BS: Beards and Mudcatters

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: LR Mole
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 09:36 AM

I've worn a beard since 1971, which fact once caused a student to observe, "Your beard is older than I am".Thanks, I thought. I shave a razor-width between sidetap and 'stache every day to pretend I'm groomed, but I'm probably the only one who notices. It also reminds me of a friend's father, a fine old Dane, who passed before I could get to know him better, and who razored the same vertical space.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 09:42 AM

I've had the full set for close on 30 years and would be instantly divorded if I removed it. There's a lot of 'silver in the stubble' these days, but as they say

" A kiss without a beard is like an egg without salt"

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:38 AM

being 'divorded' sound ominous to ME!....why, I'd probably rather be divorced!

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Ely
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 03:12 PM

I don't have a beard, either, but I'm sure I would if I were a guy (I'm lazy enough--I once went six years without a haircut. Really bad idea. 1 1/2 inch split ends).

My dad's had a beard for 30 years. He had to shave it once to wear a gas mask while doing field work for his employers and my mother was so bothered by it she wouldn't speak to him until it grew back. He's a handsome guy but doesn't have quite enough chin, so he looks better in a beard.

Personally, I like beards. I guess it ultimately depends on the guy, but I've always been a fan of facial hair.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: StandingBear (inactive)
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 03:28 PM

Liz, you like a beard? I am surprised that there are so many women that do. My wife is so ambivalent; she can't decide whether she can get used to one or not. Planning on growing one back anyway. I have run the gamut, from goatee and shiny bald head to middle-of-the-back long hair and a full beard. One of my favorites is the Wyatt Earp look, the HandleBar. She can't stand it. Oh well, I can put up with her grumbles a lot longer than she can put up with the handlebar. Razors suck.

Peace on you,

'Bear

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Ely
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 04:53 PM

What?! How can anyone resist a handlebar moustache??

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Kara
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:00 PM

I have no beard and never have had.My Dad always had one so it's not hereditary.
Kara

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: bflat
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:22 PM

Liz, like you,I like hairy chests...oh,baby. But the truth is never had one to mess with. I can't believe I'm being so vulgar at 5:23edt. It isn't even the cocktail hour.

bflat

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: hesperis
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:24 PM

Spaw - I have suspected for some time that we were kindred souls...now it is confirmed.

I like to shave. It feels neat afterward, and looks clean.

And like you I am incapable of growing a decent beard. It comes in all motheaten and full of holes...a truly wretched excuse for a beard. Not that I ever wanted one anyway...I always liked Romans and Indians, and they generally did not have beards at all, with a few exceptions, like Agrippa.

I also heard once that all serious Dylan fans are middle-aged guys with beards. Not true!!! No beard on me, and I'm as serious a Dylan fan as you can find anywhere. I don't know who starts these stupid rumours...

So, Spaw, you are not the odd man out. I'm right there with you.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:42 PM

So the irony lessons are working out huh?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: hesperis
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 06:16 PM

Little Hawk.......!!!!!!!!!

GET OFF MY COOKIE!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 06:24 PM

Christ! I am sooo embarrassed!!! We have been rolling around on the floor here, laughing to the point of sheer total idiocy and hyperventilation. I can't keep up with this damned cookie business. The fact is, Hesperis is even less capable than I of growing a beard, which is not surprising. She has trouble even growing a full mustache.

Now I DO know who starts these stupid rumours...I do, by forgetting to change the flippin' COOOKIE!!!

Sheeesh.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Naemanson
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 07:21 PM

I always thought Hesp was female, and I was sure LH was male but then I read the above post where Hesp couldn't grow a decent beard and my confusion grew in leaps and bounds. I'm glad it is clarified.

As I say at the office. Please don't try to confuse me. It is no challenge at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 07:46 PM

I have a beard because I have NO chin. The last time I shaved (around 25 years ago) I discovered that my chin had receded to the point where it was right up under my lower lip. I'm afraid to shave again for fear that there would be no chin whatsoever.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: rangeroger
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 08:01 PM

I've had a beard since I got out of the Navy in"69.Except for when I went to work at a ski resort in North Idaho in '91. Their dress code forbid beards but did allow me to keep my mustache.It never made sense to me why I should go out into freezing extreme weather with a bare face.

