Should I keep my beard?

[Mike Smash!]

I've had this beard for about two months now and trying to figure out if I want to keep it or not.

I will warn you that I'm not at my prettiest in the pic below. I still need to take a shower today and I'm fairly sunburnt from two 12-14 hour days outside this weekend.

So... keep it? Lose it?

[cactusmaac]

Lose it.

It makes you look like a fortysomething.

[DrewTheXenocide]

I say lose it.

[Mike Smash!]

I also wish I'd used a better photo of myself. I look like shit in that picture.

[Joe Rice]

Lose it. It's too gauche.

[west3man]

I've had this beard for about two months now and trying to figure out if I want to keep it or not.

I will warn you that I'm not at my prettiest in the pic below. I still need to take a shower today and I'm fairly sunburnt from two 12-14 hour days outside this weekend.

So... keep it? Lose it?
Keep the beard. Just trim it up... TIGHT.

[Davideaux]

lose it, regain your youthful vigor.

[Nitmo]

Lose it, you'll look slimmer

[leigh_ann1982]

There's pros and cons to having a beard:

PRO:

- You don't have to shave. No fussing, no cuts, no razor burn. Ten more minutes in the morning to sleep in.

- Join the ranks of famous people who wore facial hair like Freud, Confuscious, Abraham Lincoln, etc.

- It tickles when you're trying to be intimate (not always a bad thing).

CON:

- Trapped food particles.

- Join the ranks of famous people who wore facial hair like Saddam Hussein, Charles Manson, Stalin, etc.

- Pogonophobic (those with abnormal and persistant fear of beards) may run from you in terror. I personally find mustaches sans beards a little creepy.

- The tickle factor (not always a good thing).

- You remind me of my dad.

[K'Nort]

Actually, I'm going to say keep it. You're young enough that looking younger isn't an issue. And since you're spending a lot of time marketing the Green Party, it's probably an advantage. Both in terms of looking older and looking crunchier. And you're in the Pacific NW. We have a different take on beards than a lot of the rest of the country. Finally, I saw you without it in Feb so I have a basis for comparison, and I think it just plain looks good too.

[ocelotrevs]

Trim it a bit. So it don't look so much like a mad man, and it can make you look a bit more sophisticated

[StoneGold]

I'd say shave it, you look like a dirty hippy, but that's your job, isn't it?

[Valmore]

Shave it. You'll look nicer and younger.

[Sanagi]

It looks okay.

Of course, no matter what the poll results appear to be, each female vote is worth ten male votes, so I don't expect to influence the result much.

[Gaz]

Keep it, just neaten it up a bit.
And lose it if the ladies say so, cause that's more important!

[west3man]

And since you're spending a lot of time marketing the Green Party, it's probably an advantage. Both in terms of looking older and looking crunchier.Too doggone funny.

[Royal]

If you're coming out, sure.

Otherwise dump her for someone more young & gullible.

[Winslow]

Lose it.

It makes you look like a fortysomething.

And 40-somethings rock! So keep it! ;)

Mike, do you have a picture of you without a beard?

I say trim it up and keep it. I use a Wahl trimmer.

[howyadoin]

Keep it, but trim it. You kinda look like a little kid without it.

[Adam Crocker]

Keep it. It gives you a rugged, manly quality while at the same time making you look warm and friendly, like someone's favourite uncle. As Howy said it just needs a bit of trim (and then you can go for the beareded intellectual look too. :D)

[mgs]

it's cool, you can keep it. :)

[JeffreyWKramer]

Keep it, but neaten it up a bit.

[Deathstroke]

If you trim it up, it will probably look better.

If not, just get rid of it.

[HomerJay]

Just downsize to a goatee.
I had a full beard for about 7 months until I took it down to a goatee. it made me look thinner and younger, and at the end of this summer (after I lose more weight) I plan to shave it all off.

[Alex]

If you're coming out, sure.

Otherwise dump her for someone more young & gullible.
I cant beleive it took this long for that joke.

