I first grew my beard in Sept.1972. All of a sudden it occurred to me that I have never shaved it since then. My parents have forgotten what I look without it. My wife and children have never seen me without it. Over the years I have kept it trimmed,otherwise I would look like ZZ Top or Duck Dynasty my question is at the age of 67, should I consider shaving? Once I turned down a dream job because they(Texas Education Agency) insisted that I shave. Being young and self rightous I refused and ended up with a better job. But as I enter my""sunset years". My couriosity is piqued and it is interesting to speculate on the impact to my family and friends ad their reaction. Advice anyone? It ai't the way it used to be, but it will do. Jerry Hoover

For over forty years YOU have gone without seeing your face. I cannot imagine doing that, myself. If you shave it might put a little spice in your relationship with your wife for a while till the "new guy" thing wears off. Anyway, if you don't like what you see you can always grow it back.

My hunting partner shaved his goatee off while we were in Namibia. Our wives were with us and that night there were strange noises coming from his and his wife's tent. Gee, imagine that. He has kept it off for the nine years since we left Namibia. Maybe it has helped. It ain't the way it used to be,but it will do. Jerry Hoover

I shaved every day except Saturdays for years. Then for a period of about ten years I quit shaving from about Sept. 1st through April 1st. Cool weather / hunting seasons. Then I switched back to shaving every day except Saturdays for another twenty years. Then I retired. I now shave when I feel like it, which isn't often, or when my wife gives me the evil-eye.

It's your face and your life. I have no opinion on what you do with it.

I had a beard for about 15 years. When I retired, I shaved it off. I had no real reason for growing it; I had no real reason for shaving it off. It took a while for me to get over being startled by the "new" guy when I'd walk passed a mirror. Now I shave when I feel like it. Which means I usually look like some old wino coming off a bender.

I had a beard from 1976 to 1998,never shaved it off.One nite the wife went bowling and I decided to shave it off,didn't tell her before hand.She gets in late & had a few drinks crawls into bed puts her hands to my face lets out a blood curling scream grabs her 357 on her side of the bed. I hear the hammer being cocked as I roll off the waterbed and yelling don't shoot. She is yelling while gun is still pointed at me.It may seem funny now,not then.I grew my beard back & never shaved it off again.

Who are you doing this for ? Yourself or other people ?

I have had a beard for most of 30 years and I am not ever going to voluntarily shave it , never . I like not shaving , and other folks opinions are of no consequence in the argument.

Its your face - you decide .

Good point Muzza. I am merely curious, as to what others have done and was their experience. Frankly I cannot envision myself clean shaven as this has a been a part of me for over two thirds of my life. My deaf brother refers to me as "brother beard" and in all honesty, I don't think my wonderful wife and children could stand the shock nor could I. Is 't speculation fun? It ain't the wat it used to be, but it will do. Jerry Hoover

I actually have shaved my beard off once in my 30 years of married life. My wife pointed out that I had a double chin , plus I got sunburned next morning so grew it straight back. My 17 yr old son has never seen me clean shaven , and likely never will.

My beard is me , and I like it that way. I can understand your dilemma , beardless people cant though ;-)

I have given this the serious consideration it deserves. After almost 43 years of looking at a furry face in the mirror, why would I even consider such a heinous thought like shaving. A moment of weakness hit hard, but fortunately I came to my senses before a major disaster happened. My heartfelt thanks to all bearded AR members. It ain't the way it used to be,but it will do. Jerry Hoover

If I had a beard, what would make me shave is having to look at all the ugly beards when I try to watch a baseball or basketball game these days. I would do my part to clean things up.

Beards and tattoos do nothing for me. Tattoos on black guys.........even less.

Years ago before I went into business for myself I worked at another sheet metal shop.The owner hired his grandson to be my helper.The kid had quit school with only 2 weeks until graduation because he would not shave off a few wwispy hairs on his chin.One of the other hands started calling him Chaaaaaarli (goat bleat). He came to work the next day clean shaven.

I've had mine since July of 1974. Full beard.

One time one of my wife's RN's asked her if she had ever seen me clean shaven? She told her, pictures of me in RVN and on the PD, but not in person.

The lady then asked her if she had ever asked me to shave, just to see what I looked like?

My wife told her "No, what if he's ugly?"

Not the answer I would have preferred, but we are going on 28 years... It has turned from jet black, to nearly white. Must be the company I keep.

Rich

The job I had didn't allow beards I have had a moustache from the time I was 20 or so.

I have a very light beard I grew one after I retired took me so long to get a half way decent one I just gave up.

Now I shave on Sundays and maybe once or twice during the week.

I was in the military for 20 years. I retired and started growing one right away.

I got to grow one in Afghanistan on every trip because of who I worked for. Liked it a lot, was sad when I would come home and have to shave it off.

When I retired they get grown occasionally, but my wife hates it. And honestly while I think it is cool, my daughters also hate it.

The new baby is 6 months old, I grew a beard for about 3 weeks and shaved it off and when I shaved it off she was super happy. So off it will stay.

Idaho Sharpshooter--Never thought I'd pay you a compliment. If your wife used the word IF in the sentence what IF he is ugly? I'd say you have one of the politest wife's around.

you're starting to make me a little nervous...

She's put up with me going on 28 years now. Some women really place a high value on a man who doesn't drink much, do any sort of drugs, has several thousand dollars a month in income, and thinks they(me) are married to the most wonderful Christian woman in the world.

Grew mine out for the first time in many years. However, the Mississippi summer is fast approaching and as I work outside, it will go for the time being.

Fall and winter (hunting) = beard

Spring and summer (fishing) = no beard

I kinda like shaving part of the year.....the 'stache part of the facial hair bugs me more than anything. Just shaved the whole deal off Monday......had fun looking like Honest Abe for the weekend though.

ISS "doesn't drink much, no drugs, several thousand per month" . Don't be so modest. Tell it all--no boasting, no hyperbole, no tall tales, certainly no conceit, no illusions of being smarter than everyone else.