The old defensive "We don't all have beards and wear sandals" bit has just come up again on another thread, Fashionable Folk, re a somewhat fatuous article on current folk trends in The Spectator, whose author intros his piece by mentioning beards, tho sandals don't figure anyhow.

But let me just remark that I have had a beard [the present one anyhow] for 14 months now & it infinitely licks shaving every day; and I wear sandals when weather permits because they are comfortable and getting socks on at my age is no joke.

This has no connection whatever with the fact that I sing, and enjoy, and like reading about and contributing to forums on, folksongs. It is entirely independent.

Out of interest, how many of you likewise happen to have beards and/or wear sandals, but do not feel this in any way relevant to your "folkie" status?

~Michael~