Slate has an interesting discussion about beards and what they represent. I shaved my goatee off tonight for no reason in particular and was reminded why I grew a goatee in the first place – it’s a hassle to shave. Using a razor is also uncomfortable (think of the kid on Home Alone when he uses aftershave). I imagine I’d get used to shaving every day, but I prefer to keep my morning routine down to a zippy 15 minutes.
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So where’s the picture of your newly smooth baby face?
Although I do not like Al Gore, I think he looks good with a beard.
What men tend to forget is that facial hair can feel like millions of tiny steel wires when pressed against a womans face. Other than that, I usually like the facial hair look on men.
I hate shaving, and if it hadn’t been for bootcamp and them making me shave I probably wouldn’t have to shave today. I do like my goatee though. If not for that I’d have a hard time passing for 20. My ultimate goal is to have a “Biederman”.
Renee: I don’t have a digital camera and rarely use the camera I do have, so no pics for now. I have had it shaved rather close for a while now though, so it’s not that big of a change.
Although the history of beards is interesting, I find the fact that it was written in response to some apparent controversy over Gore’s beard rather irksome. The worst part is the list of all the major publications that knock him for it. The ‘fashion show’ aspect of politics that came into being with TV is a major black eye on our society. Lincoln could never be elected today.
Anyway, I personally leave the parts of my face that are most annoying to shave unshaven. My upper lip and chin were always collecting the most nicks and getting the most razor burn when I had to shave. Plus I like how it looks well enough, and I can’t imagine it feels any worse than the sandpaper shadow I’ve got at the end of the day when I shave in the morning.
I think our politicians should be at least presentable; they should bathe and look like they should be taken seriously – even if it hard to do so as soon as they open their mouths. If that includes a beard, I have no problem with that. If their look involves flip-flops and tie-dye tees, then their politics aren’t going to matter; they’re not going to be taken seriously. (That’s the one big reason Sharpton will never be elected: he looks like a pimp from 1972.)
The whole beard thing with Gore is a little tiresome. Let’s move on and let the ghost of Mountain Man Gore go back to his log cabin. I’m sick of him.
I have had a beard for the past 12 years – it’s just so much less hassle than shaving.
I prefer the clean shaven look. It’s a pain to shave every day, but an electric razor isn’t near as an annoyance as the original kind. For me though, even that hassle is worth it to look clean shaven.
Despite what may seem as illogical reasons, clean shaven men seem to be taken more serious in the business world (where facial hair often implies a little bit of laziness). Plus, most girls have told me they prefer men sans facial hair.
Although I do like the look of a goatee, I had a boyfriend once who had one – it got to the point where I couldn’t kiss him until he shaved because my face literally got ripped up from just giving him a simple kiss. It hurt like you would not believe. Maybe I just have really sensitive skin, but I can honestly say I’m not in favor of facial hair when it means leaving scars on my face just when I try to kiss somebody. I’ve given myself quite a bit of a respite from that, so thankfully no permanent damage was done. Who knew a simple little kiss could be so scarring… :)
Apart from that, can’t you minimize razor burns and knicks if you shave with the grain? I’ve heard it minimizes the two vices of shaving quite well, especially if you use a nice quality shaving paste.
Maybe I should look into getting an electric razor. I’ll have to try shaving with the grain, but if I remember correctly it pulled the hairs out instead of cutting them and that became quite painful.
Its the most appealing thing men have to offer. I won’t kiss a man without a bushy beard. Sissor free zone, though occasionaly the ends will need ripping down with a razor. I know a man who was saved his face in a flash fire because of his beard. I like the red and brown ones best, they’re so beautiful with thier varying colors.
I’ve got a beard down to my chest and it’s great. Who needs the hassle of shaving. Nothing like sitting there playing with it while I think, eat, read, do anything really. All hail to the Beard!!!!
Beards rock!!! if society says that I am supposed to shave my face every day, then society can kiss my hairy, unshaven a–!!
To beard or not to beard…
i too find shaving horribly uncomfortable. i have grown my beard out several times due to the fact that shaving irritates and hurts my face tro no end. though i don’t care for my job, it lets me have facial hair if i want, and i am not currently in a relationship, so why not grow it out? i have now let my beard grow out the longest i have ever let it. i’m still young at 21 and have a whole life ahead of me so experimenting with my beard is fun for the time being. plus i have met several ladies now who think growing a mountain man-esque beard is a very attractive thing. who knew?
Beards are a God given sign of manhood. The Hebrew word for beard is Zaw’kawn which is important to some of us bible thumpers because it means “aged” Zaw’kawn comes from a root word zaw’kane meaning to be old, elder(est), senator, and ancient. It is an honor.
Beardless means to be immature or inexperianced look it up
Sure, Keith. Hate to break it to you, but we’re not ancient Hebrews here. The bible is great, but thumping it that way only makes a dull thud and hurts your hand.
The meanings behind facial hair are purely cultural. Contemporary American culture treats beards as fashion accessories (of varying tastefulness) and nothing more. I’m currently beardless (though I’ve got a shadow at the moment) and no less mature than I was with my beard!
sir i have not full beard on face i hane only on chin. then tell me how beard appears on full face.
I originally started growing a goatee when I got let go from a job. I had not had one prior to that for a lot of the same reasons that others don’t; what it looks like while it is growing in, the idea that I am lazier than my co-workers because I have a beard or not being able to for grooming standards by my employer. Since I had some time off I stopped shaving because I never really liked doing it anyway. After a short time I groomed it down to a nice goatee which I kept for a little over a year. After that time I have grown a full beard. I work in the financial industry in NY and there are very few full beards around though goatees have become more common.
I like the full beard for the winter months especially during my morning runs but will probably go back to a goatee once the weather changes.
Everyone should try a beard at least once in their life. It is an easy way to get a new look which you can change back after ten minutes with a razor.
On the whole kissing and hurting the person I am with, my wife only cares when it gets so long the hair ends up in her mouth or up her nose (it tickles) when we kiss. Keep it neatly trimmed and these are not an issue.
This is more interesting to me than you could guess. My husband had been unemployed for 6 months while he trained for a new position as a financial planner. During this time, he grew a small, charming (to me)chin only beard and a mustache. It is trimmed and neat. However, one (and only one) associate of his who has been the business for 25 years says “beards are a turn-off. Studies show people don’t trust men with beards.” I said “huh?” He’s only been in sales 2 months. Everyone stars out slow. I don’t want him to think it’s his beard —- are there really some statistics on this. Y’all?
A beard is the mark of the manly. A shaven face is the mark of the whipped and efeminite. Transvestites shave.
(A man’s beard can be uncomfortable for the ladies when it is new, but mine softened up nicely after six to nine months. The ancients used to rub grease or oil into their beards. I can’t get myself to do that, but a little conditioner now and then doesn’t hurt.)
I used to have an Amish looking goatee and sideburns, but now I have grown a full beard. I love having it working outside in the winter to keep my face warm.
I just recently re-grew my beard back. I’ve always had a moustache since I was 17 years old. My father-in-law thinks they’re discusting and he said when he was in retail he wouldn’t hire a salesman no matter how good he was at his profession if he wore a beard. I always tend to catch grief some family whenever I grow it back. As long as you keep it clean and trimmed event if it’s down to your @^#$&% then why should people care.
I am surprised at the number of Pogonophobic (fear of beards) individuals here. Get over it people! It is not like a beard is pubic hair! For those that discriminate against beards: are you jealous that you can’t grow one yourself or are you truly Pogonophobic? Or maybe a bad childhood experience?