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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get an emergency hair cut and colour to please trump

36 replies

Ijustwantaquietlife · 30/07/2017 17:48

I've got cyan highlights and a quite edgy asymmetric cut and worried about us border control for my upcoming trip. Would it be a good idea to get it coloured and cut to something more to blend in?

The visa form clearly says it doesn't guarantee entry and the final decision will be by the border control agent.

Also I've got tattoos and scars, so I'm assuming wearing a big jumper to cover them all is a good idea? Unless that makes me look more suspect?

Or am I just being crazy?

OP posts:
Nearly10to9 · 30/07/2017 17:49

I went with pink hair no problems

blueskyinmarch · 30/07/2017 17:53

I can't actually tell if you are joking or not.

Of course you will get in to the US with blue/green hair and tattoos. Have i missed something?

Original poster
Ijustwantaquietlife · 30/07/2017 17:59

I'm not joking, ive heard of people profiled and taken off to an integrated room.

I often get stopped at Heathrow to be searched if I'm scruffy with a backpack. Never been stopped when smart and traveling for work. Your look does matter alot and they can make life very difficult

OP posts:
TartanDMs · 30/07/2017 18:04

I'm fairly sure that as long as you haven't been to any of the countries on the watch list recently you will be fine.

PaddedSoca · 30/07/2017 18:06

Oh my God you're actually serious.

PacificDogwod · 30/07/2017 18:09

I got very close to a strip search some 25+ years ago when I had crossed the US/Canadian border 3x in 10 days (for v good reasons at the time, but clearly looked suspicious) and I was looking as conventional and 'normal'/home grown/clean cut as you could possibly like.

Don't overthink it.
Hair colour/cut, tattoos/piercings, scars - i am sure border control have seen it all.
Be polite, be patient, don't joke, answer questions, don't avoid eye contact.

While I have found border control officers in the US v stern and by their sheer bulk/power/position intimidating, they have never actually been rude or in any way inappropriate but they do have no sense of humour at all. particularly not about the mention of bombs... DH almost had us all arrested when he was being 'funny' Hmm

BootsWithDresses · 30/07/2017 18:09

Oooh check me out with my crazy choices. So different from you norms.

Get a grip scruff.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 30/07/2017 18:10

Fortunately the States haven't reached the heights of North Korea with regulatory haircuts.
Just be you and be proud of who you are. Don't self censor for perceived issues that won't,happen.

BootsWithDresses · 30/07/2017 18:10

Joking about bombs in an airport and not finding it funny doesn't mean you don't have a sense of humour.

dudsville · 30/07/2017 18:11

Didn't I hear that they started rounding up all the folks that don't have orange hair and skin?

dudsville · 30/07/2017 18:12

Didn't I hear that they started rounding up all the folks that don't have orange hair and skin?

PacificDogwod · 30/07/2017 18:13

I did not know about the NK haircut regulation until DS2(13) mentioned it yesterday. Hair! It's just hair!! The world's gorn mad, I tells'ya. Wink

Boots, DH is very funny, but the border control guard at the time did not agree with that particular joke at the time. And tbh, I do see his point.

SpartacusSaiman · 30/07/2017 18:17

I am covered in tattoos and have bright red hair. My hair is quite short and shaved on one side.

I go to the US alot. Never had a problem. Of course they profile people. But tattoos and bright hair is not one of the huge things they are looking for

SpartacusSaiman · 30/07/2017 18:19

Us boarder guards dint appreciate humour. Trust me i know, Blush

Although, Orlando guards have got better in recent years.

Londonyardwork · 30/07/2017 18:34

Of course you should leave your anti Trump placards in your checked baggage....

PacificDogwod · 30/07/2017 18:38

And remember not to tick the yes box next to the question about whether you re planning to assassinate the POTUS on the immigration questionnaire... HmmGrin

OhYouBadBadKitten · 30/07/2017 18:39

I don't think he'd like my social media accounts.....

Sugarcoma · 30/07/2017 18:53

Which US state are you flying into? If it's LA for example, loads of people have tattoos in California and dress v casually so would definitely not be a problem. But frankly I doubt it would be a problem at most airports, certainly on the US side.

lljkk · 30/07/2017 19:01

I'm American (with passport) & little boy DS & I got hauled off for extra questioning. That was 10 yrs ago. I am Caucasian, make eye contact, am not Muslim or dress like I am, in case you wondered. That was Equal opportunity profiling detainment, I guess. I don't think it matters what you look like. Just don't make stupid jokes about bombs on planes & do what they tell you to. You'll be ok.

Original poster
Ijustwantaquietlife · 30/07/2017 20:52

It's New York but not a main NYC one.

Are you joking about the assassination tick box?! I had a quick Google a d couldn't see anything and now I'm worried they will be on to me for googleing that!

Anyway thanks all you've put my mind to rest a bit

OP posts:
PacificDogwod · 30/07/2017 21:01

It used to be a real question on the immigration card, but I admittedly last filled one in in 2001.
A week before 9/11 btw - that was a harrowing experience, being there at the time Sad

Original poster
Ijustwantaquietlife · 30/07/2017 21:10

Gosh I can imagine :(, I would like to say things are better now but they're much much woorse. There have been so many atrocities over the last few years I feel I've become desensitised Angry

OP posts:
Nearly10to9 · 30/07/2017 21:12

i've flown in to Newark, JFK, Miami, LA, San Fran loads of places with tattoos and brightly coloured hair - never had a problem ever

VestalVirgin · 30/07/2017 21:51

Never been stopped when smart and traveling for work.

Smarten up, then.

I think as long as you are white (are you?) and look wealthy, you'll be okay.

Don't think you are crazy for being worried (Trump IS crazy), but I do think you can rely on it following the usual patterns.

MakeItStopNeville · 30/07/2017 21:58

Immigration officers do have a sense of humour. I live here and have only ever met one surly crap one and he was in Aruba. And they always say Welcome Home and I love that!

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