So, I've been having an argument with my entire family over the matter of a beard.
I'm a 21 year old male and I have a light beard. This is due to the fact that I find shaving to be too time consuming to be an every day (or even every week) thing. I keep my beard tidy - but its still there.
My entire family keep telling me that nobody will respect me if I have a beard. Obviously I don't agree or I would have taken up shaving as a daily activity. My sister is convinced that once I go back to school in the Fall my professors (who, most of them, I have known for three years) will suddenly stop taking me seriously. Now, I'm pretty sure that I could come to class with ketchup and mustard stains all over my clothes and my professors probably wouldn't care.
So. My question is, does a *young* (I think that's what my family is stuck on) male get, noticeably, less respect from people if he has a beard?
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
Yes, absolutely.
Posted by WheatPuppet (Member # 5142) on :
No, I don't think so. As long as it's obviously well-tended and obviously isn't a byproduct of apathy towards one's appearance.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Which it seems to be here. Can't be bothered to shave once a week? Can you be bothered to bathe or to brush your teeth?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
It depends on whether you look good in a beard or not. If you look like you ought to be hanging out with Scooby Doo, then, yeah, you're going to get less respect. If you carry a beard off like Frisco, then no, you will just have women objectifying you all the time. Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
quote:My question is, does a *young* (I think that's what my family is stuck on) male get, noticeably, less respect from people if he has a beard?
Might be, but then again, who would need the respect of people who would base it on something like that?!?
I really don't see an equivalence between shaving and bathing. If it's my appearance that bothers you, then that's your problem.
Posted by Gryphonesse (Member # 6651) on :
as long as it's NEAT and TRIMMED, and not one of those fuzzy soul-patch disasters, then I say keep it. (I see those fuzzy-wuzzy chin wigs on guys and I just want to yank them off- ugh!!) I've always preferred a little facial hair on a guy. My hubby has a goatee b/c I like it. He also keeps it nice and well trimmed, as he does with his hair. He's a former Marine, so he's hygenic anyway. I have heard the beard/respect thing once or twice before, and I think it's pure balderdash. It's YOUR face. Do what you want.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Beard=bad. Goatee=good. Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Correction
Beard=bad. Goatee=Evil spawn of the underworld.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
Thanks Dan. I needed that.
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
Unless you're a tough guy stay away from goatees.
[ July 11, 2005, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: Papa Janitor ]
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I, too, find shaving to be a tedious and ultimately unfulfilling chore.
I, too, am currently sporting what could accurately be termed a "homeless beard".
I don't think my facial hair has any reflection on the respect that I get.
It's trimmed, and I look all right with it, I think.
Much better than my awkward 13 year-old-boy mustache. And it's a face beard, meaning from the jawline up. Under my jaw itches if I don't shave it.
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
If you're fat and balding and wear knee-shorts with pocket tees, the beard or goat goes with the package.
Posted by Icec0o1 (Member # 8157) on :
Dang, and I thought I was extremely lazy...like living in a mess for a few days at a time before I clean up my room. I think you guys got me beat here though.
I think you should stop whining, shave every morning like most men do and appreciate the little extra attention women give you.
Posted by Icec0o1 (Member # 8157) on :
"Might be, but then again, who would need the respect of people who would base it on something like that?!?"
A beard sends a clear and loud message that you're too lazy to shave. I think that's a good enough base for people to judge you on. Is it incorrect to read from your beard that you are too lazy?
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
quote:A beard sends a clear and loud message that you're too lazy to shave.
Exactly! Too lazy to shave! Not too lazy to do your homework, not too lazy to clean your room, not too lazy to <insert anything you like here>. So what if I'm too lazy to shave? Why should I shave more often? Cause you like it? Well, like someone else then, thakyouverymuch!
Edit: What if I usually shave in the evening but I'm quite busy and I'm too tired to shave every. single. freakin. day?
Edit 2: And he's not whining. He thinks it's alright, his parents think it's not, not every time a child disagrees with his parents does it mean he's whining.
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
quote: A beard sends a clear and loud message that you're too lazy to shave. I think that's a good enough base for people to judge you on. Is it incorrect to read from your beard that you are too lazy?
Good heavens what is wrong with you people?
