why Lao society do not accept guys with long hair ?

samakomlao · Guru

why Lao society do not accept guys with long hair ?

Date: Sep 11, 2007

It depends on what kind of program you are in, even in western countries, what I saw on BBC, ABC of England, USA, Australia for the news programs all the readers, men have short hair and dress up properly. Only music program such as Rage, you see people with long hair. Children programs, the boy or man are in charge of also have short hair. So it is unusual to have man with long hair reads the news on LAO TV. smile confused

Date: Sep 11, 2007

This is what I don't get about Lao "culture".

Nearly 100 years ago, men and women alike walked around nearly half naked. But nowadays, when a woman wears a skirt, she is seen as something that goes against "Lao Culture".

Kings use to grow their hair out, as a symbol that they did not need to work, and without work, they were able to have longer hair than a regular man. Nowadays guys with long hair causing such concern that there has to be an article made about it?

It contradicts itself, when you want to say "Lao Culture".

Date: Sep 12, 2007

Lao guys sporting long hair and earring think they're cool. Obviously, they are not. And that dude sits in the middle shouldn't be allowed to wear that baggy short.

Date: Sep 12, 2007

short or long is not problem. the problem is what is your status in the society: Example: singer' s hair style must different from officer's... because each status requires a special standard. but the best important you must look good with your hair style.

paris_vientiane · Guru

Anonymous wrote:

This is what I don't get about Lao "culture".

Nearly 100 years ago, men and women alike walked around nearly half naked. But nowadays, when a woman wears a skirt, she is seen as something that goes against "Lao Culture".

Kings use to grow their hair out, as a symbol that they did not need to work, and without work, they were able to have longer hair than a regular man. Nowadays guys with long hair causing such concern that there has to be an article made about it?

It contradicts itself, when you want to say "Lao Culture".

Your comment is very interesting...
It's a very very difficult question, that could be asked in about many many situations.

When we talk about culture and identity preservation of a country, we should wonder:
- What should absoloutly be preserved (for me, maybe: values, nature, knowledge, understanding and acceptance of the country history, historical monuments or any important ancient human work, traditional know-how as long as it can provide good quality products...)
- what CAN evolve? because you cannot prevent and forbid a population to go ahead, develop and try to get a more comfortable and fun life. Because it's stupid to reject every scence or technology progress.
- what SHOULD evolve? because the world and our knowledge are changing, and some old behaviours or practice become inapropriate in the modern world.

I think no-one can have a perfect answer to such questions.

For me, short or long hair acceptance for men is certainly not a very important problem, as skirt lengh for girls...each one is free to do as he like, especialy if in the past many people did like this and if this style is part of Laos history, part of hits historical culture.
Values and behaviourare certainly more important (for my part, the problem for a girl who wear short skirt is not how long is the skirt.. it's just how the girl behave... and maybe we could say the same for men and their long hair...)

Date: Sep 13, 2007

Yes, I do agree with someone who said earlier that these questions are really difficult to answer. However, I would like share my thought about this issue. Actually, our Lao people life expectancy is quite short just only 53 years according to UN, fortunately our Prime Minister said last month that our life expectancy improved to 63 years, but still short compared to other nation. In this regard, I would like to say if people can do whatever they really like, they would able to expand their life and they would not regret that they were born in this life.

Having long hair is quite commonly in practice for young men who just start enjoying their lives. People, who prefer to have long hair, should have their own reasons. As someone mentioned earlier that singer’s hair style must different from officer's... because each status requires a special standard. I really agree with this saying. Definitely, the officers, politicians and businessmen would not prefer to have long hair, but the singers, star movies and the like would need long hair. They need to look different from others. How about students? They may have their own reasons say for example they follow their idols. Having read story of JEI KEI VARA, the Bolivian fighter, they may want to follow his style. Maybe, when they have short hair they don't look good because they have big ears or ugly head figures. Or maybe their girl friends love and like their hair styles. Or maybe they have no money to pay for having hair cut or simple reason- too busy. Yes, 108 reasons that we can describe. Personally, I don't mind having long hair, but not too long, just for looking good.

Talking about Lao culture in terms of hair style, I don't know how short Lao men should have hair cut. 2 cm? 3 cm? 4 cm? If asked the experts, they may tell you just making you good looking, I suppose. That is why if we can compromise each other why not let them do, just for their good looking. Utmost, they can keep long hair not more than 4 months after that they will feel boring of that. That's human nature.
If someone wants to follow the King Fa ngum's hair style I don't mind either. But then you need to think twice. I fear that people will not treat you like they treat King Fa Ngum, but otherwise. They may think you are crazy or mad.

Yes, last time I ever had had long hair when I had studied in former Soviet Union, the reason for that there was too cold (-20 c). Personally, I really love privacy, but when it comes to my beloved people’s feeling I really care. I remember once I sent my photo with long hair to my parents, they asked me back why I had hair too long. Probably, they then felt their son seemed not normal unlike other people. Probably, they also felt ashamed that their son behaved like that, I then thought. On top of that, my girlfriend also told me that my hair style was not look good, she did not like it. Then, I thought maybe they were right. Looking around me, I saw no one educated people had long hair, then I have decided not to have long hair anymore and forever for my parents, my relative and for my then girlfriend (my now wife). I want them to be proud of me, but not be ashamed.

Regards
TSP

Date: Sep 13, 2007

ໂອຍ !!! ຈັ່ງແມ່ນຂຽນຍາວ

chiip · Guru

Hehe ! i really don`t mind with people wearing long hair, the lord buddha had long hair, jesus had long hair and albert einstein too has long hair ( according to their pictures and statues )