sknhgy 

I've had a full, short-ish beard since about 1985. The other day I took the guard off my clippers and buzzed my entire head - beard and all. I've been keeping it all very short so it really wasn't much of a difference to me.
A day or so later I went to the local strip mall to get some groceries and I couldn't believe how outgoing and friendly people were to me. Some guy came up and asked me about my truck. A woman was very friendly and gave me her shopping cart so I wouldn't have to go and get one. Another lady kept my place in line at the checkout and even unloaded some of my groceries when I ran back to get something I forgot. Later, I was getting in my truck and a young mother who parked next to me was getting her toddler out of the child seat. She said, "my daughter thinks you have a very cool bike." My bike was in the back of my truck.
When I got home I told my wife about all these friendly people and she said it is because I shaved off my beard. She said people subconciously associate beards with unsavory behavior. Anyone else notice a difference in the way people act towards you with/without a beard? Like I said, I've had mine continuously for about 27 years. I'm letting it grow back out at the moment but I know I can cut it anytime I decide to.
Any thoughts?

NOS88

I noticed just the opposite. When I allowed my beard (which I keep very short) to grow back in, people were more friendly.

BTW, without pictures it didn't happen.

BigAura

"clean-cut" still holds true

Looigi

I'm with the clean shaven crowd. I wore a beard, kept short, for ~32 years. It was getting a mottled grey and to my eye looked more scruffy than hip so I shaved it off. It was a shock to those who new me. Even my wife of 25 years at the time hadn't seen me without a beard. FWIW, I think my being clean shaven makes me look at bit less old a bit more presentable...which is probably beneficial for my career. I try to avoid the unkempt homeless old guy look...

Racer Ex 

DougG

I assume you won't be riding your recumbent until it grows back?

NOS88

Someone (a believer might be best) will have to let Jesus know upon his return that the times have changed.

Retro Grouch 

I let my beard grow out while I was layed up with my broken hip. The only difference I noticed was an impulse to take in stray animals.

BigAura

True, BUT--> Santa is an acquired taste, initially most children are afraid of him.

Retro Grouch 

That's probably a good instinct. If some bearded guy on the street were to offer small kids candy or sugar plums, he'd be arrested. If he sneaks into your house in the middle of the night to do the same thing, it's OK.

John_V 

Being retired, there is no need to shave every day, so I don't, until my wife gets on my butt about it. I do notice that when I go into a store, unless they know me, the sales people are somewhat slower to offer help than when I go in shaved. I usually wear a tee shirt of some sort, jeans or gym pants or shorts. Sometimes when I wear the gym pants and a tee shirt, it probably adds to the perception of being a bum. I actually had an incident happen back in January, before I bought my new bike. I went into a bike shop that I had never been in before, looking for a new saddle for my Defy. There was another customer being waited on so I started looking at the road bikes just to see what they had. When the other customer was done, the sales guy came up to me, and in a rush to get me out of the store, told me "if I were looking for a bicycle, my best bet would be WalMart because their bikes were probably more than I could afford." They didn't have a saddle I liked, so I left and left it at that.

smoore

I'm sort-of retired and have always hated shaving. Since I no longer go into an office I often go two days without shaving. But by the third day I look in the mirror and see a homeless guy...an old gray homeless guy. Out comes the shaver (electric)

zjrog

I retired from the Navy almost 11 years. 20 years of keeping my head and face clean-cut. First job after retiring required a similar appearance, so, I obliged. Though, I refused military standards for a business casual appearance. Next job, no dealing with the public so I let the hair grow and allowed my beard to grow. Another job change, MY preference, not image related, and I kind of like the scruffy/homeless/don't mess with me look...

sknhgy 

So, it seems like there is a difference. Now I'm trying to decide. Do I go back to the "don't mess with me" look, or do I shave on a regular basis? Maybe I'll do both and keep people guessing.

Condorita

Just in time to start a playoff beard?

Phil85207

Your experience is the same as mine. I had a full beard for over a decade and when I shaved it off the difference was tremendous. I could not believe the difference in the service I got and the way people treated me in general. I was the same person but the clean shave sure made a difference.

Louis

When I expect to be around people, I can look somewhat civilized if I keep my beard trimmed short. However, being retired, I often go a week or more between trims and shaves and appear to have just crawled out of a dumpster.

I always liked the George Carlin quote - "Lenin had a beard. Gabby Hayes had whiskers".

sesmith

You'll be faster. Does that help?

Looigi

Yes! Why shave your legs and not your face?

John E

I have worn a full, neatly-trimmed beard for 40 years. I rarely have any trouble dealing w/ people -- it is all in your posture, your body language, your demeanor, your attitude, etc. Project a friendly image of approachability, and folks worth knowing will respond positively.

petrolhead

SHaved all my hair off, including a beard. Also lost a bit of weight through gym and cycling. People were being really nice, friendly and caring. Turned out people assumed I have cancer, friends were calling other friends asking if I was okay, they weren't comfortable asking me to my face.

stapfam

40 odd years ago I came out of the Royal Marines and I was a Blue Beard. Had to shave 3 times a day and when I came out- I grew a beard. Been on ever since except for a charity day at work when I shaved it off for sponsorship. Until it grew back it was painful. Skin soreness and I have never shaved it off since. May trim it back tight occasionally -or when the wife moans- but Prefer a full beard that never gets any attention except around the upper lip.

When I did shave it off- I realised why I grew it in the first place. I am an ugly bu**er under that facial growth.

rideon7

I had a full beard for a couple of years in my thirties which never really did much for me or anyone else. Shaved it but kept the moustache, which I then let flourish, and it is now something that defines me. Random strangers walk up to me from time to time, as a young woman did last week, to say I had a "fantabulous moustache." To give an idea of what it looks like, I was in the state capitol on business last winter, and a homeless guy standing on the corner, after first asking me for money, then said, "Love your show, man. Mythbusters, right?"

bruce19

You mean the "rebel" Jesus?

bruce19

That's my facial hair about 2 yrs. ago. It's down to a goatee now.