BS: Whats with the beards?

Subject: Whats with the beards?
From: DMcG
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:11 AM

I've just been browsing through the Mudcat member photos. I looked at about a dozen photos and - of the men! - only Spaw didn't have a beard.

As having a beard is normally rejected by the fashion stylists, what is going on? Are we all anoraks or hippies?

Yours beardedly DMcG

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:16 AM

Yes.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:19 AM

I don't have a beard. (Spaw, don't even THINK of saying it.)

It's a folkie thing. Most of us are anoraks or hippies OR FOLKIES.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:25 AM

Personally I like a good beard on a bloke... gives you something to hang on to....

I think in my life I've only ever been out with 3 blokes who didn't have facial hair..... or chest hair.....

(need a lie down now.... )

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Gareth
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:29 AM

Well I don't know about you'all but many years ago when comuting up to London from Whitstable in grew one. Raw shaven cheeks were painfull as the wind cut in from the North Sea whilst waiting for the 07.17 to Cannon St.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:29 AM

There are some others without facial hair. Rick Fielding doesn't have a beard either. In my case, I can't grow a beard that looks worth a damn. Mine is thick in some spots, thin in others, and now comes in four colors....black, brown, red, and grey/white. I don't really like beards that much and I enjoy shaving.

Occasionally I go a week or so and I begin to get comments like, "You look like hell.".....from Karen, sister Connie, and damn near everybody. Last time I was in the hospital, one of the nurses sat down on the bed and said, "I want you to tell your wife something for me." I asked her what and she replied, "Tell her to bring you a razor because you look like like hell."

AND....Speaking of Hair......after 10 years of a ponytail, I got a haircut the other day. I'd just had it with the heat and the whole damn thing. I come home and Karen says she really likes the new haircut because she thought my hair "looked like hell" before.

So I shall continue to employ my razor and my barber. One fear though is that now I'll be clean shaven and short haired and I'll still hear......."You look like hell."

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:32 AM

I havent got a beard. but i am over 50, interested in early Bob Dylan and the meaning of folk. So i fit in fine.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:06 AM

I do not and have never had a beard. I also love Bob Dylan. This puts the lie to the oft-repeated claim that Dylan fans are all middle-aged men with beards.

I had a silly girlfriend once who harassed me into attempting to grow a beard (cos she was bored with life...kind like moving the furniture around to new locations). It was plain to see after a couple of weeks that the beard idea would not work. What a relief to shave that mess of patchy stubble off!

I make up for it by having LOTS of hair on my head.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:10 AM

I didn't have a beard for years, for professional reasons. Then I went seasonal for a while, and I've had it on for about 2 years now. Herself says it makes me look like Sean Connery, and SHE LIKES SEAN CONNERY, so I guess I'll keep it.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Charcloth
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:15 AM

I've wore a beard since I could grow one (except during my time in the Army)I always wanted one since I read "Robinson Curusoe" in fourth grade,
My daughter hounded me one time to shave mine off, relentlessly, she said "Dad I have never seen you without a beard I don't know what you look like without it." So I shaved it off one day, my wife & daughter came in & said "GROW IT BACK!" Nuff said!

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:16 AM

But Sean Connery hasn't got a beard! I haven't either but I don't look like him at all!

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:34 AM

We are all anoraks,hippies, folkies and, to varying degrees, revolutionaries by virtue of the fact that we are on "the road less traveled". Of course, some of us are putting on a few years (pounds? grey hairs?) and may or may not be able to revolve on demand as well as we used to, but we still have a few good rounds in us.

Which reminds me... Amos, did you manage to recover your wallet? (grin)

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: DMcG
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:40 AM

Liked your answer, Stephen. If we treated this thread with more seriousness than it deserves, I think being "on the road less travelled" really does have something to do with it.

I must admit, though, the reason I have a beard is that my wife-to-be asked me to grow one when we got engaged some 26 years ago. I must find out whether she remembers that!

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: GUEST,Bullfrog Jones (on the road)
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:52 AM

I've had a beard for as long as I can remember..... mind you, these days I often find myself in the kitchen trying to remember what I went to fetch!

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 11:06 AM

You didn't look at my picture, then.

Many years ago I raised a moustache--long, and waxed, and turned up at the ends like Salvador Dali--at the urging of the then-girlfriend, who said that "A kiss without a moustache is like an egg without salt."

