Shame that you surrender your appearance to whoever you're dating . If anyone tried to control what I look like they'd be on the first train home.

I'm inclined to agree.

"Surrender" is too strong, but it can be a powerful influence because I value their opinion.

Appearance is all about how others perceive you. I have no internal reference. Few dress or style themselves purely on some imagined genetically evolved fashion sense with no regard for the sensibilities of others. Most style themselves to match people they relate with, or in accordance with arbitrary social rules and conventions. You all "dress to impress" whether you admit it or not, unless you're a hermit that's given up on mankind.

Some people are clean shaven because stubble gives an image of laziness, a lack of self respect, ambition and even personal hygiene.

Some people desiring authority grow beards or moustaches because they think it makes them appear important in the eyes of others.

Stereotypes are not something you can generally change. You can only conform, or not conform. Even those that choose to be nonconformists are generally conforming to the subculture.

I have very little regard for fashion. In fact I positively despise superficiality in all guises. When I was young, I chose to dress in a way that I thought was rebelling against the conformists. Of course I was merely conforming differently. When I got older I discovered it was easier to get a job and garner people's respect if I didn't look like a homeless zombie. I wanted respect and a job so I dressed smartly. I despise the fact that I had to, especially wearing a tie, but the sad truth is that many people in a position to dictate your future are very superficial. It's difficult to earn recognition if people dismiss you before you open your mouth.

Now I am older I have earned a reputation. In my field I'm quite widely recognised and I have a list of good references. If I wanted to go into the office dressed as Kuromi it would surprise no one. However, I still "smarten up" when I visit a customer because they are probably going to have superficial prejudices.

If the one I love thinks I look better when I trim my fuzz a certain way, then it costs me next to nothing to please her. The chances are that if they think it looks better, many other people will too. However, I do reserve the right to veto any style I think makes me look like a total prick.

Compare this to what some women do, applying layers of face paint and spending hours to style and colour their hair. Then wearing shoes that could cripple them for life, and sometimes clothes they might freeze to death in. Tell me why do they do this? There is only one possible reason: They want certain people to appreciate them.

Of course not all women are like that. I'm not sure my first girlfriend even owned a single lipstick. I appreciated her greatly just the way she was.

Dude, awesome post is awesome.
I have nothing more to add to this.

Mark

I have a full beard - none of this goatee nonsense for me
its normally trimmed to a number 2 . I grew it about 30 years ago after a car accident when I could not shave although my dad has had a beard for as long as I can remember. SWMBO has only ever known me with a beard

I have a biggish scar from flying through the rear window of a brand new car that means even if I try growing a beard I will have a gap in any beard.


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ummn

Does that mean you combine that dreadful duo?


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I really have no preference when it comes to facial hair. My bf is lazy and doesn't have to shave for work and now I'm so used to stubble that I don't really notice it. He likes to have a proper shave at the barber shop with a cut throat razor and he's recently bought the old fashioned brush and soap for a shave at home. If he's happy I'm happy *shrugs*

Apart from a few weeks in my first year of uni, I've always had a chin tuft. Faye hasn't liked it at times as when it gets a little long it somewhat tickles her face.

More recently I've been growing the rest of my face fuzz and I quite like it, the hair to the side of my mouth tickles sometimes, but I quite like that too. Faye has said she doesn't mind it, so I've not got to figure out how to make sure it doesn't get too long or look unkept...

I'll just leave this here
(8+D

Mark

Says the guy referencing The Gloss website.

Never heard of that site before.
To my knowledge, I've never read another item on that site before either.
As long as it's not The Daily Mail or The Sun. (8+)

Mark

Putting Santa as an example of a sexy bearded man is wrong on so many levels.

I know.
At least use a person that actually exists.

Mark