So I am pretty close to getting a valet job at a nice hotel in downtown. Unemployment keeps beating around the bush with me, and I am pretty broke and I need to start working again. I just had my second interview today, and they dropped the bomb on me. They said the dreads would have to go. I am not too happy about this, but jobs are temporary, and my hair will always grow back. It will be two years of neglect in September. I dont post much, but I thought I might as well post some pics, in case I get the job. So I hope you enjoy. http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/3597/jul06005.jpg http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/6433/jul06001.jpg http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7818/jul06002.jpg http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/471/jul06003.jpg http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/308/jul06004.jpg http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7039/jul06006.jpg http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3041/jul06009.jpg http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/311/jul06010.jpg
Nice hairs mang! I do valet. They don't really know about the dreads yet. They just hate that I have long hair. They let me keep it as long as I keep it stuffed up in a beanie. Which is cool, except for now cause it's hot as a aligators genitals. You think they would compromise? Like if you tied em back or perhaps a tam?
What Ahmad said! Too nice to get rid of them. They look quite neat for neglect. Give it a shot, see if they compromise.
Thank you everyone. Yea I will try to compromise one final time. I had my second interview today, and it was tied back. Right before we finished up he said its company policy to have hair no longer than ear length. I dont think he even knew I had dreads. I have a black tam, but if that doesn't flow well with him, I guess I have no choice besides declining the offer, or complying. This is one of the hardest decisions I have faced for a while....
i know the unemployment thing too well at the moment man - but if anyone asked me to shave my hair for a job/comb my dreads out - i wouldn't take the job that's just me though... i'd rather starve and have free self expression and creativity, than to have more money and be stifled (i have had to turn down a job for this reason only once, but i did turn it down) good luck either way man, hopefully you can find a compromise both your prospective employer and you would be happy with
Alls I know is eons ago with my first set of dreads....I cut for a job...then didnt even get the job. lol. I felt cheapened after doing so too. It was quite the life lesson for me. So....if you really love your hair and if your dreads mean a lot to you....I wouldnt do it. You can find another job. However if your dreads dont mean much to you and your kinda looking for a change and dont think you'll miss them then do it with no regrets. But dont ever change yourself for anyone....especially not a minimum wage paying job where you deal with rich pricks who are to lazy to walk a block. Just my 2 cents.
wear a top hat and shove all your dreads up into it. problem solved, whilst looking rather dapper. especially combined with a monocle and cigar. spiffing.
Bah! I just happen to like top hats, is that such a crime? *casually avoids the fact that i live in the uk*
I'm not a dreads type of person, but the only thing I would offer is where is your sense of self and self esteem more centered? Is it in the sense of worth and self sufficiency that may be realized by getting a job, or is it centered in your outward appearance and your hair? You don't need to conform to ANYONE'S idea of what constitutes a centered individual, not those that would have you cut your hair NOR those that would tell to keep the hair and forget the job. You can be just as free and individual with or without dreadlocks. If you are really an individual and are confident in who you are and what you believe, then outward expressions of that should not be so important. I can appreciate your hair and clothing styles as being an expression of you individuality, but it should NEVER dictate your life and sense of individuality. It is after all just a transitory expression you are using at this point in your life. I know a lot of you would say that a person should not be judged by outward appearances, which is true for both sides of the fence and why the issue of to cut or not to cut shouldn't be such a high priority and stressor. What is more important to YOU internally? A sense of self worth and accomplishment based on being employed at a time when jobs are very hard to come by, or your outward appearance? I doubt that cutting your dreads in order to become employed would change who you are and your beliefs and passions, but being employed might. Even if it is a low paying crappy job. I guess what I am trying to say is where is your personal sense of identity and value placed, your hair or something more substantial and lasting.
Hum.................. Im sorry but this is not hard,if you need a job and you have no money and your only chance of a job is by cutting your dreads then cut them! Its only hair it'll grow back,in a ideal world yeah sure it would be nice to keep them but when it comes to surviving you do what you gotta do
I ended up not taking the job. It was minimum wage plus tips. Plus it was 18 miles from my house, and they wanted me to work part time 5 days a week, which included every saturday from 7pm to 7am. I found more cons than pros, even though I really wanted this job. Also to answer a comment about my dreads being really neat, i believe if you saw them in person there is more loose hair and mess than you can tell. I started with a shaved head, and wore a beanie for about 6 months straight, including sleeping with it on. Plus they are pretty thin, I have tried counting, and I have roughly 90. I think I will post some pics when they were at about 6 to 7 months.