Please tell me you're being sarcastic or joking.
I sport a beard most of the time. I hate shaving, and it has nothing to do with being lazy. I hate the feel of a shaved face. And when it starts to grow back in it feels like I've got about a thousand splinters in my neck and chin. I hate it. That said I'll be the first to admit that I'm a lazy guy, and not the most hygenic of folk. But wearing a beard has nothing to do with that. That's just a matter of preference both for the look with a beard and the feel.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:What if I usually shave in the evening but I'm quite busy and I'm too tired to shave every. single. freakin. day?
Then we have something else in common.
I shave about three times a week, because it irritates my skin to shave every day.
And yet I still think that being too lazy to shave is pretty darn lazy indeed.
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
I’ve done both the beard and goatee thing. For me it more of the I felt like I had a bit of a baby face and wanted to look older. I never felt I was taken any more or less seriously. Plus I would agree, the time thing is nice. How serious do professors have to take you anyway? They teach, you take tests. I think most are going to be mature enough to look past facial hair and listen to what you say or write. Especially when you see so many hippy grunge or otherwise socially challenged people doing well in college. Anyway…. Don’t let your family get to you. Do what you want and feel comfortable with. Listen politely to them and you can even say you’ll think about it. But do what you want. I mean come on, it’s facial hair! As long as you like it, who cares!
Posted by TheHumanTarget (Member # 7129) on :
I alternate between clean-shaven and a goatee, and find that I'm actually taken more seriously when I have the goatee then when I don't.
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
I still don't get it. Why does it mean "pretty darn lazy"? What do I gain from shaving that I have to be so careful to do it every day? I'd really like to hear some arguments, 'cause until now all I've seen is "it means you're lazy and that's that".
Edit: :strokes hairy face: Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
The wife keeps bugging me to grow a beard again, but I just can't stand the itchy face enough to do it for her.
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
My brother and I tried to convinge our mother to let father grow a beard. No luck...
Posted by TheHumanTarget (Member # 7129) on :
Corwin, Apparently, not bending to someone else's view of how you should portray yourself to the world is indicative of a deep-seated self-esteem issue that manifests itself in your passive-agressive laziness..
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:What do I gain from shaving that I have to be so careful to do it every day?
I never said that. In fact, I said that I don't even shave every other day.
But not being willing to take the time to shave even once a week -- that sounds pretty darn lazy to me.
I never said that most people that have beards do so because of laziness. I just said that Chungwa sounds like laziness is his motivation for growing a beard.
quote:I'm a 21 year old male and I have a light beard. This is due to the fact that I find shaving to be too time consuming to be an every day (or even every week) thing.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote: A beard sends a clear and loud message that you're too lazy to shave.
Or it could send the message that you look better with a beard than without one. My wife thinks so.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote:I shave about three times a week, because it irritates my skin to shave every day.
Porter, how fast does your facial hair grow? If I decide to shave my face completely, it has to be done every day or I might as well not bother.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Let's see. I shaved yesterday morning, but not today. I'll try to get a photo.
Posted by Don Domande (Member # 8287) on :
As someone who has worn a beard of some sort for the past 7 years or more, I can say that I think it takes *more* work to keep a well-tended beard than stay clean-shaven. Of course, the key word is "well-tended".
Of course, I took the worst of both worlds - goatee and shaven skull. *sigh*
I will say, however, that a scruffy beard *does* give the impression of laziness.
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
Since when did willingness to shave become an official sign of whether or not you're lazy?
I mean, I don't put contacts in every day. You know why? Because I don't own contacts. I've never owned them, and I don't want to own them. I wear glasses instead, and I think I look good in them. Some people put contacts in every day, but I don't, and not doing so doesn't make me lazy. It's just a value-neutral decision I made about my appearance.
Similarly, I think I look much better in a beard. I like wearing one, and I don't think that my failure to remove a natural feature of my face that I happen to LIKE constitutes laziness.
Are women who grow their fingernails long just too lazy to clip them? Or do they simply LIKE having long fingernails?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
My husband shaves in the morning and by 3 or 4 in the afternoon has stubble.
The shaving three times a week thing would not work for him.
Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
Beards and mustaches used to be worn by US military personnel as a rule (Ulysses S. Grant, anyone?), but when gas masks became a necessary part of a soldier's gear in World War I, they had to start shaving. At least, this is what I heard from my buddy who went to West Point.
Posted by Icec0o1 (Member # 8157) on :
Okay, I guess what I said doesn't apply to everyone. I think mr_porteiro_head said it a lot better,
"But not being willing to take the time to shave even once a week -- that sounds pretty darn lazy to me." - that being specific for Chungwa's situation.
My original argument is that the majority of women like a clean shave more then a beard. And a goatee is different then a beard...a goatee shows that you actually care more for your appearence then just shaving.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
quote: Are women who grow their fingernails long just too lazy to clip them? Or do they simply LIKE having long fingernails?
No way. Having long fingernails, especially painted and manicured takes a lot of time and upkeep. Clipping your nails to avoid all that is lazy. I know, because I'm lazy and have short nails. (Actually, the major reason is because my nails get brittle when they get long, and I don't really understand how to GET those nice long nails without getting fake ones.)
-Katarain
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Personally, I love facial hair on men. Wouldn't make me respect them less.
But we'd need a photo, Chungwa, to see exactly how it looks on you and how you're keeping it, before we could really have an opinion.
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
So what do women think of Sawyer on LOST? They must TOTALLY hate that guy ...
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote:a goatee shows that you actually care more for your appearence then just shaving.
I knew it! Porter just doesn't care what he looks like. Otherwise, he'd have a goatee.
Posted by Puppy (Member # 6721) on :
Kat, taking care of a beard is no small feat, either. It's not like it just shows up looking perfect. Chungwa has been very clear that he has a neatly-trimmed, well-kept beard. That's no easier to maintain than long fingernails, and certainly takes more care than shaving.
I mean, shaving takes no creativity or attention whatsoever. If you see hair, you destroy it. That's it. Beards take MUCH more attention.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Yeah, I agree with Corwin and others.
Not shaving doesn't make you lazy. I should clarify my earlier post. Not only do I not like shaving, but I happen to like the look of stubble and neat beard. Also, goatee (not that that's a sentence).
Laziness has almost nothing to do with it. I could never live in a mess for days (like ice above). But I can easily go 2 weeks without fully shaving (I use an electric trimmer for maintenance, and straight razor for actual shaving).
It's personal preference, and as long as your beard isn't ZZ Top style or full of fried chicken crumbs, there's absolutely no reason why any man can't sport one at any time.
Posted by Icec0o1 (Member # 8157) on :
Porter or I never said that goatees are for everyone...if it looked good on me, I'd take the time every day to take care of it.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Puppy, I love the image of seek and destroy on all facial hair. Clear cutting is deadly to the environment.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Here you go. It's pretty big, but it shows you how slowly my facial hair grows.
Maybe that's why I don't like growing a beard -- the awkward inbetween stage lasts too long.
I was only commenting about the nails. I know it takes a lot of work to keep nice, long nails. Wasn't trying to say it was any more or less hard than keeping a beard or a goatee.
-Katarain
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:t's personal preference, and as long as your beard isn't ZZ Top style or full of fried chicken crumbs, there's absolutely no reason why any man can't sport one at any time.
My father was never able to wear one. He worked in a refinery, and had to be able to wear a gas mask in the case of an emergency.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Right, except for the gas mask reason.
I forgot about that.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I'm a 21 year old guy and I have a goatee. Well, it's a goatee when you just have the hair around the chin and it connects to the mustache right?
I keep it neatly trimmed, so it doesn't look bad. All of my friends tell me never to shave it off, they think I look weird without it. But it seems to be a woman repellant. That or the fact that I'm not attractive to begin with, but most girls I talk to don't like the beard. Unfortunetely, I have a big nose, and without the beard it looks even more gargantuan.
I was actually told by one girl that by wearing a beard, it meant that I'm old and don't want to have sex anymore.
Shows how little that girl knows about men in general.
I don't however think it matters at all about respect. Getting a date, that's another matter. Respect is all about what you do.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Several of my, ahem, buddies keep goatees because it detracts attention away from their double chins.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Chungwa needs to submit before and after pictures so that the Ladies of Hatrack can vote on the beard... =)
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
I find that having a beard gets me more respect. And I sport it for a few reasons, chief among them laziness.
