Should a Man Grow a Beard ~ Facial Hair Etiquette
Is it sartorially acceptable for a gentleman to have facial hair ?
Hell No !
I’ve always said there is no excuse for facial hair on an English gentleman
Whoa there, says an imaginary voice, what’s that you’re sporting ?
Yes folks, your host is sporting facial hair, and very unpleasant it is to.
I just paused from typing for a moment to allow my reeling readers to recover (try saying that through a beard 
) What am I playing at ? Well good question !
I did this once before in an attempt to emulate Johnny Depp in The Ninth Gate. A girl told me (why do I listen to women when I shouldn’t and ignore them when I should listen) that I should watch the film as Dean Corso, played by Johnny Depp, was just like me. A rare book dealer who likes drinking and smoking and did well with women !
Well, I had the first 3 things cracked and visually we look very similar so I was just like Johnny Depp - the only thing that was stopping me from being a hit with the fairer sex was the lack of facial hair - so I grew it.
I did also bid on a moustache on ebay once, I was outbid but did go to $100 on
Dax Herrera’s Moustache
There is a basic etiquette for facial hair, as there is for socks the rule of thumb for those aspiring to be an English Gentleman is … no facial hair at all !
So there we go, it’s been growing since Saturday and has kept me very busy. Because it is growing constantly it means there is always something to do so it keeps me out of trouble if nothing else!
I am told that I shold pay more attention to older women rather than young girls, it’s time you grew up ! Well I am doing so and the facial hair does give me more in common with women of my age 
(ducks for cover)
Responses So Far
At the weekend my parents tactfully made no mention of it at all.
A bookseller today followed the same way and made no mention, but then how could he, he was wearing corduroy trousers so had no room to be critical
A hot-chick was the only one to comment: I makes you look old !
This was a little cruel imho, I thought I had been catching admiring glances from women all day, possibly I imagined it !
Have I gone too far in my efforts to be more mature and look more my age ?
At least I’ll get served alcohol now
Regards
Rod the Goatee
the dinosaur said,
June 19, 2008 @ 8:57 am
Rod, the trouble with having a goatee is that you become the BUTT of all the jokes
Rod said,
June 19, 2008 @ 9:29 am
Dino
Very Good !
You should take to the stage - this weekend perhaps
WoE said,
June 19, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Rod,
So then Bluebeard, you’re going for the rugged worldly look since Peter Pan wasn’t getting you anywhere….. is that it, is that the fabled new image? And we were so looking forward to the Depp baggy pirate trousers, ringlets and flouncy shirt
When might we expect a little snapshot of this new you?
WoE
Rod said,
June 19, 2008 @ 10:12 am
WoE
is that the fabled new image?
No not really, as mentioned in previous posts the grand idea has been abandoned
Sadly pictures are now off the menu as my digital camera has died
Rod
WoE said,
June 19, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Rod,
We think you need an arty/moody shot and who better than LB to take it? The general concept we’re trying to get here is that you should appear jaw droppingly handsome with a hint of sensitivity, guitar slung casually over one shoulder, in touch with your inner florist plus a pinch of
Rod DamonBond manlinessWoE
Rod said,
June 19, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
WoE
I agree ! LB is a master lensman though even his skills will struggle to produce an image that is jaw droppingly handsome with a hint of sensitivity
Rod
Little Brother said,
June 19, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
Rod,
You’re right, I couldn’t. Never mind.
LB
WoE said,
June 19, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Boys,
No point asking for jaw droppingly sensitive with a hint of handsome? Thought not… still there might be other permutations, don’t let’s give up yet
WoE
Rod said,
June 19, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
WoE
I suspect the fungal growth will be long gone before I collide with LB again !
It was never a long-term thing and there has been, shall we say, a less than charitable reaction to it thus far - some time ago this would have made me keep it well after I intended but being a better and more mature person now it may hasten its removal !
Rod
Jordan said,
June 20, 2008 @ 9:54 am
RC
Goatee - sooo 1990’s
Not a good look, even Brad Pitt couldn’t pull it off, so you have no chance. Buy some blades before you look like one of ZZ Top.
Jordan
Rod said,
June 20, 2008 @ 10:18 am
Jordan
such has been the level of abuse I’ve endured it’s gone !
1.20 am this morning was the goatee’s Waterloo !
Shaved off and now my face looks bare
Let it not be said I am deaf to reason !
So when the condemnation was universal and covered all age ranges, from children to pensioners, tonsorial intervation was inevitable, although I could have done it at a more sensible hour !
Regards
Clean-Shaven Rod
Jordan said,
June 20, 2008 @ 11:10 am
Glad to hear it
Witches of Eastwick said,
June 20, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
Rod,
So you didn’t mean beard then? Still it’s not much effort to acquire designer stubble
Let’s get this right, no beard and no goatee and no change of image…. so what’s new?
WoE
Rod said,
June 20, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
WoE
I don’t quite follow you
Rod
Witches of Eastwick said,
June 20, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
Rod,
…. few can
Perhaps it’s that you are such a naturally stylish man that a new image is just 
superfl supppperfluus supperfluonot necessaryWoE
Rod said,
June 20, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
WoE
what little style I had was negated by the fungal growth.
Early impressions of its absense proved positive on somebody who was particularly harsh and vociferous in their disapproval.
It lasted 6 days, grew magnificently, is now gone but not forgotten
best
Rod
WoE said,
June 20, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
Rod,
Well perhaps it was the right decision considering your photograph in the gallery which was heading straight for the eccentric Dali look
It must be a relief to you knowing that the locals will tell you exactly what they are thinking instead of hiding behind polite lies… how refreshing
WoE
Nigel said,
June 21, 2008 @ 4:43 am
I sported a close-cropped goatee for years, and was often told that it suited me. I have recently grown a full beard, but try to keep it trimmed. There’s a point where it’s just right, at least I think so, and then a little longer and I start to look like a chipmunk. It also can easily make one look older. Since I’ve now got grey in my beard, it does somewhat age me, but youth is not the whole equation to good good looks.
I think it’s important to acknowledge that facial hair suits some people. It gives them added definition, and doesn’t suit others at all. If it’s long it can also look dirty.
Whenever I’ve seen people made to shave their facial hair on TV makeover programmes, I am generally not that impressed by what’s underneath. Sure, you might look more wholesome and cleaner, but often totally undefined, and in the case of many bikers, they go from somewhat cool with long hair and beard to someone uninteresting. Of course that’s just my opinion. But if you’re not naturally chiseled like Rod, I think a little well-managed facial hair might just help your chances.
As for whether facial is unacceptable for an English gent, I think there are plenty of English gents that do sport facial hair; whether they are gentlemanly I have no idea, and surely that’s the main thing.