Oh well. I'm not trying to win any beauty contests.

As long as you do a good job and act professional, then I wouldn't care what kind of hairstyle you had. Don't judge a book by it's cover.

i usually use the 1/4" clip on my trimmer. This time i used the 1/8" and my wife said i looked scary. of course i wasnt pretty to start with.:o

ahem

Allright, we finally had some sun forecasted for a weekend in Nashville, so Friday night I cut my wig.

Here are some pics of my shiney new dome. We fished all weekend, so the only pics I have of myself are of me are with fish. I got to work today and the Director and VP of my department said it looks good. The VP actually gave me a high five (he's bald ;)).

So what do you guys think? Is it good or ugly? You're not gonna hurt my feelings :D.

Yeah brother you kinda got that neo-nazi look....nah I'm just kidding. heck if I was a girl i'd date you...lol...:D. You're a photogenic dude, me, I'm not just an old ugly fat man with some hair.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I think it also depends on location. I used to work for a large, national CPA firm. At one of our training classes one year, there was a guy in my class from the San Francisco office, and he had a ponytail. I was told that several guys in the San Fran office had ponytails. It would never be allowed in our Atlanta office, but it was OK in SF.

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Alot is "OK" in SF LOL...........
:D

your head-your choice

Looks good to me Crow, and I'm 70 years old! Other than mohawks, I think it's up to the individual. Just don't start sticking metal thru your eyes, ears,
nose, tongue and I guess some other places as well!!! That I have a problem
with! Especially in business! Tatoos not so much, in fact have one myself.
After having my own businesses for 50 years, I'm more interested in what a
person can do to further my business, not his hair, tatoos or other apparell.
Be yourself, do a good job of whatever you do and above all don't be self
concerned about it!

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm glad ya'll think it looks allright.

No worries about the piercings and tattoos. I'm not into the whole earrings and metal stuff. I would like to have a tattoo, but I swore to my mother I would not get one.

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Originally Posted by Black Crow

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm glad ya'll think it looks allright.

No worries about the piercings and tattoos. I'm not into the whole earrings and metal stuff. I would like to have a tattoo, but I swore to my mother I would not get one.

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Listen to your mother.......proud of her..........hate tattoos (just me)

Depends on whether or not you got a knotty head!:eek::D:):D

J/K;):)

Just keep it neat, meaning keep it shaved regularly and it should be just fine.;)

You're an accountant? What does FASB say? If the company hired you with hair, they may feel that coming to work with a shaved head, they are getting less than they are paying for :)

Ok, so you got the hair off.. any luck with the mask? Just kidding with you.. the hair cut looks good. and it DOES'NT make you look like one of them skinhead gangbanger types.. I would rather see a slick headed guy in a place of business over one with long shaggy hair.. and can't stand to see the metal face pierced people there either.

The fish look great. :D

Short hair generaly coinside with a clean cut look. When the hair covers the ears is when you start to have issues with appearance and cleanliness. Think of it this way. Long hair is a safety hazard in a production environment, pony tails could get caught in moving parts, long bangs could block your vision, both could be dangerous. In the food industry the less facial hair, head hair the better. Nobody wants to find a ahir in their food. In the medical field hair cna be a hygiene issue. The only time going bald or short hair is bad is if you have a bunch of tattoes. Then you have the appearance of a badass.

and one more fun fact, the military prefers short hair, the shorter the better. Pretty hard to look unprofessional with short hair and in full uniform. My chrome dome is Aunatural. Actually I have short hair too. 1/2" on top, and taper to zero at the ears. Blad guys look horrible in long hair. :D

Grow it while you can...There may be a time when you will wish you could. :D

Actually, it would not influence me one bit. A man leads by his expertise. his commitment and most of all, his integrity! Clothes and overall 'look' (in my humble opinion) affect only about 5% of the overall picture.

aj

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Originally Posted by jlaughlin72

Ok, so you got the hair off.. any luck with the mask? Just kidding with you.. the hair cut looks good. and it DOES'NT make you look like one of them skinhead gangbanger types.. I would rather see a slick headed guy in a place of business over one with long shaggy hair.. and can't stand to see the metal face pierced people there either.

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Oh come on now, everybody was being so nice :D! Yeah I hate the shaved head thugs myself with their droopy pants and slack ass attitudes. No use for those people. And I have no metal in my body other than some lead from a dove shoot a while back, Ha!

I'm about two weeks into this and everyone at the office seems to like it. Funny thing is, I lead an exercise program here at my office where people from all over the company participate different running competitions for cash prizes. A couple of months ago I injured my knee and I was unable to continue running. I took up swimming instead as a primary form of exercise. Well I have since fallen in love with swimming and I talk about it to everybody. So now when people see my head the first thing they ask is if I shaved it to be a better swimmer :D.

