Hi Tom. Sorry to hear about your personal comments my friend. You have supported me lots over the years and I can only do the same in return. 

I think all guys, unless born to the Duck Dynasty clan, have a hard time when growing a beard. I live on the other side of the pond and the views on beards have changed recently. I started growing my beard(s) in 2012 when they started to become a little more fashionable and with the desire to hide a growing double chin. I got a fair bit of stick since my beard is a none too subtle red colour. The longer I had it, the more accepted it was but when entering long beard territory, the comments started. My mother, God bless, never liked my beard and to this day my wife literally hates the long beard. I recently trimmed  a bit for my mothers funeral and she delighted in asking every family memeber if they agreed i looked better with a shorter beard. I ask you....(!) If longer than an inch then I get grief. I have learned that the secret is compromise. Yes, we should have God given respect by everyone to do as we please but by the same token we exist in families and communities where there's safety in numbers and common traits form strong bonds among the populace. Any difference, be it a long beard, mohican hairstyle, piercings, tattoos etc will instantly be singled out and usually ostracised. The board generally advocates a strong will and to ignore neigh sayers as bullies. Life isn't as black and white. I'd love to have a 2 foot beard, but do I have the strength to survive the spoken and unspoken comments and attitudes that can bring such hostility every time I wake up? Probably not. I like a happy life as well as wearing a beard. I am prepared to compromise. I haven't shaved of course, but neither will I ever likely reach a 2 foot long beard. 

I mentioned earlier that I have noticed changes regarding beards in my country. They are now extremely common. There is less tendency to ostracise someone for wearing a beard and it isn't normal to need to shave to get a new job anymore. I think that's for two reasons. Firstly, the ubiquitousness of beards and the fact a certain section of the community have long black beards, some with moustaches and some without. I'm sure you understand. The recent terrorist activities haven't helped western beard wears though. Having a long beard around here now attracts such labels! However, my point is about what the individual is prepared to live with. Some aren't bothered about bad comments and can ride any storm at whatever cost, others can't, and the remaining capitulate and shave. There's no shame in any of these positions since its a personal decision. You have shown great strength over the last few years growing an amazing beard. I for one, am glad you have this strength and continue on, but I would certainly respect any decision you made to compromise also. For me, life is too short for such angst and I just know I can't survive on a desert island....

"It's not a beard, it's an animal I've trained to sit very still." Tongue


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(Formerly Skunk182 - 2012 - 2014 RIP)