This state of affairs went until someone filed and won a lawsuit against the Hagadone Hospitality Corporation for their ban on beards. Seems they had been headhunting for this guy and really wanted him, but told him after he was hired he would have to shave his beard off.The upshot of it was, I could grow my beard back.Only thing was it came in greyer than it had ever been before.

rr PS. We had a standing joke in our area that Idaho was an acronym for I Do As Hagadone Orders.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Banjer
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 08:06 PM

I've had my beard since I got out of the Army. I was so damn tired of always adjusting my looks to fit the damn regulations! I swore I would never again be without a beard and I have managed to keep that vow for almost 32 years now! I often get asked how long I have had my beard and my stock answer is that I was born with it, and it tickled the piss out of Momma!

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 10:30 PM

How about that crazy band ZZTop, with the 2 guys with 5 foot long beards, and the one guy with no beard at all, whose surname is Beard...talk about a weird trio!

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Jim Krause
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 12:15 PM

Cuz it grows there

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson at work
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 12:41 PM

Clean shaven all my life, so far. I learned that a number of people dislike men with facial hair on sight, and I figured I could give people real reasons to dislike me so why go for the fake ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Mooh
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 12:48 PM

I've taken it off once or twice, and cut it very short a few times but I've had a beard most of my adult life. I've never liked shaving nor the time it took, so now all I do is trim it about once a month. I generally wear it kinda short, but not always. Grooming was never my strong suit. Even the one time I shaved my head I didn't shave my face. I suppose my character is reflected in my grooming habits, and that's just fine. I don't think it has anything to do with my musical interests, except to admit that less time shaving may mean more time musicfying. Hmmm...Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: GUEST,Seamus Kennedy on the road
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 01:23 PM

Had a goatee for 33 years. It covers my triple chins very nicely. It's strating to grey on the outsides, while still dark up the middle, so folks tell me I look like a badger. Seamus

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: momnopp
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 01:35 PM

Give me a hairy man and I'm a happy woman. . .

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: selby
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 01:50 PM

I grew a beard because it was a handy place to keep bits of food that missed my mouth then I could rescue them later and keep the hunger pangs off Keith

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 02:05 PM

My wife, now ex-wife, used to say that shaving the beard changed my personality. Any of you encounter that? Feel free to talk to friends and family before replying. This may bring you closer to them.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Irish Rover
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 03:21 PM

I have a beard and handlebar moustach cause I want to! reason 2 uppys shave and are slaves to the establishment I'm not. I am a folky and I like it. 3 Ilike women who like men with beards. with the beard I command respect with out it I'm just another Uppy!

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 03:56 PM

Uppy?

I've heard of YUPPIES and DINKs. What's an Uppy?

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Irish Rover
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:02 PM

S.O.S. you know spelling errors! a thing uppys care about. Folkys just comunicate.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:17 PM

I thought it was a person from the cold half of Michigan. Shows how much I know.

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Irish Rover
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:25 PM

No sorry Mousethief that's upper Yah sure!

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:35 PM

Jesus Christ, Santa Claus, Che Guevara, Pete Seeger...

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:41 PM

Well, Seamus, it beats having dark on the outside and grey up the middle. Then it might look like a skunk.

Stalin, Rasputin, Blue Beard, Charlie Manson...

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: WyoWoman
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:53 PM

I wax. Yup, just dip my face in that pan of hot wax and eeeeeeeeyouch! Almost as good as Chanteyranger's duct tape condom/bikiniwax combo ...

ww

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:00 PM

... Golda Meir ....

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:01 PM

I have to admit to a certain amount of grey in my beard. I'm not sure where that came from. Aren't you supposed to grey up when you get old? I ain't old. Some of you guys may lay claim to old but hell, I'm only 48 fer cryin' out loud.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:01 PM

Oh, and Frieda Kahlo...

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:05 PM

mouse...Behave! or I'll set the 'Cat loose on ya.
Naemie, In the words of Virginia Slims "You're not getting older, you're getting better.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:09 PM

Hee hee hee!

