I grew my beard when I was 19, as soon as it would grow properly. It was a terribly bohemian thing to do in those days - people would say how brave I was - BRAVE???

Many years later, I worked for an American company in London and was asked to shave it off as it didn't fit the clean-cut American boy image. I was told that I could keep it if I wanted to, but whenever client contact was required, they would send someone else. As at the time my client contacts were in various fun parts of the world, it seemed an appropriate time to shave it off - sold my soul!

When my wife first saw me sans beard, she said "Ugh, it's awful". You have to think a little about the way she phrased that. But only a little. I later left the company (though not the wife) and grew it again.

Then last year I was at a formal function in Bali, for which they had tailored me Balinese evening dress. This consists of a jacket, two skirts and a headband. I was down to "designer stubble" by then but simply couldn't relate wearing both a skirt and a beard so off it came. No, the beard.

I now wet-shave every day and find it quite stimulating, due to the various modern unctions available. How long it will last I don't know.

Cheers, Terry