What do you think of braids?

Question

I’m getting braids tomorrow for the first time since I was 12. I personally think they look beautiful and can be styled so many ways. But for a long time my opinion was different about them. The reason I haven’t gotten them in so long is because I was bullied for having them when I was a child. I was called “Medusa” or I was told my hair looked like worms coming out of my head.
I remember being bullied so bad that I was afraid to go to school.
I also avoided getting them when I was interviewing for jobs because it’s widely known where I live that braids are not seen as “professional” in the eyes of some hiring managers. It was always this sort of unspoken rule that you only get braids after you have secured the position. Now, I’m a little concerned if people will see me differently with them. I already have a hard time making friends. I don’t want to seem even more unapproachable than I already am.

ChgzDaniel · Accepted Answer

I bloody love braids! So much so I braided my own hair just for a party once. Now I'm white so I can't really get away with them, but I adore them none the less. I'm telling you deadly seriously that if you like them, don't listen to other peoples opinions. The only way you will find happiness is if you do you without looking for acceptance from other people. I think everybody who gets these look beautiful, no matter who you are. The only negative I can see is they can be damaging to your scalp and make you go bald if you have them put in too tightly.
Just remember if you do get bullied, you will always be beautiful to people like me who love them. If you like them too then you don't need the haters. They are only showing their true colours.

Daniela1982 · Accepted Answer

I don't care for them because they make your hair seem like it is never washed due to the time to do the braids. No one wants to put it up every day so they stay that way for weeks I would imagine. But I have never had my hair braided nor have known anyone who did their hair in braids except for pig tails. It just seems like it would take a lot of work. But I guess there is always dry cleaning or ride a convertible through a car wash to wash your hair. Bonus: your car interior gets cleaned too.

I can't imagine how much time this took

Now how do you take them out and how long does that take? Just take a good book I guess.

Stoner710 · Accepted Answer

I think you would Look cute either way. Short hair is what I find ugly but my nephew has braids and I’m pretty sure my great nephew will.

(yes my nephew is black my mom married a black guy in the 1970s my brother was born in 73 sister 75 her husband cheats she divorced his ass I was born in 93 adopted in 98 sans year as nephew on sister side 04 my sister had my niece and in 08 my brothers daughter was born. Figured that would answer the question on why my nephew has braids )

winterfox10 · Accepted Answer

I've always thought that braids were really pretty. I think that there is a huge issue, for a lot of people, with accepting ethnic beauty. Even today, if you look at the ethnic women who are considered beautiful, they are either brown girls who can do the white girl thing really well, or they're super super ethnic and they appeal to a smaller group of people.

Screenwriter · Answer

Braids don't make someone unapproachable. They have suffered the same prejudice that long hair on white dudes and afros on black dudes did in the 60s and dreads are STILL suffering. People feel they are too "afrocentric" and feel threatened. They assume a hairstyle is a political stance.
Braids are very neat and look lovely and give black, or thick/curly white hair a host of styling choices without using chemicals or heat to straighten or strip/damage hair. Here is where I might choose to alter the look. If you have naturally short or medium length hair, I would NOT add extensions until AFTER I got the position. Super long hair (far past your shoulders) of any kind is considered more fashionista and less serious in jobs such as the legal profession. If your hair is naturally long, put it in an updo that looks more formal. If it's a casual job, simply pull extra long hair back into a ponytail.

SpiderManFan2002 · Answer

Braids are beautiful! I see many women at my college with braids and honestly they look so pretty, I envy them! ^_^

I hate the stereotypes they carry with them though. You know like what you said about hesitating to have them for interviews because they are viewed as "unprofessional" then there's the old "ghetto" stereotype.

I've never understood it. Like a woman can wear a french braid to work, or just one regular braid in like a ponytail way- nobody has a problem with it. Yet the minute, a woman decides to show up in braids like the pictures you showed above, a number of people seem to have a problem with it whether they accuse it of being unprofessional or ghetto.

I personally think you would totally rock braids, and you'd be playing a part in eliminating the stereotypes! ^_^

DizzyDesii · Answer

I startes trying them in college. I prob get them once every 3 years. I dont feel they fit my face but also they give the worse headaches although they look cute. Thhe last style i got, i got beads on the tips qnd knocked myself out several times 😂 i was done after that. But they were cute like the lady above. I just prefer braids for getaway trips where i may get in a pool. If i ever go to Florida, i want them to standout like the lady with pink

Dash_Fatbastard · Answer

I think whatever makes you happy when you look in the mirror is best.