[Royal]

I cant beleive it took this long for that joke.

I can't believe it took this long to catch.

[Punchy]

Keep it for sure.

You've only had it for a couple of months, hardly even enough time to culitivate a look. Keep it at least long enough for people to identify you with a beard.

[ragnarok_2012]

I'd say that having a beard or goatee would require more upkeep than being clean-shaven. I think it looks good on you, though as others have said the beard could use some trimming.

If you do decide to shave it off, I think you should try a goatee before you go clean-shaven. And if you're really feeling your oats, a Fu Manchu.

Make it so!

[Patient Boy]

Full beards don't go with green.

http://www.hulklibrary.com/hulk/images/characters/hulk-inc-maestro.jpg

[kmeyers]

keep it, shaving sucks.

[bert]

I cant beleive it took this long for that joke.


Yep. . I was finally logging in to offer it. .but FINALLY someone said it.



and Mike?. . I say ditch the beard, but keep the sideburns.

[Justin Davis]

Trim the beard up. Get a mustache and beard trimming kit. Hell, I think the one I was given the last Chrismas only cost about $15 and it was DEFINITELY worth it. Once I figured out what setting was right for me, I just trimmed it down once a week or so. I like the bearded look on you, if it's neatly trimmed. Otherwise, it just looks dirty and unkept.

I shaved all my facial hair off back in the beginning of May or so. Might grow it back around September. My face may need the summers off from facial hair. Change is good.

[onizuka]

i say trim it, but don't lose any of the surface area. you got good coverage there.

[watchinginkdry]

Keep it, or morph to a goatee. There are actually those of us wimmen that like facial hair, y'know.

[Mike Smash!]

Well, it's gone. Shaved it off today, leaving only sideburns to the middle of my ears and a soul patch.

Scruffy enough for my tastes and less itchy.

[Rob H]

Pics Mike. Let's see a photo. :)

I would have said, keep it.

[StoneGold]

Before
http://www.bikernet.com/news/images/PhotoID9701.jpg

After
http://www.majcher.com/xhibition/images/25_bald_bloo/.__ph__MVC-524F.JPG


Mike's always giving the finger to authority.

[ragnarok_2012]

Before
http://www.bikernet.com/news/images/PhotoID9701.jpg

After
http://www.majcher.com/xhibition/images/25_bald_bloo/.__ph__MVC-524F.JPG


Mike's always giving the finger to authority.

Mike and his Third Party Biker Gang :D

[Sanagi]

And Mike ignores the voters, even the sought-after "female" demographic.

[ragnarok_2012]

And Mike ignores the voters, even the sought-after "female" demographic.

Yeah. Way to be democratic, Mike ;)

(yes, I'm joking Mike)

[GUYANATHUGG]

Trim it up man, otherwise you're goin for the Hacksaw Jim Duggen look.

[DarlingNikki]

keep it, keep it, keep it! you look friggin SEXAY!

[DarlingNikki]

Well, it's gone. Shaved it off today, leaving only sideburns to the middle of my ears and a soul patch.

Scruffy enough for my tastes and less itchy.

DAMN YOU! i was too late :(

[i_mmmchocolate]

Will you show us an 'after' photo?

[K'Nort]

And Mike ignores the voters, even the sought-after "female" demographic.

MEN!!!


.......

[JeffreyWKramer]

Well, it's gone. Shaved it off today, leaving only sideburns to the middle of my ears and a soul patch.

Scruffy enough for my tastes and less itchy.

Ditch the soul patch. It looks stupid as hell on almost everyone.

[Winslow]

Ditch the soul patch. It looks stupid as hell on almost everyone.

Gotta agree with Doc on this one.

Even Phil Jackson looks dorky with one . . .

[west3man]

Well, it's gone. Shaved it off today, leaving only sideburns to the middle of my ears and a soul patch.

Scruffy enough for my tastes and less itchy.
What made you decide to shave it off?

[Dreadstar]

Gotta agree with Doc on this one.

