Kilts & Beards

[Prester John]

Interestingly, an elderly lady left her group of friends and approached me one day while I was out walking with my wife, and asked why I had one. Then she stated the same "something to hide" thing.

When I explained that I was an Orthodox priest, and that we are canonically required to grow one, she continued pestering me about it, until we wished her a good day and left.

I had to before my wife, who had just about enough of that kind of rudeness, let her have it. She can wither a volcano if she wants to. This poor ol' gal would not have stood a chance.

People don't realize that the origin of shaving is vanity, to exhibit one's pretty face for the ladies (hence the canonical prescription against it)

[Wompet]

Interestingly, an elderly lady left her group of friends and approached me one day while I was out walking with my wife, and asked why I had one. Then she stated the same "something to hide" thing.

When I explained that I was an Orthodox priest, and that we are canonically required to grow one, she continued pestering me about it, until we wished her a good day and left.

I had to before my wife, who had just about enough of that kind of rudeness, let her have it. She can wither a volcano if she wants to. This poor ol' gal would not have stood a chance.

People don't realize that the origin of shaving is vanity, to exhibit one's pretty face for the ladies (hence the canonical prescription against it)

A couple of years ago in El Paso, a hispanic co-worker and I had an encounter with a large group of travelling Amish. When my colleague asked about their beards, one of the men replied that a married man must set aside the vanity of youth for the responsibilties of adulthood and family, and the beard represents this. They don't have mustaches, however, because among the "English" soldiers wear mustaches, so as a demonstration of their pacifism the Amish do the opposite.

A note - for those of you who don't know, all non-Amish are referred to as "English," and at one time among the English "English" it was more common for a current or former member of the military to wear a mustache than it would be for a civilian (pre-Amish emigration to North America).

[GMan]

OK I admit it, I have a beard. Cannot see myself with out it, it sets me apart from others (as if the kilt doesn't already). I just think I look better bearded and kilted.

The beard does make one appear more mature, and with that somewhat more responsible looking. But I am just a big kid with or without the beard.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

With the exception of one month when I went clean-shaven (couldn't stand it for any longer), I've had my beard since I was 15 years old. When I was in college, I used to keep it rather full, several inches long. I also had very long hair then. Looking back on the pictures now, I look like Sasquatch! (Now I know my kids will laugh at these pictures in a few years, the way I used to laugh at old pictures of my dad from the 60s.)

I keep it neat and trimmed now, because my wife appreciates it. Neither she, nor my kids, have ever seen me without the beard. I might grow it out longer again at some point, but for now I have grown to also appreciate the discipline of keeping your beard neat and trim. There is an art to it!

But, basically I believe that it is ever man's right to grow a beard! How unnatural to have to scrape a razor across your face every morning to get rid of the growth! A beard is what separates the men form the boys, as it were. Men should feel comfortable displaying that. (I'm not saying every man should grow a beard, just that everyone who wants to should feel free).

I understood that the trend towards clean shavenness was spurred on by the Roman military's proscription against facial hari, and requirement to keep the hair on the head close cropped, so that the enemy wouldn't have anything to grab hold of in battle.... But I suppose vanity could also play a role -- wanting to look younger for those young ladies! (That's actually why I started keeping it short -- I couldn't get a date from a girl my age in college, because everyone thought I was about 10 years older than I was! I trimmed it up a bit, and shortly thereafter met my future wife! Who'da thunkit?)

M

[Blu (Ontario)]

Growing a beard is the only (socially acceptable) option open to men to alter their appearance. (Short of plastic surgery, that is.) It's also seen as a symbol of maturity (as Glen pointed out). Best of all, it's free.

[Sciuropterus]

I hate shaving, but have no interest in having a beard as my father has one, that's reason enough for me not to ever want one. Any time I have excess facial hair, it is a result of neglect, not cultivation. I was a sign & display artist for ten years and always had to be clean-shaven because I wore a paint respirator mask on a daily basis.

[Robin]

I look smart without a beard.

[Colin]

Men are meant to have facial (and body) hair IMHO. If you can grow it, do it. Besides I prefer having more of a beard, than I don't have to shave as often. Plus it adds to the look of the kilt

[Sherry]

Another fascinating thread on X Marks!

My DH tried growing a beard after our first trip to Colorado--it's that mountain man thing, ya know! He found that maintaining it in a business style was every bit as much trouble, if not more, than daily shaving. So he went back to shaving.

My mother has a thing against beards, so it's just as well that my father's Native American genes keep him from growing much of any beard at all. I think some men look quite grand in trimmed beards, but for Native Americans it has no identity with manhood at all.

The Jesus without a beard is as funny as Jesus in trousers. The makeup comeback is a keeper. I guess I'll never understand people who think you are just dying to have their opinions of you.

I have never seen Cold Mountain because it isn't my kind of movie, but my DH was flipping channels (as usual ) last night, & there was a scene of a man trying to shave with a knife. The whole place was covered with snow, but he was outside slicing his face left & right. One of the women had to come & shave his face for him. I thought that was really out of period as I think a normal man would simply have forgone the shaving altogether in that kind of weather.

Sherry

[motorman4life]

Interestingly, an elderly lady left her group of friends and approached me one day while I was out walking with my wife, and asked why I had one. Then she stated the same "something to hide" thing.

When I explained that I was an Orthodox priest, and that we are canonically required to grow one, she continued pestering me about it, until we wished her a good day and left.

Funny, I would have asked her if she was a Christian. If she said she was, I would have asked her what Jesus had to hide... has she even seen a portrayal of the Lord without a beard? Does she have any doubt that he didn't wear a beard? So, since God has a beard, who is she to question your motives?