My mother kept after me, urging that I shave it. The day I broke up with the girlfriend I drove home and shaved it. At the end of the day I drove to my mother's office and gave her a ride home. I mentioned there was something new. She guessed this, she guessed that, but never came up with the fact that I'd shaved the moustache until I said, "It's as plain as the nose on my face!" THEN she tumbled!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Amos
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 11:06 AM

Well, my Cat photo has no beard, but I have regrown my since. This part of the world has lots of people in it who sport gray or whote beards, and I think it is in part a reaction to the discovery that the herd of unformed, unseasoned, inexperienced juveniles who used to do nothing but flip burgers are now showing up starting companies, claiming to have mid-management experience, claiming to be qualified to raise families and buy houses -- all the young punks are taking over! So the waning warriors of the Boomer generation are asserting their seniority in order to enforce some manners! Not that it works! :>)

I, too, wanted to look like SeanConnery when I set out to raise this patch, but I missed. I think I hit Gabby Hayes instead **bg**. Now it is like an old friend.

Anyway, I really enjoy having it, as I can duck out of the shower and out the door without having to attend those barbarous ablutions at the sink -- assuming I dress first.

I'm working on a solution to that latter requirement, but I haven't come up with anything yet!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 11:16 AM

DMcG -- I had much the same experience with my wife. With her, however, it wasn't a request as such. I was, at the time, in the habit of not bothering to shave if I wan't booked somewhere on a particular day. That was sometimes three or four unshaven. One day she asked me,"Are you going to get serious about that beard or are just going to sit around being scratchy for the rest of our lives?"

I grew the beard.

Stephen

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: allanwill
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 11:54 AM

I've had one for over 30 years - I think because of the old saing "beards hide funny faces".

Allan

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 12:22 PM

Mine is 30 Years old this too. I do trim it once or twice a year though ;) JohnB

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 12:41 PM

Lots of reasons. Can't be bothered to shave....and shaving brings me out in spots
Michealangelo's rendition of God on the ceiling of the Systine Chapel has a bearded god and if we are made in his image thats good enough for me. Not sure why Adam doesn't have one perhaps he is too young or works for Disney?
Its a minor rebellion thing too......Lots of big corporations wouldn't employ bearded men as beards were seen as something to hide behind.....so I have a protest beard
If beards became popular I might have to shave mine off

Some beards look plain silly though and I don't understand the mustache without a beard or vice-versa. I just got some US currency and looking through the notes Lincolns beard is bad and Grants is good (Franklin needs a haircut)
Would Bush look more sensible with a beard or is that asking too much?

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: little john cameron
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 12:41 PM

Whit!!!A beard,me, where? Good grief where did that come fae? It wisnae there yesterday. ljc

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Cobble
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 12:58 PM

I love my beard, but four years ago I had it shaved off for charity. (Hearing dogs for the deaf) Raised £700, kept it off for three weeks, then re-grew it. I am open to fund raisers now and again.

Hairy Cobble.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Gary T
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 01:11 PM

Okay, I know an anorak as an item of clothing. What's it mean in this thread?

I've had my beard most of the time for the last 30 years, but occasionally I'll shave it and go chin-naked for a while. Shortly after we were married, Karen went to the laundromat while I took a shower. I was to join her after I was done. However, I just happened to get a wild hair to de-beard myself. I walked into the laundromat with wet, plastered-down hair and a bare face--that she had not seen before. Her face got a slightly pained look. She later told me I looked like a drowned rat.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 01:32 PM

The only reason I ever had one was cause I was too lazy to shave. But I always shaved bare on September 30 (another story) and, one October 2, a client I had met a few days before, a rather attractive, younger lady, remarked at how much younger I looked without the beard, even with the double chin the beard was (I thought) hiding. Gee, I feel some five o'clock shadow... 'scuse me for a minute.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Mr Red
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 01:35 PM

I have cutthroataphobia
AND I get stroppy with it ***BG***

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: pict
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 01:36 PM

Shaving is a totally unnatural procedure.I think hair grows out of my face because it's supposed to so why chop it off?It's the same thing with circumcision you have a foreskin for a reason why chop it off?

