I grew my beard last year after being glabrous for 26 years. I remember before that people said I looked better with the beard and then they said I looked better without it when I shaved it off. I guess I have always worked with courteous folk.
My hair is thinning too but it is black whereas as the beard is half grey.
John

With five other bearded kiltie friends in Idstein, Germany recently:
Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Sunday 3.jpg 
Views:	13 
Size:	192.2 KB 
ID:	26005