Appearance rules the world, what does your appearance say about you? Should a person be adjudged based on their physical outlook, especially hair?

This was the question posed to some Abuja residents yesterday when the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) took to the streets of the nation’s capital to sample opinions on men who weaved or dreadlocked their hair.

According to some of the respondents, men who weaved or dreadlocked their hair are less likely to be seen as responsible individuals and will most likely not succeed in the corporate sector.

Hair weaving, also known as cornrows, and dreadlocked hairstyles are popular among African women as a means of maintaining their natural hair textures.

Some men have also adopted the hair routine as a fashion statement.

While those in the sports and entertainment sector have received less criticism for their choice of hair styles, those in the corporate sector have come under heavy backlash.

Asides the fact that dreadlocks are a sort of fashion statement, some individuals are known to naturally have dreadlocked hair curls while others wear it due to cultural or religious beliefs.

Some of the individuals who spoke to NAN in Abuja, gave reasons why men should avoid the cornrows and dreadlock hairstyles.

Davina Tommy, a final year student of University of Abuja, said that such styles were for men whose careers did not depend on their looks and who do not want to be taken too seriously.

“Except you are a part of the Rastafarian religious movement or born with locked hair curls, there is no reason why a man should expect to be respected with that hair.

“Most men who have these hairstyles end up looking rough.

“Most of the men with this hairstyle don’t realise that they have to take care of the hair regularly so as to constantly look presentable.

“I believe its only men whose careers don’t depend on their appearance that can go ahead with such looks”, Tommy said.

Jude Baco, a pensioner, said that men who kept such styles were likely to be stigmatised and seen as drug addicts.

“I cannot allow any of my children to have that hair or associate with men who grow their hair by plaiting it in any form.

“I know it may seem like double standard as it is appreciated on women but hair activities are known to be for African women, while African men cut their hair.

“I see men who keep dreadlocks as people on drugs that have lost themselves and forgotten where their combs are.

“As for those born with such hair, I advise they constantly shave their hair so that they can be appreciated and can look respectable”, Baco said.

Imelda Attang, a civil servant, was, however, of the opinion that there were some men who kept dreads or cornrows and looked good with it.

Attang said it was not wrong for a man to keep such hairstyles so long as such a man was ready to invest in his appearance.

“I have definitely seen a few of these men who look really good with weaved or dreadlocked hair.

“I know some men who weave or lock their hair but still look very professional and are doing well in their jobs.

“I don’t think we should continue to judge people by their appearance, but people can’t help but judge when many of these men normally act irresponsible.

“If a man is not really good looking with good carriage and he has poor hair maintenance skills, I beg him not to dare adopt this hair styles.

“However, if he feels he can pull it off, he can go ahead but should be aware that he would have to work extra hard on maintaining his appearance”, she added. (NAN)