Real men don’t cover their greys

With the rise of the metrosexual man, hundreds of products have flooded the market targeting the male consumer.
When it comes to the silver lining, not in the clouds but on your scalp, the audience is split straight down the middle. We speak to three men from Mumbai to whom it really doesn’t matter if it’s black or white. In fact they prefer it grey.
Cawsi Dhanbhoora, 53 years old, Freight forwarding company
I was about 28 or 30, if I remember correctly when I first noticed my first grey. Initially, it was just a streak. My hair went totally grey when I was about 40 years old. Honestly, it never bothered me. It was a nice streak through the centre and I really liked the way it looked. It did spread gradually, but by then, I didn’t really care enough to dye my hair.
I have never contemplated colouring my hair. My wife was quite happy to see me look older and smarter. My mother’s hair started greying when she was in school. And she never cared. I suppose it’s in my genes to not care about grey hair.
I don’t see the why anyone should colour their hair. I’m not insecure about my looks, and it has never bothered me. Back when my hair started going grey, there weren’t many reliable hair dyes around anyway. Later, it really wasn’t worth the trouble.
I keep my hair grey because I like it. It adds maturity to the personality. People take you seriously and they respect you a little more. They are more attentive while listening to you.
Shahid Hassan Samad, 56 years old, Exports textile agency
I was 26 years old when I had my first grey. I remember because I got it after my father’s death. Still, my hair is only 20-30 per cent grey but most of it is camouflaged by black hair. It never really bothered me. I don’t think too much about my looks. Even when I shampoo my hair, I use products that my daughter recommends.
I have jokingly told my wife a couple of times that I feel like dyeing my hair, and she tells me that I look better the way I am. So no I’ve never wanted to dye my hair.
Actually, I really don’t like dyeing my hair. I think women have the right to look beautiful and it’s okay if they dye their hair. Men look better rugged. I think it’s more about how you carry yourself that anything else.
I think grey hair adds grace to the personality. You start looking more mature automatically.
Sumit Bhattacharya, 36 years old, Media professional and musician
I don’t even remember when I got my first grey hair. I think I was 26 or so. It started with a streak or two but later, I had an auto immune disease called Opecia Areata which makes your hair fall off in circular patches. The doctor gave me steroids so my hair would grow back, but when it did, they were all grey.
Eventually, I was happy I had hair on my head again. I did not care what colour it was. I went to a club in New York where they asked me for age proof, and the bouncer thought I had coloured my hair white. So I still look young, and I think people should age gracefully.
I am not bothered to dye my hair. My mother was allergic to dyes. I have never been comfortable with lotions, creams and jewellery. So dyes are a strict no-no.
I haven’t really thought about what grey hair adds to my personality.
Kevin.Lobo @timesgroup.com