DEAR ABBY: The letter from "Hair-Splitting" caused me a smile and some concern. The reader wanted to know how to tell a friend that his hairpiece is the "worst imaginable." I have no suggestions for how she might break the news, but I do have a message for the man wearing the hairpiece.
I began wearing a hairpiece when I was only 14, and just like "John," I was afraid -- afraid of being seen without it, getting it wet, getting it dirty, affording a new one, etc. In short, I was afraid of living.
At 39, I finally found the courage to discard it. I had the complete support of my family, co-workers and members of my church. Getting rid of my hairpiece has given me freedom for the first time in my life. I have been told that I look much better, even by casual acquaintances. That was almost 15 years ago.
I would never recommend that a man who is losing his hair start wearing a hairpiece. He will become a slave to it, just as I was.
I have more fun, feel better and am more relaxed than I ever was when I had that hairpiece stuck on my head. I am upset with the media for implying that one is less of a man without hair. You missed a chance to educate, Abby. -- HAPPILY HAIRPIECE-LESS IN WASHINGTON STATE
DEAR HAPPILY: Perhaps I did, but the man with the "worst imaginable" hairpiece was not the person writing for advice. He may someday come to the realization that you did -- that the key to being accepted is to accept ourselves as we are, even if we do not conform to Hollywood's or Madison Avenue's ideal of beauty. True freedom comes from being comfortable with who we are and being able to live without pretense. But until that day arrives, I still think his friends would be doing him a favor if they leveled with him.