I've lived in several different parts of the US in rural, urban, and suburban settings, and what constitutes professional attire and grooming does differ. It's up to you to find a balance point you can live with.

Do you have access to anyone who hires or supervises people on the job, like an educational administrator, business owner, government worker, an attorney or doctor, a minister, or an HR employee? Asking professional people you deal with in your life might let you know what's acceptable in your area.

That said, I don't have to tell you that traditional and natural hairstyles and grooming do seem to be on the rise, and as younger, more open people become employers, we'll see more respect for our individuality, our heritages, and choiced.

Time is on your side, Serenity, and sometimes, there's no wrong choice to make.

DorkVader · Answer

My mom kept box braids. She loved having long flowing hair, lol! They called her Predator and she'd whip them with her braids! Lmao! If you get them, OWN THEM. No shame, understand? Braids are beautiful and protective styling is part of your heritage. Be proud to share with your ancestors!

Flower7 · Answer

I think you should get them. Braids are usually very beautiful. They're also low-maintenance and will be easy to style. I doubt that you would get made fun of, especially now that you're an adult. The people around you now aren't as immature as 12 year olds. Try it!

Hannah_98 · Answer

I think they’re super cute. If you’re worried about the job thing though, maybe wait until you’ve secured the position?

It’s shitty that people judge for something as insignificant as hairstyles, but it’s something you have to take into account in my opinion.

beldath · Answer

On black girls that don't have straight hair, all braids look great.
On anyone without natural fro hair, it doesn't look as good. A few here or there, or when it's all in one or two braids going to the back look good.
This of course is my personal preference.

Anonymous · Answer

I’m a white girl who loves braids always been a fan of them ever since I saw Lauryn Hill with braids in Sister Act 2 I was so jealous I wanted braids like hers but knew I could never pull them off

The people who bullied you for having braids are stupid people who were putting you down to make themselves feel better

You are gonna look so beautiful with your braids

Pink2000 · Answer

I love them. I’m getting them on the 12th I like them really long. My last braids I had were waist length. The braids I’m getting on the 12th are gonna be a little longer.

Clayaya · Answer

I think braids are beautiful & can be a great protective style if done right. I just got braids done yesterday by this African lady. It’s entirely too tight so I removed a few. I also sprayed my scalp with warm water & peppermint oil. I’m just hoping my hair doesn’t fall out. I told her it was too tight but she insisted that it be this way so it’ll last longer. I’m never going to her again.

DiscomfortZone · Answer

Personally, I don't find this hairstyle appealing, but it's far from the ugliest around. If you like it - get them, it's your fucking hair isn't it? As for bullying, bullies don't use rational thinking, their "opinion" means nothing. You were not teased because of your braids, but because of the bullies' stupidity and weakness. As for professionalism - perhaps you're right, buy I think it depends a lot on the field, the role and ofc the manager themselves.

zed-789 · Answer

I like them. Beats trying to comb curl hair everyday. People that don’t like them jus don’t get it... sometimes a natural black woman’s choice is braids or 3 hrs mornings to make out head look presentable. Especially with th more hair u have.

CasaNorba · Answer

i think they're very painful. I once braided my hair in high school and never planning on doing it again. though I think they are attractive, especially if they look like those chicks you've displayed

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

I actually like them as long as its done well (like the ones pictured). I actually like them a lot, its kind of boring seeing every woman with straight long hair all the time so they stand out more when you have braids.

Loser94 · Answer

Fuck em it's your hair it's your style. I say they look beautiful and if a woman wants to get em I say let her. Every woman deserve to feel confident in there own skin. I'd say you'd look beautiful with braids so get em and don't care what others think only think about what you want.

Mamaganja · Answer

I love them specifically box braids on black women ONLY. I wish I had the guts to get them but I just don’t think it would compliment my face well. I’d feel like people would think I’m trying to look like Alicia keys or something.

claryy · Answer

I think that braids are so beautiful and you deserve to do something that you like. People who judge other people for their hairstyle are shallow

Kiera1999 · Answer

Think they suit you. Think it depends on the person, if it suits you then it lools nice. But if not looks ridiculous

BroodyRuby · Answer

I think they look beautiful and I love seeing all the lovely styles they can be put into. I especially like how they look when put into a bun

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