Money or Dreads?
General Talk
Now I did lose a job opportunity to my choice to dread.... It's nice and cute to believe that people will see your inner beauty off the start, but let's be real that isn't the truth. I'm a good guy, college educated (Masters Degree) quiet, polite, and respectful. But I was turned down for a job in a new test lab because of my tattoos and my choice to dread. I came in to my first meeting with the higher ups they looked me up and down and told me while I am over qualified and have more than enough experience I'm not what they are looking for. Now I dress well button up shirts, nice jeans or slacks, and I consider myself well groomed. But because of my tattoos and now my hair it's a big stereotype to fight off.
It is a sacrifice to have natural dreads and I can't put faith into anyone who says it isn't. But this is a lifestyle choice we all made willingly and have to accept the consequences that go along with it. I'd like to keep this idea that the world and the people who inhabit it are all accepting loving people, but they aren't. So it can be a serious decision if you exist in the professional world where appearance can make or break you.
In all honesty if dreads start to effect your business and effect you making money and keeping yourself afloat then I wouldn't do it. Yeah we can all sit here and talk about how you should be an individual and keep your journey and shine the rest of the rubes out there who scoff at it. But let's be realists, being unintentionally homeless sucks or having to go back to working for some one else sucks. Don't jepordize it if it comes to that.