Apparently, it also makes married Mormon women gush over me. I say keep it.
Besides, laziness in appearance, especially when there's such a good alternative attainable by not shaving, doesn't necessarily translate to laziness inother areas. I, for example, am a workaholic. And a playaholic.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I think well-trimmed beards look classy. When they aren't well trimmed, they look sloppy. If the guy is especially good looking, he can pull of just about anything, just as an especially good looking girl can pull off just about anything.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:I think well-trimmed beards look classy.
Well, then you can go ahead and grow a classy beard yourself, honey. Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
quote:Beards take MUCH more attention.
I disagree. My facial hair grows really fast, but I still only have to trim it every three or four days to keep it looking neat. And all that takes is a few swipes with my clippers.
I do shave about 4 square inches on my cheeks and neck daily, but that takes 30 seconds and no shaving cream, 'cause I do it when I get out of the shower.
Very low maintenance. And cheaper.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Hmm, that would take a heavy dose of testosterone....
I think that would be bad for the baby.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I find that not having a beard is in many ways lower maintenance for me.
I shave in the shower by feel.
But when I have a beard, I can't do it by feel. I have to do it when I'm not in the shower, which is so much more of a hassle for me.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote:If the guy is especially good looking, he can pull of just about anything
Yeah, don't fall into that trap. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and thought to myself "Brad Pitt looks good with a shaved head, I should shave my head."
In my defense, it's really hot here and I have thick hair, but the moral of the story is don't do something because it looks good on someone else. Especially when that someone else is a movie star.
*Note - I didn't actually shave my head, but I am seriously considering it, despite photographic proof that it doesn't look good on me.
Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
I have suggested my husband try a beard after we've been on vacation and he hasn't shaved for a while. I think it looks good on him, but he said he didn't want to be "That fat guy with a beard." I don't think he's really fat, a bit over weight, yeah, but not FAT fat.
I have very long nails right now, because I won't cut them all until one breaks. I keep them even and well cared for. They're about half an inch long now. Is that freaky or not?
Anyway, trimmed and neatly edged is nice. Longish, curling facial hairs trailing down the neck into the collar or within a couple inches of the eyes is just freaky, in my experience. I admit that is probably a cultural thing, though.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I have to say that the beard really agrees with Frisco.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote: just as an especially good looking girl can pull off just about anything.
I second that. Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
If my nails are really long, it is usually due to laziness. I am *not* a manicure sort of person. When my nails are too long, they just get in the way and get broken when, you know, I actually try to use my hands for stuff.
I honestly don't know how girls put up with the claws in day to day living. I did a "girls night out" a few years back where I put on some press on nails. Just trying to get in my car and drive was a nightmare! I ripped those puppies off as soon as I could.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
:wub:
Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
Well, it's mostly superior genetics. My nails are really, really strong. I use them to loosen screws when I don't have a screwdriver. I files around so I can neaten them up if they break. They actually make it easier to type on my wee laptop keyboard. I can dig a worm and feed it to my hedgehog without ever having to actually touch a worm. They are also handy when cleaning, because I used them to scrape stuff off my dishes or floors.
I wash my hands a lot, and scrub the nails, too.
When I break a nail, I cut them all short to be even. I feel like my fingers are dumber, less nimble when they are short. I'm accustomed to using them, so when they aren't there it's weird.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: Here you go. It's pretty big, but it shows you how slowly my facial hair grows.
Maybe that's why I don't like growing a beard -- the awkward inbetween stage lasts too long.
That's quite the smoldering gaze, Porter. You and Pat should have a male model face-off, just like in Zoolander. Posted by Chungwa (Member # 6421) on :
Well. I will admit I am relatively lazy when it comes to many things. I am by no means a tidy person (I don't live in filth, or anything like that, though).
But I'm not a particularly lazy person, in general. For example, this summer I usually spend a few hours a day doing housework (after my actual job). Two days ago I painted a room, yesterday I put down tiles (cutting tiles, especially around doors, is not easy!), and today I put a new light in my basement ceiling and re-cocked around a bathtub. My point is, if you looked up Sloth in the dictionary I wouldn't be last on the list, but I certainly wouldn't be first.
