Hair extensions: Is that your hair?

Let's face it, stupid doesn't look good on anyone. So in an effort to help some people, let's talk about hair etiquette 101. Ladies and gentlemen take out your pens and notepads, class begins now.

Here's the scenario: you work in a diversed corporate setting. You see co-workers and executives day in and day out. You see their style, and have even noticed some 'hits' and some unfortunate 'misses'. On this particular day you have a meeting with co-workers and executives alike. One of your co-workers happens to be an African-American woman. You recall that she normally wears her hair short and curly. However, today, something is different. You take notice, as with everyone in the room, that suddenly her hair is long and straight. Believe it or not, this woman knows that inquiring minds are curious. However, why should she have to explain her mysterious transformation? You can not take it anymore, the curiosity is killing you, so you ask the inevitable; 'Is that your hair?'

Ok, ladies and gentleman, as you guessed it, wrong question, especially in the middle of a corporate meeting. It's about to get real unpleasant in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....

So you as the African-American are now put on blast, although everyone took notice to the 'elephant' in the room. Yet, good ole Sally, your Caucasian co-worker, just had to dress in stupid this morning. For the Sally's of the world this lesson plan, is just for you.

As mentioned earlier, stupid is not a good look. And a woman of your caliber, Sally, (speaking more of your educational background and paygrade, certainly not your common sense) simply ought to know better. In 2011, there is no excuse whatsoever for anyone to be shocked by women and human hair extensions. Truth be told, African-American women did not invent this look. If you would take a moment to review a bit of history, it would come to no surprise wigs and extensions were worn well before African-American women staked claim to it.

It is true that African-American woman have mastered the extension/wig game, that it proves difficult at times to decifer whether her hair is naturally long or she has added extensions. This thought is a compliment, however, your question, not so much. There is a time and place for everything. It is a known fact that many Caucasian women experiment with Honey Blonde Hair Extensions as well. It is also a known fact that many women also experiment with enhancements in other areas of the body. Butt pads, breast enlargements, anyone? However, you don't see those things being pointed out in the middle of a corporate meeting. Just imagine this question: 'Sally, your butt looks larger than norm today, are your butt cheeks real or are those butt pads under your pencil skirt.?" Or better: 'Sally, wow, you have gone from an A cup to a DD overnight, are those real, or a new boob job."

Exactly, how inappropriate! So you see now, its not the question being asked, its where its being asked. Remember, time and place for everything. This could certainly be a 'let's go and powder our nose', 'refresh our lipstick', or 'girls to the bathroom', kind of discussion. So for the Sally's of the world, please no more questions, and while you are at it, dispose of your 'stupid' outfit. All women like to experiment with different styles, colors, or enhancements...so let's keep it between just us girls, ok pumpkin. Some things are better left unsaid. Ladies, it should be our responsibility to keep the secret to beauty just that, our secret. Class dismissed.