No, it's not a long, boring story and I hope many guys read it and learn from it. It's so easy to just be pressured into something on the spot and you had the presence of mind to approach it carefully under pressure. Clearly his idea of a good foundation and beard trimming were at odds with yours and I've no doubt you'd have left there disappointed. Maybe you helped out a fellow beardsman - that first customer - with your conversation. I'm sure he was jealous of your mustache!

Now Tom E steps upon his soapbox.

It seems there's a myth out there about needing a good foundation (base) for a beard, meaning that there's some trimming or shaping that needs to be done to help your beard grow well. Maybe it's something barbers are taught in school, but that's purely speculation on my part. Personally, I think that's garbage! Carving a good neckline early helps a keep a new beard looking neat and deliberate has nothing to do with establishing a foundation, it simply helps keep a guy looking sharp as he's growing out his beard. There comes a time when just letting it grow, if a longer beard is what's desired, with some surface trimming to keep it neat and some shaping if that's the style a guy wants, is what's best, but it has nothing to do with establishing a 'base', unless it's for a guy who prefers a really high neckline.

Tom E now relinquishes the soap box.

As you so rightly mentioned, you like your beard and mustache, and there's no opinion more important than yours, except perhaps mine, and I think it looks great as is

Cheers!
Tom


Some helpful links:
Library Central of Beard Growing


Taming the Wild Mustache
Tips for eating and drinking with a big mustache

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
A jerk with a beard is just a bearded jerk, but a bearded gentleman is awesomeness personified. ~ Triibeard