I've always been of the belief that you shouldn't get a haircut (including facial hair) because someone you know thinks you don't look right. I'm not the most handsome guy - I don't think a beard changes the quality of how I look much.
Now, assuming I am wrong and I look like some West Virginian mountain man - would a messy face be enough reason to glare and turn away from me? Or to think, "Hm, looks like this student doesn't keep care of his face. I bet he doesn't know a darn thing about the Behistun Inscription of Darius."? (yes, I''m being somewhat facetious)
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by beverly: Hmm, that would take a heavy dose of testosterone....
I think that would be bad for the baby.
Whoa. Are you expecting? Have I missed something? Or am I just having one of those Mondays where I forget stuff and act dumb?
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
quote: You and Pat should have a male model face-off, just like in Zoolander. [Smile]
Oh! My aching sides!
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:That's quite the smoldering gaze, Porter. You and Pat should have a male model face-off, just like in Zoolander. [Smile]
>.<
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Someone is paying attention!
But you didn't "miss anything" since this is the first time I've bothered to mention it.
You win the prize!
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Instead of having a face-off like in Zoolander, how about we just watch Zoolander instead?
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Everybody wins!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*loves Zoolander*
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote: re-cocked around a bathtub
*bites tongue hard to keep from saying anything*
Posted by Chungwa (Member # 6421) on :
quote:Originally posted by Farmgirl: *bites tongue hard to keep from saying anything*
Thank you. I suppose I should have typed that slightly differently. Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Count me among those that are perplexed by those that consider a beard a sign of laziness.
My facial hair grows very quickly. I would have to shave twice a day to keep it clean-shaven, but my skin is also extremely sensitive, so that's right out. I also find stubble extremely irritating and uncomfortable. It only takes me about a week to go from clean-shaven to passable beard. I find trimming the beard to be less work than shaving. (My facial hair grows in a variety of directions, so there's none of that with- or against-the-grain debate: I have to shave each area in both directions or I will have baseball-field-like patches of stubble. Especially on my neck/bottom of jaw area.) Still, I don't see it as a laziness issue considering that the hair belongs there. It is the natural way of things. Shaving it, when I choose to do so, is the affectation.
As for respect, I always feel like I've gotten more respect with the beard. The upside is that parents are less likely to challenge me with a beard; the downside is that some kids are more likely to be intimidated by me with the beard.
Being able to buy drinks at 14 was pretty cool too. Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
beards scratch.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
No. Stubble scratches.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
They do get softer as they grow out.
:wub:
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
okay. beard hair get in your mouth!
Posted by Chungwa (Member # 6421) on :
The hair on my beard isn't nearly long enough to get into my mouth.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
i was not talking about a guy's mouth.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Well then, Kama, you'll just have to trim your beard short enough that it doesn't get in your mouth.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Other hair can get in your mouth too... and is far more likely to, in my experience.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
but at least not in public places!
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I have, at one time or another, had every common beard variation and a few uncommon ones. Including: Full Beard(trimmed), Full Beard(long), Goatee, Half-Goatee(left), Half-Beard(left), Fu Manchu(proper), Fu Manchu(cheater), Soul Patch, Moustache, Pirate 'Stache.
The amount of respect each got (and deserved) varied wildly. The Half is the most fun though, for the absolutely fascinating reactions, and the fact that people can go quite a long time without actually noticing it.
--Enigmatic (Saw Liam Neeson in Batman Begins and thought "Oh, there's a beard I haven't tried!)
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
I don't like the way long nails feel. I've had short nails due to playing the guitar and when it starts growing longer, I have to cut them because it gets irritating. For me, the nails get in the way of what my fingers can do on their own.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I can say without reservation that I have gotten just as little respect or admiration whether I was sporting a beard or not.
Posted by Chungwa (Member # 6421) on :
Well. My old roomate (who had, and has, a very full beard) kissed me full on the lips at a convocation.
He had enough beard hairs to get some in my mouth. While the kiss wasn't erotic, it certainly wasn't entirely unpleasant.
My old girlfriend used to ask me to shave a lot. But she never mentioned anything about hair and kissing together...