Even Phil Jackson looks dorky with one . . .

Phil Jackson looks dorky without one.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Phil Jackson looks dorky without one.

But he does look dorkier with than without.

[Dreadstar]

Point.....

[Winslow]

Phil Jackson looks dorky without one.

But he's supposed to be the "cool" NBA Coach.

He looses ALOT "cool points" with the soul patch.

[west3man]

But he's supposed to be the "cool" NBA Coach.

He looses ALOT "cool points" with the soul patch.
I would be the only one who likes the patch.

[Mike Smash!]

I will say that that biker has one impressive beard. Must have taken over a year to grow that!

[Mike Smash!]

What made you decide to shave it off?Well, it had been itchy for a few days and you have to clean it out after you eat every time for it to feel normal.

Mostly, this thread was about testing the waters for shaving it off and seeing if people would want to stop me. Apparently they did and I shaved it off anyways.

[Mike Smash!]

Ok, here's the current picture...

I swear I am the least photogenic man on the planet. I look like crap in these photos.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Ok, here's the current picture...

I swear I am the least photogenic man on the planet. I look like crap in these photos.


Mike, definitely lose the patch. With it, you look like you should be hanging out with Beavis and Butthead.

[Dennis K]

Keep it. That pic makes it look like you have some pretty chubby cheeks and the lack of a beard may make your head appear completely round.

[Mike Smash!]

I really don't look that bad in person. Honest. I photograph horribly.

I hope those of you who've met me in person will vouch for me, here.

[K'Nort]

The photos are really not bad but the soul patch is really not good. Sorry.

[west3man]

I really don't look that bad in person. Honest. I photograph horribly.

I hope those of you who've met me in person will vouch for me, here.
Well, you know Nikki's gotcher back.



Heh. As a fellow who also lacks the photogene, I know where you're coming from. The worst is when you see a pic of yourself, say how horrible you look, then someone else says, "It's fine... It looks just like you."

They mean well, ... but OUCH.

[Slam_Bradley]

Lose the soul patch...then regrow the beard.

One man's opinion.

[howyadoin]

Lose the soul patch...then regrow the beard.

One man's opinion.Two men's opinion.

[Joe Rice]

Who you doing to listen to, Mike? A bunch of internet comic nerds, or an internet comic nerd who's also a fashion nerd? Facial hair is really played. Wait a few years before growing it back. And unless you are a black man playing jazz horns, NO ONE needs a soul patch.

[Mike Smash!]

Guys, I lost the soul patch this morning.

My face doesn't normally look that fat. I swear.

[Joe Rice]

Guys, I lost the soul patch this morning.


All is well.

[Dreadstar]

Who you doing to listen to, Mike? A bunch of internet comic nerds, or an internet comic nerd who's also a fashion nerd? Facial hair is really played.


Not quite *yet*, it isn't. I'm still seeing a bit of action conjured up by this black-n-white striped goat. Of course that may be just that I'm a stud, but I don't want to risk the shaving for proof.

[Joe Rice]

Not quite *yet*, it isn't. I'm still seeing a bit of action conjured up by this black-n-white striped goat. Of course that may be just that I'm a stud, but I don't want to risk the shaving for proof.

YOU have the ability to pull it off. Very few do.

[Davideaux]

I think we should extend this thread to all of Comm. It should be mandatory that all poster put up pictures of themselves, so that we can tell them how to look nicer.

[Dreadstar]

I think we should extend this thread to all of Comm. It should be mandatory that all poster put up pictures of themselves, so that we can tell them how to look nicer.

Joe has probably the most recent pics of me, from a year ago.






(i.e. HEY! I want some copies.)

[Joe Rice]

Joe has probably the most recent pics of me, from a year ago.






(i.e. HEY! I want some copies.)


If only I could find them.

[Dreadstar]

Woooo-hoo!