O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: GUEST,John Leeder
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:12 PM

I've had my beard without a break since 1967, which is tied for the earliest date I've seen on this thread. My wife has never seen my face clean-shaven (and, happily, has no desire to). I was about 90 pounds lighter in those days, too, so I don't really know what my face looks like now, either.

People at the time assumed it was a lifestyle statement, but it wasn't -- I just hate shaving, and grew a beard as soon as my (then) conservative profession would let me get away with it. (I'm no longer a teacher, nor are teachers as conservative as they used to be...)

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: GUEST,Mike Ireland
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 05:13 PM

Does anyone have a rough male/female breakdown of the number of people who usually contribute to the Mudcat? (I don't mean lurkers) Cause roughly 80 odd males - oops again I should have said people :-) who use the 'cat' have beards - it must be a high proportion of regulars. I bet many more bearded 'catters' have read the thread and not dipped in. I wonder what this says about the sociological makeup of male 'Catters' or would it be 'Folkies' in general. Have beard will like music etc etc.

I must confess I've shaved three times in 30 years - each time was for a job interview - got the jobs then grew the beard again. Have this one 25 years. My wife says I'm better looking hidden behind the beard.

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Melani
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 02:29 AM

For the record, beards are cool--on guys, anyway. I once had a Frito Bandito paper moustache...

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Terry K
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 03:31 AM

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

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 03:37 AM

Oh Terry, I'd love to see you avec le fuzz..... and possibly avec le skirt too!!! Such a wonderful mind image that has conjoured, I'm going to be grinning like a maniac all round the zoo today!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Bugsy
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 03:53 AM

Terry - That company wasn't IBM by any chance was it? I went for an interview with them once and was told that if I wanted to work with them I would have to shave my beard off.

Needless to say, I didn't get the job!

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Terry K
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 03:55 AM

There are photos Liz, but I'm not sure the Internet is ready for such distasteful stuff yet.

Cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Amergin
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 12:03 PM

I have a beard myself. I had a goatee for a while then decided to grow it from sideburn to sideburn. I do shave on the neck though, caue if I don't I look like some barefoot bastard who left his pregnant sister in the Appalachian mountains.....(where my family comes from...)

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:11 PM

Stalin didn't have a beard! He had a mustache.

Now Fidel Castro HAS A BEARD!!! I nominate Fidel as the most classic bearded man of the present era.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 01:20 AM

I have just realised how may of the mudcatters I have met have got beards(Les from Hull,Mr Cobble,Dorries Dad and of course Bill Sables, etc) I have seen the Mudcat photos and beards seem very popular.

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Chip2447
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 04:26 AM

Joined the Navy at age 18, had to shave twice a day to make it out of boot camp. As soon as I could I grew the moustache back. As soon as I got out of Uncle Sam's yacht club I grew the beard(s). Full, fuller, ZZtop full, mutton chops, fu manchu, goatee and the gay nineties look.
Now a big thick goatee, that is far more salt than pepper. I could probably take years off if I did'nt hate shaving so much.
Beard and long (middle of the back) ponytail...
I would claim to be an old hippie, but I'm not quite old enough to have been a real hippie...

A rather hirsute Chip2447

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 05:29 AM

Odd man out,(no change there then!) clean-shaven, the only time I grew a beard in my teens, when I had chickenpox and couldn't shave, it was such a strange mix of colours I was glad to get rid of it. For years I had muttonchop sideburns/sideboards like Noddy Holder but they're much shorter (and whiter!) now. There is a pink spot growing on the top of my head though, I'll soon look like Brother Cadfael!
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Beards and Mudcatters
From: Gervase
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 05:48 AM

Why cultivate on your chops what grows wild and free around your nadgers? :^)
Had a moustache once, but it kept filling up with strange matter, had an aversion to being waxed and eventually went up in flames when I was fire-eating (creating a blister the size of a saveloy in my left nostril). Since then I too have been clean-shaven.
I'm tempted by a beard now that age is catching up and the distinguished grey look appeals, but there are too many bald patches on my face and neck so I look like a scraggy tomcat after a week of not shaving.