# How do I keep from getting stuck in the "acquaintance zone"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-from-getting-stuck-in-the-acquaintance-zone/692802>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 10, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-from-getting-stuck-in-the-acquaintance-zone/692802 "2014-07-10T22:46:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 41

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**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-from-getting-stuck-in-the-acquaintance-zone/692802/41 "2014-07-11T22:27:40Z")

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> [@Calatin](#):
>
> The thing is, R3d, people have given you [advice](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=717309) on how to [meet / interact with people](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=719116) [many times](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=719116) before. I’m not sure what new advice or revelation you think will come forth.

OK, I just looked at the second link, about your hair.

> [@Spiking up the front of my hair without gel.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiking-up-the-front-of-my-hair-without-gel/684445/1):
>
> **Spiking up the front of my hair without gel.**
> 
> Well my parents only take me to get a haircut every 6 weeks and my hair looks so boring and retarded.
> 
> Someone on Yahoo suggested spiking up the front of my hair. However my parents won’t let me use gel or anything with chemicals in it. If I was to use any substance, it would have to be organic.

I saw the picture you linked in that thread and I’ve got to be honest: your hair sucks. It’s weird loner hair. I think it’s time to renegotiate with your parents about the hair situation. One compromise might be Aveda. Their products are expensive, but claim to be all natural. Their salons are expensive too but give pretty decent cuts, and can advise on how to style your hair so it looks good. If they won’t shell out for either of those, go full on 16 year old and freak the geek out on them. Or just go behind their back and buy some cheap chemical-filled gel from Target.

Putting visible effort into your appearance can help you socially. It’s not everything, but it’s something.

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