An old 911 is in most peoples' dreams. They're going for serious money now.

was being kind, old as in knackered, not as in classic

There are alot of different kinds of people, with hairstyles that aren't done because they want to reminisce their Jamaican holiday. In the last year I spent alot of time with people that have them, of all different ages. The ones I want to get done will be tame by those standards. I don't smoke pot, and am a very clean person. I was my hands like 200 times a day and detest the smell of patchouli.

As I said before, I know many professional chefs with dreds, all kept under a toque. I have long hair and it is not the norm in the kitchen, I also keep it under wraps. I think the bigger issue I would have is if I decided to put them blue. Last summer I had my hair blue and then green for a couple months. My boss had a good laugh and told me to bag it up. During street parade I had feathers woven in as well I couldn't remove in enough time before service. Again under the toque no one sees.

I guess my biggest concern would be going to meetings with potential clients. I wonder if I could get away with a wearing a hat of some kind. But I doubt it.

No problem

Just to be clear. I have never been the conservative type. I grew up on rave culture and hip hop. I still go to parties, open airs, etc. And I have always worked in music as a side thing. I have had my hair as a Devils Lock, Mohawk, and variety of things in between. I have always been able to make those looks work in my field.

Dreads are something different.

Can you post a picture of what yours would look like? I only know the second look.

Ps i would hire you to cater a party over a non dreadlock guy if you both came out of an interview the same. But then i like stuff like these in professional types

The problem has deeper roots than I thought

If I were to buy a Harley, it wouldn't be due to a mid-life crisis, rather that I'm getting too old for real bikes.

(and that I've passed retirement age)

Tom

Here's what he posted on the first page (I have no idea what OP looks like irl, so no clue if this would look good or ridiculous on him):

What do you mean exactly by this?

Actually after further research they will not look knotty like that anymore.

That may be. But not "in-your-face-Rasta". Are they also self-employed and having to conduct interviews personally with prospective clients? With the dreadlocks it`s a given they`re Ganja smokers, without dreadlocks what they smoke is not in question.

You keep defending yourself with whatever replies you get. It`s not our job to convince you that you could become the next Jamie Oliver, irrespective of what impression you give. Maybe when you do get to that stage, your appearance won`t matter so much?

I`d say green or blue hair, a mohahawk, or whatever might (a big might, and lots of luck) be ok, but dreadlocks doesn`t fit the bill with public catering. At open air concerts it`d be a bit hit. In someone`s crystal chandelier hung dining room you gonna look stupid, same in up-market boardrooms, or corporate catering.

Could be you`d also begin to have difficulties getting past the door-men in buildings?

But do go ahead. And keep us informed of the outcome. Maybe the world is a much more enlightened and un-judgemental place these days.

Even if it is, appearances still DO matter - if one is self-employed in the world outside of open air concerts and esoteric cliques of uniqueness.

I don't actually do much corporate catering. I do mainly creative events to be honest. Even if at one event we hund some chandeliers under the trees once. Ok. Fine. I was wondering how professional or not they look.

The crew cut EF section has responded. Showing me they would reject it. Understandable. But at the moment, most any work I get is on referral. So will that change if people see me different? We'll find out.

Oh how funny - really funny - roll on the floor laughing funny.

You not going to get past any personal interview with that hairstyle!
You not even going to be asked (maybe) to cater for anything outside of an Open Air festival, a Nostalgic Woodstock gathering, or anything to do with food handling/cooking. Probably not even to just deliver the food.

And when you do decide to get rid of them - you going to have to shave your head. Those hair twists/knots are in there for life. Ask any owner of a long haired dog that hasn`t been brushed for a while.

And if anyone tells you you can brush them out, they`re lying.

Well, I wish you well anyway. I hope it works for you. I guess it all comes down to the quality of the food you make? And as long as you tuck the lot into a cap and no stray hairs go wafting. And your scalp doesnt get itchy

I have seen them combed out in front of me. But, please see the follow up that I intend on the clean ones. Also, I would be tying them back and in a toque.

I know how he looks like on picture and I still think he shouldn't.

He is good looking, by the way..

I prefer a bun... You know that.

If your prospective clients ask you if your dreads will be in the way and bother you while you're cooking, don't answer with "No worries... I'll just take a toque.."

As you well know, I am far from having a crew-cut (though I had them as a child).

In fact, it's now below shoulder length.

Tom

Yeah...
If you don't look anything like this guy..

..and not even him has a long hair any more...

Is it this kind of thing?

I think dreds on a "professional" mean one of two things, polar opposites actually. Either this person doesn't give a shit about themselves or what i think of them or about this contract we are discussing.

Or

This person is so good at whatever they do that first impressions are not that important.

For me, as a potential client or lender at the bank or employer, the first impression would be - "goodness me, this person has dreds, I'm surprised". The first couple of sentences would be make or break.

In other words, it would be what you say, not what you looks like, although having dreds would be an initial surprise.