[howyadoin]

Who you doing to listen to, Mike? A bunch of internet comic nerds, or an internet comic nerd who's also a fashion nerd? Facial hair is really played.Heh. More than those nerd glasses?

[Joe Rice]

Heh. More than those nerd glasses?

I keep frightenedly awaiting the bubble bursting on these things. So far so good. It's weird.

[howyadoin]

I keep frightenedly awaiting the bubble bursting on these things. So far so good. It's weird.Yeah, they've had a pretty long ride, really. What's your plan for when the bubble bursts?

[Dreadstar]

Yeah, they've had a pretty long ride, really. What's your plan for when the bubble bursts?

Vampire red contact lens.

[Joe Rice]

Yeah, they've had a pretty long ride, really. What's your plan for when the bubble bursts?

Man, I really don't know. I've rocked these so long that anything else will feel weird. Maybe I'll just keep them. Like, that's how guys like my dad can still get away with having a mustache. It's no longer fashion, it's a part of you.

[howyadoin]

Man, I really don't know. I've rocked these so long that anything else will feel weird. Maybe I'll just keep them. Like, that's how guys like my dad can still get away with having a mustache. It's no longer fashion, it's a part of you.Can you wear contacts?

[Joe Rice]

Vampire red contact lens.

Or, yeah, that.

[Joe Rice]

Can you wear contacts?

No. I have an extreme phobia about things touching my eyes. I really freak out. On top of that, years of strong glasses have made my eyes fairly baggy. You can't tell when they're on, but when they're off I've got that Bob Mitchum-but-not-though thing.

[howyadoin]

No. I have an extreme phobia about things touching my eyes. I really freak out. On top of that, years of strong glasses have made my eyes fairly baggy. You can't tell when they're on, but when they're off I've got that Bob Mitchum-but-not-though thing.Hmm. How about giant 1970s rockstar sunglasses, then?

[Dreadstar]

Hmm. How about giant 1970s rockstar sunglasses, then?

Like Elvis?

'Cause ya know, I could see that...

[howyadoin]

Like Elvis?

'Cause ya know, I could see that...Well, that would be a move from Costello to Presley.

[Joe Rice]

That would work . . .but you gotta remember that I now am not totally in charge of my life. I gotta run it past the old lady sometimes. I don't think seventies sunglasses are going to make the cut.

[howyadoin]

That would work . . .but you gotta remember that I now am not totally in charge of my life. I gotta run it past the old lady sometimes.On the plus side, now you just don't have to worry about it, 'cause it's in her capable hands.

[Winslow]

I think we should extend this thread to all of Comm. It should be mandatory that all poster put up pictures of themselves, so that we can tell them how to look nicer.

I had that thought . . .

I was going to call the thread, "CBR eye for the geek guy/gal"

Edit: Glad you lost the soul patch Mike . .

[Joe Rice]

On the plus side, now you just don't have to worry about it, 'cause it's in her capable hands.

True, true.

But sometimes I worry. She buys me things. Sometimes they're great. Sometimes...I'm afraid.

[Doug Strange]

I had that thought . . .

I was going to call the thread, "CBR eye for the geek guy/gal"

Edit: Glad you lost the soul patch Mike . .We had a "Queer Eye for the CBR Guy" a while ago. Really ought to be mandatory, though...

[howyadoin]

True, true.

But sometimes I worry. She buys me things. Sometimes they're great. Sometimes...I'm afraid.Capri pants?

[Dreadstar]

Capri pants?


I would pay good money to see that!

In chartreuse, with a cute little midriff blouse tied in a knot, and JCWaddleWalkers.

[Joe Rice]

Heheheheh. She knows that my fashion determination is stronger than hers. I influence her more than vice versa. She may TRY to get me to wear sandals, but it's not going to happen.

[Sanagi]

What made you decide to shave it off?
Too many women demanding he keep it. I mean, what is he, a gigolo or something? Who wants all that attention?

[Justin Davis]

Ok, here's the current picture...

I swear I am the least photogenic man on the planet. I look like crap in these photos.

