Kilts & Beards

[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

[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

[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?

[Prester John]

haha good call Mark!

I'll have to remember that one.

[GlassMan]

All I have to say is that I'm envious. I've tried mightily several times in my adult life to grow a beard and all to no avail. I have been cursed with poor distribution of facial hair.

I can grow a short moustache, which I have, but I'm often asked why it does not extend to the corners of my mouth. The answer is simple, on my right side, just where the moustache ends, there is a patch of skin that is completely hairless but there's no such patch on my left. So the only way to keep my moustache balanced is to shave the left to match the natural length of the right.

As for a beard, well, I have more patches of hairless skin on my chin as well. And once again they are nowhere near symmetrical. The last time I tried to grow a beard it looked like I had some sort of skin disease. Uneven patches of hair interspersed randomly in a sea of skin. It was not a pretty sight. :-?

And sadly, I've always wanted a beard, a giant beard, but that will never be. My hats off to all of you who can be bearded. When you pass on, consider leaving it to me in your will! ;)

[jfellrath]

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.

I think a good way to defuse these people (the "something to hide" quoters, particularly women) is to say "then what is [your] makeup doing?"