This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
I'm neutral about it.
Once, it used to signify a hippie or someone with alternative values. Now it's meaningless.
At most, I wonder how they have the time.
I had long hair for many years. It tangled easily, took time to comb everyday, always needed some kind of plait, ponytail or bun to minimise knots, and cost money in shampoo, conditioner and hot water.
When I look back on those years and the amount of trouble it took, I'm amazed I put up with it for so long.
As soon as I cut it, I experienced the delicious sensations of the air on my scalp and the wind. The freedom, practicality and extra time has been such a boon.
Once, it used to signify a hippie or someone with alternative values. Now it's meaningless.
At most, I wonder how they have the time.
I had long hair for many years. It tangled easily, took time to comb everyday, always needed some kind of plait, ponytail or bun to minimise knots, and cost money in shampoo, conditioner and hot water.
When I look back on those years and the amount of trouble it took, I'm amazed I put up with it for so long.
As soon as I cut it, I experienced the delicious sensations of the air on my scalp and the wind. The freedom, practicality and extra time has been such a boon.
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@hartfire "Once, it used to signify a hippie or someone with alternative values. Now it's meaningless"
What the fluck? Once a hippie, always a hippie. What's with all the "meaningless" crap?
What the fluck? Once a hippie, always a hippie. What's with all the "meaningless" crap?
@NankerPhelge I live in an area where there are very large number of hippies, 15% of the population, and am one myself.
One thing has been clear here for the last 18 years. Most of the men with long hair are yobbos or truckies who've never heard of hippie values. They don't know what they are, much less had the experiences or lived the life.
And many people who now wear short hair and look straight on the outside are thoroughly hippie on the inside, just as they have been since their youth. The only thing that's changed is how they dress.
The reality is that one can no longer predict someone's point of view or lifestyle from how they present themselves.
If I want to know who someone is, I draw them into conversation and find out how they live and what they value.
To be a true hippie now is not as common as it used to be when I was young.
In many ways the movement has divided into religious fanatics, health freaks, greenies, fashionitas and druggies.
There are some overlaps, but mostly they disagree with and avoid each other.
It seems to me that only about 10% have stayed true to their original ideals - but at the same time - many of those values are now far more embraced by the wider world. There are health food shops and farmers markets everywhere, everyone knows someone who's vegetarian or vegan, yoga studios proliferate in countless variations, the Greens have become organised political parties with hundreds of specialist environmental groups run by volunteers and donations.... I could write books on the permutations - and am writing one of them.
I accept that your experience is what it is - but ai stand by my own.
One thing has been clear here for the last 18 years. Most of the men with long hair are yobbos or truckies who've never heard of hippie values. They don't know what they are, much less had the experiences or lived the life.
And many people who now wear short hair and look straight on the outside are thoroughly hippie on the inside, just as they have been since their youth. The only thing that's changed is how they dress.
The reality is that one can no longer predict someone's point of view or lifestyle from how they present themselves.
If I want to know who someone is, I draw them into conversation and find out how they live and what they value.
To be a true hippie now is not as common as it used to be when I was young.
In many ways the movement has divided into religious fanatics, health freaks, greenies, fashionitas and druggies.
There are some overlaps, but mostly they disagree with and avoid each other.
It seems to me that only about 10% have stayed true to their original ideals - but at the same time - many of those values are now far more embraced by the wider world. There are health food shops and farmers markets everywhere, everyone knows someone who's vegetarian or vegan, yoga studios proliferate in countless variations, the Greens have become organised political parties with hundreds of specialist environmental groups run by volunteers and donations.... I could write books on the permutations - and am writing one of them.
I accept that your experience is what it is - but ai stand by my own.
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@hartfire That's weird. Where I come from yobbos are usually skinheads while long-haired guys are hippies who still listen to music from the Woodstock era. How come it's the reverse in your area?
@NankerPhelge Yobbos can be skinheads here too, though they're rare: the skinnies are more likely to be found in the cities.
Yep, the hippies still love the Woodstock music and similar, but also world-fusion music in abundance. A few still have long hair, including the women, but many, both men and women, have chopped it off - mostly for convenience in old age, much less hassle. Of coarse, a lot of the men no longer have any hair to grow, or just a few wisps.
Yep, the hippies still love the Woodstock music and similar, but also world-fusion music in abundance. A few still have long hair, including the women, but many, both men and women, have chopped it off - mostly for convenience in old age, much less hassle. Of coarse, a lot of the men no longer have any hair to grow, or just a few wisps.
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@hartfire Those who had their hair chopped off usually did it because they've gone off all hippy things including the music.
@NankerPhelge Maybe elsewhere, but certainly not in the Northern Rivers area of NSW. There are many thousands of us who still embrace the values and live the lifestyle, but only a few who still wear the old hippie clothes and hairstyles.