Beard dilemma

[Mystic79]

I'm 27 and from the time I was 15 I wanted to grow a beard. I couldn't in high school mainly because I went to a strict Prep school and they'd forbid facial hair of any kind (except sideburns). Even after high school my facial hair growth wasn't exactly how I wanted it before I endeavored on growing a beard.

Now I have good development and I'm ready to grow one, except for one thing, I'm dark skinned. My parents originated from India so those who know me (mainly my family) think it's a bad idea because people would mistake me for a terrorist.

I was born and raised in the U.S. and I have no foreign accent whatsoever (okay maybe I have a Midwest accent lol), but anyways the risk is always there of some violence against me because of my skin color. After 9/11 there was one incident where a kid in college picked a fight with me, and of course I had him eating the floor in about 5 seconds. ;D

But, now I'm older, more mature and I deal with alot of people who are mentally ill. The risk is always there I guess, but I'm wondering if wearing a beard would make people more skeptical of me.

I really wish RACE wasn't a factor in me enjoying myself and growing a beard. I HATE shaving, I have very sensitive skin, and growing a beard just makes sense on so many levels.

Anyone have any ideas? I thought about doing a "less terroristic" style of beard like a chin only goatee, with the connection and the "soul patch", or "imperial."

[beckie]

personally I think the goatee would be less intimidating especially to your clients because sometimes I've noticed with beards is that facial expressions are not easily distinguishable and your clients need to be able to read your face.

[mrbeefy]

First, just let me say that first impressions carry a lot with many people. For example...I'm 5'2"..short by any standard. If I throw on sweats or a sloppy outfit, people do NOT respect or pay any attnetion to me. BUT..let me put on a suit, or a nice tight shirt and jeans, and people pay attention, not only to me but to what I say.

If YOU feel a beard distracts from what you are trying to achieve, let it be. If it will enhance what you are trying to do, Let it grow.

Try it for a few weeks, with attention to how people react to you, and see how it goes. Great thing about hair, you can shave it off, cause it WILL grow back!

I grew a beard a few years back, my wife like it. I can take it or leave it. People say I look older and distinguished with it. People say I look 10 years younger without it.

During the second world war, just remember how many Asians were discriminated against because of their eyes. They may have been Phillipino, Chinese, Eastern Asian, but if they were percieved as Japanese....well...you know the story.

Good Luck whatever you decide.

[masterschamp]

I have a beard most of the year as in the pic I posted in the "Squats....I need some help" thread in the TRAINING section.To me, the bottom line is, who the hell cares what anyone else thinks of it? I'm a grown man, and I grow mine cause I want to! Same reason I go to a goatee sometimes.....Because I want to. The only time I'm really clean shaven is for a contest, and that's because of the whole Pro-Tan thing. I was actually thinking of competing this year with the beard........Yeah, I've heard the judges like the clean cut thing, but, again, that's MY decision to make.
Grow your beard.... I'm tanned most of the year and there's thousands of other darker skinned guys out there with beards (hispanic, black,etc.,) that I'm sure are not worried about looking like a "terrorist". I know alot of them myself and I don't think "terrorist" when I see them.

[GerryT]

Great advice from everyone. Do what you want to do. Agree with Frank about trying it out and see what happens. But what you really want should matter most.

[Mystic79]

You're all right! To hell with what others think, it's my face, my hair, my life. Let people judge me by my character, not my face. Unfortunately most people do juge by a book by it's cover though. Oh well. I will keep you all updated and let you know how it goes.

[mrbeefy]

One other quick note:

Having worked all over the world, it's good to have a sense of cultural sensitivity, and I think that is where this thread started.

In a friends office, she was chatised for putting out a small plastic reindeer on her desk, because it represented CHRISTmas, and many employees in her office were Jewish. They felt it was culturally insensitive.

A friend crossed his legs sitting in an office with some Middle Eastern clients. He was later chastised, because it is offensive to show the bottom of your foot to someone in the Middle East.

IF the siutation was applicable, then perhaps a beard wouldn't be prudent. BUT, under everyday circumstances, you ca be as GQ as you like!

A week after 9/11...I wouldn't have sported a beard, if I were dark complected, and had an Middle Eastern Accent. If you look back at the papers, see how many stores were robbed, burned, and/or people harrassed or beaten because they "appeared" Middle Eastern. NOT a bad thing to look that way...just facts of what the world scenarios were at that time.

Be aware, and sensative to the situation, and you will be fine.

Just my 2 cents

[Rich]

Grow it. If you don't like it, for whatever reason, shave it off. Hair is good that way.