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I just want to put in another vote in favor of beards -- especially well-trimmed ones.
IMO, very few men (I have met a couple) look better clean-shaven than with a beard. Also, beards are soft (or can be, if properly conditioned); stubble is nasty and scratchy.
Kama, hair in the mouth generally comes from a mustache than needs trimming. Or a beard that needs to be conditioned.
Posted by Human (Member # 2985) on :
See, now I'm jealous of y'all. I seem to be the one 18 year old in the state of Missouri who couldn't grow a beard if he wanted to. Heaven help me if I even tried.
Also, this is just curiosity--is the amount of facial hair you have genetic, or can it be a sign that something's wrong with you, or what?
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
*Could* be either....
Could your father/brothers grow facial hair?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
rivka, just to add to your list, Jeff looks much better clean-shaven than with a beard. He tried several styles-- taking off more each time-- in the past week or so. I was not impressed.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Human -- you have any Native American blood? Some tribes of Native Americans have very very little facial or body hair (like hair-clean chests), and that is genetic. I would say in most cases how easily you grow hair would be influenced greatly by genetics.
FG
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: rivka, just to add to your list, Jeff looks much better clean-shaven than with a beard. He tried several styles-- taking off more each time-- in the past week or so. I was not impressed.
I'm sorry, but he cannot qualify for the list unless I can see some pictures for comparison purposes.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
IIRC, many Asian races can't grow a full beard either.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
Also, some guys' beards just don't come in very well until they're older. When I was 18 I could sort of grow a beard, but if I did it was thin, scraggly, and didn't look very good. By mid-20s I'd have a thick, dark beard after only 2-3 weeks of not shaving. If you're getting any facial hair right now, there's still hope it'll be better later.
--Enigmatic
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
And the look says: "Old, crazy hermit".
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I look ridiculous with a beard. That didn't stop me from having one for a while, but it's not an experiment I'll be repeating.
Posted by Orson Scott Card (Member # 209) on :
I look ridiculous with a beard, too. But I look even more ridiculous without it.
It's silly for women to complain about men's beards, when their hair - short or long - is forever getting into men's faces during moments of even relatively casual intimacy. Undelicious. And your hair tickles, too. But we men don't insist you shave your heads. We just deal with it because we love you.
And for most of human history, the razor wasn't invented; yet somehow the species managed to reproduce itself.
Still ... what the world needs is a good depilator that causes no pain, doesn't smell, and doesn't irritate the skin.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Or maybe you deal with it because you like the look of women with hair better far better than women shorn? Enough to put up with a bit of annoyance once in awhile.
I think if I shaved my head out of consideration for Porter's annoyance at it tickling him, he would be very, very sad indeed.
If all men have beards, and no woman knows differently, then of course they will take what is available. But you start giving 'em a choice... then you see what they really prefer.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Men with faces more like women's?
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I think one person described it as the youthful look being the initial cause of attraction to a smooth male cheek. Dunno if it's true or not.
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
quote:Still, I don't see it as a laziness issue considering that the hair belongs there. It is the natural way of things. Shaving it, when I choose to do so, is the affectation.
Thank you! About time somebody said something sensible. You know, there was a time when a man without a beard would get no respect. It's such an obviously masculine feature, the vast majority of women being unable to grow one, that it was a sign of manhood. A man with a beard was a man; a man with a naked face was a girly man.
I keep a beard, not because I'm lazy, but because I bleeding well want one. I like the way it looks on me. (I'd like it better if I could get my mustache and beard to connect. Darn my Cherokee blood!)
Posted by WheatPuppet (Member # 5142) on :
It's nice to have light-colored hair so I don't have to shave every morning. Maybe it's my tender flesh, but shaving hurts like nothing else I do on a regular basis. It's not exactly positive reenforcement to continue the practice.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I have a funny dent in my skull. I'd look odd with a shaved head.
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
When I reach my 60s, I'm going to abandon the beard and get me some of these. Man, talk about cool. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I picked my husband because of his beard. I'll have to get a picture up some time.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
rivka, I always wonder about pictures like that: What do they do when they decide it's time to get the bees off? Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
GAH!
Thanks for the link, rivka.
