My father died when I was nine, but I vividly remember him shaving before Mass on Sunday mornings, and occasionally cutting himself and getting a freshly ironed white shirt slightly bloodied. The resultant panic caused me to vow never to shave. I was told later at school that when some Asian men start to grow facial hair they pluck each strand out by the roots so that it never grows again. This seemed a wee bit drastic, so I opted for the beard growing option as soon as I left school. I've had a beard permanently since 1972 and most of my friends have never seen me without it. During a recent crisis of self esteem I asked my wife for her views about shaving it off. Being the saint that she is she politely offered "No, you'll just look old and wrinkled if people can actually see your face!"

Best wishes, John