In five months of being fully bearded (and a previous 10 years of a circle beard), I have never received a negative comment. Last week, for the first time, I received five Santa Clause comments at a retirees BBQ.

I’m 70, so I think negative comments may have something to do with age. It could be that the older you are the more people tend to respect their elders. I think the negative comments, especially the terrorist ones, are a feeble attempt at humor and aren’t said in a malicious manner.