This has happened on the last 3 occasions when I’ve ventured into the world. Granted, this (venturing out) is not something I do very often these days. However, that was not the reason they freak out.
It is simply because I had tied my hair back post shower. Their first response is usually, “Dude, what happened?! Did you cut it all off?”
I then launch into a short explanation that my hair is in fact tied back after washing it because I have found this to be the best method, yada, yada.
It got me thinking that once an image of oneself is established society on the whole “locks you in” to that. Somehow diverging from that image upsets their sense of equilibrium. I find this both strange and amusing. Especially because so very many of the people I know staunchly espouse that… nay, are adamant that “change is good.”
Perhaps next week I’ll rock the universe and trigger the “end of days” by switching my usual headgear from pith helmet to baseball cap.