.... Guys, I am a professional in a very professional business setting. The actual growing of beards in the setting is actually very difficult. You can't just grow one out of nowhere. It has to be pre-established in order to be accepted in todays society. If I were to have received this job without a beard and then arrived with one, I would become different in peoples eyes. It's true. There is still a heavy stigma for beards. That is why I refuse, and listen, REFUSE to do any silly shaping beyond my current beard, a general length adjustment for 2-4 week trimming, and maybe an alteration of a goatee for summer time. Maybe. Big maybe. I just do not enjoy novelty. These guys are more than welcome to do anything they wish, especially if it's for anything like a good cause. But if for a second any of you seriously thought that I would tamper with my appearance in such a drastic way.... No.
I applaud those that shape and keep these styles of beards. I have no idea what professions these men hold that will allow for them, but I am not one of them. I have been growing beards for 15 years. I have too much pride in my beard growing ways than to belittle it for novelty. It's an identity. MY identity. I could never bring myself to do something like this. It's not me. I do a lot of things for the sake of bringing amusement for others, such as my antics towards general perverted-ness.... but.... No.
I'll assume that the suggestion was said in jest, and trust me, I hold no offense, but don't take my beard lightly. I will never adjust it to the whims of another (except for Caroline, and even that is a major battle). Novelty beards are just that, novelty.[DOUBLEPOST=1366156535,1366156380][/DOUBLEPOST]Edit: Gyah, I typed that in a little bit of agitated fury. My mental state is a bit off as of late.