Hey man it looks great on you.(Not being of the sweet nature though) Thrillseeker is in office work and does presentations alot and he is bald shaved head.His bosses dont mind it.I shaved my head just because I dont like hair.The only hair I like is my foo man choo.You need to let me and Thrill take it on down lower to skin smooth.I am in the food industry and thought me being bald I wouldnt have to wear a hair net but still do.But hey I like not worrying about washing my hair and combing it every night before work.And I aint as mean as you think I look I promise.We can be the 3 bald headed stoogies of Percy Priest Lake.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Black Crow

Allright, we finally had some sun forecasted for a weekend in Nashville, so Friday night I cut my wig.

Here are some pics of my shiney new dome. We fished all weekend, so the only pics I have of myself are of me are with fish. I got to work today and the Director and VP of my department said it looks good. The VP actually gave me a high five (he's bald ;)).

So what do you guys think? Is it good or ugly? You're not gonna hurt my feelings :D.

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The hair or lack of looks fine......BUT The most important question Is...:confused:
DID you catch them crappie on your jigs(that you tyed)or something else??:D:D:confused:

mikeb

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappietime

Hey man it looks great on you.(Not being of the sweet nature though) Thrillseeker is in office work and does presentations alot and he is bald shaved head.His bosses dont mind it.I shaved my head just because I dont like hair.The only hair I like is my foo man choo.You need to let me and Thrill take it on down lower to skin smooth.I am in the food industry and thought me being bald I wouldnt have to wear a hair net but still do.But hey I like not worrying about washing my hair and combing it every night before work.And I aint as mean as you think I look I promise.We can be the 3 bald headed stoogies of Percy Priest Lake.

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Haha, I know you not sweet like that :D!

I know you're not a mean guy either. I just remember thinking, "I would not mess with that guy," when I saw that pic of you in the truck. All in fun my friend.

I like the idea of the 3 Stooges of Percy Priest. I added it to my signature. You, me, and Thrill. Now if we could only get a Miller Lite sponsorship we'd be in business :D.

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Originally Posted by mikeb

The hair or lack of looks fine......BUT The most important question Is...:confused:
DID you catch them crappie on your jigs(that you tyed)or something else??:D:D:confused:

mikeb

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Yes sir, the fish in the pic with my shaved head were caught on my own hand-tied jigs. Actually caught them all on Road Runners I tied. I've gotten real into trolling this year. Never tried it before this year, but now it has become my main thing on the lake. Here's a pic of the ones that catch the most for me. The pic is kind of rough since it was taken on my cell.

Last weekend I tried trolling 300 Series Bandits and killed em. I have never done that before, but it sure works. We got into some deep, deep crappie. We didn't catch as many as with the Road Runners, but we caught bigger fish.

Hey any kinda a beer sponsor we can get would be fine with me..

Thats the way ya doit Black Crow.
Go on the VA board and git wit Tapout he loves to troll bandits for big crappie.
Nice jigs,mikeb

let me tell you my story. At the age of 17, I joined the marine corps, studied business and stumbled upon a desire for men to shave bald while in the corps. I made a study during my years in the corp. Men want to completely shave bald their heads even though they are not naturally bald. I notice that with the marines. We just couldn't wait to get to the barber shop to shave bald. It was such a desire to be bald.

After the corps, a group of bald marines established "Bald Marines Society" and incorporated Bald Marines Enterprise Company L.L.C. with each marine starting a business where he would own 60% while the other bald marines could invest in that business if he so desire. Upon starting our businesses, we bald marines hired other bald marines along with civilians. It was amazing how the civilian would follow our lead and shaved bald. I build a employment company whose goal was not only to find work for men, but to disciplined that man into becoming a better man disciplined physically, mentally, and discipline in the tradition of the marine corps.
Our students and job seekers became the best of the crop and are still today.

I commissioned a group of bald marines to study my research on why men want to be bald and a document was drafted called Behavior modification and discipline in the tradition of the marine corps. In essence, our companies were becoming hotbeds for bald guys. Almost every employee that was hired wanted to be bald as were the bald marines.

It became necessary to draft a proposal for the board of director to implement a mandatory razor head shave for all male employee within all subsidiaries and affiliated of Bald Guys Enterprise company. The male employee demanded it and we were happy to proposed it and implement it.

I you want to shave your head, by all means go ahead and do it. I truly believe that every man should do it sometime in their lifetime and I know they will love it and keep it. I know nobody will say anything but good things. I would be more then glad to exchange emails if you like on the subject.

Good luck

[email protected]

No way is a shaved head OK!

Get a Donald Trump "rug" or should I say "dew"? All the business men who made it big are all cool guys! Steve Jobs wore blue jeans until the day he died!

And pony tails in SF? Absolutely! Some "John Lennon" wire glasses would also be good!

The "Joe the Plumber" look is only good for the poor wannabe's.