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 01:41 PM

I grew one because my first wife said it tickled her fancy

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 01:56 PM

I've had mine for over 30 years and my kids wouldn't recognise me if I shaved it off. My wife likes my beard but she's seen what I look like without it.
I didn't realise just how attached I was to it until it came under threat. A new rule was brought in at work, that you couldn't have a beard if you were trained to wear breathing apparatus. After a series of e-mails in which my boss gently tried to persuade me to go clean shaven and I politely, but firmly, refused, he took me off the list of BA wearers. There is a get-out clause if you can't shave for medical reasons – in my case it is clinical ugliness.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 02:37 PM

It's relatively uncommon to shave the top of the head, and very few people shave their eyebrows - it strikes me as one of the odder things about this age we live in that shaving the bottom half of your face is the conventional thing thing to do for men.

It's about as silly as thinking that making music and singing should be left to professionals...

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 03:11 PM

I have pretty well had facial hair since I was able to grow it. I decided to cut it off when my two oldest daughters were about 6yrs and 4yrs old. They are now 26 and 24. Being mindful that they had never in their entire lives seen me without the beard, we made a family thing of it. I sat them down, and you should have seen them. Their they were, chins in their hands, and fascinated with what was going on. When I was done, as one, they bounced up and checked me out and the oldest sez with a surprised tone, "Da...................you've got cheeks!!!!" I laughed like hell. The beardless thing lasted about a month and I couldn't stand it.


Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Amergin
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 03:14 PM

rofl....I remember when my sister saw our dad without a beard for the first time...she was two years old and just bawling from fright....she wanted to know who that strange man was who sounded like daddy! we still talk about it from time to time...rofl...

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Chip2447
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 03:20 PM

When I was a wee lad of 18 summers, I spent 2 months in sunny Orlando, Florida on Uncle Sam's expense account (USN boot camp). During this time it was suggested to me that either I should stand closer to the razor or I should shave twice a day. I chose the later.

The older that I get the less frequently I shave. I'm far too lazy to be bothered with the trivial shave. Normally, I wear aa extended goatee, not one of these obnoxious generation X'er things that make their owners look like Shaggy from the Scooby Doo cartoons, but a full fledged brush pile. However, this past winter I let it all go, to trims, no shaves, nothing but a comb run through it daily. When I started to resemble a Taliban refugee I decided that it was time for most of it to go. Chip2447(needing a shave...ahhhhh scroo that...)

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 04:40 PM

took my wife to a Folk Alliance meeting where she remarked 'every woman here is wearing bangs'. Almost every male had a beard, and many of both sexes sported a braid or two, so, Folk music afficianados in late 20th- early 21st century US are defined by Bangs, Beards and Braids! (OR Bald, Bleached & Botoxed!)

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Crane Driver
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 07:25 PM

Grew my beard back in the 60s, cause I had to shave three times a day to stay smooth. Met up with someone I hadn't seen since before I grew it, and they WOULDN'T BELIEVE I had been clean (ish) shaven before. So I guess it suits me.

Andrew

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Lynn
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:10 PM

I've had mine for 23 years this August. Two wives and my daughters have never seen me without one. Besides that, I HATE TO SHAVE!!! BUT...does anyone with a beard have dreams of being clean shaven??? Maybe that's the stuff of another thread!!!

The day my school requests I shave my beard is the day I'll quit teaching!

Lynn

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Ian Darby
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:12 PM

'She who must be obeyed' has never seen me without a moustache and every time I shave my beard off she goes mad.

The beard bothers me sometimes, because as the owner of a fine head of skin, I have noticed that most other follically challenged types grow beards as if to compensate for the lack of foliage on top.

The bit I don't get, is that I think nature is stepping in and trying to give me a boost by making my nose and ear hair grow at an alarming rate.

What's that all about? armpit, leg, and chest hair seems to be self-regulating and conducts itself in a perfectly well behaved fashion.

There's a book about beards which mentions one called a 'Billingsgate Ruffe'.

This is achieved by shaving the face, stopping at the chin line, so you end up with a hairy neck that gives the impression of a burst sofa.

One other thing, and I don't want to offend anyone, but don't you think beards without moustaches look a bit weird?

Having re-read the above, I have come to the conclusion that I have far too much time on my hands, and will apologise in advance.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:12 PM

I grew mine when I got out of the service more as a show of independence than anything else. I was so damn tired of having to shave every day that I swore to myself when I got back into the world I would not shave for love or money! I've had my beard now for some 32 years and can't imagine me without it. Folks often ask how long I've had it and I tell them I was born with it and it tickled the hell out of my mama!

