Ugh. I can't believe there are still so many people who know nothing about dreads but think they do and go around spreading their misinformation to others.

For instance, today I was in my class at college and somehow the topic of dreadlocks came up (im not entirely sure how, I wasnt listening at first) and of course, that one story that I'm sure everyone around the world has heard about dreadlocks at one time or another came up, the one where the guy had the spider living in his dreadlocks, which turned into a nest when it's babies hatched. Lol, im not sure how true this is, but if it happened that dude must have had the Mangiest dreadlocks Ever.

Then the teacher got involved and was like, I used to know someone who knew a guy who meticulously washed his dreadlocks every single night, spent hours on them, but when he got the cut off they sliced them open and "they were full of bugs". He then proceeded to say, "Oh well, guess that's the price you pay for having dreadlocks".

Im the only person in my class with dreddies and I'm not sure if they forgot I was there or were trying to offend me, but it made me pretty angry. I just sat there quietly not saying a word. I really wanted to just get up, leave and go home for the day. But I didn't cause then they may have made something of it.

That guy probably shouldnt have washed his hair 'every night' being as dreads need hours to dry and it sounds like he went to bed with wet dreads so it was probably mildew inside the dreads rather than whatever else they reckon it was.

Fuck. I am SO tired of having to explain that dreadlocks are not dirty bug infested things. Goddamn. Ive had them for over a year and I don't scratch my head that much more than a person without dreads does, but I still feel really conscious when I do cause i think that people will look at me and think, oh she has dreads and is scratching, she obviously doesnt wash her hair and they must be full of bugs, rather than, oh her head itches she is a normal person.

I know I should be used to all the idiots and prejudice now but it still gets on my nerves.


On the other end of the scale, on sunday while at work, i was serving a customer and the dialogue was as follows:

lady customer:"ohh what have you done to your hair? curls?"
i turn my head so she can see as i have to wear them pulled back
lady customer: "dreadlocks! when did you get those?"
me: laughed and said "over a year ago"
lady customer: looked abashed and said "i hadnt even noticed im sorry!"
me: smiled indulgently
lady customer: "i like it though. they look really good!"
me: blushing "aww really? thank you!!"

so that was a nice change from the usual derogoratory remarks and stares :)