I grew a full beard when I was 24 and have had one ever since, although it's now a goateee. (helps eliminate some of the whiteness). At my wedding( 32 years ago) an aunt of my wife threatened to boycott the mass because I looked like a hippie, she would only attend if I was clean shaven. She sure missed a great wedding.

I don't know why I originally grew one, I may have been under the influence of "The Dubliners" at the time and being a banjo player I wanted to look like a folksinger, although even without the music I suspect I still would have grown one.

I did shave it off about 7 years ago but my wife insisted I grow it back, which I did.

There was story about George Bernard Shaw who was shaving one day and a young boy asked him why he shaved, he apparently could not give the child an answer, so he threw the razor away and never shaved again, I believe this is a true story but cannot vouch for it.

My beard is as much a part of me as my hands, eyes and ears, I guess I'll just keep it.