Unruly Eyebrows

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Hello, Benjamin from Brothers Campfire here!

Yesterday, I was approached by a female coworker about my unruly eyebrows and notified that they needed a trim.

I laughed.

“It’s genetic, part of my heritage. I am 2 percent neanderthal.” I replied.

In essence, she continued to inform me in her own way it was socially unacceptable to not maintain the foundation of my forehead.

I like my unruly eyebrows.

Sure, I could trim them up and look youthful and mowed, but I will pass for the time being.

(The thirteen year veteran of life has been encouraged to make his own choices on the matter. His brow is unified in solidarity, and he can do as he sees fit.)

She is not the only one to counsel me on my grooming standards.

Numerous folks have discussed my body preferences with me unsolicited.

In this eyebrow instance, I find it interesting that there was a bit of scoffing when I identified with my ancestors when she identifies as a man. I may, just may have

This is a double standard. I would be fired for discussing her preferences, but she is free to berate me. 🤨

I feel like a Gieco commercial.

Another double standard is how women are allowed to critique appearance and men are not.

More times in my life than you may expect, I have had women approach me for no reason other than to notify me that I am short.

Two years ago, a woman I didn’t know rested her palm on the top of my head and patted me like a dog. Had that been a man, I may or may not have engaged in an act of violence.

In case you did not know, this a bizarre conversation starter and antisocial behavior.

I am keenly aware of my height. In one of these instances in youthful ignorance, I informed the messenger of enlightenment that they could stand to lose a few pounds. This statement was met with disgust even though it is something they could probably have controlled. (I could have controlled my tongue.)

I cannot add to my stature, but many times, diet and exercise is within reach, just as the trimmers for the brows are.

Don’t get me wrong. It is OK to be confident in your body type and it is not OK to tear others down. (FYI, I do not typically go blow for blow on insults and observations.)

Well, those are my current thoughts on the matter.

Author: Benjamin

Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...

37 thoughts on “Unruly Eyebrows”

  1. leendadll says:

    Hear hear!!
    I happen to like shorter men. And I went out of my way not to comment on my over 7′ tall coworker’s height.

    The world feels compelled to tell me I’m loud. When they do, my emotions hear “shut up; no one wants to hear anything you have to say.”

  2. Cindy Georgakas says:

    laughing Ben.
    I recently used a liquid to grow eyebrows. Oh no it’s working and I don’t like to pluck them. hahaha.. I”da been a better guy.. ha! 😂😂

  3. Under the mask.. says:

    Good grief, people seem to have forgotten manners. I’ve read it’s due to social media.. idk, but I’m sorry you have to deal with rudeness now & then. I’m never prepared for it .. well, who is??

    1. Benjamin says:

      Ha ha! I suppose we all give it a little as well. It is part of life!

  4. Christy says:

    As a woman who is 6’1” I get told constantly “you’re tall,” “do you play basketball?” Etc. And in Vietnam, people constantly took my picture. At that point, I just rolled with it and pretended to be a celebrity. 🤷🏼‍♀️

    1. Benjamin says:

      I typically embrace my insecurities better. Thank you for the advice!

      1. Christy says:

        Oh there are many times I don’t deal with my insecurities in a positive way 😂

  5. Homemaking in the Dunes says:

    People are rude. I think people forget that men can be self-conscious too. My husband and I have a rule when his eyebrows look like Andy Rooney’s I get out the tweezers. But, then he made the mistake of telling me very early in our relationship that if I have weird hair just rip it out.

  6. kagould17 says:

    Wait ’til you hit 60 and your eyebrows develop a mind of their own. When my eyebrows sweep across the lenses of my glasses. my beloved takes the scissors and razor to them. And don’t get me started on wayward ear hairs. All this just proves God has a sense of humour. Happy Sunday Benjamin. Allan

  7. Terveen Gill says:

    I believe you are absolutely right, Benjamin. No one has the right to make personal comments that are unasked for and unwanted. And what’s with patting the head? How creepy!

  8. Eugenia says:

    We are what we are. Those that judge should take a good look at themselves.

    1. Benjamin says:

      If I trimmed my brows, I might be able to see what you are saying.

  10. Cassa Bassa says:

    We celebrate how God made us individually by His measure and according to His pleasure. Unruly eyebrows it is for you brother Benjamin!

  11. Adelheid says:

    Manners! Whew! But like you, I am confident with my physical attributes and whatever God has given me. Let’s cheers to that!

  12. philosophy through photography says:

    Except you and me rest of the people are funny.
    People are strange.
    People are weird
    That is the world we live in my friend.
    I appreciate your charm and being what you are .

  15. douryeh says:

    This is true! Women have more social freedom to critique mens’ appearance than the other way round. Why would that be?

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