# Short Hair or Long on the Dudes? -- or, I just can't do a thing with my hair! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 15, 2008, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213 "2008-12-15T06:11:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/21 "2008-12-15T14:02:57Z")
\*_Shakes head in dismay._ This might not have much weight coming from a gay guy, but I’m going to be the voice of dissent. Nothing - but NOTHING - is as unappealing on a guy as long hair. Long hair is for girls. Short hair is for guys. Period. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/22 "2008-12-15T14:08:05Z")
> [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](#): > > \*_Shakes head in dismay._ > > This might not have much weight coming from a gay guy, but I’m going to be the voice of dissent. Nothing - but NOTHING - is as unappealing on a guy as long hair. > > Long hair is for girls. Short hair is for guys. Period. _shrugs_ I’m gay, too. I like both long hair and short hair on my manly men. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/23 "2008-12-15T14:08:13Z")
Another (female) child of the 70’s checking in. Long hair on guys ROCKS. Of course, it depends on the guy, but in general, I prefer long hair. Yours looks very good longer! ---
**Author:** ![Priam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/77aa72/32.png) [@Priam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Priam)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/24 "2008-12-15T14:36:42Z")
I think you look hot with the long hair. The key, for me, is if the hair seems to have life to it. When mine grows long, it tends to get frizzed out or greasy, which just does not work, whereas yours actually keeps a decent middle ground. Totally cute. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/25 "2008-12-15T14:45:35Z")
Awwwh, shucks, thanks again, guys. :o I get what you mean by the greasy-frizzy continuum, **Priam**. That is what I am really liking about my hair long: It’s sort of got just the right balance that I personally like in long hair. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/26 "2008-12-15T14:47:14Z")
You look great in both(do NOT flirt with young man, jali. Leave him alone! you are waaaay to old to flirt with handsome young man. Stop. I said STOP!) I vote for the long. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/27 "2008-12-15T15:01:57Z")
> [@jali](#): > > (do NOT flirt with young man, jali. Leave him alone! you are waaaay to old to flirt with handsome young man. Stop. I said STOP!) You flirt with whomever you damn well please, jali. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/28 "2008-12-15T15:07:35Z")
Another old hippie here and I love long hair. My partner is from the Lakota tribe and has thick long black hair down to the middle of his back. It still turns me on after being together for 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![fervour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@fervour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fervour)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/29 "2008-12-15T15:10:37Z")
I think you can pull off either short or long hair. That being said I prefer the short. I would interpret your long hair as you being high-maintenance\*. Long hair doesn’t usually look as nice as yours without effort. - High-maintenance - in the nicest sense of the word. Think '60s British sportscar, really classy looks, plenty of trips to the garage, definitely worth it for some people. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/30 "2008-12-15T15:19:04Z")
> [@Karyn](#): > > Another old hippie here and I love long hair. My partner is from the Lakota tribe and has thick long black hair down to the middle of his back. It still turns me on after being together for 15 years. I briefly dated a guy with similarly long hair. Not a particular turn on for me, but it was lots of fun to play with. And, **fervour** , thanks. The truth is, I hadn’t done anything at all to my hair that day. That’s just more or less what my hair always looks like. Maybe another reason to keep it long? Also, I wanna be a classy sportscar. Vroom vroom! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/31 "2008-12-15T15:27:32Z")
Quick question: would taking estrogen in minute amounts make a man’s hair grow longer _faster_? Of course, I suspect it might make other things grow as well! 😉 Anyone know if this has ever been done by, say, a rock group? Q ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/32 "2008-12-15T16:10:28Z")
It depends on the guy, but the longer hair looks really good on you. And since I’m not too old, at least that’s my story that I’m sticking to… How you doin’? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![amelioration](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9c0ed/32.png) [@amelioration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amelioration)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/33 "2008-12-15T16:16:11Z")
As someone from the younger generation, I would like to add that I adore long hair on guys, and that the wavy, in-the-face style works well on you. In general, I’m okay with people having shorter cuts (“shorter” being defined around the length in your other pic) but looking at buzzed or extremely short hair is usually quite a turn-off, even for an otherwise adorable person. I’ve seen a few people who could conquer the look, generally speaking, longer = infinitely better. I have never associated long hair with high maintenance or anal-retentiveness, either. But I had an experience with someone who drastically cut her hair shortly before mentally derailing, so perhaps I’m biased there. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/34 "2008-12-15T16:24:01Z")
> [@leander](#): > > Sorry for this, but… > > If you’re under 30 long hair is fine, and it will probably get you laid. > > If you’re over 30 long hair is sad, especially if you’re balding in any way. [_Au contraire_](http://hitchmo.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/gandalf2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![fervour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@fervour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fervour)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/35 "2008-12-15T16:49:18Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > [_Au contraire_](http://hitchmo.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/gandalf2.jpg) You’ve got a point. Sad doesn’t describe Gandalf. OTOH, Gandalf’s not getting any hot monkey love from me. ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/36 "2008-12-15T17:40:17Z")
When I see long hair on a guy, I tend to think “high maintenance”. That said, you do look better with the slightly longer hair–though I wouldn’t classify it as actually long. And when you are trying to decide how to manage your hair, experiment with where you place the part. It’s a simple thing, but changing from one side to the other can make a huge difference in keeping it looking the way you want. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/37 "2008-12-15T18:41:42Z")
> [@fervour](#): > > You’ve got a point. Sad doesn’t describe Gandalf. OTOH, Gandalf’s not getting any hot monkey love from me. You say that _now_…but when you’re 70… ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/38 "2008-12-15T18:57:50Z")
I think you’re completely adorable, but look somewhat better with your hair longer. I love long hair on guys. Unfortunately, my hubby can’t grow his long. His hair is _incredibly_ curly, and when it’s not cut regularly, it just gets. . ._big_. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/39 "2008-12-15T19:03:51Z")
I like the longer hair, it works for you. However, please check every year or so to make sure you aren’t going from [this](http://www.learnsite.ch/englisch/songs/bon_jovi_thank_you_for_loving_me/jon-bon-jovi-01.jpg) to [this](http://www.usmagazine.com/files/richie-sambora-dui-b.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213/40 "2008-12-15T19:16:49Z")
Another vote for long hair on guys… ALL GUYS… My husband has had full-length long hair the whole time I’ve known him, he’s definitely over 30, and incredibly HOTT!!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-hair-or-long-on-the-dudes-or-i-just-cant-do-a-thing-with-my-hair/477213.md?page=3)