# White guys/girls with "dreadlocks" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2001, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330 "2001-11-03T18:19:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/21 "2001-11-04T03:03:54Z")
I agree with the premise that white people just basically almost always look bad with dreadlocks. They also look bad when they cornrow/braid their hair (like Bo Derek in “10”)in my opinion. It is especially laughable when white Dreads claim to be Rastafarian, a religion that has a pretty low opinion of white folks. I’m almost sure there isn’t a rasta sect that allows them in (except the “Rent-A-Dread” posers in tourist areas of Jamaica who sell ganga to foreigners and hang around trying to look like Marley to get free meals and sex from tourists.) The reason black Rastafarians have dreadlocks is because it is against the rules to ever cut your hair. Black hair is unmanagable when it gets to be very long, so dreadlocks are the best way to keep it. There would be no law against _combing_ your hair, which would be easy enough for most white folks to do. BTW, it’s also against the rules for Rastafarians to cut their beards, so there’s a clue, too. You almost never see these white dreadlocked guys with long beards. I see a white guy with dreadlocks, I think trust fund kid who’s showing off that he doesn’t have to work for a living. Jill ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/22 "2001-11-04T03:09:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > \*\*I find dreads sort of icky in concept anyway… just don’t see how you keep your scalp clean that way, but I’ve seen dreads that at least don’t _look_ that bad. But the ones that are as big around as prescription pill bottles and look like owl droppings are just nasty as hell. \*\* Bother, having known many folks with dreads on an intimate casis, and as waterj2 has noted, I note that it is perfectly possible to keep one’s scalp clean. Of course, to note is that ‘African’ hair tends to be drier than Euro hair so there is less of oil issue. As for the issue of washing, it all depends (and not solely on the salon style dread) but most folks I know use various non-soap washes. I never noticed any uncleanliness. But more re the OP, while I hate to be a ‘race’ essentialist, my own reaction to is generally mildly negative. Strikes me as most trying a bit too hard. (and Biggirl, don’t even be trying this 'fro myth, you.) ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/23 "2001-11-04T06:13:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Look at SPOOFE padding his post count! And look at him do it again. (Oh, the irony… someone padding their post count to point out the irony of someone padding their post count by pointing out someone padding their post count.) ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/24 "2001-11-04T14:23:40Z")
I know of a guy back home with massive blond dreadlocks that hang down to his knees. I think they look good. I don’t know what his religion is or if he considers himself a hippy. His hygeine appears to be fine. I did notice that **racinchiki** said a white guy with dreads looked really cool, but I thought I’d offer a second dissenting opinion. [sub]OK, I admit it. I’m padding too.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/25 "2001-11-04T17:58:28Z")
I’d also like to note that the guy I knew in high school was the _only_ white guy I’ve ever seen who looked good with dreads. So don’t be gettin’ all up on me. 😉 I think most of the time they look stupid. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/26 "2001-11-04T18:12:07Z")
I always thought the guy from the Counting Crows looked pretty cool. I want hair like that. I’ll probably never actually go through with it, but it would be fun. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/27 "2001-11-05T06:30:06Z")
[[Of course, to note is that ‘African’ hair tends to be drier than Euro hair so there is less of oil issue.]] Just in case Collounsbury was “modeling” the term ‘African’ after I used the term ‘Black,’ I’d like to point out that there are light skinned people from the African continent who don’t have kinky hair. Jill No response necessary, I’m just trying to get his goat. (I’m after everyone’s goat, when it comes right down to it). ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/28 "2001-11-05T06:34:49Z")
Hoisted on my own petard. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/29 "2001-11-05T06:38:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Collounsbury \* > \*\*Hoisted on my own petard. \*\* Whatever that means. Jill (people find really weird ways to court me) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/30 "2001-11-05T11:03:33Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Collounsbury \* > Bother, having known many folks with dreads on an intimate casis, and as waterj2 has noted, I note that it is perfectly possible to keep one’s scalp clean._\* Quite possibly so… however keep in mind that I also freak out over things like facial hair not allowing the face to be properly cleaned, and pubic hair being the grossest thing on earth… so take my observations with that in mind 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/31 "2001-11-05T16:33:11Z")
On the philosophy hijak-I’m a Phil major. Right along with Chemical Engineering. If you love what you are learning its never useless. ---
**Author:** ![Zaphod\_Beeblebrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/0ea827/32.png) [@Zaphod\_Beeblebrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zaphod_Beeblebrox)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/32 "2001-11-05T16:38:46Z")
Useless??? Ummm… what if you want to be a philosophy professor? What if you’re doing your degree for the sake of learning, rather than to get a career? What if you just don’t WANT to go into some fucking business program? I was in Classics, myself. Is that useless too? ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/33 "2001-11-05T17:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JillGat \* > \*\*Jill > (people find really weird ways to court me) \*\* That is because it is such a turn on to see you get a goat 😉 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/34 "2001-11-06T07:58:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JillGat \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Collounsbury \* > > \*\*Hoisted on my own petard. \*\* > > Whatever that means. > Jill > (people find really weird ways to court me) \*\* You know Collounsbury doesn’t do courting nor flirting online. But FYI: > [@](#): > > ## “hoist with his own petard” > > “For 'tis the sport to have the enginer / Hoist with his owne petar” – Shakespeare, Hamlet III iv. > … A petard (see under “peter out” for the etymology) was an explosive charge detonated by a slowly burning > fuse. If the petard went off prematurely, then the sapper … who planted it would be hurled into the air by the explosion. … A modern rendition might be: “It’s fun to see the engineer blown up with his own bomb.” See [http://www.alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxhoistw.html](http://www.alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxhoistw.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/35 "2001-11-06T08:48:09Z")
A picture of NZ’s first and so far only dreadlocked politician = Nandor Tanczos of the Green Party. [http://www.greens.org.nz/images/photolibrary/nandor-72.jpg](http://www.greens.org.nz/images/photolibrary/nandor-72.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/36 "2001-11-06T09:12:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JillGat \* > \*\*I see a white guy with dreadlocks, I think trust fund kid who’s showing off that he doesn’t have to work for a living. > > Jill \*\* I, on the other hand think of my friends, who are married, have 3 children, and own an organic farm. They consider themselves Rasta,and yes, he does have a beard, and she always keeps her legs covered. You know what else? They aren’t the only ones around here (in conservative SE Va) either. It’s a funny old world. ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/37 "2001-11-06T09:27:57Z")
I just re-read my post, and I just want to point out I wasn’t trying to jab at you JillGat. Pretend there’s a big smiley face included in there somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/38 "2001-11-06T12:56:52Z")
Do they worship Selassie and consider Ethiopia their homeland? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330/39 "2001-11-06T13:35:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by Collounsbury \* > > Bother, having known many folks with dreads on an intimate casis, and as waterj2 has noted, I note that it is perfectly possible to keep one’s scalp clean._\* > > Quite possibly so… however keep in mind that I also freak out over things like facial hair not allowing the face to be properly cleaned, and pubic hair being the grossest thing on earth… so take my observations with that in mind 😉 \*\* Opal, meet the [Wolf Boys](http://www.geocities.com/okeedokay/apub/thewolfboys.html). 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-guys-girls-with-dreadlocks/91330.md?page=1)