That time I Went To work And Got Hair Fondled By A Co-worker

Hearing stories like this from other women on a hair journey, my first thought is: people really have some nerve. I mean you would hope these stories are just myths, but no ma’m they really do happen.

When I had such an experience, I was not entirely sure what just happened. Did she really? Did she actually just touch my hair? She did, it happened, and I am still a little confused as I write this article.

Rocking a new style & my experience

I must admit I am pretty boring when it comes to my protective styles or just styles in general at work. I usually wear the same weave* style everyday and switch it up twice a year with a nice flat iron* of my own hair. However, even though my usual works, I wanted to shake things up a bit. My new style of choice was set to be Senegalese twists. I have not had this style before, so you could imagine my excitement when I made the appointment.

As I set off to my meeting the next evening, I figured it would be business as usual. To my surprise, I could not have been any more wrong. As I walked through the door, people said they didn’t recognize me (maybe I should change my style more often then, huh?) With a new hair style comes many opinions. Luckily it worked out in my favor and they were all positive reviews.

The other side to those positive reviews comes from my curious white friends trying to figure out how they did it. “Oh my God, I want to go to an island now”, one of the girls said.

An island huh? Which one?Jamaica maybe? Must they have this hairstyle for you to want to take a vacation? I only kidd! As those thoughts ran through my head I hear her say, “Can I touch it, I wanna touch it?” The room filled with laughter. I perhaps laughed the most and turned the other way. “I’m gonna touch it anyway!” *insert Jaws theme music here*.

It was as if the time started to move in slow motion. She got up from her chair, and walked in my direction. She can’t be serious? But oh yes, she was. She was going to do this! I tried to brace myself for impact! I suddenly forgot all the self defense moves I learned from watching my shows (Yes, Netflix can be educational).

I froze up! As she reached for my hair, I thought to myself, “Do I want to go to jail today?” Before, I could come up with an answer to that question her hand was in my hair.

Was I being petted? I had to take a deep breath and count backwards from ten.  Now, I understand and appreciate the admiration of my hair and everything, but let me tell you that there are rules to this game boo.

Admire with your eyes not your hands

If you find yourself in the compromising position of wanting to touch someone else’s hair please remember this rule. Yes, we know the technique is interesting, but if you are not myself, my mother, or my beautician, you get a strong side eye from me already.

I don’t know where your hands have been or when the last time you washed them was, but don’t underestimate or be offended when I offer you some hand sanitizer before your reach your paws in my direction.

Ask first

While we are on the note of cleanliness, please note that you will not make it this far unless you ask first. While many times I will say yes, I like to think of it as an invite-only. Perhaps a checkpoint if you will. This rule especially applies if you are a stranger.

I like my personal space. Love it actually! Please show respect to the strands that grow on my head, as well as to the ones I have added on for length.

While this encounter did not seem to play out as dramatically as the day it happened, I look back on it as if it were something from a movie.

Was I offended when she touched my hair? Quite honestly, not really. Mainly being because she was a person I knew and trusted. Had it been a stranger, it would have been a whole other story.

To me, yes it does make a difference on how well you know the person. I really don’t see how some people can be so bold. Certainly, not me! For some, this may not be a big deal.

For others hair fondling should be considered a felony (I am somewhere in between the two extremes). I beg these questions to you guys, Do you get upset when someone touches your hair? or Does it make a difference on whether you know them or not what your reaction will be on invading your personal space?