Tribe.net. Local Connections Lee Ann http://dreadlocks.tribe.net/thread/f303e2b6-666d-4b50-a946-ade9238b51a1#17ccd4ae-56cd-4e79-a059-d08e1eab942a 2009-07-13T13:26:47Z 2009-07-13T13:26:47Z

I'm feeling your pain. Mine are long...almost to my waist, very thick, hot and heavy. If someone on this site hadn't turned me onto the "pineapple", they would of been gone several months ago. Now that I lean over, take a BIG coated rubber band then pull them all up on top of my head so they aren't laying on my neck, I am much happier. Also, I use a microfiber towel for drying and that helps alot. In the past I'm sure I have not gotten certain jobs because of my look but that's part of the price you pay for being different. Sometimes I think I might like a change but I realize that I didn't go into my decision to have dreads lightly so I'm certainly not going to make a spur of the moment decision to get rid of them. Like I tell people, it's not a hair style it's a life style.

Lee Ann 2009-07-13T13:26:47Z Kristen http://dreadlocks.tribe.net/thread/f303e2b6-666d-4b50-a946-ade9238b51a1#a876c2d2-5b7d-444c-8d61-b0ebcedcab4b 2009-07-04T14:26:59Z 2009-07-04T14:26:59Z

If you wanted them back so badly after you cut them off the first time, you'll most likely feel the same way this time round. I say apply for jobs while you have them, and if you nobody will employ you because of them, then get them cut. It took me 8 years of wishing, wanting, waiting and researching to get mine, and when I finally did (october last year) and I love them so much. Of course I go through days where I miss having undreaded hair, but over all, I love them. So I guess all you can do is just think long and hard about what you want to do. If you keep them clean and neat, and you maintain a high level of professionalism, I can't see why you wouldnt be hired, unless of course the employer is one of those anti-dread types. Good luck with your decision

Kristen 2009-07-04T14:26:59Z niki http://dreadlocks.tribe.net/thread/f303e2b6-666d-4b50-a946-ade9238b51a1#55eb5c3d-f8bb-49dd-8f15-8cff414455ed 2009-07-02T17:16:02Z 2009-07-02T17:16:02Z

yah, ive got to second what the girls have said already. my dreads were very heavy and only soulderblade length. in the summers iw orked outside at a rec camp and did lots of heated yoga, so itchiness and sweet build up were an issue for me. just like the other parts of having dreads, during exercise i found a way to just ignore or accept the immediate itchies. when i did wash them, i used Dr Bonners Peppermint Soap. it feel verrrry refreshing on the scalp and cleans without residue or build up. Also, since I don't know what your hair texture is like, a friend of mine who wore a weave at saisd rec. camp would use dry shampoo to keep her scalp clean thorughout the summer. definetly think about it. for me, it took me almost 7 months of meditation before i physically dreaded my hair, and i waited about the long before physically undreading it 3 years later. now, not having them, i really wonder why i was so anxious to get rid of them, and can now think of many ways i could have salvaged them. be patient with your decision too. dreading and having dreads is a process, and experiment in patience, and a testament to something very personal. remember those before physically cutting them.

niki 2009-07-02T17:16:02Z Alicia http://dreadlocks.tribe.net/thread/f303e2b6-666d-4b50-a946-ade9238b51a1#916f6878-1cec-4d06-818e-dc7aefdd7179 2009-07-01T19:18:43Z 2009-07-01T19:18:43Z

Oooh, I cut off my dreads just over 6 months ago and am in the phase of wanting them back so badly right now. I tell myself that I will keep them for a very long time the next time I do them too. I am just waiting for my hair to grow to a good lenght first. I cut mine off due to huge life changes that I was going through and was in need of a drastic change. I, however, never felt more true to myself when I had them. They were as unique as I feel. I also can't tell you how many people were saddened by my choice to chop them off. People were inspired by seeing me go outside the norms of society. I would recommend keeping them while applying for jobs, but express the ability of your to cut them if that is what is needed for the job. I think that this would show a tremendous sacrifice for your future employer. I biked a lot when I first had my dreads and understand the annoyance of them, and don't get me started on drying them! Perhaps make a pros and cons list and before you go to sleep and let your subconscious work through the decision. It's a tough decision, definately take some time to decide.

Alicia 2009-07-01T19:18:43Z nicole http://dreadlocks.tribe.net/thread/f303e2b6-666d-4b50-a946-ade9238b51a1#9c2612f4-814f-41df-b004-3750c1cb4113 2009-06-28T16:30:11Z 2009-06-28T16:30:11Z

totally been there. in fact with my current set being only almost 6 months old im kinda there again. this is about learning patience for my. i told myself that this would be the last set and i needed to keep them for a long time. i know that eventually they will be beautiful but yes it is a long road there. especially as they are still shrinking shorter. one thing that helps is from time to time i will look at the pics in the gallery of www.knottyboy.com . there is some awesome hair there and its motivating to keep going. this teenage stage with them is hard and its frustrating feeling like they are not presentable unless i do something with them. dont cut them off unless you are 100% sure its what you want. regrett is a wasted emotion.

nicole 2009-06-28T16:30:11Z Elliot http://dreadlocks.tribe.net/thread/f303e2b6-666d-4b50-a946-ade9238b51a1#e4b71dd7-1024-4181-bf6f-f63c2121e9e3 2009-06-28T07:47:24Z 2009-06-28T07:47:24Z

Also, when I have my dreads, the general feeling is that I want to get rid of them. But then, when I don't have them (when I cut them off last time) I couldn't wait to get them back and was obsessed with getting them. Call it a love/hate relationship!

Elliot 2009-06-28T07:47:24Z Elliot http://dreadlocks.tribe.net/thread/f303e2b6-666d-4b50-a946-ade9238b51a1#c255ce8c-4a1d-4ddb-bb0f-c534e6da3abc 2009-06-28T05:13:33Z 2009-06-28T05:13:33Z

Little background... This is my 2nd time having dreadlocks, I had my 1st set about 2-3 years ago and I had to cut them off because I got them over summer and had to cut them off because my high school didn't allow long hair on boys. This time round, I've had them for about 4 months so far. However, in 6+ months I will be finished my university studies and will begin looking for and applying for jobs. My mum and dad have told me that I will have a very hard time trying to fight the stereotypes of dreadlocks for people employing me. I keep them quite clean (washing 2x per week, palm rolling lots). I'm undecided on whether to cut them off for other reasons aswell. I do triathlon training and racing so I swim, bike and run lots. The dreads get real annoying trying to fit into swim caps, helmets and hats while I exercise. They are real annoying and sometimes I get so fed up I feel like cutting them off right then and there! But then I want to keep them sometimes because when I look into the mirror or see my reflection in a window, I think well... I look pretty damn cool. So mainly I'm just asking, would it be best for me to cut off my dreads once I start going for jobs? Also, how do you put up with them being so annoying when you exercise/sleep/every day life? Thanks.

Elliot 2009-06-28T05:13:33Z