Whisker Poll

[JPA Cate]

Sea Dreaming's right about the stubble being uncomfortable for the receiver, not the wearer, but after about 2 weeks, the beard is softer, because it's longer.

I agree with Mike's partner, some men do look better with a beard. I knew a man with a small, receding chin whose beard totally masked it, and he looked much better bearded.

Ann

[Hydra]

Clean shaven most of the time: I tried a full beard when I was a student but I didn't like how long it took every day to recognise my own face in the mirror, so I shaved.

Up to 10-day stubble when cruising: at sea, I don't look at my face in a mirror!

Alain

[Dave_S]

I'm just lazy. I mow it off with an electric razor then let it grow until it gets to the itchy stage then mow it off again.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

...I agree with Mike's partner, some men do look better with a beard. I knew a man with a small, receding chin whose beard totally masked it, and he looked much better bearded.

Right … wait…? What are you saying? That I look like:

[StuM]

Depends - goatee kinda guy when working, but don't bother shaving when I'm not - so always come back from a cruise with a full beard.

[Mirage35]

Random. When I was in university my friends wouldn't have been able to tell you if I had a beard because it changed too often.

Earlier than that I had a beard because I could at age 16, and it helped me get into bars underage.

Calmed down a little bit in adult life - had a beard for a couple of years, took it off for a couple of years. Alternated.

Now approaching post-adult life (second childhood?) and it's more driven by my activities. Sailing for more than a week, backpacking, similar - I can't be bothered to shave so I let it grow and then leave it on until it annoys me. It takes longer before it annoys me now that I've learned to trim it properly. (But I needed to be retired before I found the time to do that ...) So it will probably come back on my trip in the spring, and then stay for some months. (During the summer, which is illogical, but so what ...)

Next poll: Do you find that the most trivial questions on CF attract the most feedback? <yes> or <probably>

[Mirage35]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Sea Dreaming's right about the stubble being uncomfortable for the receiver, not the wearer, but after about 2 weeks, the beard is softer, because it's longer.

...

Ann

(I live in a society where kisses on the cheek are the norm. So don't anybody get any other ideas about this comment.)

Ann, should I ever have the pleasure to meet you in person, I will ensure that I have full, soft growth in place for the occasion.

[Macblaze]

I grew up in the Don Johnson era so...

I actually keep as short as I can get with a pair of scissors. That way its long enough not to be scratchy and I can still avoid shaving more than it takes to give it some shape.

[markpierce]

Once had a full, short beard. Now shave clean twice a week.

[Steve Bean]

I have a full beard since about 1972. Never found a comfortable way to get a really good shave.

[belizesailor]

Full beard for about 2 decades. Grey now.

Lots of old farts with beards out cruising. 😆

[daletournier]

The freedom of not shaving regularly is one of the true pleasures of cruising life, right up there with peeing over the side..... it's all part of not being a domesticated man

[DumnMad]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

20+ years of Army, I had to shave.
I hate shaving, but now do so because the wife doesn't like my beard. I go back and forth, but would rather never shave again. Have to shave the neck every so often I guess

Men shave to look younger and more boyish for the girls. Doesn't make sense otherwise.

Explain to your wife that you're now quite happy to be shaven.

[B00B00]

Been running a beard for the last year but after a 'deal' with the wife it's all come off again. It was a fair deal, a month of serious boat prep and a 2 week offshore race in our boat leaving her to deal with the 3 kids herself. Deal was if we win it would come off. Well we won..

Have always run the summer holiday beard and only shave when I have to go to work. Funny now after running the beard I only feel the need to shave 2 or 3 times a week, the stubble look doesn't worry me.