Comments on: triumphs of the naysayers http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:13:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Steve http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-7588 Steve Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:58:21 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-7588 Steve: That's too bad about some naysayers getting worse when challenged. For the most part, it's probably far better to just ignore them. Steve:
That’s too bad about some naysayers getting worse when challenged. For the most part, it’s probably far better to just ignore them.

]]> By: Steve (not Beardguy) http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-7579 Steve (not Beardguy) Tue, 18 Sep 2007 05:19:49 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-7579 Beard-naysayers have learned not to naysay beards in my hearing, whether I spite them with continued cheerfulness at that moment or confront them about their being out of line. Some confrontations seem to have resulted in more hardness of the naysayer's heart, so now I don't confront a naysayer unless I think the ears are open. Beard-naysayers have learned not to naysay beards in my hearing, whether I spite them with continued cheerfulness at that moment or confront them about their being out of line. Some confrontations seem to have resulted in more hardness of the naysayer’s heart, so now I don’t confront a naysayer unless I think the ears are open.

]]> By: Angus http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-7160 Angus Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:03:45 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-7160 I must agree that those who knock us blokes for growing facial hair need to think about what they say before opening their mouths. For some of us steping out and declaring our own independance and uniqueness is a big deal for us. Wouldn't we all agree? When being attacked by people for your lifestyle choice it's bad enough, it feels worse when its comng from your own loved ones. As for my attempts to grow mine I got knocked down again and again for it and listened to em. Now after being away for a while from home and giving it a chance to grow out. I guess I grew my beard out of spite. That might not be the best reason to grow a beard but what ever gives you the motivation and inspiration that gets you ther must be worth it. My advice to anyone attempting to grow their own face fuzz, let comments and sharp remarks just roll off your back. Hold in there even if it gets hard and you should be glad with your final results and even then it's not final. Cheers. I must agree that those who knock us blokes for growing facial hair need to think about what they say before opening their mouths. For some of us steping out and declaring our own independance and uniqueness is a big deal for us. Wouldn’t we all agree? When being attacked by people for your lifestyle choice it’s bad enough, it feels worse when its comng from your own loved ones.
As for my attempts to grow mine I got knocked down again and again for it and listened to em. Now after being away for a while from home and giving it a chance to grow out. I guess I grew my beard out of spite. That might not be the best reason to grow a beard but what ever gives you the motivation and inspiration that gets you ther must be worth it.
My advice to anyone attempting to grow their own face fuzz, let comments and sharp remarks just roll off your back. Hold in there even if it gets hard and you should be glad with your final results and even then it’s not final.
Cheers.

]]> By: Gary http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-118 Gary Mon, 29 May 2006 19:17:51 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-118 To heck with the naysayers; grow your beard! WB's grooming comments reminded me of question I meant to ask: how and what do you use to groom your beard, if anything? I note that most of the beards I've seen here, as well as most men's beards, in general, appear to be fully natural; i.e., no noticable trace of any grooming products. Then there are some, especially those who, by the nature of their chosen beard style, require something like mustache wax to keep it looking right. I tried mustache wax, myself, for about the first three years, but, despite the fact I used Pinaud Clubman neutral color (actually white, but it becomes clear, more or less), it tended to make my beard look grayer than it really was and, most of all, it left me with flaky white residue that fall on the front of my shirt (not good when wearing black or navy). I've since switched to a product that is, well, "unconventional": Dax Wave & Groom, a palmade-like hair dressing used by blacks. While it's a little on the oily side and has a scent (though a pleasant one), it gets the job done and keeps my beard looking neat all day, and without changing its color or any flaky residue. I just comb it through my beard after a shower and I'm ready to go. I know some purists will scoff at my using anything at all, but I have very unruly whiskers, otherwise and no amount of combing will tame them without some sort of grooming aid. To heck with the naysayers; grow your beard!

WB’s grooming comments reminded me of question I meant to ask: how and what do you use to groom your beard, if anything? I note that most of the beards I’ve seen here, as well as most men’s beards, in general, appear to be fully natural; i.e., no noticable trace of any grooming products. Then there are some, especially those who, by the nature of their chosen beard style, require something like mustache wax to keep it looking right.

I tried mustache wax, myself, for about the first three years, but, despite the fact I used Pinaud Clubman neutral color (actually white, but it becomes clear, more or less), it tended to make my beard look grayer than it really was and, most of all, it left me with flaky white residue that fall on the front of my shirt (not good when wearing black or navy). I’ve since switched to a product that is, well, “unconventional”: Dax Wave & Groom, a palmade-like hair dressing used by blacks. While it’s a little on the oily side and has a scent (though a pleasant one), it gets the job done and keeps my beard looking neat all day, and without changing its color or any flaky residue. I just comb it through my beard after a shower and I’m ready to go.

I know some purists will scoff at my using anything at all, but I have very unruly whiskers, otherwise and no amount of combing will tame them without some sort of grooming aid.