First of all, lose the soul patch. It's lame.

Second, get a new razor. Obviously, yours is dull. Ow.

Lastly, screw that last one and just grow the beard back.

[MacQuarrie]

Keep it.

In a sack.



Har!


Naw, I got no opinion.

[SteelTownr]

I said Keep it, Mike, but I am from a long line of Mountain Men.

Since you decided to do the opposite of what everyone said anyway, I definitely think it would be a bad idea for you to send us all a hundred bucks.

Mark B.

[Beatnikman]

Ok, here's the current picture...

I swear I am the least photogenic man on the planet. I look like crap in these photos.
Your sideburns are too small.

[ragnarok_2012]

I think this is a good picture of Mike.

And IMHO, West photographs pretty well.

[comic_lover]

I've had this beard for about two months now and trying to figure out if I want to keep it or not.

I will warn you that I'm not at my prettiest in the pic below. I still need to take a shower today and I'm fairly sunburnt from two 12-14 hour days outside this weekend.

So... keep it? Lose it?That depends.Do you wish to look older and distinguished ? Keep it.Do you wish to look younger and " babyfaced " ? then lose it.You're lucky.If I grew a beard I'd just look like a kid playing " dress up like daddy ". :D

[Nikita]

I've had this beard for about two months now and trying to figure out if I want to keep it or not.

I will warn you that I'm not at my prettiest in the pic below. I still need to take a shower today and I'm fairly sunburnt from two 12-14 hour days outside this weekend.

So... keep it? Lose it?


Damn, we have so many cutie pies on this board. Honestly, you have a very young face. Without that beard, you'll look about twelve. Keep it. I think facial hair is very sexy on a guy.

[ragnarok_2012]

I removed the soul patch, so people can see the difference.

[JadeDragon]

You look cool with the beard, man. You should keep it!

OK Im biased since I have one too.

[thehead]

always keep the beard

[Vaders shoeshine boy]

Keep the beard. Just trim it up... TIGHT.

Total agreement. A neat beard always look better.

[kid cthulhu]

Tough call, man. I just shaved mine. Took me a while to get used to, but I'm diggin it now. They're nice up here in the NW (I'm in Seattle) but during the summer...?

[Fabian]

Sex Appeal wise: Most women find beards unnattractive (http://beardcommunity.com/wwwboard/messages/6805.shtml)

Politically Wise: Beards hinder people who work in politics (http://slate.msn.com/id/113390/)

[K'Nort]

Sex Appeal wise: Most women find beards unnattractive (http://beardcommunity.com/wwwboard/messages/6805.shtml)

But most of the women who voted in this poll told him to keep it. Depends on what kind of woman you're talking about. And what kind of beard, of course.

Edit: And that survey was British women. Which is true -- they have different tastes there than American/Canadian women do.

[Dom]

Mike,

Why did you do that?

You should have gone in shifts. Trim it down, then remove the beard, keeping the goatee. Then thinning the goatee, or losing the mustache.

That's how I got to where I am. I used to have a full blown beard, then I cut it down to where I am today. Mustache and chin pubes.

Grow it back!

[Winslow]

Popular wisdom holds that beards evolved as protection from the cold, but beards appear in the tropics, and the Alaskan Inuit cannot grow them. Some scientists now speculate that beards evolved as cooling devices, to whisk sweat off the faces of hunters.

Sweeeeet . . . .

[Winslow]

Sex Appeal wise: Most women find beards unnattractive (http://beardcommunity.com/wwwboard/messages/6805.shtml)

Politically Wise: Beards hinder people who work in politics (http://slate.msn.com/id/113390/)

The first one is obviously dependent on the woman. My wife digs my beard, and a lot of women have counter-cultural tastes.

But the second article is hard to argue with . . . most might write Mike off as a radical Greenpeace activist, since he has a beard and is in the Green Party.

[J Dog]

Well, I'm growing a beard, mustache, mutton chops & neck hair.

I'm gonna be a circus freak!