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:18 PM

Spaw enjoys shaving? ENJOYS shaving? Man - he has posted some wierd stuff here - but this is one of the wierdest. The man enjoys shaving. unbelievable.

sick.

worrying.

muttermuttermuttrhehastobepullingourlegsmuttermutter

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Amos
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:25 PM

Maybe it's the ultraviolet hitting the tops, but not the chests and pits, eh?

Makes cells act funny.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:34 PM

Ah you're just shook up from that earthquake y'all had Mario!

But it is true. I actually enjoy shaving.......always have. No electric razors. Those are horrendous things........No, I love the clean feel after a hot water soak, brush on the soap (I love shaving brushes--much better than the aerosol bombs), sharp blades. I used to use a straight razor but really got into the safety razors with the Trac series and the Gillette 3 Blade is fantastic!!! I feel really clean after a shave. I splash on some cheapcrap BayRum or Clubman and I'm ready to go. If I take a shower without shaving I feel the whole thing is wasted.

Geeziz I am sick aren't I?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: 53
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:48 PM

Check out ZZ TOPP tomorrow night on CMT. I think they come on at 8. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Lynn
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:52 PM

Ian Darby - Hmmmm. I knew an Ian in Darby..[oops that was Derby!! Silly American!] ...Ashbourne, actually. Called me the 'Yank' when I played there. But no. Couldn't be you. He was clean-shaven with amazing red hair...

Spaw - no, you're not sick. Just RAW!!!

Lynn

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Amergin
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 10:53 PM

well...I got a beard myself...hate shaving....always cut the shit out of my face...and with a mouth like mine...I trust no one else to do so......my beard is now several inches long...

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 03:23 AM

Had this beard for 24 years. Had one before that, and shaved it but kept the moustache. At least half a dozen people who had never seen me without the beard said, "You look different - I know - you've grown a moustache!"

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: gnomad
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 03:39 AM

I grew mine aged 21 because I couldn't pass for old enough (18) to be having a drink. In fact I was sometimes offered half fare on the bus, a privilege of the under 14s round our way.

I still have the beard though rapidly approaching 50, I'm taking no chances, and think of the time I have saved.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: BlueJay
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 03:55 AM

I have a beard by doctors orders. No shit. I struggled for a year with a verruca, or wart-like condition on my chin, and had to get the growths frozen off regularly, and the growths reappeared in different locations. Finally, my doctor advised me to stop shaving, as he believed that shaving helped spread the virus.

It was weird, at first, adapting to a life without shaving. But Dr. Joe was right- the growths have stopped. And that''s why I am bearded today. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Banjer
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 06:16 AM

We all know that what 'Spaw is telling us are his fantasies....I have it on good authority that sharp objects, especially razors, are not allowed in the NYCFTTS! But let us not burst his bubble, if he thinks he's shaving who are we to dissuade him? Just do like the doctors tell us, smile, agree and nod a lot!!

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 06:48 AM

Spaw -- You're not sick. Everybody has thier little "thing" that they do. Yours is shaving.

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 06:56 AM

Yeah, what IS an anorak? I wear one when hiking in 'dubious' weathers. very light, rolls up small enough to fit in a pocket, has a hood (natch), made of some sort of breathable, wind proof, water proof stuff. I love it.

Bearded most of the time from 21 (after USAF) on. Current is a goatee/long moustache combo with long hair (where there IS hair) usually pony tailed and held by ribbon. Moustache waxed ala Dali, look like Cardinal Richelieu (sp) or an El Greco painting. Done for portrayal of French colonial engage` when doing encampments and rendezvous here in Missouri. Otherwise I prefer full beard, hate shaving but like the after effect (smooth, clean, for about ten minutes) agree about nose and ear hair. Where DOES that come from? All hair on face now grey/white. Hair on top of head leaving for parts unknown. Sun now a problem. Wear hat. Toque rouge ala Montreal.

CB

Subject: RE: BS: Whats with the beards?
From: gnomad
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 01:28 PM

Coyote Breath-You are right of course, that IS an anorak, but this side of the pond the name has extended to a certain kind of person, usually but not exclusively male, who is boring, obsessed with obscure trivia and minutiae.

I think the term nerd probably about covers it.

I think it came about due to the prevalence of the anorak as a garment for train spotters, twitchers, and the like.