Conversation overheard in the kitchen between two Chinese women, one in her early 30's, one middle-aged (too scared to guess and later be found out to have guessed wrong).
Younger Chinese Lady: [Name], did you get a hair cut?
Older Chinese Lady: No, I didn't!
*May at her desk furrows her eyebrows in confusion as she had also thought that OCL had gotten a haircut
YCL: Oh really?
OCL: No but I need to colour it. All the grays! But also need to get haircut, need to keep it short!
YCL: Haha, is that why women keep their hair short? To make it easier to colour the grays?
OCL: No! It because long hair on old women makes you look even older!
YCL: I never knew that! Does it really?
OCL: YES. You know why. It drags your face down. You know, when you are old, your face is droopy. Long hair drags the face down and makes it even droopier. Must have short hair.
YCL: Hahahaha! You face is not droopy. But I better cut my hair too then!
OCL: No you still young. You enjoy your long hair.
YCL: Well I better cut it in 5 years then.
OCL: Make it 10! Make it 10.
May's conclusion: I was right to grow my hair out again while I still can, in my 30's. Much as I loved my bob and actually mostly miss it, I know that my long hair days are numbered. I don't want my face to sag with my saggy hair. Who was it that laughed at me when I explained this to them last year when I said I was growing my hair again? Oh yea. ALL OF YOU non-Chinese non-understanders.
Vindicated.
I don't think this is limited to Chinese women. My mother is of the opinion that all women beyond a certain age should have shorter hair. However, she also thought aged 20 that I was too old to wear flip flops, and had recently banned my dad from wearing jeans for the same reason.
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