My Hair Color

At one time or another we’ve all been an outsider, some more than others, but at some point, we’ve all had to go through the experience of feeling excluded from something. Of feeling like we’re missing out just because we’re a little different or weird, just because we don’t quite fit in like other people. I’ve been that person time and again, always for various reasons, some peculiarities I have are considered quirky, some are considered cool or interesting, and some are just strange. What some people don’t realize though is that while some aspects of my quirkiness or individuality- as I like to call it- are deemed fun or interesting to some, there are just as many others who disagree and find it weird, offensive, or plain wrong. The best

I can’t tell you how many people have told me their opinion of my hair color choice and then proceeded to tell me what they think I should do with it. Constantly I’ll get stopped by people I don’t know to tell me that I’m ruining my hair, or that I should do this color next, or that I look like a delinquent with colored hair. While some of it may not seem so bad it can get very tiresome having to reiterate the same things over and over again when all I want to do is pay for my coffee and go. It’s not all bad though, I get my fair share of compliments on my hair color. Just last week I was walking through Walmart picking up some groceries when one of the Walmart employees told me she liked my hair. On the other hand, though, I was also walking through Boston last week with my friends when a man passed us on the street and told me it wasn’t Halloween anymore in reference to my hair color. I guess that’s the disadvantage of being an outsider from something so visually obvious, it almost invites people to comment on it. And then there is the technical disadvantages of being an outsider, like when surveys ask for my hair color I’m never quite sure how to answer. Do they want my natural hair color? Or the color my hair was when I last dyed it? Is some version of faded cotton candy blonde to a light magenta an option? If I do check red will they think I’m a natural red-head? Typically there is another option and to avoid confusion I just check that. This is a good example of how being an outsider means you have to figure out things your own way because there isn’t anyone else you can go off