]]> By: Dan http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-44 Dan Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:54:31 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-44 I love having either a beard or goatee. I have had one for the last 5 years and love it greatly. For me when growing it there were comments of course, but I would rather have a beard which is something I like than go with the "social standard" because it is the "way" things are supposed to be. Honestly, every comment makes me want to grow a longer beard. I love having either a beard or goatee. I have had one for the last 5 years and love it greatly.

For me when growing it there were comments of course, but I would rather have a beard which is something I like than go with the “social standard” because it is the “way” things are supposed to be.

Honestly, every comment makes me want to grow a longer beard.

]]> By: Phil Copeland http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-33 Phil Copeland Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:53:21 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-33 How many times have thoughtless people who think they are clever made a negative comment about some one's personal appearance which has been both hurtful, and damaging to their self exteem in a long term way. Beard nay-sayers knock it off. We bearded guys let our beards grow because we like the improvement facial hair gives us. I've had mine 16 years and it varies between a goatee and full set, but my chin never sees the light of day now. No, I'm not hiding anything..psychologically..maybe a tendancy to a double chin now that I have reached more mature years, but beards are things of beauty in the vast majority of men who have them. How many times have thoughtless people who think they are clever made a negative comment about some one’s personal appearance which has been both hurtful, and damaging to their self exteem in a long term way.

Beard nay-sayers knock it off. We bearded guys let our beards grow because we like the improvement facial hair gives us.

I’ve had mine 16 years and it varies between a goatee and full set, but my chin never sees the light of day now. No, I’m not hiding anything..psychologically..maybe a tendancy to a double chin now that I have reached more mature years, but beards are things of beauty in the vast majority of men who have them.

]]> By: Greg http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-30 Greg Wed, 29 Mar 2006 21:34:32 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-30 HI Ron, I sent you an e-mail yesterday, but I got a message saying either it was delayed in sending or could not send. I will leave my e-mail here, and hopefully you can get something to me. It is beardbush@hotmail.com HI Ron, I sent you an e-mail yesterday, but I got a message saying either it was delayed in sending or could not send. I will leave my e-mail here, and hopefully you can get something to me. It is
beardbush@hotmail.com

]]> By: Ron Alfano http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-29 Ron Alfano Sat, 25 Mar 2006 19:43:50 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-29 Dear Greg, Thank you for your reply please e-mail me at february224@msn.net Dear Greg,
Thank you for your reply please e-mail me at february224@msn.net

]]> By: Douglas Mitchell http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-26 Douglas Mitchell Sat, 11 Mar 2006 23:02:57 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-26 Ron Alfano makes some very good points. I think all of us who prize beards share the impulse to compliment a beard on a stranger, but hold back. I never regret saying "nice beard!" or "hey, maybe we can do a Smith Brothers commerical" or "keep the beard, it looks great" to strangers. They always respond with a grin and return the compliment. This is one way to overcome the naysayers. I remember one of my best friends in junior high school, who had a wonderfully thick beard at age 12 or 13, who grew it in every summer, to the delight (and extreme envy, I might add) of his friends. His family got into the habit of having a "Shaving of the Beard" party at the end of each summer since no beards were allowed in school. It was festive, but sad. I've lost touch and wonder if he kept the beard in later life. I certainly wanted to caress it during those summers in middle and high school! Let's here more congrats for Steve: huzzah and carramba! This site is a godsend, and has been an important part of the now-growing trend to beardedness. Ron Alfano makes some very good points. I think all of us who prize beards share the impulse to compliment a beard on a stranger, but hold back. I never regret saying “nice beard!” or “hey, maybe we can do a Smith Brothers commerical” or “keep the beard, it looks great” to strangers. They always respond with a grin and return the compliment. This is one way to overcome the naysayers.
I remember one of my best friends in junior high school, who had a wonderfully thick beard at age 12 or 13, who grew it in every summer, to the delight (and extreme envy, I might add) of his friends. His family got into the habit of having a “Shaving of the Beard” party at the end of each summer since no beards were allowed in school. It was festive, but sad. I’ve lost touch and wonder if he kept the beard in later life. I certainly wanted to caress it during those summers in middle and high school!
Let’s here more congrats for Steve: huzzah and carramba! This site is a godsend, and has been an important part of the now-growing trend to beardedness.

]]> By: Greg http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-24 Greg Sat, 11 Mar 2006 00:21:55 +0000 http://blog.beards.org/2006/03/05/triumphs-of-the-naysayers/#comment-24 Hey Ron, Read your post. I loved the "Winter Wimps" comment. I have always struggled to think of a term that described this sort of beard wearer, and you summed it up perfectly. I also think a beard gives a mans face more depth and dimension, but unfortunately the biggest lot of them seem to be warpped by what TV and commercials say........... Hey Ron,
Read your post. I loved the “Winter Wimps” comment. I have always struggled to think of a term that described this sort of beard wearer, and you summed it up perfectly. I also think a beard gives a mans face more depth and dimension, but unfortunately the biggest lot of them seem to be warpped by what TV and commercials say………..

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