Jamie: With cranial restructuring, you can fix that.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Icarus: rivka, I always wonder about pictures like that: What do they do when they decide it's time to get the bees off?
I don't know. But I bet ScottR might have some idea.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I am indifferent both ways about beards, but my favorite is a four-day stubble. If they could keep it at that, I'd be happy.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
O_o You like the Saddam look?
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
A little more experience kissing would change your mind, kat. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Hey, this is based on experience. I had someone who only shaved on Sunday, and Thursday was my favorite day.
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
True, I suppose with you, only the face area would be covered in a red rash.
I was thinking more about my experiences.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I admit, though, that I like a bit o' beard better when the whiskers are of the blondish variety. I don't know why, unless it's that it is the same color as the skin underneath. Same reason I never wear my hair in cornrows (even thouiugh it WOULD match after a few weeks of being out and about - but that would risk the whole burning/peeling thing. Not good.)
Posted by Rico (Member # 7533) on :
Beards are all about respect.
My plan is to grow a beard so amazing that I'll be elected president of the United States, this is coming from someone who isn't a citizen. Yup, it'll be that incredible.
But seriously if someone bases their respect on how much hair you have on your face then they have a problem.
Posted by bmeaker (Member # 4443) on :
I haven't shaved in about 7 months, the only thing I've trimmed is the mustache because it gets in my mouth. I do wash and comb it though. Here are some pictures of me with the beard and without. Also I cut my hair fairly short and the only reason I get it cut again is because it starts bothering me, I do the same with my fingernails, they get to be about a half inch long before I cut them usually. Right now I dont have that much of a reason to make my self look neat because I'm just going to college. Some of my professors have beards and I haven't noticed that they treat me differnt when I have the beard then when I don't. Also one of my professors complimented me on my beard.
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
quote:My plan is to grow a beard so amazing that I'll be elected president of the United States,
Odd that you'd say that, considering it's been quite some time since we've had a bearded president at all.
Posted by Rico (Member # 7533) on :
My beard will be the beard that defines all future beards.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Interesting link, Verily. (And Forsooth!)
Did you listen to this recording, of the first president to have something completely unintelligible/incoherent recorded?
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
Pretty interesting. Didn't catch a word of it, of course, beyond "president", and I'm pretty sure the end was "Benjamin Harrison".
But wow, check this one out. Actual audio of Theodore Roosevelt. Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
>>A beard to really complain about!
You know, I bet he's holding the queen in his mouth.
Eww.
No, really-- he's either holding the queen off-camera, or she's in his mouth.
They get bees off of them by releasing the queen, and then gently brushing the bees away.
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
What gets respect is neatness, not hairlessness.
Frisco: I looked over details for being faculty at BYU once. Beards are forbidden. Can you believe it?
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
bmeaker -- you look quite nice in the top photo, with the medium-length, trimmed beard. I don't like the longer beard as much on your face. But I definately like the beard to the clean-shaven option. (but then again, that is my vote on most men).
edit: oh -- and your brother Jonathan should NOT have a beard! oh my.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by Will B: What gets respect is neatness, not hairlessness.
Frisco: I looked over details for being faculty at BYU once. Beards are forbidden. Can you believe it?
Well, students can't have them, either, so it's not much of a surprise. I seem to remember hearing that they make an exception for non-member professors, but I'm not sure about that.
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
I can believe it, and always found it curious that facial hair was forbidden at a school named after a man with such a ginormous beard. Posted by bmeaker (Member # 4443) on :
Farmgirl - Thanks, right now its a little bit longer than that first picture but its still fairly neat. I haven't cut or trimmed it since that first picture was taken. My brother has a goatee right now, it looks ok, and he has short hair.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Tonight at the signing I kept staring at male faces.
I blame Hatrack.
Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
This thread has also made me a bit more aware of facial hair on men.
Maybe it comes from being an Army Brat(where every man I came in contact with as a child was clean-shaven), but I have always felt threatened by men with beards. The longer/shaggier the scarrier. My mom used to refer to them as woolly-boogers. When our pastor started growing a beard, she asked him if he'd mind coming over to our house, because our kitchen sink needed a good scrubbing. *snerk*
My mother was te only woman I have ever known who could get away with saying something like that.
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